Over three months to go, Buhari constitutes presidential transition council – Newstrends
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Over three months to go, Buhari constitutes presidential transition council

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More than three months to the end of Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Federal Government FG has inaugurated a 22-man Presidential Transition Council in preparation to the handover of power to an incoming government.

The committee, chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice as members.

Others are: Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries and offices responsible for defence, interior, budget and national planning, foreign affairs, information and culture, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

Also on the committee are the Permanent Secretaries, Cabinet Affairs, General Service Affairs, Economic and Political Affairs, office of the SGF, State House, National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector-General of Police, Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Director General, State Security Services, Clerk of the National Assembly, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and two representatives who are to be nominated by the President-elect after the general elections.

In his remark, Mustapha said President Muhammadu Buhari, in furtherance of his commitment to allow a fair and credible electoral process and handover of power to the next president of Nigeria, signed Executive Order No. 14 of 2023.

According to him, the order is on the facilitation and management of ‘Presidential Transitions’, which provides the legal framework for a seamless transition of power from one administration to another

“Today marks another historic moment for our administration, as we yet again demonstrate our commitment to strengthening key governance institutions that support our democratic process.

“It is with great delight and honour therefore, that I am carrying out the onerous task of inaugurating the Presidential Transition Council, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

 

According to him, the council is charged with the responsibility of facilitating and managing the 2023 Presidential Transition Programme, and facilitating the handing over process by the current president to the president-elect.

 

Other responsibilities included to organise for the security of the president-elect and the vice president-elect, including coordinating security briefings on the nation’s security matters post-elections among others.

The SGF said he would as the chairman of the council do everything within his powers to ensure that the council meets the expectations of Mr President.

“I enjoin each of us to put in more efforts in ensuring that the next administration receives every support needed to make an early and quick start.”

Responding on behalf of the council members, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, expressed gratitude to President Buhari for the confidence reposed in them.

She said the steps taken by Buhari to establish the transition council before the presidential election was not only proactive but also a selfless and noble decision in the interest of the country.

She said, “This will no doubt remain as one of his legacies after his administration.

“It is also important for us as a committee to state that the importance of the work that we have been saddled with can never be overemphasized. It in view of the remarkable landmark achievement of the president’s administration.”

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After viral video, Army launches probe into crowded soldiers’ cells, poor feeding

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Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja

After viral video, Army launches probe into crowded soldiers’ cells, poor feeding

The Army Headquarters on Saturday said it has ordered investigations into allegations of overcrowded cells in its barracks and poor feeding of detained personnel following a viral video showing some detained soldiers protesting.

A statement by Major Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, titled, “Army’s Response to Viral Audio Visual Footage of Soldiers Protesting Overcrowded Cells, Poor Feeding” made this known.

It reads, “The Army headquarters has taken note of a report and audiovisual recording circulating on social media produced by some of its personnel held in custody at the 8 Division Garrison detention facility.

“Undoubtedly, the Sokoto barracks detention facility incident is quite unfortunate and an embarrassment to the sound administration efforts of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), to say the least, and in line with his leadership style.

“The COAS has instituted an appropriate investigation into the incident to determine whether it is an isolated or widespread situation in similar detention facilities.

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“While the service regrets and has gleaned some lessons from the incident, it will, however, not condone the manner the inmates expressed their purported grievance.

“Mutiny and conduct prejudicial to service order are grievous misconducts, and this very incident epitomises such.

“As such, as Army, on the one side, goes ahead to implement the COAS directive to look into the state of all NA detention facilities, as detainees’ lives also matter, the Service shall not shy away from appropriately sanctioning the soldiers involved in the unruly behaviour in its Sokoto detention facility for failing to exhaust all available options to channel their complaints to the appropriate authorities.

“And if it was discovered they did and nothing was done, necessary administrative actions will be taken against anyone found to have failed to discharge his/her duties effectively.

“While the Service is mindful of its subjective oversight engagements by statutory bodies, it remains primarily a responsible, self-regulating professional body.

“As such, the Service remains committed to ensuring that everyone, even those found guilty of aiding terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits, and are awaiting confirmation of their sentencing, as it has been discovered in the Sokoto case is accorded a relatively decent life until their judgment is confirmed and executed.

“This commitment underscores the NA’s dedication to upholding professional standards and maintaining a just and fair system.

“The NA appreciates all Nigerians for their concern and support as well as pledge to remain focused on its drive to defeating security challenges facing the nation in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies.”

After viral video, Army launches probe into crowded soldiers’ cells, poor feeding

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Minister inspects Nigeria-assembled CNG buses, says transport costs to drop

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CNG buses

Minister inspects Nigeria-assembled CNG buses, says transport costs to drop

Ahead of the roll-out of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered mass transit buses meant for commuting nationwide, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Olawale Edun, has inspected the assembly plant where the vehicles are being put together.

He expressed optimism that the buses when they hit the road would ease transportation and lead to a substantial slash in fares.

He expressed this view during his visit to the JET Motor Company Assembly Plant in Lagos.

The CNG buses are being mass produced under the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) as part of measures to reduce the high cost of living and curb inflation after the removal of fuel subsidy.

The Federal Government has promised to launch the first set of the CNG buses and tricycles by the end of this month (May).

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, quoted the minister as saying, “I have come to see the CNG buses that Nigerians are asking about. I have seen them. “I have tested them and driven them. I have seen them being assembled. The benefits will soon be available to Nigerians.”

Edun highlighted the significant cost savings that CNG buses offer compared to their petrol-powered counterparts.

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“Two critical aims will be achieved. Whereas it costs about N55,000 to fill a 15-20 seater bus with petrol, it will cost between N12-15,000 to fill a CNG bus of the same capacity. This is three times, if not four times less.

“This is a huge savings that will help reduce transport costs and at the same time help reduce inflation,” he said.

According to him, the PCNGi is all about mass transit that is affordable, and praised JET’s employment of local talents in the assembly of the vehicles.

The Chairman and founder of JET, Chidi Ajaere, took the minister round the assembly plant during the visit.

Also on hand were the CEO of JET motor company, Engr Derek Ewelukwa, and other members of the JET team such as Sanjay Rupani of the Technical Development Department and Ebimo Ofongo, the plant manager.

Present also were Tosin Coker, Commercial Director at the PCNGi, and Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of the National Automotive Development and Design Council.

Ajaere commended President Bola Tinubu for his initiative in promoting local production of the CNG vehicles and the entire PCNGi team’s resolve to make the project a success.

JET was established in 2018 to build Electric Vehicles (EV) vans, pickups and CNG/Petrol buses tailored to meet Nigeria’s unique transportation needs.

Minister inspects Nigeria-assembled CNG buses, says transport costs to drop

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NSCDC arrests man for allegedly defiling 4-year-old girl in Ekiti

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NSCDC arrests man for allegedly defiling 4-year-old girl in Ekiti

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ekiti state command, has arrested a 27-year-old man, Ojo Afolabi, for allegedly defiling a four-year-old girl.

The suspect, who lives on Olujoda Street, Ado-Ekiti, was arrested after the mother of the girl made a formal complaint at the office of the NSCDC in Ado-Ekiti.

The four-year-old victim, while narrating the incident, alleged that the suspect removed her underwear and had carnal knowledge of her sometime in late April, 2024.

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The mother of the girl, who spoke to journalists, also said that her daughter informed her about the incident.

However, the suspect denied the allegation, saying he was being indicted unjustly.

The NSCDC spokesperson in the state, Tolu Afolabi, said a medical report had confirmed that the hymen of the girl had been broken.

Afolabi stated that investigations were ongoing.

NSCDC arrests man for allegedly defiling 4-year-old girl in Ekiti

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