Nbs morning show with Mr sim

27/08/2022

01/11/2021

On YOMA today

River State Governor Nyesom Wike has given the Federal Government 48 hours to expose those that invaded Justice Mary Odili’s house on Friday.

The governor gave the ultimatum in Abuja, yesterday, at a news conference jointly organised by the state government and leaders of thought in the state.

On Friday evening, some security operatives invaded the home of Mary Odili.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has since denied its involvement in the invasion. Also, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, denied insinuations that the Federal Government was behind the incident.


Wike, who described the action as an assassination attempt, said this was not the first time the home of the Supreme Court justice would be attacked by unknown persons, with the Federal Government doing nothing about it.

He said: “I believe there is something going on somewhere. Not long ago, the passport of her husband and former governor of River State, Peter Odili, was seized by Immigration. The Federal Government denied it. It was only when he went to court and the court said it was wrong to seize his passport that Immigration came up to say they held the passport because his name was on a watch list.

“On a day the head of the family was not around, his home was invaded. That was an assassination attempt. We, Rivers people, want to sound it clear that the lives of Peter Odili and that of members of his family are important to us and we will not take it kindly should anything happen to any of them.”


The governor said this is not the time to set up a probe panel because nothing will come out of it. “We want to see the Federal Government take concrete action against the perpetrators of the evil act,” he said.

Also, South East, South-South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) and Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum condemned the action.

In separate statements, yesterday, SESSPN Publicity Secretary, Collins Steve Ugwu, and President, Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, Akin Malaolu, said the development portends danger for Nigeria’s democracy.


SESSPN said: “For a nation that wakes up to daily servings of state impunity, this is another grave sacrilege beyond ineptitude and one we hoped won’t be our lot soon again.”

It, therefore, demanded a thorough, immediate and transparent investigation by the Attorney General of the Federation to unburden suspicion of his compromise.

Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, on its part, noted: “The permission to carry out such an invasion by the military could not have come from nowhere else but the President. Any denial of this invasion cannot be done anyhow, except through a national address by Mr. President, as this invasion cannot be swept under the carpet.”

The committee of chairmen of the five chapters of the NBA in Imo State also condemned the invasion in a statement at the weekend signed by J.I. Ogamba, (Owerri branch); Chief A.U. Ugboaja (Mbaise branch); R.C. Ndeme (Okigwe branch); B.A. Munonye (Orlu branch); and Chief Richard Anyanwu (Mbano/Etiti branch).

They said: “Lawyers in Imo State strongly condemn this reprehensible, roguish, barbaric and abominable invasion of the residence of Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, who is the second most senior Justice of the Supreme Court. We view this incident as a continuation of the unrelenting efforts by the government of the day to intimidate the Judiciary.”

The committee called for a “tho

20/10/2021

On YOMA Today

Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government will in 2022 spend an estimated N104bn on purchasing generators, fuelling and servicing them, The PUNCH has learnt.

The N104bn which will be spent on generators due to the country’s unstable power supply exceeds the Internally Generated Revenue of about 24 states of the federation.

The details are contained in the 2022 budget proposal which has yet to be approved by the National Assembly.

The PUNCH, however, reports that the figure may be higher as about 15 agencies including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission, National Information Technology Agency, National Pension Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, National Examination Council, Central Bank of Nigeria and others did not indicate their generator budgets.

Finance ministry wants N82bn for generators
A review of the budget shows that the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning headed by Zainab Ahmed, takes the lion’s share of 80 per cent for generators as the ministry set aside N82.03bn.

The item under the heading, ‘Purchase of Fixed Assets- General’ reads, “Purchase of power generating set 82,030,000,000.”

As of press time, the Spokesman for the Finance Ministry, Yunusa Abdullahi, had yet to respond to an inquiry on why the budget for generators for the ministry is very high.

Meanwhile, a further analysis of the budget showed that among the agencies, the Federal Inland Revenue Service has the highest budget for generators.

The agency earmarked N250m for maintenance, N1bn for fuelling the generators and N550m for purchasing new ones, given a total of N1.8bn.

The Nigerian Army has the second highest budget for generators having earmarked N971.7m for generator fuel alone. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has the third highest budget for generators at N946m.

The Department of Petroleum Resources set aside N118.7m for maintenance, N666.8m for generator fuel and N120m for the purchase of generators in its offices in Sokoto, Kano, Makurdi, Yenagoa, Ilorin and Umuahia, bringing it to a total of N905.5m.

The agency with the 5th largest generator budget is the Nigerian Ports Authority which set aside N798.2m for the maintenance and purchase of generators.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission budgeted N470m for the maintenance of a generator plant and N262.11m for the procurement of a generator, given a total sum of N732.1m.

The Federal Road Safety Corps set aside N529.3m for maintenance, fuel and purchase of generators.

The Nigeria Police formations and commands across the country are expected to spend N211.5m on maintenance and N309.8m on fuel for the generators, a total of N521.3m

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Similarly, the Nigerian Communications Commission will spend N500m running generators next year having earmarked N190m for maintenance, N150m for the purchase of new generators and N160m for the purchase of fuel for generators.

The Bank of Agriculture set aside N420.5m for the purchase of a generator while the Standards Organisation of Nigeria intends to spend N412m on new generators and the maintenance of existing ones.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria will spend N400m on generators.

The National Inland Waterways Authority earmarked N379.93m for the rehabilitation of a generator plant and N50m for the procurement of a generator while the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority budgeted the sum of N240.57m to maintain its generator plant and N124m to acquire a new generator.

Other agencies with large generator budgets include: the Nigerian Defence Academy (N373m), the Nigerian Navy (N344m), the Economic and Financial crimes Commission.

Looking at this information what do you think about our public power sector can we make it work or not ?back your answer with facts.

18/10/2021

On YOMA today

Budget Deficit: Expert Backs NASS on Privatization of Refineries, Moribund Assets

An expert in Oil and Gas and Chairman of DAS Energy Services in Delta State, Mr Sunny Onuesoke has thrown his weight behind the call by Nigeria Senate on the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to privatize the four refineries and other moribund assets in the country as part of efforts to finance its budget deficit of N6.3tn.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had recently said that his regime would finance the N6.26tn deficit contained in the 2022 budget with N5tn which his regime proposed to borrow from local and foreign sources.

Speaking with journalists in Asaba International Airport, Asaba, Delta State, Onuesoke advised President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the advise of the Senate and experts on the need for internal revenue generation to reduce its spate of borrowing and high deficit financing.

Onuesoke, who expressed worries that the N6.3tn budget deficit is just too large, explained that the only way for Nigeria to regain its economic glory is to avoid economic wastage by privatizing the four moribund refineries and other national assets that have become liabilities than assets to the nation.

He recalled that despite guzzling billions in running costs for many years, the four refineries being run by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)remain in a sorry state, stressing that claims of turnaround maintenance and rehabilitation funded by taxpayers’ money have not helped, rather, the fortunes of the refineries have consistently worsened.

Onuesoke, also a former governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, traced the rot in the refineries to the incompetence of government in managing the refineries disclosing that a study carried out by the National Refineries Special Task Force (NRSTF) of 42 oil refineries operating in Africa in 2012, revealed that the four refineries in Nigeria recorded the worst performance in both efficiency and utilization capacity with an average capacity utilization of only 18 percent compared to 81 percent and 85 percent respectively for Egypt and South Africa in the period of 2006-2009.

“It is embarrassing that Nigeria being rated as one of the biggest oil producing countries in Africa still imports petroleum products from countries like Brazil and India, which were no where on the oil map of the world when Nigeria discovered oil in Oloibiri in 1956. Absurdly, Nigeria has also been importing petroleum products from Niger, a neighbouring West African country which has a modest refining capacity of 20,000 bpd,” he disclosed.

As a Nigerian what's are your thoughts on this please back your answer with reasons

13/10/2021

On YOMA today

The Senate has begun a probe of the Budget Office over alleged illegal payment of N19 billion to four agencies based on verbal approval.

The Budget Office has failed to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee to defend the N19 billion allegation that was given verbally by its director general in 2015.

The Senate panel hinged the probe on the 2016 Auditor General’s Report which is currently being considered by the Public Account Committee chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide.

The budget office was number one on the list of the agencies expected to respond to the auditor general’s query, but failed to appear before the lawmakers.

The Budget Office, however, in a written response to the query of the auditor general said: “the details of MDAs under the reference have not been provided to enable us to respond appropriately.”

The auditor in the 2016 report said, “ Four MDAs were paid the sum of N19 billion from the service wide vote without the approval of the Minister of Finance.

“Some of the payments were made on a purported verbal directivefrom their directors general without documentation

At this point what should the Senate do if they're able to imdict anybody and how should we stopped this from happening again

11/10/2021

On YOMA today

Dr Bukola Saraki
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has sent a passionate appeal to members of the National Assembly who are in the process of reconciling the different versions of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill passed by both chambers to save the country the crisis and trouble that will result from the proposal to make direct primaries compulsory for parties in sourcing candidates for elections.

Saraki in a statement signed on his behalf by Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of his Media Office, noted that the decision to include a provision in the proposed Electoral Act which makes it compulsory for parties to adopt direct primaries will only create a fresh problem while trying to solve another.

He added that many of the political parties, lack the necessary infrastructure to successfully conduct direct primaries at all levels while the attempt will lead to hundreds of litigations that may jeopardize the general election.

“I feel compelled to once again appeal to Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives on the proposed Electoral Act because I realise that while the focus of the general public has been on how to get the electronic transmission of results into the proposed law, another potential problem that may clog our electoral process is included in the Electoral Act is this provision on direct primaries.

“The two options on the table are to make direct primaries compulsory for all the parties or to leave it open for parties to decide. We should take the latter option. Let us leave each party to decide how it wants to source its candidates. The experience we have in the past shows that direct primary will lead to a crisis if forced on the parties. We saw how people sent from the national headquarters to conduct primary elections stayed in hotel rooms and conjured up figures which were announced as the result of direct primary elections.

“Even if the big parties have the funds and facilities to organise direct primaries nationwide, how about the smaller parties? Can the big parties also provide the facilities and election officials that will be present in all the polling units in the country, either simultaneously or in staggered primaries? Do most of the parties have valid and verified membership registers and other logistics needed for the successful conduct of direct primaries? The direct primaries option will also put pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whose officials must monitor all the primaries.

Saraki in a statement signed on his behalf by Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of his Media Office, noted that the decision to include a provision in the proposed Electoral Act which makes it compulsory for parties to adopt direct primaries will only create a fresh problem while trying to solve another

06/10/2021

On YOMA Today

NCC disqualifies Nigerians Below 18 years from getting a sim .
The Nigerian communication commission has disqualified anyone below the age 18 from registrations and owning a sim in Nigeria.as a result anyone below 18yrs in Nigeria cannot have a SIM card
Now base on this how do we track and know where our kids are at a given time what's your take on the issue is it good or not give your answer with valid points

04/10/2021

On YOMA Today

Chieftains of All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State have kicked against the position of the northern governors over power shift to the south, in 2023.

In separate interviews in Abakaliki, on Sunday, they said the north had no justification, for not backing a southerner to become president in 2023.

South-East Coordinator of the APC Youth League, Okenwa Uka, said even though the rotational presidency was not enshrined in the constitution, the matter on the ground, was an issue of conscience.

According to him, “Even though there is no provision in the constitution for rotational of power in the country, what we are talking about is an issue of conscience. Any zone or part of the country that desires it should have to negotiate for it with the other zones.

“There is this feeling within the south, that the people have not been fairly treated and is not as if we don’t have people who are qualified to be the president.

Uka continued, “And so even though power is negotiated, the south should be allowed to take a shot at the Presidency at this time. The President of Nigeria is the president of all parts of Nigeria and not a particular part of the country. I am of the opinion that our Governors should continue to negotiate.

“It should not be a war-like situation. I am of the view that diplomacy and negotiation should be deployed in trying to achieve this dream for the South.”

So what do you think about this should the north allow it for others to try

23/05/2021

Blast from the past

20/07/2020

On YOMA today
NDDC on The spotlight and the creation of south East development Commission on The way
Do we really know what we're doing at all
bill for an act to establish a South-East Development Commission to rehabilitate and reconstruct the region is underway in the House of Representatives. The bill is expected to be read for the second time soon.

The piece of legislation is entitled: “An Act to Establish the South-East Development Commission to Serve as Catalyst to develop the commercial potentials of the South-East, receive and manage funds from allocation of the Federation for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and reparation for houses and businesses of victims of the Civil War, and address any other environmental or developmental challenges.

16/07/2020

On YOMA today
The Federal Ministry of Education has released the guidelines for reopening of schools post-COVID-19.The publication stipulates a long set of rules to be observed before and when schools reopen. KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE reports on the document and whether schools can meet the requirements.

Last week’s news that Nigeria would not participate in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was disappointing for many school owners, teachers, pupils and their parents. The scheduling of the examination for August 4 to September 5, gave hope of schools resuming soon. But the suspension of Nigeria’s participation in the examination crushed such hope.

Nevertheless, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Abuja, on Monday launched a new set of guidelines for re-opening of schools. Though no resumption dates have been announced for schools, the guidelines may restore the hope that resumption may be a reality soon.
The new document titled: “Guidelines for schools and Learning Facilities Reopening after COVID-19 Pandemic Closures” was prepared by the FME in collaboration with the Education in Emergencies Working Group in Nigeria (EiEWGN), Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), UNICEF, Save the Children International, Plan International, Street Child, Terre des Hommes, and development partners, among others. It stipulates policies and actions to undertake to prepare schools for safe resumption, monitor activities while in session to prevent or limit risks of spreading the Coronavirus disease, and interventions that should be in place in case of infections, among others.
The 52-page document also includes an assessment form to gauge the readiness of schools by health and education quality assurance officers prior to resumption.
In the Foreward, Education Minister Mallam Adamu Adamu urged state ministries of education, schools, parents and learners to familiiarise themselves with the guidelines to learn expected behaviours when schools resume.
“The guidelines are a useful tool and resource for state governments, parents, and education providers as we plan for the safe reopening of schools and learning facilities. We know the scale of the challenge in addressing the deep-rooted issues in the education sector. However, we remain determined and committed to responding and supporting learners, families, administrators, and education personnel during this difficult time,” he wrote.
Before schools can resume, the publication lists seven questions that should be answered, including whether transmission was reducing; whether the country has peaked in terms of infections; level of compliance with NCDC guidelines by public; national capacity for COVID-19 testing; whether schools are ready to implement infection prevention and control measures; and how schools intend to monitor transportation to and from schools.
Against the backdrop of available statistics, many of the answers would be negative – indicating that schools may not be ready to resume. For instance, with the country at the community transmission stage of the infection, cases are on the increase. The number of infection grew from 30,249 to 33,153 between Thursday last week and Tuesday. It meant there were 2,904 new cases in six days – negating the first question.
Also, medical experts have lamented the low compliance to NCDC protocols on the use of facemasks, physical distancing, mass gatherings, and the like, negating the second question.
On whether testing is available, Nigeria is already behind its target of testing two million people by month end. As at Tuesday, the NCDC had tested only 183,309 people for COVID-19 out of a population of over 200 million.
In addition to the questions, the guidelines spell out consideration for staggered school attendance; physical distancing among learners; distance learning; provision of WASH facilities; daily de-contamination.

With these conditions
Are schools ready for resumption

13/07/2020

On YOMA today
You Will recall last week The FG has announced that Nigeria Will not participate in this year's WASEC
State governments in the country have been told not to go ahead and enrol their schools in this year’s West African Senior Secondary School Examination. WASSCE, if the Federal Government-owned schools are not going to take part in same.

If they go ahead, according to the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, it will not only distort the education sector, but will also create chaos that may be very difficult to remediate.

The National Treasurer of the NUT, Mr Segun Raheem and the National President of NAPTAN, Haruna Danjuma, said this in separate chats with the presss.

Raheem said there was a stakeholders’ meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education and other government agencies concerned with the COVID-19 pandemic in which NUT was present, and where it was agreed that anything that would lead to chaos should be avoided.

“We all know that education is on the Concurrent List in the Constitution and that is why when the Federal Government said its schools would not open now, and advised the state governments to key into that. NUT has asked every state chapter to look into the peculiarities of their states and be guided accordingly.

“Some states have gone far in preparing their terminal students for their final examinations. I am from Lagos State and I can say boldly that the Commissioner for Education has done a lot in this respect. However, schools cannot be reopened unless it is safe to do so.
So where do Nigerians stand on this