Yes, she spat into the air and received it in measured cadence. Yet not happened! Her family and friends bragged and bayed, yet no dice. Alas, Shulamite was sacked! But wait a minute, the sack of the dazzling Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu, must have come to many as a surprise, barely five months after she was sworn in.
To underscore how her sack is of no significance to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his government, her exit was not accorded a word from her employer(s). Adebolu’s exit is hidden in what appears to be a minor cabinet reshuffle that sees Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, erstwhile Commissioner for Home Affairs, redeployed to head the Tourism Ministry. Her sack was tactical as the governor omitted her name from the list of commissioners redeployed. The quietude with which Adebolu was sacked spoke volume of her employers’ disdain for her.
The reason for her sack remains shrouded in mystery; however, there are insinuations that her sack might not be unconnected with the largely flopped ‘Greater Lagos; event held in December where artistes refused to show up in spite of the huge financial resources sunk into the project and there was no crowd to the embarrassment of the governor.
The coming on board of Adebolu had been received with excitement in that she was bringing over 22-year experience and expertise as a Management Consultant to public service. The 46-year old lawyer, prior to her appointment, was an Associate Director in PwC’s Advisory Services where she led the West Market Area Country Management Unit, supporting the Office of the Regional Senior Partner.
It is not clear if her sack also affects her function as a subject matter expert in the formation, implementation and execution of Government Delivery Unit (GDU) where she led the first Lagos State Governor’s Delivery Unit.
Will the University of Hertfordshire Law graduate with a Second Class Upper head back to private practice? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, eight cabinet portfolios affected by the redeployment include ministries of Local Government, Special Duties, Wealth Creation and Employment, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Home Affairs as well as Waterfront Infrastructure. Others are the Central Business District and Urban Development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has moved three commissioners around, while two Special Advisers have been assigned new roles as commissioners. Affected commissioners and their new portfolios are: Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed who has now been moved to Local Government and Community Affairs; Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, formerly Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs has been moved to the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.
Two former Special Advisers, Prince Anofiu Elegushi and Architect Kabiru Ahmed are now assigned to the Ministries of Home Affairs and Waterfront Infrastructure as Commissioners respectively.
Source: thecapital.ng
A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, who was sacked by the Supreme Court last Tuesday as governor of Imo State, has said he is still in shock but calm.
Hon. Ihedioha said the Nigerian judiciary and the electoral system were on trial, adding that he still had faith in the nation’s democracy.
Speaking at his residence in Abuja when the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid him a solidarity visit, Ihedioha said the verdict will not question his commitment to democracy but rather strengthen his resolve to match forward with other well-meaning Nigerians to make Nigeria better.
He said it was a redefining moment and time for sober reflection, adding that those celebrating the verdict were not students of democracy.
“We are as shocked as yourselves. It was never anticipated. All legal pundits and democratic watchers never imagined and anticipated. So, for us it remains a mystery. But we take solace in the Book of Ecclesiastics 3:1 that to everything, there is a season and time for every purpose under heaven.
“I believe that that event will define obviously our democracy. I am certain that the judiciary and electoral system are well aware that they are on trial.
“The elections in Imo were closely monitored, well advertised and everybody in Nigeria followed it through. The results were very clear, the electoral umpire still have the results, and INEC has stated clearly that the results in question and the figures are not summing up.
“It’s not about Emeka Ihedioha, it’s not about Imo state, it’s about the future of our country and democracy. It’s about what do we do tomorrow? Do you go into an electoral process without having an idea? It has to be resolved one way or the other.
“I am calm and we are calm, and that is why you see in Imo, there is calmness. The calmness is coming out of shock, it is coming out of belief. It is coming out of the fact that people are saying let us still see, can this be possible! We are waiting for answers and I believe there will be answers.
“And I am certain that from the events of that day, Nigeria will emerge a stronger and greater country. I want to urge you to continue to work with all lovers of democracy across board so that we can all put our heads together and match forward,” he said.
The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said the PDP leaders were still in deep pains and reiterated that the Supreme Court should review and reverse the judgement. (Daily Trust)
If fortune were a man, he would have been termed a phony one.
Having frowned at Abdulsamad Rabiu, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Bua Group for a while, it has returned to embrace him, even smiling at him.
Those years when it frowned at Rabiu, the man suffered unpalatable business experiences.
At a point, it was his faceoff with Aliko Dangote over who owned the heart of the cement industry in Nigeria that saw his personality being questioned.
Then, the unfortunate happed, as he sold off his flour milling and pasta making company to Olam International of Singapore.
Since then, the man has bounced back building a state of the art office on the corner of Churchgate Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State, also ranking among Africa’s richest men.
Rising from being the 16th richest person in Africa and third in Nigeria last year, he has risen to a more enviable height this year, with his company being recently listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
……….. We won’t allow any group to undermine Nigeria territorial integrity —Military
This is just as the Nigeria military has vowed that it will not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the sovereignty and stability of Nigeria’s territorial integrity. The military told relevant stakeholders to join hands with the armed forces and intelligence agencies to ensure that Nigeria is secured and not to look for other methods likely to negate the national policy and Community Policing approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Meanwhile, Saturday Vanguard learnt authoritatively that the laws to back up Amotekun are before South West States Houses of Assembly while the lawmakers are already fast tracking the legislation.
According to the source who pleaded anonymity, “all machinery is in motion to pass the laws in all the Houses of Assembly in the zone legalising the establishment of Operation Amotekun”.
The source also told Saturday Vanguard that irrespective of the position of the Federal government, the Western Nigeria Security Network was already in operation and the South West governors would do everything within their powers to provide adequate security for the people of the zone.
While launching the outfit about two weeks ago, the South West governors said it was not a paramilitary organisation but an initiative to compliment the various security agencies to tackle kidnappings and killings in the region.
It will be recalled that after the launch of the security out in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami declared it illegal arguing that the outfit was not backed by any known law in the land and that he was not consulted before the outfit was launched.
Malami’s declaration was however greeted with a groundswell of condemnations from South West leaders who urged their governors to ignore the Federal Attorney-General
We should all support Amotekun—Bode
In a statement titled: “The Hues and Cries about Amotekun”, the PDP leader said: “the security initiative of the six South West states that gave birth to a protective cordon codenamed Amotekun is largely a necessary and proactive response to the widening insecurity, the seemingly loose banditry and the marauding licentiousness that have ravaged virtually all parts of Yorubaland. The governors did not jump into the fray in some hurried unreflection in the creation of this self-protective, self-preservation security umbrella across their region.
“The initiative is a product of over six months deliberations by various stakeholders on how best to protect their people who are murdered in their farmlands, savaged on the roads, kidnapped on the fields, cudgeled and ravaged in the sanctity of their private hearths.
“Indeed Amotekun is not some unthoughtful fancy of the governors trying to create a nebulous counterforce to the existing security structure as some uninformed would put it. It is largely to enhance and strengthen the subsisting law enforcement agencies as it is already well established in most parts of the North.
“Our nation is already on the very edge of tenterhooks. The drumbeats of suspicions, the vile alarm about some secret agenda or the vain recourse to some ethnic national appropriation do not augur well for anyone. Amotekun is not a challenge or a threat to anybody save the wandering marauders, the murderous goon-squad and all kinds of assorted outlaws whose actions make the Nigerian Union itself vulnerable and wobbly. We should all support Amotekun in that pristine design as a deterrent to roguish outlaws roaming Yorubaland.”
Speaking on behalf of the YCE, the Yoruba Elders Council, Dr Kunle Olajide, Secretary General of the council urged the six governors of Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Lagos States who launched the security outfit to disregard the comments of AGF and move on with the initiative which their people had been clamouring for.
Dr Olajide said, “As regards the pronouncement by Malami, it is not binding on us. He can’t dictate terms for the six elected governors. They acted within the purview of their constitutional powers. One of the expectations of the people who elected them is to provide adequate security for the people and their property. If he believes in what he said, he should go to court. He is an appointee of government and he can’t dictate to democratically elected governors of the six states. He should then wait for court’s pronouncement on the issue. But, I want President Muhammadu Buhari to caution Malami about his utterances. He should call him to order. We are running a democracy and not a military rule”.
Other South West leaders who threw their weight behind the initiative of the governors include Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; Chief Afe Babalola, SAN; Mr Femi Falana, SAN; Mr Olisa Agbakoba and Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams. They all resolved that Amotekun has come to say regardless of oppositions from the Federal Government and some groups in the northern part of the country. They also argued that the security outfit was concerned with safeguarding the lives and property of the people of the region and had no business with the territory of the region which is the responsibility of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
We won’t allow any group to undermine our territorial integrity — Military
However, in an apparent response to the launching of Operation Amotekun, Nigeria military has vowed that it will not allow any individual or group to jeopardize the sovereignty and stability of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The military also told relevant stakeholders to join hands with the armed forces and intelligence agencies to ensure that Nigeria is secured and not to look for other methods likely to negate the national policy and Community Policing approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari – led administration.
Briefing State House Correspondents after a security meeting presided over by President Buhari before his departure to London. at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, said the whole essence of the meeting was to critically evaluate what the armed forces of Nigeria as well as other security and intelligence agencies were doing with regard to ensuring that the territorial integrity of Nigeria was not undermined by any individual or group of individuals. He disclosed that some of the equipment acquired by the armed forces for the Nigerian Air Force have started arriving.
On the essence of the meeting, he said, “You recall that we had a meeting on the 30th December 2019 and today we held another one. The whole essence of the meeting is to critically evaluate what the armed forces of Nigeria as well as other security and intelligence agencies are doing with regard to ensuring that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by any individual or group of individuals.
“We also looked at the emerging situations in some of our areas particularly acts of banditry in some of the North Western states and other parts of the country and we have critically looked at everything and we are satisfied with the progress we are making. We are satisfied with the support the Federal Government is giving the armed forces and other security agencies in terms of procurement of platforms. Substantial number of these equipment are expected by the end of February.
“Some of the equipment we are acquiring have started arriving for the Nigerian Air Force, two helicopter gun-shoots have arrived on the 15th of January and we are now in the process of putting them together which will add to whatever we have.
“We are equally expecting other equipment like I said that are meant for the armed forces of Nigeria which we are hoping to get by the end of February. I am sure you are also familiar with the equipment acquisition by the Nigerian Police Force.
“I am sure you are also aware of the policy on Community Policing that was approved by Mr. President and it is going to be funded. The whole idea is to ensure that Nigeria is secured and Nigerians can go about pursuing their legitimate aspirations without any hindrance.”
Air Marshal Abubakar further said, “What we want to do here is to reassure Nigerians that the armed forces of Nigeria and indeed security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria are going to continue to work round the clock to ensure that our country is secured and to ensure that nobody undermines the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Nigeria.
“We are going to keep a very close watch on what is going on and with the equipment that we are getting, definitely, the challenges we are facing in some of the theaters of operation particularly the North East will be addressed adequately. We are doing everything with the other sister countries in the Lake Chad Basin working together to ensure that the Boko Haram terrorism is brought substantially to an end as quickly as possible. (Vanguard)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says the frequent collapses of the national grid cannot be totally avoided.
The grid had collapsed twice within two hours on Thursday, causing blackout across the country.
In a statement on Friday, Ndid Mbah, TCN’s spokesperson, said the development was as a result of the grid being operated without a spinning reserve.
A spinning reserve is an excess capacity that compensates for electricity shortages when the grid fluctuates.
Mbah said the TCN is working to modernise and stabilise the grid.
“Full restoration of the grid was achieved at about 2:19am, today,” Mbah said.
“The initial disturbance of the grid which occurred at about 12.34pm yesterday was a partial collapse of the system, as the grid was still supplying Port-Harcourt, Aba, Omoku, Yenegoa, Afam among others, through Afam IV, Rivers IPP and Omoku Power Stations.
“Effort immediately commenced to synchronize other parts of the network but as restoration reached advanced stage, the situation suddenly degenerated into a collapse of the nation’s grid.
“Full restoration of the grid re-commenced immediately after the incident and by 10pm yesterday, most parts of the nation had been reconnected to the grid, at about 2:19am however, the grid was fully restored.
“Management wishes to inform Nigerians that TCN is not relenting in its efforts to completely stabilize the grid. However, due to the fact that the National Grid is still being operated with zero spinning reserve, system instability like what was witnessed yesterday cannot be totally avoided.”
In its latest 2019 second quarter report, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said efforts are ongoing to procure the spinning reserves.
“In addition, the Commission is reviewing the outcome of the process of procuring spinning reserves by TCN,” the regulator said.
“The Commission had earlier approved the request by TCN to competitively procure spinning reserves for the industry. This is to guarantee adequate spinning reserves for proper management of the grid by System Operator.” (The Cable)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sacked Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu in a minor Cabinet reshuffle.
Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, erstwhile Commissioner for Home Affairs has been redeployed to head the Tourism Ministry.
Her sack was tactical as the governor omitted her name from the list of commissioners redeployed.
Her portfolio had been given to another without her being redeployed to another ministry.
PM News gathered that her sack might not be unconnected with the flop of the Greater Lagos event in December where artistes did not show and there was no crowd to the embarrassment of the governor.
However, in the cabinet reshuffle, eight cabinet portfolios affected by the redeployment include ministries of Local Government, Special Duties, Wealth Creation and Employment, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Home Affairs as well as Waterfront Infrastructure. Others are the Central Business District and Urban Development.
According to Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has moved three commissioners around, while two Special Advisers have been assigned new roles as commissioners. Affected commissioners and their new portfolios are: Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed who has now been moved to Local Government and Community Affairs; Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, formerly Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs has been moved to the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.
Also, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf has been moved from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as Commissioner.
Two former Special Advisers, Prince Anofiu Elegushi and Architect Kabiru Ahmed are now assigned to the Ministries of Home Affairs and Waterfront Infrastructure as Commissioners respectively.
The Governor, according to Akosile also announced portfolios of the new cabinet members. They are Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, Commissioner-designate (Special Duties), Mr. Oyerinde Olugbenga Olanrewaju, Special Adviser-designate (Central Business District) and Hon. Ayuba Ganiu Adele, Special Adviser-designate (Urban Development).
Sanwo-Olu thanked members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for believing in the Executive and carrying out the ratification of the cabinet nominees in a manner devoid of mere political considerations other than the interests of the electorate, assuring that his action is in line with his administration’s vision of delivering good governance to the residents of Lagos.
The new appointments and redeployment, Sanwo-Olu said were intended to create a new energy and vivacity for continued delivery of values to the government of Lagos and provision of service to millions of Lagosians. (PM News)
Are you a young creative looking for a platform to showcase your creativity? Do you have any talent you will love to hone under the guidance and mentorship of industry experts/professionals?
Then there’s an opportunity for you to apply for the Creative Youth Booth Camp March/April 2020 cohort, a programme conceived by Street Project Foundation; a foundation that is creating opportunities for youth employment, enterprise development and cross-cultural dialogue using creative arts as a tool.
The Creative Youth Boot Camp is a FREE non-residential six-weeks training program for Nigerian youths between the ages of 16 – 25 years gifted in the creative, visual and performing arts.
The programme will give young people the opportunity to learn communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, team building, entrepreneurship and project management skills that will prepare them for the workplace.
After the boot camp, the participants will be matched with mentors and placed on internships with creative and corporate organizations in Abuja.
The boot camp, which has as its theme: “Art for Social Transformation”, will run for six weeks, starting Monday, 9 March to Saturday, 18 April 2020.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
The auditions are open to creative youths within the ages of 16-25 who are able to read and write in English. Young people living with any form of physical disabilities are encouraged to apply.
To apply, visit www.streetproject.org.
Selected applicants would be contacted for auditions that would take place in Abuja and Enugu State.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Application Deadline: Sunday, 2 February 2020
Abuja Auditions: Saturday, 15 February 2020
Enugu Auditions: Saturday, 22 February 2020
Notification of Selection: Friday, 28 February 2020
Exciting time awaits GOtv Max subscribers, particularly kids, as Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart, a new series on Cartoon Network, will premiere on the platform on 27 January.
The series centres around Sheriff Mao Mao, a crime-fighting samurai cat, and how she navigates through adventure, friendship, and depicts what it really means to be a hero.
Mao Mao becomes an explosive loner on a quest to become legendary, but later meets Badgerclops, the cyborg slacker, and Adorabat, the adorable sidekick, as they overcome their differences and work together to protect the people of Pure Heart Valley from monsters, villains and everything in between.
In Pure Heart Valley, Sheriff Mao Mao may be impressive, even heroic, but he still has a lot to learn. On his journey, Mao Mao will learn that being a legend is not about showcasing flashy moves and dangerous quests; it is about what you do that makes people remember and admire you.
Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart is the brainchild of Parker Simmons and produced by Cartoon Network Studios and Titmouse. The kids can follow and learn from Mao’s quest to become a legend when the programme airs weekly from 27 January at 3:20pm.
The kids can continue to enjoy all the episodes of this series, as well as watch other thrilling, high-quality comedy and adventure shows on GOtv Max for N3,200. To subscribe or upgrade, visit www.gotvafrica.com or use MyGOtv app on mobile phones, which is available for download for iOS and Android users.
There has never been a better time to stay connected to GOtv than January 2020! GOtv has programmes lined up that is sure to wipe away the January blues and provide great entertainment for both adults and kids. Kicking things off is the return of Step Up. Starting Wednesday, 15th January till Wednesday 29th February, customers on lower packages (GOtv Jolli, Plus, Jinja, Value and Lite) can renew their current subscription and get upgraded to the next package. So reconnect now & stay active to revel in the privileges of a higher package.
This looks like an exciting week for football on GOtv! This Saturday, 18th January, catch Real Madrid vs Sevilla on SuperSport Select 4 (channel 34) and Manchester City vs Crystal Palace on SuperSport Select 2 (channel 32), both matches at 4pm. On Sunday, 19th January, Burnley vs Leicester City airs on SuperSport Select 2 (channel 32) at 3pm. For more football fixtures, visit www.supersport.com.
Nigerian Top Weddings S1 airs on Fox Life (channel 20): Top Nigerian weddings have been carefully selected to feature in this season. It promises to be an explosive demonstration of some of Nigerian’s most dazzling weddings. Fridays ay 6:55pm.
At Your Service is showing on ROK 2 (channel 17): A hardworking waiter is left devastated when his girlfriend’s made the decision to leave him for a rich man who will take care of her. The waiter finally gets a chance to meet a woman who changes the course of his destiny. Friday, 17th January at 9:45pm. Catch The Humble servant on AM Epic (channel 9): The most interesting part is a father giving words of wisdom to his son. In his words, he said “Don’t let your wife take your dignity away. Always take your stand but love her unconditionally”. Everything we do in this world has its reward. Sunday, 19th January at 7pm.
Looking for comedy on a Sunday night? B.A.P.S airs on BET (channel 21): Two waitresses from Georgia, travel to Los Angeles to audition for a music video in order to raise money for their dream restaurant. Not everything turned out the way they planned. To find out more tune in Sunday, 19th January at 7pm.
Drama? Suspense? Shaurya is showing on Zee World (channel 25): An army lawyer pulls out all his guns to prove the innocence of an army officer whose been falsely accused of homicide. Sunday, 19th January at 4pm.
New show alert! The Egg Factor Premieres on CBS reality (channel 22): This groundbreaking and gripping new series follows the fascinating lives of people involved in creating families with donated eggs. Hopeful parents who have struggled to conceive are finally able to create a baby because of healthy eggs from young women who willingly to go through the grueling egg retrieval process. Catch this Sunday, 19th January at 6:50pm.
Pj Mask S3 on Disney Junior (channel 60): On this episode, Night Ninja steals an ancient gong to awaken a real dragon. Monday, 20th January at 5pm.
For more scheduled programming this January, visit www.gotvafrica.com You can also follow GOtv Twitter Instagram and on Facebook
Mrs Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, says the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) increase from five per cent to 7.5 per cent will take effect from February 1.
Ahmed said this during the inauguration of the Chairman and Board members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Abuja on Thursday.
“We planned that going forward, the annual budget will always be accompanied by Finance Bills to enable the realisation of revenue projections.
“Future Finance Bills will, therefore, provide us with additional opportunities to incrementally improve the fiscal policy and regulatory and legal environment.
“This is in order to further strengthen our domestic capital market, and ultimately ensure sustained and inclusive growth and development,” she said.
The minister recalled that the Finance Act had also taken care of essential palliatives to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and mitigate the impact of VAT rate increase on the most vulnerable businesses, communities and citizens in the economy.
While inaugurating the board, the minister urged the new board to ensure steadfastness of the service in meeting non-oil revenue targets to accelerate the nation’s development.
Ahmed said the board was saddled with various responsibilities, including the supervision of the FIRS. In his remarks, the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr Muhammad Nami, said the new board had dedicated itself to the task at hand as the nation was looking up to the service, to provide a leeway out of the present economic crunch.
“As a tax administrator and custodian of the Nigerian tax system, we have the responsibility to the nation to implement all tax policies and laws in a manner that would ensure optimal benefits to the nation.”
Nami said FIRS had a duty to strengthen, withstand and overcome the challenges that was ahead of it. He pledged to rebuild FIRS institutional framework, robust collaboration with stakeholders, build a customer taxpayer centric institution and data centric institution.
He also said the board intended to achieve this through building staff capacity for service delivery and close all lien cases in order to build new enforcement strategies.
Members of the board are Mr Muhammad Nami, the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Mr James Ayuba (North-Central), and Mr Ado Danjuma (North-West).
Others are Mr Adam Mohammed (North-East), Mr Ikeme Osakwe (South-East), Mr Adewale Ogunyomade (South-West) and Mr Ehile Aibangbee (South-South).
Also inaugurated were members of boards of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government. They are Ladidi Mohammed, Attorney-General of the Federation Office and Mr Folashodun Shonubi, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The membership also includes Hajiya Fatima Hayatu (Ministry of Finance), Mr Samuel Maagebe (Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission), and Mr Umar Ajiya (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation).
Others include DCG Mairo Isah of the Nigeria Customs Servic (NCS) and Mr Garba Abubakar, Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
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