NEWS
Tinubu arrives in New York for 78th UNGA Session
President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York for the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78). Six Governors and seven Ministers are part of President Tinubu’s 17-man delegation to UNGA.
On arrival, Tinubu was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande and other government officials.
President Tinubu is scheduled to deliver his inaugural National Statement On September 19, the first day of the High-Level General Debate of the 78th UNGA Session.
Police force plans to recover unauthorised arms from VIPs
Following the directive of the acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force has begun moves to recover unlicensed firearms from politicians and Very Important Persons across the country.
Egbetokun had last week ordered the various state police commands to recover arms in the hands of uncertified bearers.
The acting Inspector-General last week set up an ad hoc committee tasked with the comprehensive review of firearms licensing and regulations by the NPF in line with the Firearms Act and other extant laws.
The police high command revealed that the committee’s mandate would encompass a thorough assessment of current firearms licensing procedures and regulations to enhance their effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.
FG, NLC meeting ends in deadlock, workers insist on demands
The meeting held between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday ended without a concrete resolution to the union’s demands.
The Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, hosted the meeting in an effort to stop the planned commencement of an indefinite strike that may lead to the shutdown of the economy.
However, both parties failed to reach a consensus as the Nigerian Labour Congress insisted that the FG must meet its demands ahead of the 21-day ultimatum issued on September 1 by the congress.
The NLC leadership had said the action was in preparation for a total shutdown of the economy which would start at the expiration of the ultimatum on Friday.
OAU students threaten to shut campus over tuition fees increment
The students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state have threatened to shut down the activities of the school if the management fail to reverse its decision.
The management of the institution through its public relation officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, last week, announced that tuition fees have increased by 300 percent.
However, the students under the auspice of the Student Union led by its president, Abbas Akinremi-Ojo gathered at the Ken Sarowiwa building inside the campus of OAU on Monday to kick against the decision of the management.
Similarly, the leadership of the National Association of Universities Students (NAUS) through its chairman, Comrade Olayinka Popoola in Osogbo warned other universities planning to increase to desist, saying, “Universities must source funds elsewhere to meet their needs.”
Tinubu urges Nigerians abroad to return home
President Bola Tinubu has advised Nigerians in the United States to rise beyond failure by adopting a new mentality for success in all aspects of life.
Tinubu made the remarks during a Presidential Town Hall Meeting with Nigerians in the Diaspora in New York on Wednesday, September 20.
The president also expressed satisfaction with the behaviour of Nigerians who have continued to flourish in their chosen sectors in their host nation.
He added: “You are lucky to be among those who are celebrated for good manners and behavior and are operating in an acceptable manner.
“I’m very proud of you; I have also been beneficial of inspiration, determination, commitment and perseverance and that is all you need to get through.
“But, we need you back home, Nigeria has arrived; forget the frustration of the previous year’s leadership,’’ he said.
BUSINESS
NNPC retires employees with 15 months to retirement
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has compulsorily retired all management staff with less than 15 months to statutory retirement.
In an early Tuesday morning announcement, the company declared that the retirement of the affected workers was with immediate effect, stressing that the move would support its business objectives.
The national oil firm disclosed this via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, as it said, “In our bid to pursue effective organisational renewal to support the delivery of our strategic business objectives, it has become imperative to rejuvenate our workforce.
“Consequently, in addition to the recent exit of three Executive Vice Presidents, other management staff with less than 15 months to statutory retirement will be exiting the company effective September 19, 2023.
“This is in line with our commitment to scale up NNPC Ltd.’s capabilities through targeted talent management and equal opportunity for all Nigerians.”
Dangote Refinery to Commence Petrol Refining by November
Dangote Refinery is set to commence its petrol refining operations by November 30, 2023, and diesel and jet fuel operations by October 2023. This is according to the group’s executive director Devakumar Edwin.
In an interview with S&P Global Commodity Insights on Monday, Edwin added that the refinery would receive its first crude cargo in two weeks’ time and would begin producing up to 370,000 barrels per day of diesel and jet fuel in October 2023.
Furthermore, Edwin pointed out that the refinery would initiate a gradual increase in petrol production, aiming to reach an impressive 650,000 barrels per day by November 30. He emphasised the refinery’s readiness to receive crude oil, stating, “Right now, I’m ready to receive crude. We are just waiting for the first vessel. And so, as soon as it comes in, we can start.”
No easy solution to Nigeria’s economic problems –US
The US Deputy Secretary of Treasury, Wally Adeyemo has revealed that there is no quick and easy solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges at a forum in Lagos.
Adeyemo who spoke at the Lagos Business School on the US–Nigeria Economic Relationship, said the country lacks a macroeconomic framework to attract more dollar-denominated foreign direct investments into its economy.
The US Deputy Secretary, who arrived in Nigeria on Sunday, is on a visit to the country as part of the President Joe Biden administration’s commitment to deepening the US – Africa economic and trade relationship.
Adeyemo, who was responding to a question about investments and the Nigerian economy from the audience, said, “Nigeria lacks a macroeconomic framework that is going to help to bring more foreign direct investments including dollar-based foreign investments into the country.
Adeyemo noted that the government needs to develop a macroeconomic framework that demonstrates its commitment to the fundamentals and this will in turn help attract foreign investors to the country and help the country’s economy thrive.
POLITICS
Tinubu files emergency motion, tells US court to delay Atiku’s request
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, filed an emergency motion to stop the Chicago State University, United States, from releasing his academic record to the People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Tinubu is seeking a delay in the implementation of the self-effectuating order directing the CSU to comply with Atiku’s subpoenas till Monday.
Magistrate Jeffrey Gilbert of the US District Court for Northern District of Illinois, had on Tuesday ordered Tinubu’s alma mater to provide all relevant and non-privileged documents to the applicant, Atiku, within two days.
Documents sought by the PDP candidate, through his counsel, Angela Liu, include the record of admission and acceptance at the university, dates of attendance including degrees, awards, and honours attained by Tinubu at the university, among others.
The All Progress Congress had dismissed the efforts of the PDP standard bearer to obtain the President’s academic record as ‘’an expedition in futility.’’
The ruling party said it had nothing to fear as the President had always boasted that he had nothing to hide.
SPORTS
Julian Nagelsmann has been named Germany’s national teamed coach after the sacked Hansi Flick.
Germany sacked Flick with the national team struggling. The German Football Association fears another embarrassing performance in a major tournament, this time as hosts at next year’s European championships.
The former Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann has been given nine months to revive flailing Germany ahead of hosting Euro 2024.
He has signed a deal until the end of next July, allowing the 36-year-old to leave after Euro 2024.
METRO PLUS
NSCDC arrests men for cable theft in Kano
The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested two suspects in connection with an alleged case of robbery, theft, and vandalisation of armoured cables and three driven unit batteries belonging to Kano Electricity Distribution Company.
The command also revealed that three other suspects are currently at large.
This was contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Ibrahim Abdullahi on behalf of the State Commandant. Mohammed Falala, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Friday.
According to him, the arrest was made on Thursday by officers of the Anti-Vandalism Unit of the command at the KEDCO’s distribution substation situated at Briscoe Independence Road, Nassarawa LGA, Kano.
He said the suspects were currently in the custody of the corps undergoing investigation after which they would be charged to court.
