IPPIS Officer Admits Bribe-taking for Job Scam at FCC

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August 7, 2023

A former Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System desk officer at the Federal Character Commission, Haruna Kolo, on Monday, owned up to the allegations of collecting money from job seekers in exchange for employment.

This is just as he admitted to having received over N75m from desperate job seekers on the instructions of the Chairman of the FCC

Additionally, Kolo claimed that the FCC boss instructed him to transfer all the money to his (Kolo) personal Ecobank account and pay her in cash which he did a couple of times in her house.

Kolo made the revelation at the ongoing investigative hearing by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, parastatals, and tertiary institutions on mismanagement of the IPPIS.

The ex-IPPIS desk officer told the lawmakers that he resigned from the FCC on November 2, 2022 to join the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria but ended up getting salaries twice from the FCC. He added that the anomaly was reported to the Human Resources Officer who told him that the issue would be addressed.

He said, “When she came to the FCC as the Executive Chairman, she appointed me as a protocol officer and I carried out my duties diligently.

“On the allegations of job racketeering, the FCC Chairman instructed me to liaise with one Shehu who is a personal driver and Personal Assistant to the Taraba State Commissioner. As a desk officer, I am responsible to take whoever is employed to IPPIS for capturing. No one can go there without a letter from the Chairman or Human Resources officer of the FCC.

“When she came, she wrote a letter to the Accountant General of the Federation instructing that no letter from the FCC should be honored except she signs the letter. So, whenever there was a new employment, she would sign, give to me and I take it to the Accountant General’s office for capturing.

“Shehu is the one that brought those who paid money to my account for job, some paid N1m, others N1.5 m, all to my personal account, my Ecobank account. She asked me to give cash to her which I did through POS so there is no evidence of transfer or anything.

“On the allegation of working at seven places, I was never at any time involved in seven jobs. They are making the allegation based on assumption.”

He continued, “The second allegation on my subsequent employment at AMCOM was a result of her personal favour to me. We were four in number, and she gave the appointment letter to me, Kadijah, and Olushola. We all proceeded for an interview at AMCON headquarters in Abuja after which we were called upon for training on January 16, 2023.

After the training, I and Olushola were called to Lagos. Unfortunately, Kadijah who is the Chairman’s biological sister was rejected. The Chairman accused me of being responsible for her rejection.

“I see no reason why (sic) the chairperson would make allegations of such magnitude against me. I have been threatened even at gunpoint and had to leave Abuja.

“Sir, I want this committee to know that after this sitting, if anything happens to me, the FCC chairperson should be held responsible, ” Kolo added.

Responding, Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, promised to do every possible to unravel the truth and make the same available to Nigerians.

“This committee will not sit down and watch taxpayers’ money being embezzled but this committee too will be very careful in indicting the future of people.

“I know why we were asking Kolo to give us evidence and we know why we were deferring this sitting for other witnesses alleged to have had financial dealings with the FCC.

“Kolo will appear here tomorrow (Tuesday). We are calling the other witnesses. We will allow you to do your work. Whoever that is found wanting will answer his father’s name, including Kolo Haruna.

“Kolo, I am not saying anything will happen to you but by law, you are not supposed to leave here without being arrested. For a civil servant that has thirty-something million in his account and admitted publicly of serving as a front to aid corruption is unacceptable.

“I don’t want to take you up on that because we don’t want to be seen to be sentimental. We want to as much as possible, get evidence against you and against others.

“God will save you and God will save us all. Nothing will happen to you because anybody that wants to harm you knows that if they harm you, we have to suspect them.”

The committee adjourned sitting to Tuesday, August 8, in continuation of the hearing

Niger Closes Air Space citing ‘threat of intervention’

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 7, 2023

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Niger’s military rulers announced Sunday that they had closed the country’s airspace, warning that any attempt to violate it would meet with an “energetic and immediate response.”

“Faced with the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace is closed from this day on Sunday… for all aircraft until further notice,” the country’s new rulers said in a statement.

The announcement came as the deadline from the West African bloc ECOWAS for them to hand back power to the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was due to expire.

ECOWAS last Sunday issued Niger’s new military rulers with an ultimatum to stand down within the week or face possible military intervention.Bazoum was overthrown on July 26 when members of his own guard detained him at the presidency.

NCAA Signs Civil Aviation Masterplan with International Organisation

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 7, 2023

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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has signed the Civil Aviation Masterplan (CAMP) with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The Director General of Civil Aviation Nigeria, Captain Musa Nuhu and ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salaazar signed the agreement during a recent visit by the DGCA to ICAO in Montreal, Canada.

The Masterplan when implemented will further unlock opportunities in the Nigerian aviation industry.

Commenting, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Nigeria Captain Musa Nuhu said ; “This is a major step in repositioning the nation’s aviation industry to attain its full potential and make significant contributions to the nation’s economy growth and development.

All relevant stakeholders within and outside the aviation ecosystem will be involved in developing and implementing the CAMP.

In another development, the Director General of Civil Aviation Authority Nigeria, Captain Musa Nuhu with his Counterpart DG ANAC Benin Republic, Karl Legba, on the 3rd August 2023, signed the Aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

Captain Nuhu said at the event that “this long overdue MoU will enhance the safety of flight operations in the region.

Also signed were the SAR Agreements between Nigeria and Togo which was signed at ANAC Togo headquarters, Lome.

The Director General of Civil Aviation Nigeria, Captain Musa Nuhu and his Togolese counterpart, Director ANAC Togo, Col. Latta Gnama signed on behalf of their countries.

Captain Musa Nuhu said more SAR MoU with neighboring countries are expected to be signed with the next couple of weeks.

Iran Forces Women Defying Hijab Laws Into Psychiatric Treatment

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Zoe Maven

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August 7, 2023

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Authorities in Iran are trying to enforce laws obligating women to cover their hair by sending them into psychological treatment. While healthcare organisations warn the country’s judiciary is hijacking psychiatric medicine for its own purposes, others cite the move as being a sign of the government’s inability to enforce hijab laws.

In a symbolic act of defiance, Iranian actress Afsaneh Bayegan has repeatedly posted photos of her unveiled hair on Instagram, and recently attended a public ceremony without a hijab.

The move irked Iranian authorities, who have been looking for new ways to force women into covering their hair and gave her a two-year suspended prison sentence and ordered to visit a “psychological centre” once a week to treat what they said was her anti-family personality disorder.

Many Iranian women have chosen to start showing their hair since the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022 after being detained by Iran’s morality police for “improperly” wearing her headscarf.

Iranian celebrities, athletes and actresses have followed suit in solidarity.

Bayegan’s case is not an isolated one. Iranian judges recently “diagnosed” Iranian actress Azadeh Samadi with an “antisocial personality disorder” after she wore a hat instead of a hijab at a funeral.

At the start of July, a Tehran court sentenced a woman to two months in prison and six months of psychological treatment for “a contagious psychological disorder that leads to sexual promiscuity” because she didn’t wear a hijab.

The surge in sentences forcing women to undergo psychological treatment has alarmed the Iranian psychiatric sector who are accusing authorities of exploiting psychiatry for other purposes.

France Suspends Development And Budget Aid To Burkina Faso

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Zoe Maven

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August 7, 2023

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Pro-coup protests in Niger — 30 July 2023, Niger, Niamey: Nigeriens holding a flag of Burkina Faso (l) and Niger and a sign reading "Together we will make it" take part in a march called by supporters of General Omar Tchianis. After the coup in Niger, thousands pledge their support to the military. Photo: Djibo Issifou/dpa - Photo by Icon sport

France’s Foreign Ministry says it is suspending development aid and budgetary assistance to Burkina Faso.

The statement comes days after Burkina Faso and Mali announced that they would consider any military intervention against the new military rulers in Niger as a “declaration of war”.

The West African bloc ECOWAS last Sunday issued Niger’s new rulers with an ultimatum to hand back power to the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum within the week or face possible military intervention.

France’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that it “firmly and resolutely” backed efforts by ECOWAS to reinstate Bazoum.

Dozens Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks Off Italian Coast

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Zoe Maven

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August 7, 2023

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At least 30 migrants are missing following two shipwrecks off the Italian island of Lampedusa.

On Sunday, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM said survivors had reported that around 28 people were lost at sea on one boat, while three were said to be missing from the second, following stormy weather on Saturday.

An investigation into the shipwrecks has been opened in Agrigento in Sicily and both flimsy iron boats are believed to have set off from Sfax in Tunisia on Thursday.

On Sunday rescue teams were also preparing to pull about 20 migrants to safety after they were trapped on a rocky part of Lampedusa’s coastline and who had been there since late Friday, after their boat was tossed onto the rocks by strong winds.

The number of bodies recovered has increased, in particular on the so-called Tunisian route, which has become increasingly dangerous partly due to the type of boats used.

Sub-Saharan migrants are being put out to sea by traffickers in iron boats which cost less than wooden ones but are often regarded as unseaworthy and break up.

The Central Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Europe is the world’s deadliest and migrants also often have the engines stolen from their boats at sea, so traffickers can re-use them.

Over 1,800 people have died attempting it so far this year, according to officials, almost 900 more than last year.

Vote Clears Way For Opposition Figures To Run In Senegal Polls

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Zoe Maven

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August 7, 2023

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A municipal worker prepares the election materials to be shipped to different cities in Dakar, Senegal February 6, 2019. Picture taken February 6, 2019 REUTERS/ Christophe Van Der Perre

Some Lawmakers in Senegal’s parliament have passed a vote which will effectively restores the right of two key opposition figures to run in the country’s presidential election, due in February.

The vote, which clears any person who has been convicted but then either pardons or amnesties them to run for office, will allow opposition heavyweights Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade to stand.

In parliament the proposal was passed by 124 votes to one and Interior Minister Antoine Félix Abdoulaye Diome, said there were other advantages resulting from the national dialogue.”

Sall, a former mayor of Dakar and Wade, son of former president Abdoulaye Wade, have been considered for the presidential vote, due next year.

Neither could run in the 2019 presidential election because of separate convictions on financial issues. But they may now be able to stand in next February’s poll.

Member of the presidential majority, Yeya Diallo, praised the president’s efforts in bringing about the bill adding that the bill will seek to revise the electoral code.

Member of Khalifa Sall’s party, MP and member of Taxawou Sénégal, Babacar Abba Mbaye said it was an important step forward.

Many observers hope Saturday’s parliamentary vote will help ease the tension being experienced in the country in recent months, as opposition figures have frequently complained of moves against them ahead of the presidential vote next year.

Niger`s Military Rulers Close Country’s Airspace

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Zoe Maven

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August 7, 2023

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Military Rulers in Niger say they are closing the country’s Air space even as the deadline set by the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) to return the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to power expired.

In a video statement played on state television, Spokesperson for the now-ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, said Niger’s airspace was closed due to the threat of intervention from a neighboring country.

According to CNSP’s statement, the West African regional bloc has completed its preparations for an invasion of Niger with at least two members of the organization beginning the mobilization of their Armed Forces towards the border of Niger.

Niger’s military rulers have so far refused to cede power as requested by ECOWAS defense ministers, who set a Sunday deadline for the release and return to power of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected in February 2021.

ECOWAS military chiefs had agreed to a plan Friday for a possible military intervention to respond to the crisis, with the armies of countries including Senegal and Ivory Coast saying they were ready to participate.

The coup has been widely condemned by Western and African nations, though Niger’s military received support from their counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso — both countries which saw military coups take power in the past three years.

At Least 30,000 Niger Coup Supporters gather In Capital

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Zoe Maven

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August 7, 2023

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In Niger, thousands of Citizens supporting the military coup gathered in Niamey at a stadium Sunday, on the expiration of a deadline set by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to return the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to power.

At a 30,000-seat stadium in Niamey, many of the Supporters carried Russian flags and portraits of the new leaders, cheering the arrival of a delegation of members of the now-ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

Addressing the crowds, General Mohamed Toumba, one of the CNSP leaders, denounced those he described as lurking in the shadows who were plotting subversion against the forward march of Niger.

Local reports said the stadium, named after Seyni Kountche, who led Niger’s first coup d’etat in 1974, was almost full and the atmosphere was festive, journalists saw.

The demonstration coincides with the ultimatum set by ECOWAS on July 30 for the coup leaders to reinstate Bazoum but for the generals who seized power in Niamey on July 26 have shown no sign of willingness to give way.

ECOWAS military chiefs had agreed to a plan Friday for a possible military intervention to respond to the crisis, with the armies of countries including Senegal and Ivory Coast saying they were ready to participate.

Nigeria’s Senate on the other hand, on Saturday pushed back against the plan by the regional bloc ECOWAS, urging Nigeria’s president, the bloc’s current chair, to explore options other than the use of force.

The coup has been widely condemned by Western and African nations, though Niger’s military received support from their counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso — both countries which saw military coups take power in the past three years.

World Bank Pledges Support For President Tinubu’s Policies, Reforms

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 7, 2023

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The President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga has commended and pledged support for the policies and reforms of President Bola Tinubu on the removal of fuel subsidies saying he is committed to working with the administration to set Nigeria on the right path for economic growth.

The World Bank President who is on a three-day visit to Nigeria to identify opportunities to create jobs for young people and women, address energy needs and renewable energy, and further explore the potential for digitisation, pledged the support of the global financial institution when he met with President Tinubu in Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Ajay said he had a very fruitful discussion with the Nigerian leader and his excellent team of special advisers and agrees with the policies and programs of the government which will place Nigeria ahead of other countries in Africa being the largest economy in the region.

The world bank boss noted that although the reforms President Tinubu is currently undertaking are not easy, the right thing must be done to give Nigerians a better and prosperous future.

As the leader of the international financial institution is expected to convene discussions with representatives from the private sector and civil society, he will also visit a World Bank-financed mini-grid power plant that is providing solar energy to an entire community in Nigeria and a woman-owned business that has generated more than 1,500 service-sector jobs for young Nigerians.