News extra 14th December 2017

Ø  We Won’t Be Deterred, Says EFCC After Attack on Magu’s Farmhouse Leaves One Dead

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that the attack on a farmhouse belonging to commission’s acting chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu will not deter it from its resolve to rid Nigeria of corruption.

Unidentified armed persons on Tuesday night had attacked an unoccupied residence belonging to Magu, located on a farm in Karshi, a suburb of Abuja.

Thisday

Ø  Ikoyi whistle-blower jets out as FG pays first tranche

The whistle-blower, who helped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recover the $43m, N23.2m and £27,800 (N13bn) from an Ikoyi apartment on April 12, 2017, has finally been paid his commission, The PUNCH has learnt.

It was also learnt that the whistle-blower travelled out of the country less than 24 hours after receiving part of the N421m reward.

Punch

Ø  Minimum wage panel begins meetings today

THE National Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee recently inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari will hold its inaugural meeting today.

The panel is made up of representatives of the Federal and state governments, as well as the private sector.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates also have members in the committee.

Thenation

Ø  FG Approves N16bn for NDDC Hqtrs, Says East-West Road Designed to Fail

Despite insistence that the country is cash strapped, the federal government yesterday approved N16 billion for the construction of the headquarter of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the South-south region.

Thisday

Ø  Osinbajo performing, I can’t be Buhari’s running mate –Tinubu

 A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Ahmed Tinubu, has said there is no truth in the speculation that he may emerge as President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate for the 2019 presidential election.

Tinubu described as a “classic case of utterly and irredeemably-fake news,” the report in a national daily (not The PUNCH) that he was being mooted as Buhari’s running mate in 2019 to boost the APC’s chances in the South-West.

PUNCH

Ø  FEC approves $2.7bn for Abuja-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the award of contract of over $2.7 billion to three consortiums that will complete the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline.

This, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu is to enhance movement of gas from the southern corridor to the north, increase power generation and enable utilization of gas up into the hinterlands.

Dailytrust

Ø  Nigeria loses $21b on oil Production Sharing Contract

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu said yesterday that Nigeria has lost $21 billion to oil Production Sharing Contact (PSC) in the 20 years.

According to him, previous governments failed to exploit the opportunity of the Deep Offshore Act that made provision for premium element to be shared once the price of crude exceeds $20 a barrel.

Thenation

Ø  Foreign investors eye Nigeria but fear FX scarcity – IMF

Many investors want to come to Nigeria but how to retrieve their investments is still their main concern, an IMF official has said.

The Senior Financial Sector Expert, Debt and Capital Market Instruments Division, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Miriam Tamene, said this during a visit by fund’s team to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Abuja yesterday.

Dailytrust

Ø  20 cars burnt, one injured as fuel tanker explodes in Lagos

Three was palpable fear and pandemonium yesterday afternoon as a petrol tanker laden with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tumbled and exploded on FESTAC Link Bridge in Lagos.

The Guardian learnt that the tanker was coming from Apple Junction, tumbled on the bridge and exploded afterwards.

The Guardian

Ø  Tambuwal meets Okowa, Wike, Ibori in Delta

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal yesterday met with Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and former Delta State Governor James Ibori at Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The governors retired to the Delta State Government House after attending a showcase of Delta’s Youths Empowerment Programme.

Thenation

Ø  2016/2017 hajj: Board to commence refund to Kaduna pilgrims

Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that it will commence distribution of money to 2016/2017 pilgrims in the state next week following the refund of N129 million by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The overseer of the Board, Malam Imam Hussaini Tsoho, disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday.

 Dailytrust