ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT BOOSTS SECURITY WITH CIG MOTORS PICKUP VANS

The Ondo State government has taken delivery of a fleet of JMC pickup vans from CIG Motors Nigeria owners of GAC Motor, JMC Pickup, DFM bus and Light truck to boost security in the state.

An official handover ceremony which held recently at the Ondo State government house, Akure marked a new milestone for CIG Motors as they set sail for a new course with the Ondo state government.

Giving a speech of appreciation at the event, the representative Speaking on behalf of Chief Diana Chen chairman of CIG Motors, the GM Commercial & Group Head Communications Mr JUBRIL AROGUNDADE said that “The importance of today’s mission being the handover of these security pickups is one that is highly regarded in our company’s vision, to become the Automobile company of choice for organizations and individuals who are interested in dealing with authenticity. As part of our drive to deliver in all capacity, we will be setting up an after-sales service center In Ondo state.

CIG Motors is truly invested in the future of mobility and innovation that aids development in Nigeria, and we have continued to strengthen these values through strategic partnerships and collaborations such as this one, while delivering excellent value which is our primary goal.

We are grateful to the Ondo state Government for their trust in our brand, for our product and our capacity to deliver.”

Also Speaking at the ceremony, the governor of Ondo state His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu employed CIG Motors to hurry up set up an aftersales workshop in Ondo state, as the Government is posed to purchase more vehicles. To the delight of everyone, the Governor proposed to provide land for the after-sales workshop.

The Deputy Governor His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa thanked the Governor for the initiative to empower the 18 local governments in Ondo state with these state-of-the-art fleet of pickups for security operations in the state.

CIG Motors has overtime since coming into the Nigerian Automobile market, proven itself to be a trustworthy brand, one which delivers quality at the best rate, and is committed to embracing the Nigerian spirit of excellence.

Trade Dispute: NAN ignores meeting with Labour Ministry, union cries out

Staff members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NAN Chapel, Abuja have decried the decision of the Management of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to shun a meeting Tuesday organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment over the internal trade dispute.

A joint press statement by the union members recalls that a letter signed by Mrs O.U. Akpan the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, scheduled a meeting for February 15, 2022 over a trade dispute between the Union and NAN Management to clarify the looming issues on transfer of Union leaders in the agency amongst other issues.

According to the statement, Mr Collins Yakubu-Hammer, the NAN
NUJ Chairman was transferred, victimised, suspended for three months without pay for alleged failure to proceed on transfer.

The purported transfer in the first place was done in bad faith to silence the NAN NUJ leadership in total contravention with the provisions of Section 9 subsection 6 (a) and (b) of the Nigerian Labour Act, CAP L1, 2004, and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

The category of staff in the Editorial Department that are transfered to District Offices are traditionally those between GL8 and GL12. Thus, his transfer (on Grade Level 13 and a labour leader) was predicated on wickedness, victimisation, intimidation and threat to other labour leaders to scare them away from exposing unlawful conduct and injustice against their members.

“The refusal of the management to reverse the transfer as resolved at the meeting with the Controller, FCT Labour Office, is a gross violation of the agreement reached at that meeting.”

The transfer was based on the letter
dated 23th September, 2021, with the title “2021 PROMOTION EXAMINATION: URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS AN UNLAWFUL CONDUCT”, which the Union had begged the management to address illegalities that characterised the 2021 Promotion Examination where the Head of Admin, Mr Abdulhadi Khaliel, and Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr Oladele O. Ojo, conspired to promote their cronies, including Mr Abiodun Akintokun, Mr Mambis Danja and Stephanie Ekemere Oyovhaire (Mrs), who where promoted twice within 2 years against the Civil Services rules of 3 years.

“The three aforementioned staff were not eligible for the 2021 Promotion Examination and their names were not on the first and second list of qualified staff for the 2021 promotion examination, they were smuggled into the hall to write the said examination. This contravened Section 7, subsection 020702 of the Public Service Rules.

“The Management did not respond to our request to address such gross violation of the Public Service Rules (PSR) even after several attempts to get clarification.

“When the unions declared their intention to take up the matter at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Federal Civil Service Commission and Ministry of Information and Culture, some of the unions were compromised and others threatened, leaving the NAN NUJ to proceed on seeking to address the unlawful conduct.

“In the process of trying to further seek for justice, the Head of Admin, Mr Khaliel, decided to transfer the NAN NUJ NAN Chairman to Pankshin District Office in Plateau State to silent the union on the matter.

“The transfer letter was signed by Mr Mambis Danja, one of the staff that was not eligible to write the 2021 Promotion Examination, but was promoted against Section 7 Subsection 020701 (b) of the PSR.

“More so, it may interest you to know that Mr Mambis Danja is from Pankshin LGA in Plateau South where insecurity and banditry is paramount. Only the Almighty God knows the sinister motives for transferring the NAN NUJ Chairman to Pankshin District Office, when there are many NAN staff in Jos, the Plateau State capital. We feel his life may also be in danger.

“The union felt and believed that intention of the purported transfer was to kill the effort of the NUJ leadership from seeking justice and address the unlawful conduct, especially the one related to the 2021 Promotion Examination and also the welfare of the staff.”

We hereby call on the Ministry of Labour and employment and the Ministry of Information and Culture for it intervention against the victimisation and threat of union members by the management

The Ministry of Information in an attempt to resolve the unlawful conduct during the 2021 Promotion Examination, wrote to NAN in January 2022 to provide it with documents to verify our claims.

Currently, the Ministry of Information and Culture are yet to get feedback on the matter from the Agency, and Office of the Head of Service are trying to draw their conclusions on the purported transfer.

For the sake of industrial peace and harmony, we urge the authorities to resolve the looming crisis in NAN or the union will take an industrial action.

Buhari confirms Bello-Koko’s appointment as MD NPA

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko as the substantive Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority.

A press release signed by the Director of Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Eric Ojiekwe on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 noted that prior to this appointment, Bello-Koko was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Authority.

Bello-Koko has been the acting Managing Director since the former Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman was suspended as part of moves to allow independent audit of the accounts and remittance of the agency.

Recall that the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the recommendation of the Minister of Transport, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, to set up an administrative panel of inquiry to investigate Ms Usman’s management of the NPA.

“The President has also approved that the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, step aside while the investigation is carried out. Mr Mohammed Koko will act in that position,” Mr Shehu said.

Bello-Koko’s appointment takes immediate effect, the statement noted. 

Breaking: NDLEA declares Kyari wanted over membership of international drug syndicate

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has declared the suspended head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari, wanted over alleged drug offences.

The NDLEA said investigation has revealed that Kyari who has been linked to Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi is a member of a drug syndicate which operates across the globe.

The decision came amidst the Hushpuppi scandal.The Spokesperson of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, made the announcement during a short press conference held in its Headquarters.

Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police is an award winning ‘Super Cop’ and Intelligence Officer.

Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, was arrested in Dubai in June 2020 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

Abba Kyari’s allegation is similar to that of Obi Iyiegbu, popularly called Obi Cubana, his “Man Friday” who the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) interrogated last week over the payment of three different tranches of money by drug pushers convicted in New Delhi, India; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Lagos, Nigeria, into his various bank accounts.

Amaechi an extraordinary goal getter, deserves a higher office – Daura Emir

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has been described as a an extraordinary goal getter and should be given an opportunity of a higher office.

The Emir of Daura, HRH Dr Faruk Umar Faruk made this known Saturday in Daura, Katsina State while praying for the Minister in his palace and honouring him with the tittle of “Dan Amanar Daura,” meaning the trusted son of Daura.

According to HRH Umar Faruk, “We are gathered here to reciprocate the kind gesture done to us by the Rt. Hon Minister of transportation, Chibuke Rotimi Amechi, for his whole hearted love and support for us. Therefore, It is binding on the Daura traditional emirate to acknowledge the kind gesture. My prayer is for God to give you a higher office.”

Emir Faruk noted that the Daura Emirate conferred the traditional title on Amaechi in recognition of his contributions to the socio-economic development of the country, especially for ensuring that a Transportation University is sited in Daura as well as ensuring that the Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway line passed through Daura.

Emir Faruk noted that in Daura Emirate “we don’t give title because you have money, We give title considering your sacrifices and impact on people’s lives, and impact on community and the nation at large.”

Speaking to newsmen at the event, Tony Princewill, APC Chieftain described the newly crowned trusted son of Kano as a detribalized Nigerian who believes in one Nigeria, saying that, “He (Amaechi) is a unifier and a man of peace who believes in equity and fairness, ensuring that the right thing is done at the right time. Above all, he is not materialistic. He believes in the creation of wealth for the masses and he is a true man of the people.

The turbaning ceremony was witnessed by Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Ministers Adamu Adamu (education), Niyi Adebayo (Industries), Festus Keyamo (State Labour), Sunday Dare (Sports), Adeleke Mamora (Health) Oba of Benin, Etim Edet Ekong, representative of Cross River Council of Chiefs, Bashir Jamo (NIMASA) and Mohammed Koko (NPA), among others.

Kaduna – Kano Railway on course for commissioning before May 2023 – Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has expressed confidence that the Kaduna to Kano railway under construction will be completed before the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Amaechi who made this known Friday during the inspection tour of the project however hinged his confidence on funding.

He explained that due to the delay in accessing the Chinese loan, the project is currently being funded from the budget.

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The Minister insisted that the project when completed will boost commercial activities between Kano and Lagos as goods manufactured in Kano will be sent easily to Lagos while goods imported through Lagos can be sent to Kano easily.

“Job creation as well as increase in the value of land within the area are some of the benefits for the people who lives along the route,” he said.

When asked about his motivation on the rail projects, Amaechi who will be turbaned Dan Amana of Daura tomorrow, insisted that it was purely national interest.

The rail projects have brought succour to travelers along Abuja – Kaduna, Lagos – Ibadan and Warri – Itakpe. Plan has been concluded to connect all regions of the country with rail lines.

He however urged the Chinese contractors to break the work into portions, have men working on all at the same time, bring in more machinery and make use of local content to make sure the project is completed on schedule.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AMAECHI’S DAN AMANAR DAURA TURBANING – SEN. ZWINGINA

Former Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate who represented Adamawa South between 1999 to 2007, Senator Silas Jonathan Zwingina has said that the planned recognition of the Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi as the ‘Dan Amanar’ Daura by the Emirate and people of Daura in Katsina State is not politically motivated but borne out of merits and the outstanding performance and leadership qualities of Amaechi.

Senator Zwingina said the Daura Emirate considered the numerous achievements recorded by the Minister in the transport sector in Nigeria and by extension Daura, their home community.

He said rather than perceive such gesture, as politically motivated, attention should be shifted to the merits of the projects executed by Amaechi and his sterling leadership qualities.

Describing the development as most welcomed, the former lawmaker explained that it was the culture of the Daura Emirate to show appreciation and single out those who have impacted on their lives.

“It is a most welcome development. It is the culture of the people to reward and single out those who have done something for the community that will remain with them for life. It is totally out of politics and nobody should read any extra ordinary meaning to it. The kind of projects that the Minister has put in the country, has put in Daura, I’m sure the President did not request for them. The Minister came up with them himself and considered it worthy to put those projects there and the Federal Executive Council approved them. There is the University of Transportation and the railway line that would pass through the emirate. The most interesting thing is that the university is a Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) project. That is to say that they are practically free of charge to government as it’s compatible to the actual rail projects the Chinese are executing”, he said.

He said the idea of executing projects through Corporate Social Responsibility this way is peculiar to Amaechi even as he urged other Ministers to emulate Amaechi’s style.

“The Ministers that haven’t thought about that, or if they have, I’m not aware that anyone is doing Corporate Social Responsibility projects the way it is done by Amaechi. So, I commend him sincerely for that because it’s either there would have been no Corporate Social Responsibility projects in the manner of the University, or it would have been diverted. The gesture by Amaechi is beyond Daura. The spirit is that every multinational company that has a big project here should have a Corporate Social Responsibility project that is visible, identifiable and publicized in the manner the Daura Community has done”.

While also urging Amaechi to be appreciative of the recognition by the people, the former Senate Deputy Leader added, ” And you know the way the people do their own thing, If with the passage of time the Minister is not around, the title could be transferred to his son if he desires”.

On why the recognition should be at a time the 2023 Presidential election was fast approaching, Senator Zwingina explained, ” There is nothing extraordinary with the timing. It is just about a Community that has learned to show appreciation to a man who has done them good, a man who has served this nation so well, very diligently and producing outstanding results both as a minister and Director-General of President Buhari two successful campaigns. A man who they so trusted and have decided to turbane him with such a very prestigious title as their ‘Dan Amanar’. Honestly, Amaechi truly deserves the title and I think we should see it that way, on its merit and not otherwise”, he explained.

2023: I will ensure free, compulsory education – Rochas joins presidential race

Former governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha and senator representing Imo west, has announced his intention to make education in Nigeria free and compulsory if elected president.

He made this known while formally declaring his interest to run for office of the president at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

“We have 14 million out-of-school children. I will declare free education. It is something I have done,” Okorocha insists.

In what he christened the New Nigeria, Okorocha seeks to also tackle the issues of poverty and security passionately.

“I have no other country that I can call my country apart from Nigeria.

“I am not in politics for what I can get, I am in politics for what I can give. I price honour more than life and glory more than wealth.

“My heart bleeds because of that boy in Maiduguri or Katsina that cannot go to school. I’m not satisfied when poverty becomes the order of the day. Many countries have tagged us as the poverty capital of the world, I don’t not agree.

“The truth is that we are a great nation and time will come when it will be made manifest.

“To the youths, If I become your president, I will handover to the next generation. I’m not not-too-young-to-run and not too old to run, I’m only 57.

The serving Senator who promised to reduce the number of representatives at the National Assembly said the country needs a president who can create wealth.

“This nation is in dire need of someone that can create wealth, someone who can make money for this country. I will create wealth, I sold oranges – my wealth is clean, go and check my CCB [forms],” he said.

“Our biggest problem is hunger, I will address that in the new Nigeria.

“Please permit to be your pilot for a new Nigeria, as your pilot there might be small turbulence, no problem, Captain Rochas is in command.”

Okorocha said uniting Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides would be his paramount goal.

He pledged to create an enabling economy, where productive activities and job creation would be the order of the day.

Rochas who prides himself as one of the four founders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) will be seeking to be president at this fourth attempt.

Lekki Seaport: Amaechi targets July commissioning, urges contractor to increase pace

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi  has said that the contractors for the Lekki Deep Seaport Project should speed up work to enable the government approve all the necessary processes before the next election.

Amaechi said this while inspecting the ongoing construction of the Lekki Deep Seaport Project on Saturday in Lagos.

According to a statement by Director Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Transportation, Eric Ojiekwe the Minister instructed the Nigeria Ports Authority to ensure minimal physical contact since the port will be automated.

The Minister however commend them for the progress of work done so far stating that in less than 5 months alot of Civil work has been done.

“I want to congratulate you for the very huge progress, by the time we came here, there was no Civil works,  it was just pure sand , you have tried.

” I am suggesting that if you work day and night you would have gone far and complete the work before commissioning, if the President see it, approval will be easier.

” You need to speed up the work, so we can get approval from the government side before election, process of election will be completed in July because by law, six months to election people start politics,  if you wait till that time, you won’t meet anyone in the office.

“If you can assure me that by July you have finished the buildings, get the crane then we can commission it, he said.

Amaechi also instructed that the Director, Railway in the Ministry of Transportation conduct a study on the possibility of linking the Lekki port to Lagos-Ibadan railway.

During the tour of the port, the company highlighted that a truck parking area for 300 trucks is being provided for, to avoid haphazard parking of trucks or parking on the road when the Port goes fully operational.

At the Terminal area, the Customs building is being expanded into a full fledged inspection area for proper inspection before trucks are allowed to evacuate the area. There’s also an area for impounded goods.

Construction is ongoing for the reef of containers, erection of Light masts which will be 25metres high, so the whole area will be fully lit 24hrs daily. Dredging and reclamation work is at 90 percent completion, while the Lekki free port terminal has begun recruitment for its operations.

UMAHI, SIRIKA MEET OVER EBONYI AIRPORT PROJECT

Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika has described the Ebonyi State airport project as a worthwhile one that will definitely open up the state to both domestic and international investments. 

Sirika who made the assertion while receiving the governor in his office Thursday,  described Governor Umahi’s decision to build the airport as one of courage and foresight, believing that the airport is guaranteed to expose the state’s agricultural potentials to the international market.

According to a statement by Director Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, the Minister told Governor Umahi that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has, since inception, embarked on creating an enabling environment for the expansion of the aviation industry in Nigeria which has been severally acknowledged by the global aviation community. 

The Minister also gave the assurance that the Ministry of Aviation will do whatever is required to bring the project to fruition, considering the prospects for employment generation. 

Earlier, Governor Umahi had briefed the Minister on the progress of the airport project and said he remained committed to its successful completion, considering the expected benefits to the people of the state. 

He expressed the appreciation of the state to the Federal Government, especially the Aviation Minister, for the encouragement and support in seeing the project to its present stage, assuring the Senator Sirika that the airport,  when completed, will meet all industry requirements.