NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Federal Government on Thursday approved phased return of students to classrooms, and asked state government and school administrators to start making arrangements for full reopening of schools in the country. Schools in the country were shut in March as part of measures to control the spread of the coronavirus disease. But, the government had on August 4, announced the resumption of graduating pupils to write this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination from August 17, 2020, through September 12, 2020. The National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, who spoke during a briefing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, said the task force recommends phased return of students to classrooms. “For educational institutions which include daycare, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Educational institutions should begin the process of working towards potentially reopening within this phase. “However, we strongly recom...

From Ikenna Aniagboso  Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has restated his commitment to the development of smart cities in Anambra state.  The Governor stated this while performing the ground breaking ceremony of the Anambra Luxury Place Estate, Nkwelle Ezunaka - a PPP housing initiative between the Anambra state government and Rotech energy services Ltd.  Speaking at the event, Gov Obiano commended the CEO of Rotech Energy Services Ltd, Chief Austin Oguejiofor for embracing the think home philosophy. He described the estate as a modern, smart and hitech city and encouraged Ndi Anambra to buy property in the estate.  According to Gov Obiano, "what we are building here is a smart city. It is very close to Anambra state international cargo airport, Umueri. The closeness of the estate to the airport, the commercial city of Onitsha and the capital city, Awka makes it a choice location". Going further, he said that his administration has remained committed "t...

Harvard-educated and longtime World Bank economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is bidding to become the next director-general of the World Trade Organization under a nomination from her native Nigeria while also holding dual U.S. citizenship. Okonjo-Iweala obtained American citizenship in 2019, her spokeswoman told Bloomberg News, after spending most of her career at the World Bank and living in the Washington suburbs. It’s not uncommon for international civil servants who spend long stretches working abroad to take a second citizenship, especially when their families have been living overseas with them, a spokeswoman for Okonjo-Iweala said. She’s humbled by the support of the government of Nigeria and its people, the spokeswoman said. Okonjo-Iweala has a resumé full of qualifications, and there is no citizenship requirement for the job. Still, the revelation of her dual status may become magnified as protectionist sentiment rises around the world and national allegiances are questioned, obser...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Owerri zone, has urged the federal government to expedite action to deploy the University Transparency, Accountability Solution, UTAS, over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, to resolve the issue of irregularity of salary payments among university staff. Speaking at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state, the zonal coordinator, ASUU, Owerri Zone, Comr Uzo Onyebinama, explained that ASUU is unveiling the UTAS as a credible alternative to IPPIS, since IPPIS has failed to address major issues that border around personnel information and payroll system. In his words; “IPPIS does not respect the nature, structure and character of the Nigerian University System. The IPPIS does not recognize agreements entered into between the government and university-based trade unions as well as does not ensure simultaneous payment of employees’ salaries and third party deductions such as Tax, pension, u...

​•••••••• Says the Force Remains Committed to protecting the Sanctity of the Ballot The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has warned politicians and their supporters in Edo and Ondo States, where gubernatorial elections are scheduled to hold on 19th September, 2020 and 10th October, 2020 respectively, to conduct themselves properly, play by the rules and steer-clear of tendencies capable of undermining the electoral process in the two States.   The IGP gave the warning having reviewed the Election Security Threat Assessment Reports submitted by the Commissioners of Police from both States in a meeting held Tuesday, 25th August, 2020. The Election Security Threat Analysis reveals amongst other indicators: arming and movement of political thugs, use of inciting statements during political campaigns, high likelihood of violence and possible cross attack by political opponents, misinformation/disinformation aimed at heating-up of the polity and deliberate effor...

Police in Lagos have arrested five suspects who specialised in stealing mobile phones to withdraw money from owners’ accounts. The suspects are Daniel Asigbe, 25; Ikechukwu Aigbe, 25; Frank Opara, 21; Seun Dairo, 19; and Goodness Ndukwe, 19. They had stolen a Samsung X9 phone in a barbing saloon, in Lekki, two months ago, from where they successfully withdrew N2.3 million. The suspects said that they did not need an insider connection in banks to transfer money from stolen SIM cards. They claimed they had codes that could facilitate the change of owners withdrawal pins. During interrogation, one of them, Asigbe, said: “I stole the phone and gave the SIM card to Ikechukwu, who got the owner’s BVN. He sent the BVN number to Yele [at large], who generated the account owner’s transfer pin. “He gave Ikechukwu the details. He [Ikechukwu] transferred N2.3 million from the account, into Seun’s account. He also bought N20,000 worth of airtime from the account. “We don’t have a bank insider, we ...

The managing director of Izudatcares Ventures Ltd, and a front line advocate for good governance and transparency has been appointed Bishop's Nominee for Nnewi Diocese, of the Anglican Communion. This is sequel to an official from the office of the Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Anglican Communion, which was made available to Nigerian Notch.  In part, the letter states thus "Henceforth, you will have the privilege and honor to attend Diocesan meetings, particularly the diocesan synod, diocesan board and other related meetings where the Bishop would be pleased to have your cherished contributions for the progress of the diocese. You are kindly required to see the appointment as part of your commitment in this regard will be highly appreciated. You status as a nominee of the diocesan bishop is highly cherished and thus, its expected that the confidence reposed in you by the special appointment will be justified" In the same vein, the Police Force Chaplain Abuja, has also appointe...

By Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Hurray! Hurray!! Hurray!! To glory of Almighty God, my friend, schoolmate, brother and political associate, Nigerian Ambassador to The Netherlands – Chief Oji Nyimenuate Ngofa, the Dean of the Faculty of Strategy, Diplomacy, Warfare & Loyalty of the Amaechi International School of Politics, a trailblazer, icon and the golden boy of Rivers State politics turns 52 on August 24, 2020. Wow! I am so excited to celebrate this enigma and one of the new faces of democracy in the politics of Nigeria, an indefatigable, resolute revolutionist and, most importantly, the nightmare to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his brand of politics particularly these days when hunger have caused many politicians to undermine the principle of integrity in our political life. With the birth of this Ambassador extraordinary and a shining star on a bright 24th day of August 1968, to the famous family of Chief and Mrs Nwosu Alale Ngofa of Aleto in Eleme in today’s Eleme Local Gov...

 An appraisal is needed. 1. “More than 98% of people who inhabit this area (the ‘Igbo Plateau’ of the Eastern region) are Igbo and speak one language, though of course with certain differences of dialect. There are nearly five million of them and they are too many for the soil to support: they are vigorous and intelligent and have pushed outward in every direction, seeking a livelihood by trade or in service in the surrounding areas of the Eastern Region, in the Western Region, in the North and outside Nigeria. They are no more popular with their neighbours than is usual in the case of an energetic and expanding people whose neighbours have a more leisurely outlook on life.” 2. “Though there has been no great kingdom or indigenous culture in the Eastern Region, the coastal chiefs grew on their trade with the (European merchant) ships and they adopted customs, clothing and housing more advanced than those of the peoples of the interior on whom they had at first preyed for slaves. Th...

The achievement cuts across the economy, governance, transportation, oil and gas as well as human empowerment. Some laws which President Buhari assented to in the last one year, were also added to the list. Here's the full list below; Establishment of new Ministries, including Police Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. Restoration of the Budget Implementation Cycle to a January-to-December Calendar, with the signing of the 2020 Appropriation Bill in December 2019. Signing into law a Finance Bill, to reform domestic tax laws, introduce tax incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets, and improve the business environment. It was the first time since the return of democracy in 1999 that a Federal Budget was accompanied by a passage of an enabling Finance Bill. Approval of 10 billion Naira Intervention Fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. That project is now very close to completion. Orderin...