House Of Rep Commitee Proposes Merging of Public Institutions

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October 27, 2022

The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee sitting to review the duplication of Government Agencies has proposed the merger of the Administrative State College of Nigeria (ASCON) and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN).

The Committee, headed by Hon. Victor Danzaria, said this was due to the overlapping function of both agencies.

Danzaria said it was costing the government a lot of money to maintain agencies with similar responsibilities.

He said this when the Director General of ASCON, Cecilia Gayya, appeared before the committee, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The DG of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, (CBAAC) Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, appeared before the Committee.

She said “Counter productivity of established agencies is a fact that a lot of agencies led to a lot of loans we always approve as a National Assembly to maintain the organizations. The Adhoc Committee is looking at the productivity and service delivery of these agencies.

“Another mandate of this committee is to ascertain root cause analysis of the regular bickering making established agencies the government keeps spending money on. There are agencies of government that don’t have enabling acts and yet the government still spends money on them. It is tough for this county to keep these agencies while we keep borrowing money to maintain them.

“Another mandate is to establish areas of mergers, synergies and justification of existence. The truth is even though you may have your enabling act, this Adhoc Committee would determine whether it should be repealed, amended or taken away. The justification of the existence of your agencies we have to hear from you. If the Service delivery is not there, if Nigeria is not gaining from the agency, why are they exist?. We cannot continue to keep borrowing money to maintain most of these agencies that we feel need to be merged or taken away.”

The Director General of ASCON, Cecilia Gayya, had earlier said the agency overlaps with PSIN in areas including training, consultancy and research.

She said while ASCON has an Act backing it, the PSIN did not.

She, however, said the two institutions could exist side by side. She said they overlap in practice but not in law. She called for a review of the ASCON Act to broaden its mandate.

American Actress, Gabrielle Union Collaborates With Nigerian Designer, Banke Kuku

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Koko Lawrence

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October 27, 2022

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American Actress Gabrielle Union is collaborating with Nigerian fashion designer, Banke Kuku and Nyandcompany for the distribution of the collection.

According to the caption posted by Gabrielle Union and Banke Kuku “A collection inspired by two women in love with all things fashion and African. Gabrielle has decided to launch something memorable in celebration of her 50th birthday and it’s such an honour to have worked with her on this.”

Gabriella is very excited to work with Banke Kuku, “I’ve been a fan for so long, and to get to collab on something that we can share with everyone is so huge, the materials are so luxe and beautiful. It’s the only way I should be bringing in my 50th draped in luxurious and beautiful prints.”

Banke’s fabrics are adire-print lookalike loungewear, where comfort is optimized. It’s an important collaboration in African fashion, and it places it on a global stage.

Prince Harry To Release Memoir In January

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Koko Lawrence

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October 27, 2022

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The Duke of Sussex’s memoir will be published on 10 January, his publisher Penguin Random House has said.

The book by Prince Harry – which will cover his own description of his decision to give up royal duties and move to the US – will be titled Spare.

Random House said: “As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling – and how their lives would play out…

“For Harry, this is his story at last.”

Some of the proceeds from the book will be used to support British charities, including Sentebale and WellChild. The publisher confirmed this was in the form of two donations of $1.5m and £300,000 respectively to the two named charities.

When the deal for Prince Harry to write his story was announced in 2021, the prince promised he would reflect “the highs and lows” and be “accurate and wholly truthful”.

That theme is picked up in the publicity statement for the book, which says: “With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.”

The title Spare refers to the common refrain by royal commentators that the aim to preserve the monarchy is to produce “an heir and a spare”.

As the second child of King Charles, Prince Harry filled the role of “spare” – unlikely to ever come anywhere near to being on the throne.

Quebec Separatist Party Calls For Split With British Monarchy

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Angel Gimalo

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October 27, 2022

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With the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, the Canadian province of Quebec is resurfacing a debate on the country’s ties to the British monarchy.

On Wednesday, parliamentarians will vote on whether Canada should sever ties with the monarchy, after Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet tabled a motion that forced a conversation in House of Commons about the Crown.

His move follows the refusal of 14 recently-elected Quebec politicians to recite an oath of allegiance to the King during their swearing-in to the provincial legislature, as required by Canadian law.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Blanchet admitted that his motion is likely to fail, but he said the failure will show Quebecers that federal politicians “prefer to support the King than the people”.

In Canada, the monarch – now King Charles – is the head of state. The monarchy serves a mainly symbolic role, with the power to govern entrusted to the Canadian government.

Changing the current system would need approval from both the House of Commons and the Senate in parliament, as well as the unanimous consent of all 10 provinces

Members of Canada’s governing Liberal party have already said they will oppose the motion.

While Mr Blanchet’s motion may fail, the future of Quebec politicians who refused to swear the oath to the Crown remains uncertain.

Their refusal could lead to a bill that seeks to redefine the requirement to take the oath of allegiance in the province – if they are able to sit in Quebec’s legislature at all – and political watchers say they are eager to see how the dispute unfolds.

Gov Oyetola Approves Gratuity Payment Of 1,887 Retired Teachers

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 26, 2022

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The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has approved the release of the sum of N377,120,472.20, for the payment of the fourth round of gratuity to pensioners of primary school extraction.

This was disclosed in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday and signed by the state Head of Service, Dr. Festus Oyebade.

The statement also said payment of the beneficiaries would commence on Thursday.

It further read in parts, “the total no of beneficiaries is 1,887 at a gross amount of N377,120,472.20.

“The list will be posted on the notice boards of the Local Government Pensions Bureau and the Ministry of Information and Civic Engagement today Wednesday 26th October 2022.

“Payment starts tomorrow, Thursday 27th October 2022. The Governor assures workers of the State of giving their welfare the pride of place in his administration.”

Nigeria’s Apex Bank Redesigns Some Naira Notes, To Be Effective December 2022

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 26, 2022

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has redesigned some new naira notes.

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, said this at a press conference.

Emefiele said the new design and issues will be effective from December 2022.

He advised Nigerians to take old notes to banks for the new notes.

According to Emefiele, the new notes include N200, N500 and N1000.

German Carmaker Set To Leave Russian Market

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 26, 2022

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Mercedes-Benz has announced it is leaving the Russian market over the Russia-Ukraine war.

The German carmaker is expected to sell its Russian assets to a local investor, the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry said Wednesday, October 26, becoming the latest automaker to exit since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine.

“Mercedes-Benz intends to sell its shares in Russian subsidiaries to a local investor,” Avtodom, the ministry said in a Telegram statement.

“The new owner of the Russian divisions of Mercedes-Benz, Avtodom, will be able to attract other companies as partners for joint productions,” the ministry added.

Mercedes-Benz confirmed its intention to sell in a separate statement.

“The fulfillment of obligations to customers in Russia… as well as the preservation of jobs for employees of the Russian divisions of the company” were the priority in concluding the deal with Avtodom, general director of Mercedes-Benz-RUS Natalya Koroleva said.

“The completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of all relevant authorities,” Mercedes-Benz said in the statement.

Many Western companies left Russia for ethical or logistical reasons since Moscow launched what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

No financial details of the transaction were provided by either side on Wednesday.

Western sanctions imposed on Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine offensive have heavily disrupted supply chains affecting mostly technology and car manufacturing sectors.

Lagos Safety: Governor Sanwoolu Commissions New Fire Stations, Alausa Fire Dept. Upgraded

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 26, 2022

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Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, has commissioned the new fire station in Ebute Elefun, Lagos Island, while he virtually commissioned the Omogbolahan Lawal Fire Station, Oniru and the Ajegunle Fire Station.

He also commissioned the upgraded Fire Department headquarters in Alausa.

With the three additional assets, Lagos now has 21 fully equipped fire stations across the State.

The facility expansion programme was part of the recommendations that followed the 2020 comprehensive assessment carried out by the Lagos State Government in the emergency response department aimed at enhancing performance.

The Governor said that before the end of the second quarter of next year, his administration would add another three fire stations in Ijede, Kosofe and Ijegun.

He said the upgrade and rehabilitation of existing fire stations had been done to further consolidate the position of the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service Agency as a leading fire fighting outfit in the country.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Bolaji Ogunlende, said the Stations were designed to have their dedicated sources of power and water supply, with modern facilities for the convenience of firefighters deployed to the stations.

Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said the new assets would raise the capacity of the agency in emergency operations, adding that Ebute Elefun station would serve more than 20,000 population on Lagos Island dotted by high-rise buildings.

GM of Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency, Nike Adekanbi, described the newly upgraded Fire Department headquarters in Alausa as “an edifice built to last”, noting that the building expanded to strengthen the administrative capacity of the agency.

The new administrative building of the Lagos Fire Service, HQ now has 60 offices, with an expanded appliance bay, landscaping, perimeter fence and developed road network which was constructed by the Lagos State Public Works.

Nigeria Introduces Newly Designed Naira Notes

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 26, 2022

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The Central Bank of Nigeria is set to introduce newly designed naira notes.

This was announced by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele at a news briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The Governor said Circulation is to begin December 15 2022, while old notes remain valid until January 31, 2023.

All holders of the old notes are to begin returning them immediately, and Bank charges for cash deposits are also suspended.

Emefiele said the bank’s decision was due to”persisting concerns we are facing with the management of our current series of banknotes, and currency in circulation, particularly those outside the banking system in Nigeria.”

In recent times, Emefiele stressed, currency management has faced several daunting challenges that have continued to grow in scale and sophistication with attendant and unintended consequences for the integrity of both the CBN and the country.

These challenges primarily include:
Significant hoarding of banknotes by members of the public, with statistics showing that over 80 percent of currency in circulation are outside the vaults of commercial banks;

Worsening shortage of clean and fit banknotes with attendant negative perception of the CBN and increased risk to financial stability;Increasing ease and risk of counterfeiting evidenced by several security reports.

The CBN governor said: “Indeed, recent development in photographic technology and advancements in printing devices have made counterfeiting relatively easier. In recent years, the CBN has recorded significantly higher rates of counterfeiting especially at the higher denominations of N500 and N1,000 banknotes”.

The CBN Boss explained that although global best practice is for central banks to redesign, produce and circulate new local legal tender every 5–8 years, the Naira has not been redesigned in the last 20 years.
“On the basis of these trends, problems, and facts, and in line with Sections 19, Subsections a and b of the CBN Act 2007, the Management of the CBN sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce, and circulate new series of banknotes at N100, N200, N500, and N1,000 levels.

“In line with this approval, we have finalized arrangements for the new currency to begin circulation from December 15, 2022. The new and existing currencies shall remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023 when the existing currencies shall seize to be legal tender.”

The Apex Bank therefore directed all Deposit Money Banks currently holding the existing denominations of the currency to begin returning these notes back to the CBN effective immediately.
“The newly designed currency will be released to the banks in the order of First-come-First-serve basis”.

“Customers of banks are enjoined to begin paying into their bank accounts the existing currency to enable them withdraw the new banknotes once circulation begins in mid-December 2022. All banks are therefore expected to keep open, their currency processing centers from Monday to Saturday so as to accommodate all cash that will be returned by their customers.”

The CBN also directed that bank charges on deposits be suspended. “For the purpose of this transition from existing to new notes, bank charges for cash deposits are hereby suspended with immediate effect. Therefore, DMBs are to note that no bank customer shall bear any charges for cash returned/paid into their accounts.

“Members of the public are to please note that the present notes remain legal tender and should not be rejected as a means of exchange for purchase of goods and services.”

The Governor reassured the general public that the CBN would continue to monitor both the financial system in particular, and the economy in general, and always act in good faith for the achievement of the Bank’s objectives and the betterment of the country.

Lagos Govt Sponsors 890 Graduants From Film Academy

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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October 26, 2022

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The Lagos State Government on Tuesday graduated 890 youths it sponsored at the African Film Academy (AFA), after six weeks of free intensive training.

The 890 youths were beneficiaries of the ‘Film in a Box’ programme by the AFA, in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, to train and empower young people in the creative industry in three different centres, namely – Alimosho, Epe and Badagry.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony at the Lagos Theatre, Igando, Alimosho, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, expressed commitment to collaborate with stakeholders in the entertainment industry.

Sanwo-Olu said that the government would continue to train creative minds to acquire skills that would give livelihood to them.

He said that his administration’s THEMES agenda was to make life a lot easier and beneficial to all Lagos residents, especially the youth.

According to him, government will ensure it uses entertainment and tourism to connect with the future, so that Lagos can be a one-stop shop in the world.

He, therefore, urged those in the creative industry to harness the opportunities provided to ensure a better and greater Lagos, as well as taking the state and Nigeria to an enviable position.

Sanwo-Olu urged the graduants from AFA and other creative initiatives by the state government to take advantage of the Lagos States Employment Trust Fund and the State Film Fund, to become self-employed and employers of labour.

The graduates were trained in acting, art directing, light and lighting, editing, sound production and post production, among others.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said that the initiative was to make the youth agents of change in the creative industry.

Akinbile-Yusuf said that the training would enable them break new grounds and to become self-reliant.

She said that the concept of the training had been expanded to develop arts and culture for optimum performance, to stimulate economic growth, skills and job creation and to bridge the gap in the state creative industry.

The commissioner, while congratulating the graduates, assured them that the state government would continue to monitor their growth and assist them in producing competent creative works in the industry.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of African Film Academy, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, while commending the doggedness of her students, urged them to explore the creative industry with training received in the academy.

Anyiam-Osigwe said that though the mandate was to train 600 people, 890 students were trained by the academy in Epe, Alimosho and Badagry.

According to her, some of those trained in the academy have got jobs already, as they are also taught the business side with the creative side.

She said that some of the students during the period of their training made films, adding that one of the films they made ”Akanji” would be shown in the cinema, as it portrayed Alimosho to the world.

Anyiam-Osigwe commended the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for the huge investment in the entertainment and creative industries, and for equipping the Badagry General Hospital to respond to emergencies, especially when a facilitator fell ill.

A filmmaker and veteran in the creative industry, Tunde Kelani, thanked the Lagos State Government for investing in the entertainment industry, which he noted would curb youth restiveness in Lagos and make young people to be entrepreneurs.

Kelani commended Sanwo-Olu on the proposed film city in Lagos, saying that the name of the governor would not be forgotten.

He also urged the graduands to imbibe teamwork, read, and not to forget their mentors.