News

JUST IN: Apapa Faction Faults LP For Insinuating APC Sponsored NLC

Published

1 month ago

April 10, 2024

Editor

The Lamidi Apapa faction of Labour Party on Wednesday faulted the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee for accusing the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero and the NLC Political Commission of being sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress to cause disaffection in the party.

The Apapa camp also described the attempt by the NWC to accuse their faction of a similar anti-party activity as irresponsible and insensitive.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the spokesman for the Apapa faction, Abayomi Arabambi.

Arabambi’s protest was a reaction to the rejoinder issued barely 24 hours ago by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, claiming that the NLC and its political commission lack the power to sack Abure’s NWC.

Ifoh added that the congress has been mandated by Ajaero to ensure that the crisis in the Labour Party festers ahead of 2027 by presenting itself as a rallying ground for dissident former members of their party, who recently lost the leadership battle in the courts.

According to him, the party is not unmindful of the alleged political pact the leadership of the NLC has gone into with the current APC-led government to destabilize the opposition.

Reacting on Wednesday, Arabambi noted that he found it disturbing how Ifoh would attempt to distort and rewrite the history of their party by alleging that the NLC Political Commission was ‘mandated by Ajaero to ensure crisis festers in Labour Party ahead of the 2027 election.’

While stressing that he suspected the statement was made ‘out of ignorance, political rascality and gross indiscipline,’ the Apapa faction spokesman said they neither had a pact with the NLC nor the said APC government as alleged.

“We wouldn’t have bothered to dignify this reckless statement from him and his co-travellers bjt because they continue to pretend and mislead members of the public with their intellectual sophistry, which was a false narrative. LP will not hold any brief or engage in any response for both the NLC president and its affiliate over the spurious insinuation by Obiora Ifoh that we are now working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC administration.

“Assuredly, we vehemently refute these allegations and shall put the mischief maker to the strictest proof at the appropriate time. We are also reminding him that those calling for the resignation or otherwise removal of Julius Abure now as National Chairman were on the side of their faction fighting us all through the pendency of the FCT high court restraining order

“It is therefore incongruous and antithetical for you and anyone from your faction of the Labour party to insinuate we are now jointly working for APC administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alongside Joe Ajaero who once referred to Alh Bashiru Lamidi Apapa led NWC as rodents, except you are suffering from acute dementia or chronic bipolar disorder.

We are also not in crisis with the NLC Political Commission towards any of their actions against the LP faction led by Barr. Julius Abure and his cohorts.

“However, the NLC president and the NLC Political Commission will be on firm ground if they choose to work with the Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa and Alhaji Saleh Lawan as Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary-led NWC of the Labour Party,” he stated.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Abure’s camp were unsuccessful.

As of the time of filing this story, the lines of Abure and Ifoh were unreachable.

News

BREAKING: CBN Withdraws Circular On Cyber Security Levy

Published

43 mins ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has withdrawn the circular directing banks and other financial institutions to implement the 0.5 per cent cyber security levy.

The withdrawal of the circular was announced via a statement signed by Haruna Mustafa, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Department and Chibuzo Efobi, Director, Payment System Management Department.

The circular stated: “The Central Bank of Nigeria circular dated May 6, 2024 (Ref. PSMD/DIR/PUB/LAB/017/004) on the above subject refers. ‘

“Further to this, please be advised that the above referenced circular is hereby withdrawn.”

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Spokesperson, Ngelale, As Special Envoy On Climate Action

Published

2 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has appointed his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, as Nigeria’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.

This was as he established a 25-person committee to oversee the country’s green economic initiatives.

“Ngelale will serve in this role as part of a larger Presidential Committee, to be chaired by the President,” the office of the secretary to the government of the federation revealed in a statement signed Sunday by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.

“Ngelale will retain his role as the Official Spokesperson of the President and Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity while serving on the committee,” it added.

The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu establishes a committee to oversee green economic initiatives, appoints Chief Ajuri Ngelale as special envoy on climate action.’

Imohsien said the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions will “coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.”

“This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture, and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the President’s vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action,” it further explained.

The new committee which has the President as its Chairman also includes the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal as its Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Ajuri Ngelale as its Secretary/Special Presidential Envoy.

Members are the CEOs of, InfraCorp, Mr. Lazarus Angbazo; National Council on Climate Change, Mr. Salisu Dahiru; Infrastructure Council Regulatory Commission, Mr. Michael Ohiani, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Mrs. Aisha Rimi and National Social Investment Fund, Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq.

The committee also consists of the CEOs of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Mr Yusuf Maina-Bukar, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mr Abdullahi Mustapha; Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu; CreditCorp, Uzoma Nwagba, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu Member, Solid Minerals Development Fund, Fatima Shinkafi; CBN Deputy Governor (Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate) Mr Bala Bello; UN SE4ALL, Lolade Abiola; Member and an Adviser to the NCCC Adviser, Teni Majekodunmi.

Others are representatives of the Federal Ministries of FCT, Finance, Industry, Trade & Investment, Water Resources, and Agriculture & Food Security.

The committee also consists of representatives from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service.

The OSGF outlined eight objectives of the Presidential Committee. They are to:

“Identify, develop, and implement innovative non-oil & non-gas climate action initiatives.

“Coordinate all activities of relevant federal institutions towards the attainment of all agreed climate action and green economic objectives and non-oil/non-gas ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with all relevant government, subnational governments, non-government, and civil society entities towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and ambitions of the federal government.

“Collaborate with national governments and multilateral institutions towards the attainment of the climate action objectives and carbon market ambitions of the federal government.

“Monitor, evaluate, and guide the progress of all climate action and renewable energy projects and activities of the federal government.

“Track and guide the implementation of initiatives and developments conducted by the Energy Transition Working Group.

“Supervise the work of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen and

“Prepare a half-yearly green ambitions update, covering all associated climate action achievements of the federal government.”

News

Hilton Expands Presence in Nigeria With Two New Hotel Signings

Published

5 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Editor

By Tari Ayesinghan | Lagos

Hilton has announced the signing of two new hotels in Nigeria, Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu.

The move marks a significant expansion of the global hospitality company’s presence in the country.

Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island will feature 176 guest rooms and suites, a rooftop bar, and a conference room.

The hotel is located in the heart of Victoria Island, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Hilton Garden Inn Enugu will have 150 guest rooms and suites, a gym, and an outdoor pool.

The hotel is situated in the HELIU Health Tourism District & Residences, a new development that includes a hospital, shopping mall, and office park.

The two new hotels will join Hilton’s existing properties in Nigeria, Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, Curio Collection by Hilton.

The company has also announced plans to develop Koko Beach Resort Ilashe Lagos, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s Vice President of Development for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We are excited to announce the signing of Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island and Hilton Garden Inn Enugu. These new signings reaffirm Hilton’s commitment to Africa’s hospitality sector and confidence in Nigeria as a dynamic and growing market.”

The new hotels are expected to provide guests with a unique and welcoming experience, with a focus on local culture and hospitality. Hilton Garden Inn Enugu is set to open in 2025, while Canopy by Hilton Lagos Victoria Island is expected to open in 2026.