Customs boss constitutes management team

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has charged members of the new Management of Nigeria Customs Service to re-dedicate themselves to hardwork and commitment to nation building through efficient and effective service delivery.

The Comptroller gave this charge after the decoration of 14 new members of management at the Customs headquarters.

While congratulating them, he expressed happiness that the newly decorated officers were appointed purely based on merit devoid of lobbying and any external influence.

The ceremony which marked formal constitution of a new management for the Service, brought on board 6 Deputy Comptrollers-General namely: Suleiman Idris, Ukaigwe Paul, Umar Iya, Ugo Daniel, Warikoru Austin and Adeyemo Grace.

Also decorated were eight Assistant Comptrollers-General following a restructuring process that led to the retirement of some members of the former management.

To the new team the CGC said “We must deliver on our mandate and work towards making 2016 the best year in the Nigeria Customs Service”.

Responding on behalf of the newly promoted Officers, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in-charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Service, Idris Suleiman expressed gratitude to God for providing the type of leadership in the nation and the NCS in particular.

He said with a leadership that leads by example as exemplified by the CGC, it becomes easy for well-meaning subordinates to key in and work towards the achievement of the Service mandate.

While thanking the President and Commander in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Comptroller-General of Customs, DCG Suleiman assured the CGC of their unquestionable loyalty and dedication to the course of nation building through hardwork and commitment to honest Service delivery.

Source: DAILY POST NG

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Receives Tribunal Report On LFTZ Killing

…Says Report Will Be Given Prompt Consideration 

…Tribunal Made Recommendations On Remote Causes Of Crisis – Chairman

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday received a report of the five-man Tribunal of Inquiry which investigated the civil unrest in Ibeju-Lekki area of the State on October 12, 2015 that led to the death of the Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

Governor Ambode had on October 22, 2015, inaugurated the Tribunal chaired by a retired Lagos State High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, with the mandate to inquire into the origin, factors and circumstances leading to the breach of peace, as well as make recommendations to government based on the findings.

While describing the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) as an important project to the economy of the State because of its strategic importance to the job creation drive of his administration, Governor Ambode said he was prepared to do everything to ensure its success.

The Governor therefore vowed that any issue concerning the success of the project would be treated with dispatch.

According to him: “The Report of the Tribunal has been submitted today and the State Government will give serious consideration to the recommendations of the Tribunal and take decisions to ensure that such an incident does not recur.

“Let me assure members of the public and investors alike that this Government will always uphold the Rule of Law and continue to provide a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive,” he said.

Governor Ambode also thanked members of the Tribunal for diligently carrying out the assignment within the time frame given, and expressed hope that they would be willing and ready to serve the State in future when called upon.

Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said it was noteworthy that the Tribunal had the inaugural sitting on November 16, 2015 and completed the assignment with the forty-five days given to it.

Kazeem said the civil disturbances which led to Disu’s killing in the Okunraye Community had slowed down the development of the LFTZ, and that the Tribunal was set up as part of efforts to ensure safety of lives and property, prevent recurrence and enhance the economic wellbeing of the State.

In his remarks, Justice Olateru-Olagbegi said the Tribunal received a total of 22 memoranda and 33 witness statements, including those from eminent Nigerians.

He added that the Tribunal made a total of 24 recommendations which covered many issues including the question of who pulled the trigger that killed Disu, as well as the remote and immediate causes of the civil unrest.

Justice Olateru-Olagbegi also said that the Tribunal recommended the measures to adopt in forestalling a recurrence as well as other miscellaneous matters incidental to the unrest, adding that there was no majority or minority report, but just one team report of the Tribunal.

He said: “We took time out to visit the Lekki Free Trade Zone. We visited the Dangote Industries, Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, the villages and communities in the area including Okunraye where the trouble began.

“We saw a lot and we learnt a lot. From what was presented to us, from what we saw with our own eyes, our view is that Lekki Free Trade Zone has vast potential to transform the economic landscape of Lagos State in terms of generating massive employment, creation of wealth, generating revenue and so on.

“Our findings reveal that the transformation would be on a scale that is hitherto unparalleled in Africa,” Justice Olateru-Olagbegi said.

Refineries Producing 6.76 Million Litres of Petrol per Day – NNPC

…To Ramp up Production to over 10 Million Litres by Month End

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has announced that the nation’s three refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri have attained a combined daily production of over 6.76 million litres of petrol per day which is projected to increase to over 10 million litres per day by the end of January 2016.

A statement by the NNPC which gave a breakdown of the premium motor spirit, PMS, (also known as petrol) yield from the plants indicates that while Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed a week earlier is producing some 4.09 million litres, the Kaduna Refinery is contributing some 1.29 million litres and Warri which was re-streamed on Sunday is posting a yield of some 1.38 million litres.

The Corporation confirmed that the PMS volumes from the refineries which are currently operating at an appreciable percentage of their nameplate capacities will help stabilize the fuel supply and distribution situation in the country.

OHI ALEGBE

Group General Manager

Group Public Affairs Division

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

NNPC Towers, Abuja

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Appoints Ex-FIRS Boss, Omoigui-Okauru, Others For N25bn ETF Board

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday appointed a former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru to head the Board of Trustees for the N25billion State Employment Trust Fund (ETF).

The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, also approved the appointment of nine others to serve as members of the Board of Trustees of the ETF, which is geared towards addressing the challenge of youth unemployment as well as promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development in the state.

Other members of the Board include Mr. Dele Martins, Mrs. Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, Mr. Otto Orondaam, Mrs. Olufunmi Olatunde Daudu, Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony and Mr. Micheal Popoola Ajayi.

Governor Ambode also approved for the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Tunde Durosinmi-Etti and his counterpart in Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi to be part of the Board, while Mr. Akintunde Oyebode is to serve as Executive Secretary of the Board.

The Employment Trust Fund, it would be recalled, was signed into law by Governor Ambode on Tuesday, according to him, was in line with keeping faith with the promise he made to the people during the electioneering campaign.

The Governor had expressed optimism that the Fund will address the challenge of unemployment and promote wealth creation through entrepreneurial development, adding that an annual contribution of N6.25billion will be injected into the Fund by the State Government for 4years totaling N25billion.

In a separate development, Governor Ambode, also inaugurated a new board of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission, restated the commitment of his administration to deepen democracy and rule of law especially by carrying out periodic review of obsolete laws in the State to bring them in tune with current realities for relevance and effectiveness.

The Governor said such periodic review was important especially to his administration in achieving the goal of creating an enabling environment for investors, entrepreneurs and making Lagos globally competitive.

While alluding to the fact that all modern and civilized societies thrive on the qualities of laws which regulate and guide the actions of government, organizations, individuals and institutions, Governor Ambode charged members of the Commission to hit the ground running by expediting action on the creation of electronic portal that is aimed at providing access to laws of the State online from anywhere in the world.

“This is a major project which the new Board has a responsibility to deliver in record time. It is very vital to the success of our drive to attract investors to our State,” Governor Ambode said.

Chairman of the newly inaugurated board is Professor Gbolahan Ellias (SAN), while members are Dr. Omogbai Omo-Eboh, Mr. Demola Sadiq and Mrs. Tola Akinsanya. The Executive Secretary is Mrs. Ade Adeyemo.

Speaking earlier at the inauguration, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said the past board was inaugurated on March 12, 2012, and was dissolved by Governor Ambode on June 15, 2015 in accordance with the provision of the law establishing the Commission as amended in 2012.

Responding, Professor Ellias, who spoke on behalf of other members, thanked Governor Ambode for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they would do all within the confines of the law to executive the mandate fearlessly and conscientiously.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Appoints Professor Fagbohun LASU Vice-Chancellor

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday approved the appointment of Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun as the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU). Professor Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law, was until his appointment Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos.

The appointment was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

According to the statement, following the expiration of the tenure of Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University on 31st October, 2015, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Fidelis Olisamedua Njokanma assumed the position of Acting Vice-Chancellor.

A Professor of Environmental Law, Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, was born on 19th October, 1966 and hails from Akesan in the Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos State. Professor Fagbohun joined the Faculty of Law of the Lagos State University (LASU) as an Assistant Lecturer in January 1991. He rose through the ranks and by the year 2004, he was appointed Associate Professor.

He studied Law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He obtained his Master’s of Law Degree at the University of Lagos and attended the Obafemi Awolowo University for his doctoral degree programme.

At different times, he served as a member of Senate of the Lagos State University; Head of Department of Business Law and later Department of Private and Property Law; Coordinator, Law Centre; Coordinator of the Department of Environmental Law and Allied Disciplines of the Centre for Environment and Science Education of the Lagos State University, and was, for several years, the Editor-in-Chief of the LASU Law Journal.

Professor Fagbohun is a member of several academic and professional bodies, and a fellow of a number of national and international institutions.

FG denies withdrawing 2016 Budget proposal

The Federal Government on Wednesday denied withdrawing the 2016 Budget proposal presented to the National Assembly in December.

Reports, especially on social media, had attributed the purported withdrawal to suspicious bloating of budgetary votes in the proposal.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said the allegations were false.

Mohammed said: “When somebody from the Daily Trust called me, I told him categorically that there is nothing like that. When a story like this breaks out, I believe it will help all of us to actually be able to pin point the source.

“I know for a fact that this administration has not withdrawn the budget from the National Assembly.”

He also denied the accusation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled government plans to exterminate the opposition.

He said: “I think the first point to make is that this government is not micro-managing any of the anti-graft agencies. I know for a fact that they don’t contact the President or anybody before they do their job. I think the media also has to do more than they are doing right now, they should investigate these allegations and also make their independent judgment about it.

“Honestly if the EFCC or ICPC says that they are able to trace certain amount of money to my account, I don’t want you to believe it, I want you to also ask for proof, do your investigation. I can assure you that this government, no functionary in government micromanages or directs the EFCC or ICPC on who to arrest and who not to arrest.”

Speaking further on the alleged withdrawal of the 2016 Budget proposal, Adeosun said: “Let me just speak to you about the budget process. You know the budget is presented to the NASS and then there is what we call an interactive budget approval process and you know the agencies will still go and defend their budget at the NASS.

“So ordinary in budget processes anywhere in the world, there can’t be amendments to the budgets arising from that interactive process, which is normal. But let me make it very clear the budget is not being withdrawn or replaced, the budget has been presented and will go through normal process whereby MDAs defend their budgets.

“It is possible in the process of that, because as you know the legislature is not a rubber stamp, their job is to scrutinize the budget and to approve that budget. So there may be some changes that occur as a result of that interactive process. But that process is normal everywhere in the world where a budget is presented. So I think it is important to make that clarification.”

Source: The Nation

Lagos State Government Commences Transformation Of Oshodi Market, Bus-Stops

…Shuts Owonifari Market Loop

The Lagos State Government has shut the Owonifari market within the notorious loop of Oshodi and relocated affected traders and shop owners to the newly built Isopakodowo market stalls at Bolade area in Oshodi. The government has also commenced the fencing-off of the set-back on Agege Motor Road that stretches from Ilupeju end of Oshodi all the way to the PWD/Ikeja GRA end of the area.

In a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the move is geared towards the need to sanitize and beautify the entire Oshodi area and bring transformation, in particular, to the Owonifari loop as well as the entire bus stop terminals, which have somewhat constituted a menace and an eyesore within the locality.

According to the statement, the Owonifari loop will be transformed into an ultra modern bus terminus with new bus shelters that are befitting of a structured park in a mega city.

It added that the fencing-off of the long stretch of the set-back is being undertaken to assist the Federal Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation in particular with a view to beautifying it and safeguard lives along the railway corridor by discouraging street trading and indiscriminate use of the space.

Ayorinde said the ongoing fencing-off and beautification of the road set-back from Ilupeju bypass to PWD/Ikeja GRA would constitute the first phase of the transformation of the Oshodi area. The second phase, he added, would begin from PWD/Ikeja GRA and stretch all the way to Agege/Pen cinema axis.

He stated further that Lagosians should expect from this transformation exercise, a new Oshodi that will be sane and safe and where both traders and commuters would be pleased to visit and trade. He assured that the traders being relocated have been properly allocated shops within the Isopakodowo market and that the demolition of the loop is in the best interest of the people who should expect a world-class bus terminus there.

The commissioner reiterated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s commitment to bring development to every area of the state. He therefore urged the Local Council Development Areas and other stakeholders to cooperate with the State Government in achieving the governor’s vision of making the 2016 budget work for every citizen in the state.