Dangote Cement acquires 20,000 vehicles for $150m to boost operations by Haleem Olatunji

Dangote Cement Plc has acquired 20,000 additional vehicles to boost the distribution of products across the country. Tony Chiejine, the company’s spokesman, made this known in a statement on Monday. He said the new vehicles, made up of trucks, trailers and tippers, were acquired at the cost of $150 million. Chiejine said the company had recently taken delivery of another set of trucks, trailers, bulk tankers, tippers, cargo trucks and bulk cement tankers. “These assets would meet the expected increase in demand for transportation of cement to every part of the country and create employment for over 4,000 people in Nigeria,” he said. “We have acquired the new trucks in line with our new expansion capacity in Obajana, Ibese, Gboko and the new cement plant coming up on stream at Okpella, Edo state in few weeks.” Chiejine said Dangote Fertiliser Company recently took delivery of 500 trucks from Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd. to distribute the Urea brand of fertiliser to different parts of the country. He said Dangote Sinotruck West Africa Ltd is a joint venture between Dangote Industries Ltd and Sinotruk China. The spokesman quoted Abdu Dantata, group executive director, logistics and distribution, that the acquisition was due to the growing needs of the business. “This is especially as regards the increased trucking demands encountered lately, due to the surge in the demands for cement,” Dantata said. “The establishment of our clinker export terminals at Apapa and Onne Port led to the purchase of heavy-duty tippers for haulage of clinker from the plants to the terminals. “The introduction of these trucks would improve customers’ demand, improve on job creation in the country, as well as promote the economic development of Nigeria.”

Nigeria most admired OPEC member country –Barkindo - Agency Report

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries has described Nigeria as the most admired member country in the global oil market. The Secretary General of the Organisation, Dr. Mohammad Barkindo, disclosed this in his congratulatory message released on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s membership of OPEC. “Nigeria is consistently regarded as one of the most admired and respected member of the OPEC family, particularly in the realm of consensus-building. “Many giants of Nigerian public service have been responsible for this successful relationship. “ Today is an important opportunity to reflect on their legacy and give thanks for the ways in which they have moulded our organisation. “I firmly believe that the partnership between OPEC and Nigeria can continue to flourish over the next 50 years. “In undertaking this noble endeavour, we will continue to rely on your full support,’’ Barkindo said. He quoted President Muhammadu Buhari, as saying on Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary, that if Nigerians pursue aspirations together, they would be able to achieve much. “These are sagacious words and I see them as a guide for the future of OPEC and Nigeria’s membership of our organisation. We are always stronger together. “Once again, Mr. President, allow me to thank you for your steadfast support for OPEC. You have made an immeasurable contribution to the betterment of our organisation,’’ he said He said the unique relationship between OPEC and Nigeria had a multitude of positive effects for both parties. “The intertwining of the destinies of OPEC and Nigeria even precedes membership. On September 14, 1960, OPEC was founded on the bank of the River Tigris, in Baghdad. “Just two weeks later, on October 1, 1960, Nigeria joined the fraternity of independent nations. “Since these momentous events, both OPEC and Nigeria have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to the universal values of international cooperation, dialogue, sustainable development and working toward the common good. “These principles have anchored all of our activities despite the many challenges we have faced over the 50 years,’’ he added. Barkindo noted that OPEC family owe Nigeria debt of gratitude for the pivotal role it played in bringing together OPEC and non-OPEC countries and reaching consensus in recent years, particularly through the adoption of the Declaration of Cooperation on December 10, 2016. “You have consistently shown your impeccable credentials as a bastion of the principles underpinning international relations: respect for all nations, fulfilling one’s responsibilities, transparency and fairness. “I thank you most sincerely for your contributions to the broad efforts made to ensure that the DoC evolved from a noble vision to a transformative force-for-good – one that has had a profoundly positive impact on the global oil industry,’’ he said . The OPEC scribe also commended Nigeria for playing a leading and inspirational role on the African continent in oil and gas affairs and cooperation.

Nigerian woman, who escaped Boko Haram captivity, graduates, discloses future plans ByMusikilu Mojeed

Nigerian woman, who escaped Boko Haram captivity, graduates, discloses future plans Mary Katambi, one of the Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014, plans to become an entrepreneur, creating jobs for others. One of the 475 students who graduated from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) on Saturday is Mary Katambi. Ms Katambi bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting seven years after she narrowly escaped from the grips of murderous Boko Haram terrorists who stormed her school dormitory in Chibok in 2014 and trucked away 276 girls. She said she escaped by sneaking out of the camp of the terrorists and trudging through the forest back to her village. A few months later, Ms Katambi and 24 other colleagues, who either escaped from the terrorists or were released, arrived at AUN and were admitted for a foundational programme specially created for them by the university. In 2016, after passing her school certificate and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), she was admitted for a degree in accounting, with a full scholarship provided by AUN. On Saturday, Ms Katambi, dressed in a red academic gown and a red cap, beamed with smiles and those familiar with her strides said there were new steps in her steps as she marched to the podium to receive her certificate from AUN President, Margee Ensign. “I am so proud of her,” Ms Ensign told PREMIUM TIMES hours after the ceremony. She demonstrated strength, resilience and character. She taught us all how to survive and thrive in the face of adversity. She showed us that even if we go through trauma, there’s always a way out. She and her colleagues are our heroes.” AUN Founder, Atiku Abubakar, also praised Ms Katambi’s staying power. “Mary Katambi, I’m proud that seven years after your release from Boko Haram captivity, you’ve beaten the odds to graduate with a degree in accounting from the American University of Nigeria. The best years are still ahead of you,” the former Nigerian vice president said in a post on his Facebook page. The post was accompanied by photographs Mr Atiku took with the new graduate at the commencement ceremony. Mary Katambi and Atiku Abubakar. Mary Katambi and Atiku Abubakar. Now out of school, what next for the budding accountant? Ms Ensign said she offered Ms Katambi a job at AUN but that she declined, saying after seven years, she would like to venture out of Yola, where her university is based, to experience life elsewhere. Ms Katambi described her academic journey in AUN as incredible. “I can’t even describe how I feel now,” she told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone on Sunday morning. “It’s such a big honour. I’m really grateful and excited at the opportunity I was given to study at AUN. I also cannot forget my Boko Haram ordeal and how God brought me out.” On her next plans, she said she would immediately proceed for national service after which she would start a business she was already working on. She said she will also do a masters degree in her field along the line. “I don’t want to be looking for a job,” she said. “I want to run a business and create jobs for Nigerian youth.” When asked what kind of business she would be starting, she laughed and then said it was premature to disclose that information. Akinwumi Adesina, Mary Katambi and Atiku Abubakar. Akinwumi Adesina, Mary Katambi and Atiku Abubakar. The extremist Boko Haram sect had on April 14, 2014, abducted Ms Katambi and 275 other girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok. A presidential committee said 57 of the girls immediately escaped from their abductors. When the President Muhammadu Buhari administration came to power in 2015, it began negotiation with the Boko Haram sect. That yielded the release of 21 of the girls in October 2016 and another 82 in May 2017. Not much has been heard of the remaining 112 girls, although the Federal Government says it is still working on getting them released.

INEC Job: Federal Character, Not Partisanship Forced Senate To Reject Onochie by Bode Gbadebo and Sunday Isuwa

The Senate has rejected the nomination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s senior special assistant on New Media, Lauretta Onochie, as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But contrary to public expectation, the Senate panel which screened Onochie for the appointment did not find her guilty of partisanship allegation levelled against her by several petitions sent to the Senate Committee on INEC. Rather, the committee didn’t recommend Onochie for confirmation as a National Commissioner of INEC because of apparent violation of the Federal Character principle as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended. Therefore, irrespective of the weighty allegation of partisanship, the Senate panel looked the other way and decided to believe Onochie’s public denial of the membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite contrary facts. LEADERSHIP reports that Onochie’s nomination alongside other nominees was forwarded to the Senate in October 2020 even though she said she quit the membership of the APC since 2019. But an incontrovertible court document shows otherwise. Onochie deposed to an affidavit in June 2021 wherein she admitted being a member of the APC. By implication, Onochie was still a politician as at the time of her nomination as INEC National Commissioner in 2020. She was confronted with the court document at the confirmation hearing by a member of the Senate Committee. However, Onochie was rejected on the ground that there is already a National Commissioner of INEC from Delta State, Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu, not because she was partisan. Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on INEC, the chairman of the committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South) said the panel rejected Onochie in line with the federal character principle, which is enshrined in section 14 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended. “Her nomination violated the federal character principle and national unity. Other sections of the country have also presented petitions against her nomination. “In 2016, we confirmed a national commissioner from Delta State, Mrs May Mbu and confirming Lauretta from the same Delta State will violate the federal character,” Gaya said. For his part, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said the committee was unable to forward Onochie’s name for confirmation because that her nomination was negatived, adding that she won’t be approved for confirmation. It is interesting to note that President Buhari nominated Onochie to represent her native Delta State but when she appeared before the Senate Committee on INEC for screening last week, she said she was nominated to represent Cross River State, being her husband’s state of origin and not Delta State, where she hails from. So, if Onochie was rejected based on federal character violation, she might be reconsidered for the same position if she is to be renominated this time around from Cross River State if does not violation the federal character principle again. Bode Gbadebo and Sunday Isuwa by Bode Gbadebo and Sunday Isuwa The Senate has rejected the nomination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s senior special assistant on New Media, Lauretta Onochie, as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But contrary to public expectation, the Senate panel which screened Onochie for the appointment did not find her guilty of partisanship allegation levelled against her by several petitions sent to the Senate Committee on INEC. Rather, the committee didn’t recommend Onochie for confirmation as a National Commissioner of INEC because of apparent violation of the Federal Character principle as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended. Therefore, irrespective of the weighty allegation of partisanship, the Senate panel looked the other way and decided to believe Onochie’s public denial of the membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite contrary facts. LEADERSHIP reports that Onochie’s nomination alongside other nominees was forwarded to the Senate in October 2020 even though she said she quit the membership of the APC since 2019. But an incontrovertible court document shows otherwise. Onochie deposed to an affidavit in June 2021 wherein she admitted being a member of the APC. By implication, Onochie was still a politician as at the time of her nomination as INEC National Commissioner in 2020. She was confronted with the court document at the confirmation hearing by a member of the Senate Committee. However, Onochie was rejected on the ground that there is already a National Commissioner of INEC from Delta State, Barrister May Agbamuche-Mbu, not because she was partisan. Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on INEC, the chairman of the committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South) said the panel rejected Onochie in line with the federal character principle, which is enshrined in section 14 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended. “Her nomination violated the federal character principle and national unity. Other sections of the country have also presented petitions against her nomination. “In 2016, we confirmed a national commissioner from Delta State, Mrs May Mbu and confirming Lauretta from the same Delta State will violate the federal character,” Gaya said. For his part, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said the committee was unable to forward Onochie’s name for confirmation because that her nomination was negatived, adding that she won’t be approved for confirmation. It is interesting to note that President Buhari nominated Onochie to represent her native Delta State but when she appeared before the Senate Committee on INEC for screening last week, she said she was nominated to represent Cross River State, being her husband’s state of origin and not Delta State, where she hails from. So, if Onochie was rejected based on federal character violation, she might be reconsidered for the same position if she is to be renominated this time around from Cross River State if does not violation the federal character principle again.

BREAKING: Senate rejects Onochie as INEC Commissioner By Sanni Onogu

...Steps down nomination of Professor Adam. The Senate on Tuesday rejected the nomination of Ms Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Senate also stepped down the nomination of Professor Sani Mohammad Adam (North Central) to allow for further legislative action. This followed the consideration of the report of Senate Committee on INEC, presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya. Gaya said the Committee rejected the nomination of Onochie because there is already a National Commissioner of INEC, Mrs May Agbamuche, representing Delta State in the Commission.

INEC job: Hope dims for nominees Onochie, Adam By Yusuf Alli, Gbenga Omokhunu and Mike Odiegwu

• Buhari’s aide, ex-varsity administrator may have failed Senate screening President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide Lauretta Onochie’s hope of clearance by the Senate to become a commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) has dimmed. The Senate panel that screened her may have recommended her disqualification, it was learnt Monday night. In the same boat with her is the North Central nominee, Prof. Sani Mohammed Adam, whose nomination might also have been rejected by the Committee. The fate of these two nominees out of the five sent for clearance by the President, is now to be decided by the Senate plenary. The Senate committee of the whole, which is expected to receive the screening report from the Kabiru Gaya Senate Committee on INEC this week, will take the final decision. The plenary hardly turns down its panel’s screening report. Sources said the Senate panel accepted the argument in one of the petitions against Onochie that her nomination is in violation of Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution on the Principle of Federal Character. A highly-placed source said: “Apart from the allegation of partisanship, a major problem with Onochie’s nomination is that it was not in line with the Principle of Federal Character. “By her appointment, Onochie ought to represent the Southsouth as a national commissioner from Delta State. Already, a national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who is a seasoned legal practitioner, is from Delta State. “There is no room for another nominee from Delta. The state cannot occupy the two slots meant for the Southsouth. Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution does not allow that. If her appointment is challenged in court, it will be nullified because it is in breach of the constitution. Section 14(3) says: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies,” “The source added: “In fact, this breach of the constitution is more fundamental than the allegation of partisanship. “Onochie has a big hurdle which may not make her to scale through screening. “And public opinion has weighed heavily against her. Clearing her will portray the Senate as anti-people when democracy is about people’s will.” Investigation also confirmed that, Prof. Adam, has a legal hurdle to cross. It was gathered that when he was a lecturer at the University of Jos, he had an issue which made him to seek legal redress in a Federal High Court. He won the case. But the university management went to the Court of Appeal which reversed Adam’s High Court victory. The two parties are now before the Supreme Court. ”Since it is a fundamental moral issue and the Court of Appeal judgment is yet to be vacated, the Senate Committee cannot clear him. “The preponderance of opinion at the committee level is that Adam should wait till the Supreme Court clears him before seeking a sensitive appointment like INEC national commissioner. “Some committee members believe that in the light of Section 14(2) (b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to 1999 Constitution, Adam ought not to be cleared for the appointment. “The section says: “There shall be for each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, a Resident Electoral Commissioner. They shall…be persons of unquestionable integrity.” But one of those pushing for Adam said: ”Apart from being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he was Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Abuja. ”He has a rich pedigree to occupy the office of INEC national commissioner. Those after him are only desperate to ruin his career.” President Buhari nominated Onochie and five others for INEC job as national commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners. Others are Prof. Muhammed Sani Kallah (representing Katsina State), Prof. Kunle Cornelius Ajayi (Ekiti), Seidu Babura Ahmad (Jigawa State), Prof. Adam (North Central) and Dr. Baba Bila (North East). Onochie’s nomination attracted criticisms having been accused of being a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). She denied this, saying she ceased being an APC member since 2019. Apart from the opposition to her nomination by political parties and civil society organisations, a former Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega has warned that the clearance might affect the credibility of the electoral commission. Onochie would have rejected INEC’s job, says Action Alliance The Action Alliance (AA) said it will be unfair is Mrs Onochie is cleared for the job. Its National Chairman Adekunle Omo-Aje said: “Even if she is trying to be fair, nobody will believe her. If I were to be her, I would not take that kind of position. Because even if she performs and puts in her best, people will still not praise her for that because already people have a mindset about her and that she will be biased. Wike kicks against attempts to make Onochie INEC commissioner Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike also kicked. He said the most fundamental consideration in the appointment of a candidate as an electoral umpire, in a democracy, was the elimination of bias. Observing there was a heavy weight of bias against Onoche because she remained a “notorious and repulsively partisan dye-in-the-wool member of the All progressives Congress (APC)”. He said: “Despite the floodgate of protests against her nomination and the general lack of trust in our capacity to remain impartial, it seems the APC-led Senate is determined to confirm her appointment. “As a governor and concerned Nigerian who loves this country so much and wants our democracy to survive, I wish to appeal to Mr. President to, for the sake of his legacy, withdraw Ms. Onoche’s nomination to avoid creating more credibility problems for his INEC and restore confidence in our electoral system.”

MultiChoice has never paid VAT since its inception ― FIRS By Emma Ujah

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has raised alarm over the level of non-compliance by Multi-Choice Africa (MCA), the parent Company of Multi-Choice Nigeria (MCN). According to FIRS, the company which provides services to MCN has never paid Value Added Tax (VAT) since its inception. This was revealed in a statement by the Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami. Nami also revealed the FIRS has appointed Nigerian Deposit Money Banks as agents to freeze and recover the sum of N1.8 trillion from accounts of Messrs MultiChoice Nigeria Limited (MCN) And MultiChoice Africa (MCA). The FIRS boss explained that the decision to appoint the banks as agents and to freeze the accounts was as a result of the group’s under-remittance of taxes and continued refusal to grant FIRS access to its servers for audit. “The level of non-compliance by Multi-Choice Africa (MCA), the parent Company of Multi-Choice Nigeria (MCN) is very alarming. The parent company, which provides services to MCN has never paid Value Added Tax (VAT) since its inception. “It was discovered that the companies persistently breached all agreements and undertakings with the Service, they would not promptly respond to correspondences, they lack data integrity and are not transparent as they continually deny FIRS access to their records. “Particularly, MCN has avoided giving the FIRS accurate information on the number of its subscribers and income. The companies are involved in the under-remittance of taxes which necessitated a critical review of the tax-compliance level of the company.” The chairman said that the group’s performance does not reflect in its tax obligations and compliance level in Nigeria. “The issue with Tax collection in Nigeria, especially from foreign-based Companies conducting businesses in Nigeria and making massive profits is frustrating and infuriating to the (FIRS). “Regrettably, Companies come into Nigeria just to infringe on our tax laws by indulging in tax evasion. There is no doubt that broadcasting, telecommunications and the cable-satellite industries have changed the face of communication in Nigeria. However, when it comes to tax compliance, some companies are found wanting. “They do with impunity in Nigeria what they dare not try in their countries of origin,” Mr Nami said. According to the FIRS boss, Nigeria contributes 34% of total revenue for the Multi-Choice group. The next to Nigeria from intelligence gathering is Kenya with 11%, and Zambia is in 3rd place with 10%. The rest of Africa where they have a presence accounts for 45% of the group’s total revenue. “Information currently at the disposal of FIRS has revealed a tax liability for relevant years of assessment for ₦1,822,923,909,313.94 (One trillion, eight hundred and twenty-two billion, nine hundred and twenty-three million, nine hundred and nine thousand, three hundred and thirteen naira, ninety-four kobo only) and $342,531,206 (Three hundred and forty-two million, five hundred and thirty-one thousand, two hundred and six dollars only). “Under FIRS powers in Section 49 of the Companies Income Tax Act Cap C21 LFN 2004 as amended, Section 41 of the Value Added Tax Act Cap V1 LFN 2004 as amended and Section 31 of the FIRS (Establishment) Act No. 13 of 2007, all bankers to MCA & MCN in Nigeria are therefore appointed as Collecting Agents for the full recovery of the aforesaid tax debt. “In this regard, the affected banks are required to sweep balances in each of the above-mentioned entities’ accounts and pay the same in full or part settlement of the companies’ respective tax debts until FULL recovery. “This should be done before the execution of any transaction involving the companies or any of their subsidiaries. It is further requested that the Federal Inland Revenue Service be informed of any transactions before EXECUTION on the account, especially transfers of funds to any of their subsidiaries.” The chairman insisted that Nigeria must put a stop to all tax frauds that have been going on for too long. “All companies must be held accountable and made to pay their fair share of relevant taxes including back duty taxes owed especially VAT”. Vanguard