Author: admin@theprimetimes

• Warn on wrong steps ahead of elections • It’s significant year for Nigerians, says Ajibola • ‘How electoral outcome will determine economic progress’ • Inflation, cost of living crisis among major challenges Stakeholders across business communities have said insecurity, financial leakages, free fall of naira, rising debt, and other factors could stall economic progress, as the country heads into elections. While insisting that Nigerians must elect right leaders or face total collapse of the economy, the experts, in separate interviews with The Guardian, said the country must put an end to incessant borrowing and re-engineer fiscal and monetary policies to strengthen…

•Non-oil exceeds target by 23 per cent The Federal Government earned N586.71 billion from the sale of crude from January to November last year. The earnings were 74.3 per cent short of the prorata target for the period. Oil revenue performance has fallen short of targets in recent years, as the sector buckled under crude theft and rising divestments. The shortfall in oil revenues has been balanced out by a leap in revenue from non-oil sources. According to the 2022 budget performance presented by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, non-oil revenue totaled N2.09 trillion in the 11…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said it had created more centres to ease  the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the FCT. According to a circular released by the commission on Friday in Abuja, the period set for the collection of the PVCs from the designated centres, is between Jan. 6 and Jan. 15. It said that the collection of PVCs would thereafter return to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). It listed the venues to include Government Secondary School Garki, Area 10. The Garki centre comprised Garki Model Primary School, Lagos Street, Garki Village, LEA Primary…

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) yesterday faulted the estimated billing system in the country. Secretary General of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Joe Ajaero who spoke during the public hearing on a bill to amend the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 argued that the measure was in breach of laid down rules and regulations. Akaero also faulted the injection of over N3 trillion injected by Federal Government into the privatized electricity companies owned by individuals, without a commensurate increase in power generation over the past 10 years. Comrade Ajaero who argued that privatisation has…

Citizens Communication and Advocacy Centre, a Civil Society Organisation, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari over the recent screening of the NDDC Board. The Executive Director of the centre, Mr Charles Ibiang, along with other civil society groups, gave the commendation at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja. The executive director stated that the appointment of Chief Samuel Ogbuku by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Managing Director of the troubled NDDC, was strategic and well deserved. Ibiang said the leadership and operations of the Niger Delta region required an unusual approach and temperament. He said that the choice of President…

• LP candidate okay on restructuring, modular refineries, S’South devt, others • ‘Why no one can cage an idea which time has come’ While the storm created by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter is yet to settle, a statement by the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, appears to have added more wind speed. The elder statesman and Ijaw leader, yesterday, called on “Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and even political backgrounds, to vote for Peter Obi without hesitation, as he is our best hope of a new Nigeria of peace, stability and progress.” Clark’s letter…

As Ortom backs former President on Peter Obi Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has clarified that the intent of his public comment on the endorsement of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, stems from concern for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Wike offered the explanation when he spoke at Mgbuodohia Community Primary School, venue of the flag-off of the construction of Mgbuodohia Road, in Rumuolumene Town, Obio-Akpor Local Council, yesterday. The governor observed that Obasanjo had served as President on the platform of the PDP, with Atiku Abubakar as Vice President for eight years;…

The Nigerian equities market reopened on a brighter note on the first trading day in 2023, as repositioning for the 2022 full-year earnings and dividend declaration continued yesterday. The bullish mood pushed market capitalisation to N28 trillion. The all-share index (ASI) of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) rose by 344.6 absolute points, representing a gain of 0.67 per cent to close at 51,595.66 points. Accordingly, investors gained N188 billion in value as market capitalisation went up to N28.103 trillion. The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are BUA Foods, Fidson Healthcare, PZ…

• G5 consensus on power shift vindicates 19 APC govs’ stance, says Okechukwu • Ayu escalating PDP crisis, he should resign, says CUPP spokesman • Govs to rest speculations on London trip today As the group of five state governors (G5/Integrity Group) opposed to the continued stay in office of Senator Iyorchia Ayu as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman reportedly meets in London to take a final stand on next year’s general election, indications have emerged that the governors would issue a final warning to the embattled party leader to quit before January 5, 2023. A source within the Integrity…

The Nigerian Army says  efforts are still on-going to rescue the newly-commissioned female officer, Lt. PP Johnson, abducted in Imo allegedly by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Friday in Abuja that the female officer was abducted on Dec. 26 while visiting her grandmother in Aku-Okigwe in Imo. That was shortly after the completion of her cadet training and subsequent commissioning as a lieutenant into the Nigerian Army, he added. Nwachukwu stated that the video footage of her abduction had emerged in the social media where her abductors claimed her…