News
NGF defends governors, says COVID-19 palliatives not hoarded
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Monday defended members of the group agsinst the allegations that they hoarded COVID-19 palliatives meant for distribution to people in their respective states adversely affected by the prolonged lockdown, a measure taken to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Many young people had invaded centres warehousing the donated food items across the country and massively looted the places.
Even as concerned groups and individuals have condemned the plunder, the state governors have also under heavy criticism of hording the items.
But the forum said the materials were never hoarded by the state government and explained that they still being sent to the states from the Lagos head office.
This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Governors and the CACOVID Palliatives,’ signed by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abudulrazaque Bello-Barkindo.
The statement read in part, “The NGF regrets the loss of lives and property occasioned by the violent protests that erupted, and calls for calm.
“The NGF reemphasises and corrects the impression that palliatives found in warehouses that were broken into in Lagos and some other states were kept in storage for members of the society, especially our vulnerable citizens.
“The erroneous impression in the public domain that these palliatives were hoarded is not just inaccurate, entirely erroneous and untrue but also mischievous, to say the least.”
It also said, “For the avoidance of doubt, some of the palliatives had the CACOVID stamp embossed on them, meaning that their source is unambiguous.
“As we know, CACOVID operations are mainly domiciled in Lagos, being the headquarters of most of the public-spirited organisations, corporate bodies and individuals that came together to form the Coalition Against COVID-19 -CACOVID.
“Until mid-October, when the NGF had its last meeting, up to ten states had not participated in the flag-off ceremonies for the distribution of palliatives in their states. This was because the items meant for distribution in these states had not been completely received from CACOVID.
“Some other states that still had palliatives in their warehouses chose to keep a strategic reserve ahead of a projected second wave of COVID-19.
“As of a couple of weeks ago, some states were still receiving palliatives from the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.”
News
Recruitment of next phase of federal fire service personnel begins
Recruitment of next phase of federal fire service personnel begins
The Civil Defence Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has announced the commencement of the next phase of ITs 2023/2024 recruitment into the Federal Fire Service (FFS).
The Secretary to the Board, Ja’afaru Ahmed, disclosed this in a statement made available to the media on Saturday.
“The Civil Defence Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) wishes to inform the general public that the next phase of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) Recruitment Exercise will commence on the 15th of September, 2024 as shortlisted candidates will be sent invitation letters detailing where they are to appear for physical screening, certificate verification as well as aptitude test through the phone numbers and email addresses they provided during the process of registration.
READ ALSO:
- Court stops Emir Bayero from renovating Nasarawa palace
- Edo election: Atiku storms campaign, warns APC, INEC
- Dangote fuel supply forces Scotland refinery to announce shutdown date
“The Board wishes to state that every process of this exercise does not attract any form of payment,” the statement said.
The Board had earlier promised to conclude the recruitment process before the end of September 2024.
Daily Trust gathered that around 2500 personnel would be recruited after the completion of the recruitment process.
Recruitment of next phase of federal fire service personnel begins
News
Dangote fuel supply forces Scotland refinery to announce shutdown date
Dangote fuel supply forces Scotland refinery to announce shutdown date
Grangemouth, Scotland’s only oil refinery, is to close in 2025 with the loss of 400 jobs, operator Petroineos has said, according to Reuters, as part of plans to turn the 100-year-old plant into a fuels import terminal.
Petroineos said last November it was preparing to shut down Grangemouth, Britain’s oldest refinery. Production will cease in the second quarter of next year, subject to an employee consultation, a company spokesperson said.
The decision was criticised by trade unions and politicians.
“It is deeply disappointing that Petroineos have confirmed their previous decision to close Grangemouth oil refinery,” UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said.
The site will become an import and distribution terminal for finished fuels, which will cut the number of employees at the site from 475 to around 75 over the next two years.
READ ALSO:
- Petrol: Dangote pump price emerge as NNPC trucks begin loading
- FG begins CNG kits distribution, installation in three Ogun centres
- Nigerian who diverted UK firm’s funds to forfeit N342m, says EFCC
Petroineos is a joint venture between PetroChina International London (PCIL) and INEOS Group, a British chemicals firm founded by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The company cited economic difficulties as the reason for the closure, stating that the company had invested $1.2 billion since 2011, and returned losses in excess of $775 million over the same period.
“Grangemouth is increasingly unable to compete with bigger, more modern and efficient sites in the Middle East, Asia and Africa” where Dangote Refinery just opened.
Due to its size and configuration, Grangemouth incurs high levels of capital expenditure each year just to maintain its licence to operate,” the company said.
It said the plant is currently losing around $500,000 per day, and expects to see a $200 million loss for 2024.
Petroineos’s plans for Grangemouth had been opposed by trade unions and local politicians and there were campaigns to extend production until a low-carbon alternative for its long-term future could be secured.
Dangote fuel supply forces Scotland refinery to announce shutdown date
News
JUST IN: Tinubu returns to Abuja today after China, UK trips
JUST IN: Tinubu returns to Abuja today after China, UK trips
President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Abuja on Sunday after concluding his official trip to China and a brief stopover in the United Kingdom.
Tinubu departed Abuja for Beijing on August 29. His visit commenced on September 2 with a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, where he was warmly received by President Xi Jinping.
A 21-gun salute and an honor guard marked his arrival in China, highlighting the significance of the visit.
According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu engaged in a series of bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. During these discussions, both countries signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
These agreements covered various areas, including a cooperation plan to further the Belt and Road Initiative, peaceful applications of nuclear energy, and development initiatives related to human resources.
READ ALSO:
- ‘I met native doctor on Tiktok’, varsity student speaks on how he killed female colleague for money ritual (VIDEO)
- Nigerian nurses, midwives excited as NMCN finally reactivates verification portal
- Soldiers accused of beating Lafia poly student to death
One of the MoUs emphasized media exchange and cooperation between China’s media outlets and the Nigerian Television Authority. Another key agreement was signed with the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the construction of the Lagos Green Rail Line, a 68-kilometer project that will connect the Lekki Free Zone to Marina, interfacing with the existing Blue Line.
Additionally, an agreement for a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State was reached between Nigeria’s Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited and China’s Sinomach-He.
During his stay in China, President Tinubu also visited prominent companies, including Huawei and CHEC, before attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. At the summit, representing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as chairman, he delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and global cooperation for peace.
In his final engagement in China, Tinubu met with representatives of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (China chapter) to discuss the ongoing reforms in Nigeria. He expressed hope that these changes would pave the way for improved infrastructure, consistent power supply, and enhanced education, akin to what is seen in China.
After leaving Beijing, President Tinubu headed to London for a brief visit. There, he met with King Charles III to discuss pressing issues, including climate change.
President Tinubu’s return to Abuja is eagerly anticipated as he concludes this important diplomatic mission.
JUST IN: Tinubu returns to Abuja today after China, UK trips
-
metro17 hours agoFG begins free CNG conversion in three Ogun centres
-
Auto2 days ago
CNG: Motorists get N230/SCM, free conversion for Lagos vehicles
-
Business3 days agoInterest rate on Treasury Bills drops, subscriptions more than double
-
Politics2 days agoI’ve no apologies threatening to destabilise PDP states, says Wike
-
Business16 hours agoPetrol: Dangote pump price emerges as NNPC trucks begin loading
-
News3 days agoWhy those criticising Convenant University fee may incur God’s wrath – Oyedepo
-
Politics2 days agoTension rises as PDP suspends Dino Melaye
-
Business3 days agoMarketers to Dangote: Be open, we’ll buy your fuel if the price is good
You must be logged in to post a comment Login