A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, will on Monday give a breakdown of the highlights of the 2017 Budget estimates presented on Wednesday to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Media Adviser to the minister, James Akpandem.
He said, “those expected at the briefing, which will be held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja, include media practitioners, Heads of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Representatives of States and Local Governments, Private Sector Operators and Associations, Captains of industry and Civil Society Organizations”.
Presenting the broad estimates to the National Assembly on Wednesday, the statement recalled how President Buhari had said the implementation of the 2017 Budget will be based on government's economic recovery and growth strategy.Udo Udoma
“The Plan, which builds on the Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 Budget, provides a clear road map of policy actions and steps designed to bring the economy out of recession and to a path of steady growth and prosperity”, the statement added.
It quoted the president as saying the 2017 Budget is based on a benchmark crude oil price of US$42.5 per barrel; an oil production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day; and an average exchange rate of N305 to the US dollar.
“Based on these assumptions, aggregate revenue available to fund the federal budget is N4.94 trillion. This is 28% higher than 2016 full year projections. Oil is projected to contribute N1.985 trillion of this amount.
“Non-oil revenues, largely comprising Companies Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Customs and Excise duties, and Federation Account levies are estimated to contribute N1.373 trillion. We have set a more realistic projection of N807.57 billion for Independent Revenues, while we have projected receipts of N565.1 billion from various Recoveries. Other revenue sources, including mining, amount to N210.9billion”, it added.
President-elect Donald Trump has rejected as "ridiculous" a CIA assessment that Russian hackers tried to sway the election in his favour.
He told Fox News the Democrats were putting out the reports because they were embarrassed at the scale of the election defeat.
This came as a bipartisan quartet of high-profile senators said Sunday that "recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American," as President-elect Donald Trump sharpened his unprecedented attacks on US intelligence agencies.
The group called for an investigation into American intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russian hacking was intended to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.
On Friday, CIA officials told US media they had concluded that Russians hackers were trying to help Mr Trump.
Russian officials have repeatedly denied the hacking accusations.
Mr Trump said it might have been Russia but it was impossible to know.
"They have no idea if it's Russia or China or somebody sitting in a bed some place," he said.
President Barack Obama has ordered a complete review of the hacks, which targeted emails at the Democratic Party and the emails of a key aide to presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
The contents of the emails, passed to Wikileaks and posted online, were embarrassing to the Democrats and shook up the presidential campaign.
Trump again signaled Sunday a willingness to confront Beijing, questioning whether the United States should keep its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China."
The Senate Committee on Sports on Wednesday in Abuja assured the Super Falcons of payment of their outstanding allowances.
Chairman of the committee, Obinna Ogba, told the players that the Senate was committed to ensuring that their allowances were paid.
The meeting with the Falcons followed a protest march staged by the Falcons requesting payment of their outstanding allowances.
"Let me inform you that my Committee has been mandated to investigate activities of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with regards to the face-off.
"I assure you that having made the nation proud, you will be paid."
Super Falcons protest non payment of allowances at NASS
Also speaking, Samuel Anyanwu, a member of the committee, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner the players were treated, and called for patience to enable the Committee to step in.
"I feel very hurt at the behaviour of the NFF, which should have been better in view of your feat. You should be patient and guard your utterances so that we can do something about this case.
"The Senate will investigate activities of NFF, because this type of issue has been a recurring decimal in the federation,'' he added.
In her remarks, captain of the Falcons, Rita Chikwelu, lamented that the NFF did not treat them well when playing in Cameroon during the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Explaining their ordeal, she said they were ordered out of the hotel at Douala in Cameroon the very night they won the competition.
She said this led them to sleeping at the airport with the competition's trophy they won by beating hosts Cameroon 1-0 on Dec. 3.
"Officials of NFF did not encourage us at all in Cameroon. We never saw the NFF President (Amaju Pinnick) and General Secretary (Mohammed Sanusi) in Yaounde when we played in the semi-finals.
"Surprisingly, we saw them in the crowd at Douala where we played the final match and having won that night they asked us to leave.''
By Nwabueze Okonkwo ONITSHA— South-East Based Coalition of Human Rights Organizations, SBCHROs, has named detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as one of the three Igbo distinguished personalities of the year 2016.
SBCHROs also named Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, as the second and third Igbo distinguished personalities of the year.
Their names were contained in a statement issued by the group during the 68th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights held recently in Onitsha, Anambra State.
In the statement, leader of the groups, Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi said Kanu, in addition to the prestigious Prisoner-of-Conscience, PoC Award already bestowed on him, deserved to be an Igbo personality of the year in recognition of his non-violence and peaceful campaign for the emancipation of the Igbo race, using non-violence and peaceful means.
The group stated that while some states incurred over N500 billion debts, Anambra State, under Peter Obi, reduced its previous local and foreign debt to N11 billion and refused to borrow.
The group noted that Ekweremadu was chosen as the third Igbo distinguished personality of the year 2016 on account of his bold and courageous disposition against all odds, since June 2015 in his capacity as the Deputy Senate President and highest Igbo federal lawmaker.
Kanu, Obi and Ekweremadu
"He towered and withstood executive persecution and leprous treatment simply because he came from a federal opposition party and insisted that the Igbo race is too important in the Nigerian political landscape to be left out in the sharing of the principal leadership positions of the 8th National Assembly of Nigeria.
"He has also made an imprint in the defence of Igbo interests, in spite of threats and blackmails from the executive arm since June, 2015.
“Ekweremadu's position as it affects the collective interests of the Igbo race, particularly against the killings of innocent and defenceless Igbo citizens by security forces is very encouraging and endearing."
UN official in West Africa on Wednesday said Gambian President Yahya Jammeh will not be allowed to remain president if he refuses to go at the end of his term in January.
Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, told newsmen in Dakar that Jammeh would face strong sanctions if he tried to cling to power.
Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994, initially conceded defeat in the Dec. 1 election to little-known challenger Adama Barrow, raising the prospect of an end to his 22 years rule.
Jammeh's rule was tainted by allegations of widespread human rights abuses.
However, in a dramatic about-face that drew international condemnation, Jammeh then rejected the voting results last Friday, and his party was challenging the outcome at Gambia's Supreme Court.
Chambas, however, said "for Mr Jammeh, the end is here and under no circumstances can he continue to be president.
"By Jan. 18, his mandate is up and he will be required to hand over to Mr. Barrow."
Yahya Jammeh
He added that Jammeh would be "strongly sanctioned" if he did not step down and hand over power to Barrow, without giving details.
Chambas accompanied a delegation of presidents representing the regional bloc ECOWAS who travelled to Gambia on Tuesday but failed to reach a deal that would see Jammeh step down.
Instead, Gambian soldiers seized the headquarters of the national elections commission and sealed it just hours before the presidents touched down in the riverside nation.
UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, on Wednesday, said that the takeover was an "outrageous act of disrespect of the will of the Gambian people".
The building in Banjul remained deserted on Wednesday aside from two armed security guards, while its front gate and ground floor entrances were closed.
"No one has gone to work. I didn't even try. No one has informed me that I can go back," elections commission chairman Alieu Momarr Njai said on Wednesday.
The ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction filed a challenge to the election result, even as the delegation held mediation meetings on Tuesday.
The court has not held a session for a year and a half, and legal experts believe that at least four new judges would need to be hired to hear Jammeh's petition.
"We do not believe it will be heard by a credible court dedicated to ensuring the integrity of The Gambia's democratic process,'' a U.S. Embassy statement said.
Analysts have suggested that the challenge in the Supreme Court, the legal channel for resolving election disputes, could put diplomats in a difficult position.
While such disputes are relatively common in Africa, the international community generally defers to established domestic legal mechanisms for resolving them.
However, in a notable exception, UN troops intervened militarily alongside France to oust Ivory Coast's then-president Laurent Gbagbo after he used the constitutional court to overturn the 2010 election victory of Alassane Ouattara.
Meanwhile, report says ECOWAS leaders will discuss Gambia at a summit in Nigeria on Saturday.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has written the Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel conveying the condolences of the Party's National Working Committee (NWC) over Saturday's Church building collapse in the State which led to the loss of several lives and injuries.
Collapsed structure of Rune Reigners Bible Ministry, a new generation Church located on KM 1, Uyo.
Odigie-Oyegun in the letter he personally signed, said in spite of the tragic loss of lives, there was still need for thanksgiving as the situation could have been much worse as many lives, including that of the Governor, were rescued from the wreckage of the Worship Centre.
The APC National Chairman prayed for the lost lives and wished the injured quick recovery.
The letter read: "On behalf of the myself and members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), let me convey our deep sadness and sympathies to you and the people of Akwa-Ibom State in respect of the unfortunate collapse of the Reigners Bible Worship Centre, Uyo on Saturday 10th December, 2016 that resulted in the loss of several lives and injury to many.
"Inspite of the tragic loss of lives, there is still need for thanksgiving that despite the extensive damage as revealed by press photographs, the situation could have been much worse as many lives, including that of Your Excellency, the Governor, were rescued from the wreckage of the Worship Centre.
"May the souls of those who lost their lives rest in peace while wishing the injured quick recovery.
"Once more please accept the deep sympathies of our Party and be assured that our prayers and thoughts remain with you, the government and people of Akwa Ibom State."
A don, Dr Aminu Usman says that the Federal Government's N7.30 trillion budget proposal for 2017 is achievable if the government can resolve the challenge of pipeline vandalism in the Niger-Delta.
Usman, a lecturer at the Department of Economics, Kaduna State University told newsmen in Abuja, that the crisis in the region may affect the budget implementation. He said that President Muhammadu Buhari was optimistic about the budget proposal which he presented before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The president said that N2.24 trillion, representing 30.7 per cent of the 2017 budget, would be committed to capital expenditure, aimed at pulling the economy out of recession as quickly as possible.
Buhari said the capital expenditure was increased from N1.8 trillion in 2016 to N2.24 trillion in 2017. The president also announced N2.98 trillion as recurrent expenditure for the 2017 fiscal year.
He said, having reviewed the trends in the global oil industry, the government had decided to set a benchmark price of 42.5 dollars per barrel and a production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day for 2017 fiscal year.
"How would the government achieve the 2.2 million per barrel, with the Niger Delta crisis not yet resolved? I think it is too open, considering the fact that the major source of funding the budget will come from oil export.
"Looking at the proposal, the capacity of government implementing N7. 30 trillion is also in question. The real sense of what government is doing is to actually increase the quantum of the budget by factoring in inflation caused by depreciation of the currency.”
"We had N6 trillion budget in 2016 and 7.30 trillion in 2017. People shouldn't expect much difference in the implementation with the current economic realities,'' he said.
According to him, the 2016 budget implementation has been very slow.
He, however, advised the government to ensure early submission of budget.
Usman said that the timing of the submission of budget – December- was wrong since the National Assembly would soon go on break.
"We will see the passage of 2017 budget coming around May next year, so we see statement of intention by the government but the implementation may be difficult,'' the don said.
The aggregated revenue available to fund the 2017 budget was N4.94 trillion, 28 per cent higher than the 2016 budget.
The oil was projected to contribute N1.99 trillion of the amounts and non-oil revenue would be contributing N1.73 trillion.
The 2017 budget, tagged "Budget of Recovery and Growth", was higher than the 2016 N6.08 trillion Appropriation by about 19.95 per cent.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny and hazy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Thursday.
NiMet made the prediction in the Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Wednesday.
It added that the region would have day and night temperature of 36 to 37 degrees Celsius and 17 to 22 degrees Celsius, respectively, except over Jos with 28 and 13 degrees Celsius.
The agency predicted that the Southern states would experience cloudy to partly cloudy skies over most parts of the inland with localised rain showers over coastal cities in the morning.
It also predicted chances of localised thunderstorms over coastal cities of Yenogoa and Port Harcourt later in the day with day and night temperatures of 33 to 35 degrees Celsius and 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.
According to NiMet, northern states will experience dust haze conditions with reduced horizontal visibility range of two to five kilometres and localised visibility of 1000m throughout the forecast period.
"The region will also have day and night temperatures of 32 to 36 degrees Celsius and 10 to 21 degrees Celsius respectively during the forecast period.
"Dusty and hazy conditions are still expected over the north with prospects of cloudy to partly cloudy conditions over the south in the next 24 hours," NiMet predicted.
The immediate-past President, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Dr. Fatima Abdulrahman, Wednesday, said the 2017 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, before the joint session of the National Assembly, would better the lives of Nigerians.
Former National President, All Nigeria Conference Of Principal of Secondary School (ANCOPSS), Dr. Fatima Abdulrahman
According to Abdulrahman, the 2017 Budget of Recovery should interest every Nigerian, noting that she has no has no doubt that that President Buhari will implement every item of the budgets to latter.
Abdulrahman said: “The budget don’t resonate well with the public not because most people have a difficult time wading through and making sense of the labyrinth of projections contained in them but also because most Nigerians are innumerable, that is we have no literacy in numbers so phobic to boast. But whatever our believe about budgets, they do matter. They serve as guide posts of governance and the tool with governments to navigate the complex contour of completing expectations, interest and needs.
“Budgets also tell us the priorities our government cherishes. This year’s budget is unique because it came at a time of the worst economic recession in our recent history and in the aftermath of the Niger Delta Avengers attacked on our pipelines.
“It is also noteworthy that the economic sector took the icon’s share of this year’s budget. This is wise and far-sighted move because the economy is the fulcrum around which the society revolves. The N7.298 trillion budgets which is 20.4 percent bigger than that of 2016, has earmarked 30.7 percent for capital expenditure to pull the economy out of recession.
“Mr. President’s single minded determination and dedication, for which Nigerians should be eternally grateful to him for making the economy of the country to work aside oil revenue generation. It is impossible to capture all the details of the budget, but something struck me as she went through President Muhammadu Buhari’s budget proposal in his speech. The President identified the focus of his economic renewal efforts to include school feeding programme and funding for the rehabilitation of the northeast.
“There is something in it for everyone, it is hoped that all great things contained in the budget come to fruition so that Nigerians can rise to the next level. As citizens of Nigeria we need to collectively ensure the success of this budget by being supportive and understanding where the occasion calls for it and being constructively critical where necessary.
“I am saying “we can do it” and it is true that we will because era of corruption and over-dependence on oil has gone. Let us give the President and his cabinet the opportunity to lay the foundation for a better Nigeria.
“Mr. President has assured Nigerians in his message to the Muslims that “the reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us; rather it should remind us of why we need to stay together, fight together and succeed together.
“He had said “we all share a vision of better Nigeria, and we will all share a vision of a better Nigeria, and we will all share in the responsibility of building the country of our dreams. As we look forward to 2017 with hope and huge expectations, let me assure you that with collective dedication and hard work, we will overcome the mountain of economic difficulties and return our country to the path of prosperity.”
"The 2017 budget proposal laid before National Assembly contains measures that we are confident will get the Nation out of its economic wood. I also enjoy the National Assembly to cooperate with Mr. President in passing the budget on time in order to start hitting the ground running for adequate implementation,” said Dr. Fatima.
DearBunmi, I really fancy a guy who works a few offices away from mine. We eat in the same canteen from time to time and he's often joked about his single status. He's also been friendly towards me.
I've since written him two letters, telling him how I feel about him and he hasn't replied. I'm a bit shy when it comes to talking to men. What else do you advise I do? Olaide, by e-mail.
Dear Olaide, Do nothing. You've written two letters to this guy and got no reply. So, either he was joking when he said he was single, or he is single and doesn't want to go out with you. Either way, if you tackle this guy, you're going to face another rejection.
He may also feel he is being harassed into having a relationship and might be a bit scared and irritated.
If he is, what he says to you may not be that kind and you will be hurt. If you don't want that, then accept he's not the one for you and let the matter drop.
President Muhammadu Buhari says the economy has been negatively affected by the poor revenue collection by the Federal Inland Revenue and the Nigerian Customs Service in 2016.
The president said this while presenting the 2017 Appropriation Bill before the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the significant shortfalls in projected revenue were due to the combination of relatively low oil prices in the first quarter of 2016, and disruptions in crude oil production.
He said as at Sept. 30, the aggregate revenue inflow was N2.2 trillion or 25 per cent less than the projections.
He added that N3.6 trillion had been spent by the same date on both recurrent and capital expenditure.
"In 2016, the budget was prepared on the principles of zero based budgeting to ensure our resources were prudently managed and utilised solely for the public good.
"This method was a clear departure from the previous incremental budgeting method. We have adopted the same principles in the 2017 Budget.
"You may recall that the 2016 Budget was predicated on a benchmark oil price of US$38 per barrel, oil production of 2.2 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N197 to the US dollar.
"On the basis of these assumptions, aggregate revenue was projected at N3.86 trillion while the expenditure outlay was estimated at N6.06 trillion.
"The deficit of N2.2 trillion, which was about 2.14 per cent of GDP was expected to be mainly financed through borrowing,'' he said.
However, the president said in spite of the challenges, the federal government met both its debt service obligations and personnel costs.
He added that overhead costs were largely covered.
"Although capital expenditure suffered as a result of project formulation delays and revenue shortfalls, in the five months since the 2016 Budget was passed, the amount of N753.6 billion has been released for capital expenditure as at the end of October 2016.
"It is important to note that this is one of the highest capital releases recorded in the nation's recent history. In fact, it exceeds the aggregate capital expenditure budget for 2015.
"Consequently, work has resumed on construction of new terminals at the country's four major airports; numerous major road projects; key power transmission projects; and the completion of the Kaduna-Abuja railway.
"We remain resolute in our commitment to the security of life and property nationwide.
"The courageous efforts and sacrifices of our heroes in the armed forces and paramilitary units are clear for all to see. The gradual return to normality in the North East is a good example of the results.
"Our spending in the 2016 fiscal year focused on ensuring these gallant men and women are properly equipped and supported.
"In June 2016, a conditional Budget Support Programme was introduced, which offered State Governments N566 billion to address their funding shortfalls.''
On the 2017 Budget priorities, the president said, the budget tagged "Budget of recovery and Growth'', will be a continuation of 2016 plans.
He added that there would be only a little adjustment to reflect new additions made in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the deficit of N2.36 trillion for 2017, which is about 2.18 per cent of GDP, will be financed mainly by borrowing which is projected to be about N2.32 trillion.
The president said this in Abuja on Wednesday while presenting the 2017 budget estimates of N7.298 trillion before the joint session of the National Assembly.
According to him, government's intention is to source N1.067 trillion or about 46% of the borrowing from external sources while N1.254 trillion will be borrowed from the domestic market.
"This fiscal plan will result in a deficit of N2.36 trillion for 2017 which is about 2.18 per cent of GDP.
"The deficit will be financed mainly by borrowing which is projected to be about N2.32 trillion.
"Our intention is to source N1.067 trillion or about 46 per cent of this borrowing from external sources while, N1.254 trillion will be borrowed from the domestic market."
The President stated that the proposed aggregate expenditure of N7.298 trillion would comprise statutory transfers of N419.02 billion; debt service of N1.66 trilliion; Sinking fund of N177.46 billion to retire certain maturing bonds;
He said it would also comprise non-debt recurrent expenditure of N2.98 trillion and Capital Expenditure of N2.24 trillion (including capital in Statutory Transfers).
On Statutory Transfers, the president said "we have increased the budgetary allocation to the Judiciary from N70 billion to N100 billion.
He said the increase in funding the judiciary was meant to enhance the independence of the judiciary and enable them to perform their functions effectively.
He also disclosed that a significant portion of recurrent expenditure had been provided for the payment of salaries and overheads in institutions providing critical public services.
The budgeted amounts for these items are N482.37 billion for the Ministry of Interior; N398.01 billion for Ministry of Education; N325.87 billion for Ministry of Defence and N252.87 billion for Ministry of Health.
"We have maintained personnel costs at about N1.8 trillion.It is important that we complete the work that we have started of ensuring the elimination of all ghost workers from the payroll.
"Accordingly, adequate provision has been made in the 2017 Budget to ensure all personnel that are not enrolled on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System platform are captured.
"We have tasked the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance to cut certain overhead costs by 20 per cent."
He reassured that his administration would continue to eliminate all non-essential costs to free resources to fund capital expenditure.
He said the size of the 2017 capital budget of N2.24 trillion (inclusive of capital in Statutory Transfers), or 30.7 per cent of the total budget, reflected his administration's determination to spur economic growth.
"These capital provisions are targeted at priority sectors and projects.
"Specifically, we have maintained substantially higher allocations for infrastructural projects which will have a multiplier effect on productivity, employment and also promote private sector investments into the country."
He said key capital spending provisions in the Budget included Power, Works and Housin, N529billion; Transportation, N262 billion; Special Intervention Programmes, N150 billion; Defence, N140 billion; Water Resources, N85 billion and Industry, Trade and Investment, N81 billion.
Others are Interior, N63 billion; Education, N50 billion; Universal Basic Education Commission, N92 billion; Health, N51 billion; Federal Capital Territory, N37 billion; Niger Delta Ministry, N33 billion and Niger Delta Development Commission, N61 billion.
He said N100 billion had been provided in the Special Intervention Programme as seed money into the N1 trillion Family Homes Fund that would underpin a new social housing programme.
According to him, the substantial expenditure is expected to stimulate construction activity throughout the country.
Dear Bunmi, I've always wanted to watch people having sex. In fact, it's my number one fantasy. I'm an average kind of guy with my fair share of sexual experience. Yet, I don't know why this idea turns me on so much, and I worry that I might be kinky or a sort of pervert.
I'd like to get this fantasy out of my system, but don't know how to go about it. Can you help? Frank, bye-mail.
Dear Frank, Be rest assured that your fantasy isn't weird – lots of people like to watch others having sex. Why do you think porno films sell so much? Perhaps, it's because we don't usually get the opportunity to watch first, and are curious. Or maybe we want to see ourselves on the outside as we have sex. As you must have realised, making your fantasy come true might be difficult, unless you have close friends willing to join in so you can watch each other. If not, why not try watching yourself make love to your favourite girl instead? What happens between two consenting adults in the privacy of their bedroom is healthy.
So place a big mirror near your bed, or video your love-making, assuring your partner what you do would be restricted to the two of you. Next time you have sex, play the tape and watch from a vantage position.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it will soon begin the conduct of its examination for private candidates twice in a year with effect from 2017. The council Registrar, Dr Iyi Uwadiae, spoke with newsmen on the sidelines of the council's "Registrar's Staff Appraisal Committee'' meeting on Wednesday in Accra, Ghana.
Dr Iyi Uwadiae, the Registrar of WAEC
Uwadiae said, "The West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates known as the November/December diet for private candidates will now be conducted in January/February and August/September.'' According to him, the measure is to ensure that many private candidates, who desire the certificate for various purposes, will have the opportunity of writing the examination and acquire the certificate.
"We have concluded arrangements to commence writing of our WASSCE for private candidates twice a year from 2017. "This will take place in January /February and August/September every year in all the member countries. "This development, however, does not affect that of the school candidates, popularly called May/June.
"That one remains once a year for all school candidates,'' Uwadiae said.
He explained that administering the WASSCE for private candidates twice a year was part of the projections of the council in 2017. According to him, as part of its mandate to render qualitative service to all member nations, the council is looking forward to a more rewarding 2017. "That is the essence of this meeting, which brings all the Heads of National Offices (HNO) from member countries together.
"This meeting takes place once a year to discuss the appraisals of the international staff in member countries and recommend members of staff that are due for promotion. "During the meeting too, there is also a follow up action on staff with negative appraisals after which recommendations from the committee are forwarded to the international committee for ratifications.
"All these are parts of what we do in order to make the activities of the council more relevant and beneficial to our people,'' he said. Uwadiae lauded the HNOs for their resilience, doggedness and dedication in the face of peculiar challenges in their respective countries and for ensuring a smooth conduct of the examinations.
Describing them as the council's foot soldiers, the registrar thanked the HNOs for the support accorded him as the overall head of the regional examination body.
"As foot soldiers of the council, I must say that they have done well and deserve the commendation of the council as we look forward to a better 2017.
"They (HNOs) have been meeting the mandate of conducting and releasing results of the various examinations within the stipulated periods and coordinating activities in their respective national offices,'' he said. Uwadiae said that WAEC was also looking forward to conducting its examination in many other countries with English speaking students, studying with Nigeria curriculum as possible.
"We are open to any country in Africa which desire to have us set examination for students, who are being taught with English and uses Nigeria curriculum. "As long as these countries have all requisites needed for the conduct of our examination on ground, we will be there to carry out our mandate. "For instance, we are currently rendering such services to some French speaking countries like Togo, Benin Republic and Cote d' Ivoire.
"These countries approached the council and we are doing that for their English speaking students who want our certificates,'' he said.
A survey conducted by Professional services firm, KPMG has shown that a large percentage of Nigerian directors are dissatisfied with the composition of their company boards, including lack of succession plan.
Speaking at the launch of Global Pulse Survey, tagged; 'Building a great board-composition' Partner, Board Advisory Services KPMG in Nigeria, Tomi Adepoju, said that the challenges of dissatisfaction with company board composition is global but Nigeria margin remains worrisome.
He said: "We surveyed more than 2,300 directors and senior executives in 46 countries around the world. Our survey findings shows that directors in Nigeria see much room for improvement as only 33 percent said they are 'satisfied,' and 29 percent 'somewhat satisfied' that their board has the right combination of skills, background, and experiences while 38 percent expresses dissatisfaction as against global 14 percent."
Adepoju hinted that some of their respondents globally and in Nigeria identified lack of formal succession plan and directors with both general business experience and specific expertise needed by the company as barriers to building and maintaining a high performing board.
He noted that majority of their respondent cited robust evaluations and formal succession plans as the most effective mechanisms to achieve the right board composition.
"Despite wide recognition of the importance of succession planning in achieving optimal board composition, few boards has a formal succession plan in place, only 33 percent of respondents in Nigeria reported having either a formal succession plan in place or in process."
On his part, Partner & Head of Audit Services KPMG in Nigeria, Tola Adeyemi called for strategic, integrated approach to board succession planning, composition and diversity which should be part of discussions by the full board about long-term strategy.
"The key step in the appointment process is to perform a board competency assessment which comprises a competency and behavioural assessment of existing directors. A detailed evaluation of the current gaps in existing board size, mix of skills, background, expertise and experience, diversity relevant to the organisation's industry, strategy, developmental stage and environment.
"We hope these results and observations will help facilitate robust boardroom conversations about board composition and succession planning, and provide some insights to assist boards as they tackle the difficult challenge of building and maintaining the right board."
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, presented the N7.298 trillion 2017 Appropriation Bill before the joint session of the National Assembly.
Vanguard, in this report captured 10 take-aways from President Buhari’s Budget Presentation speech, where he said:
President Muhammadu Buhari presenting the 2017 Budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
1. For the record: For many years we depended on oil for foreign exchange revenues. In the days of high oil prices, we did not save. We squandered.
2. I will stand my ground and maintain my position that under my watch, that old Nigeria is slowly but surely disappearing and a new era is rising in which we grow what we eat and consume what we make. We will CHANGE our habits and we will CHANGE Nigeria.
3. We will increasingly grow and process our own food, we will manufacture what we can and refine our own petroleum products. We will buy 'Made in Nigeria' goods. We will encourage garment manufacturing and Nigerian designers, tailors and fashion retailers. We will patronize local entrepreneurs. We will promote the manufacturing powerhouses in Aba, Calabar, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Nnewi, Onitsha, and Ota. From light manufacturing to cement production and petrochemicals, our objective is to make Nigeria a new manufacturing hub.
4. In 2017, we will focus on the rapid development of infrastructure, especially rail, roads and power. Efforts to fast-track the modernization of our railway system is a priority in the 2017 Budget. In 2016, we made a lot of progress getting the necessary studies updated and financing arrangements completed. We also addressed some of the legacy contractor liabilities inherited to enable us to move forward on a clean slate. Many of these tasks are not visible but are very necessary for sustainability of projects. Nigerians will soon begin to see the tangible benefits in 2017.
5. Fellow Nigerians, although a lot of problems experienced by this Administration were not created by us, we are determined to deal with them. One of such issues that the Federal Government is committed to dealing with frontally, is the issue of its indebtedness to contractors and other third parties. We are at an advanced stage of collating and verifying these obligations, some of which go back ten years, which we estimate at about N2 trillion. We will continue to negotiate a realistic and viable payment plan to ensure legitimate claims are settled.
6. The N7.298 trillion 2017 Budget is based on a benchmark crude oil price of US$42.5 per barrel; an oil production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day; and an average exchange rate of N305 to the US dollar.
7. We have increased the budgetary allocation to the Judiciary from N70 billion to N100 billion. This increase in funding is further meant to enhance the independence of the judiciary and enable them to perform their functions effectively.
8. On key capital spending provisions in the 2017 Budget, Power, Works and Housing got the highest with N529billion. It was followed by Transportation with N262 billion and Special Intervention Programmes with N150 billion. However, a significant portion of recurrent expenditure has been provisioned for the payment of salaries and overheads in institutions that provide critical public services with Ministry of Interior getting the largest chunk of N482.37 billion; N398.01 billion for Ministry of Education; N325.87 billion for Ministry of Defence; and N252.87 billion for Ministry of Health.
9. The 2017 Budget estimates retains the allocation of N500 billion to the Special Intervention programme consisting of the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme to provide loans for traders and artisans, Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest families and the new Family Homes Fund (social housing scheme). The N-Power Programme has recently taken off with the employment of 200,000 graduates across the country, while the School Feeding Programme has commenced in a few States, where the verification of caterers has been completed
10. Provision has also been made in these estimates for activities that will foster a safe and conducive atmosphere for the pursuit of economic and social activities. In this regard, the allocation for the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been increased to N65 billion in the 2017 Budget. Furthermore, N45 billion in funding has been provisioned for the rehabilitation of the North East to complement the funds domiciled at the Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative as well as commitments received from the multinational donors.
A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Omosede Igbinedion (PDP-Edo) on Wednesday said the 2017 budget, if well implemented would take Nigerians away from the current hardship.
Igbinedion, who expressed the optimism in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said that with the budget, the much needed succour the people were seeking would definitely come to them.
"I can see a great improvement more in the education sector and I am just praying and hoping that the budget alleviates the sufferings of the people.
"I will like to have seen great emphasis on agriculture in trying to diversify the economy.
"Nevertheless we are hoping and praying the 2017 budget as presented by the president will help us get out of the current recession.
"It is important we find a way to stimulate the economy as we hope for the best," she said.
Igbinedion said that with the desired change promised in the change mantra, and with the implementation of the 2017 budget, the sufferings of Nigerians would come to an end soon.
"I pray the 2017 budget further alleviates the sufferings of Nigerians who are greatly yearning for the desired change promised with the change mantra.
"I hope that the National Assembly is able to work hand in hand with the executives to make sure the budget is also implemented.
"That is if the government is able to implement the budget to at least 80 per cent to end sufferings of Nigerians," Igbinedion said.
The streets of Gambia's capital Banjul lay deserted on Wednesday due to a boycott stemming out of fear of outgoing President Yahya Jammeh's decision to challenge the presidential election result.
Many shops remained closed, while residents stayed indoors and children did not attend school due to a heavy military presence in the city and its outskirts.
Gambians fearfully awaited Jammeh's next move, after the ruling party filed a petition to challenge the result of the Dec. 1 vote, which saw the autocrat lose power after more than two decades.
The ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) said the election should be annulled in a document handed to the registrar of the Supreme Court.
The petition was filed after an African Union (AU) delegation met with Jammeh, hoping to persuade him to hand over power to president-elect Adama Barrow.
However, Gambia's Supreme Court is currently not operational with only one sitting judge, after Jammeh fired two others earlier this year.
In addition, all court houses have been closed throughout the poverty-stricken West African nation, as the Gambia Bar Association went on strike in protest against Jammeh's refusal to bow out.
A wide range of professional bodies and Civil Society Organisations and various human rights groups have added their voice to the calls for Jammeh to respect the election result.
Earlier on Tuesday, security forces were blocking the entrance to the electoral commission in Banjul, while the chief of defence staff vowed to remain loyal to Jammeh.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the security forces to "immediately vacate" the premises of the electoral commission, calling the takeover an outrageous act of disrespect of the will of the Gambian people
Jammeh recently announced his intention to challenge the election results, even though he had earlier conceded defeat to Barrow.
The 51-year-old, who has ruled the West African country for 22 years with an iron fist, then deployed heavily armed military and police to the streets of Banjul.
An Independent election observer group, the New Initiative for Credible Leadership (NICRel) and its CSO Partners which deployed several observers and monitors to last Saturdays re-run election in Rivers state have commended the Nigerian Army as well as other security agencies for their professional conduct in the face of severe provocation by thugs loyal to politicians.
The group also condemned the killing of police officers and demanded that a proper investigation be carried out to ensure that those found culpable are brought to justice.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the group's Executive Director, Rev. Samson Onwu in what he described as impersonation of security personnel by thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said, “From available information, NICReL reliably gathered that the ruling party in the state and the Nyesom Wike led state government sewed army and mobile police uniforms for political thugs that were then distributed across the areas where elections were held."
“We further gathered that while it appears that these heavily armed thugs, some in fake military and police uniforms, went on to engage in acts that tamper with the integrity of the polls, the actual goal is to cast doubt on the professionalism of the impersonated institutions.
“This was why a lot of attention was directed at videos showing fake “soldiers and policemen” assisting in rigging elections."
"NICReL further noted the haste with which Mr Wike announced that he will no longer fund the Army and Police in Rivers state even when it had never been his constitutional role to do so."
“It is on record that genuine policemen and troops were targeted for assassination as evident in the number of them that were killed when they discovered that they were being impersonated. This worrisome development is unacceptable especially when these security personnel put their lives a risk to provide cover for the election to hold."
“It was in this very Rivers that six security officers were killed in the previous election. This time a DSP and his orderly were beheaded while on election duty.”
He said it is on record that state actors have in the weeks and days preceding the elections been engaged in acts of intimidation against the opposition.
According to him, prior to the exercise, violence and the threat of violence were the order of the day.
He said the violence was not limited to political actors taking on each other as they also targeted law enforcement and security agents.
He said, similar to violence, propaganda was also deployed in an unprecedented scale before, during and after the elections such that any efforts at unveiling the truth of what happened around the Rivers State re-run polls requires remarkable level of neutrality and skills..
He expressed dismay that most of the information on which a post mortem of the polls should be based on have been tainted by misinformation, disinformation and outright lies garnished with occasional lies.
According to him, a lot of this negative propaganda appeared to have targeted the military and security agencies that provided support for the exercise.
Osogbo – Justice Adedotun Onibokun of Osun State High Court in Ile-Ife on Wednesday sentenced one Fatai Jimoh and his wife, Lateefat to death by hanging for murder.
Delivering judgment, Onibokun said the prosecutor had proven his case beyond any reasonable doubt, saying that the convicts were guilty of the three-count charge of murder, conspiracy and armed robbery.
The judge consequently sentenced the couple to death by hanging for the murder of one Bukola Taiwo at Ikeketu Village near Garage Olode in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun on August 12, 2009.
The Prosecutor and State Counsel, Mr Moses Faremi, had earlier told the court that the deceased was strangulated by the couple in her rented room and her head was smashed with a sledge hammer.
He said that after killing the deceased, who was a palm oil seller from Ibadan, the convicts stole her wallet containing the sum of N48, 780.
Faremi said the offence was contrary to Section (1) 316 Law of Osun State and the Robbery and Firearms (special provision) Act, Cap R11 Law of Federation of Nigeria 2000. The convicts were arraigned on a three-count charge of Murder, Conspiracy and Armed Robbery.
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