News extract 24th April 2017

Ø  Oshiomhole, Mamora Considered for SGF.

If the Yemi Osinbajo-led panel probing the allegations of financial impropriety against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, indicts him, either the former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, or former Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, may clinch the top-ranking cabinet post, THISDAY has learnt.

Both men are said to be on a shortlist that is currently before President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Osinbajo panel kicks off the investigation into the management of funds meant for humanitarian assistance in the North-east.
Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke, were sent home by Buhari last week over their respective involvement in the alleged mismanagement of the funds allocated to the Presidential Initiative on the North-east (PINE) and the discovery of N13.3 billion in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, penultimate week.

THISDAY

Ø  Kano emirate ready for probe of Sanusi

The Kano emirate has stated its readiness for a probe into its expenditure being planned by the state Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Agency. The agency has moved to investigate the Muhammadu Sanusi-led emirate council over an alleged misappropriation of billions of naira supposedly left behind by his predecessor, the late Alhaji Ado Bayero.

The agency is to probe activities in the emirate since 2015 when the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor ascended the throne. The probe comes a few days after an online publication allegedly disclosed plans by some northern governors to dethrone the monarch. They were said to have been embarrassed by the position of the emir on their planned foreign loans, particularly the alleged $1.85 billion facility to be taken from the Chinese government for a light rail project in the state.

THE GUARDIA

Ø  Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, DSS boss, Daura have not resigned – Presidency

The Presidency has reacted to the rumoured resignation of the Chief of Staff, CoS to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari and the Director-General of Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura.

It said the speculations were mere distractions.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President, on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, said the report was not true, describing it as “pure mischief.”

DAILY POST

Ø  BSc/HND unification boosts Customs’ staff morale

Following the abolishment of the Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) dichotomy at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), its spokesman, Joseph Attah, has declared that staff morale has dramatically improved since the old order was dismantled.

He said in Abuja that the bad blood that the dichotomy generated between BSc and HND holders has substantially ebbed: “The reaction has been positive. It has been morale-lifting across the commands of the NCS from both officers who were affected and those who were not affected.

SUNNEWSONLINE

Ø  CCTV exposes pickpocket in Lagos

USING the newly-deployed closed-circuit television, CCTV, camera, operatives of Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, RRS, have arrested a suspected pickpocket, one 18-year old Emmanuel, at Oshodi area.

The suspect, who said he is from Ondo State, told the police that he came to Lagos about two years ago and worked as a bus conductor in the area. He was captured on CCTV camera stealing from a commuter’s handbag on the pedestrian walkway.

VANGURAD