Author: Vera

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Tuesday said completion of the Lekki Port will put an end to the intractable Apapa gridlock, the congestion along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, port access roads and Apapa environs. Point News247 reports that theGovernor made the statement at the Opening Ceremony of the Africa Business Convention, organised by ‘Business Day Newspaper’ at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he noted that “The final solution to Apapa gridlock will be the completion of Lekki Port.” The Governor said several measures would be put in place to ensure Apapa is congestion-free, saying that “we…

A bill seeking to increase the educational qualification for election into the office of the president has passed first reading at the house of representatives. Point News247 reports that the proposed legislation also seeks to raise the minimum academic qualification for election as a governor, state and federal lawmaker. Sections 65, 106, 131 and 177 of the 1999 constitution state that a person must be qualified for election into the aforementioned elective offices if he/she “has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent”. 65(2) “A person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of…

Point News247 reports that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Obafemu Awolowo University (OAU) chapter, has embarked on an indefinite strike action. Point News247 reports that the union made the decision following non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance to its members. ASUU, in a communique, said the decision was part of the resolutions reached at its emergency Congress held on Monday. ASUU in a communiqué issued after the Congress and signed by its chairman, Dr Adeola Egbedokun, said there was no serious commitment on the part of the university management to effect payment of the allowance to its deserving members.…

Point News247 reports that the Nigerian Senate has passed a bill to establish the school of mines and geological studies, Guyuk. The Senate, on Tuesday, also passed the Federal Universities of Technology Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill. The chamber, with the passage of the FUTA (Amendment) Bill, gave approval for the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, from a Diploma awarding institution to a full-fledged Degree awarding Federal University of Technology. The passage of both bills followed the consideration of two separate reports by the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita,…

As the war on drug trafficking intensifies, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the arrest of three trans-border drug traffickers. Point News247 reports that they were arrested by operatives of the NDLEA while trying to smuggle 48,000 tablets of 225mg Tramadol through Mubi, Adamawa state to Cameroon Republic, just as over 1,500 kilograms of imported Loud and other illicit substances have been intercepted in raids across Lagos and Edo states. A statement signed by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy and made available to NAOSRE, the agency stated that the suspects: Mohammed Hussaini, 32; Adamu Bella,…

Point News247 reports that the Oyo State Government has launched a mobile app designed with several features, including having access to details of chosen landed property, without necessarily visiting the Ministry of Lands. According to the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Tpl Olayiwola Olusegun, the mobile app, otherwise known as Ilè D’olà Exchange under the Private Networks Nigeria Limited (PNN) initiative, is the first of its kind in Nigeria, and would avail residents of the state the opportunity to make enquiry and suggestions on government services and getting faster responses. The Commissioner said this during a two-day retreat…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, says the Buhari administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains committed to the welfare of the common man because it is a party of the people and will continually ensure that the common man benefits maximally from government. Point News247 reports that the Vice President stated this on Friday when he received on a courtesy call from a delegation of the APC Professionals Forum at the Statehouse, Abuja. “This is a party of the common man, a party of the people, a party that takes as its cradle, the importance of ensuring that…

Point News247 reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday detained the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) Mr. Osita Okechukwu. He was reportedly detained over a case of conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N1.3billion. Mr Okechukwu was said to have arrived the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja at about 1.30pm to honour an invitation. Reports indicate that he was still with operatives of the agency as of the time of filing this report.

Point News247 reports that Professor Charles Soludo has narrated how he received several death threats when he undertook reforms in the banking sector. Soludo, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said he received 19 written threats, including physical attacks for undertaking the banking revolution. Soludo served as Governor of CBN from 2004 to 2009. The governor-elect of Anambra State, made this known while speaking as a guest at the first graduation day of students of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), founded by a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, in Abuja. Soludo…

Point News247 reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reduced ATM withdrawal charges and inter-bank transfer fees. Nigeria’s apex bank, in its guidelines to charges by Banks, Other Financial Institutions (OFIs) and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, issued a downward review of charges for electronic banking transactions. In its amended guidelines to charges by banks, other financial institutions (OFIs), and non-bank financial institutions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has downward reviewed charges for electronic banking transactions. This is according to the circular by Chibuzor Efobi, the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, titled “RE: GUIDE TO CHARGES BY BANKS,…