Author: Chronicle Editor

Ogun State has won the 2019 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) Science Quiz Competition for secondary school students across the country. Ogun state emerged as the winner at the grand finale of the completion held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Thursday. Ojo Oluwatobi of APT Scholars Universal College, Ota, won the first price for Ogun State with 80 points while Mbazu Justice of CSMT Staff Secondary School, Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, took the second position with 70+points. Nwachukwu Ugochukwu of Dority International School Aba, Abia State took the third position with 70 points. The Group Managing Director of…

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday formally presented the Kogi governor elect, Yahaya Bello, to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. NAN reports that the re-elected Governor had earlier received a Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, today. NAN observed that the meeting between the president and the re-elected governor alongside the APC national chairman was held behind closed doors. NAN reports that the Returning Officer of the Nov. 16 Kogi governorship election, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, had on Monday declared Yahaya Bello as winner of the election…

Having received a presentation of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) business update, and outlook, the National Economic Council on Thursday resolved to invest an additional $250 million into the NSIA, the country’s sovereign wealth fund. The resolution was among other decisions taken at the 99th meeting of the council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, in Abuja. NEC is composed of the 36 State Governors, CBN Governor, the FCT Minister and other Federal Government representatives. In his presentation to NEC, the NSIA Managing Director, Mr Uche Orji said the agency made a profit before tax of N42,036,469 while…

*Says NASS will hold Govt officials accountable Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Thursday said the Senate is yet to receive any formal request from President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu. Lawan made the disclosure when a delegation of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption paid a courtesy visit to his office at the National Assembly, Abuja. Chairman of the Presidential Committee and leader of the delegation, Prof. Itse Sagay, in his address, craved the cooperation of the upper chamber in ensuring the confirmation of the acting…

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on security agencies and communities under threats of bandits’ attacks and kidnappings to be more vigilant and alert in the light of the latest incidents in Enugu, Zamfara, Adamawa, Katsina and Kaduna States. Reacting to the recent reports of heightened acts of violence and kidnappings after a period of relative inactivity, the President observed that “in view of the unpredictability of the security situation, our security forces and the communities affected should be ever more alert because these murderous and remorseless criminals would take advantage of your complacency and strike again.” According to the President,…

The Senate on Thursday passed the 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari in his 2019 Finance Bill as he seeks amendment of Nigeria’s tax laws. President Buhari had proposed the VAT increase in the 2020 budget presented to the National Assembly on 8 October 2019. The passage of the Bill was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Finance. In his presentation of the report, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, said the Bill specifically seeks to amend Nigeria’s tax provisions and make them more responsive to the tax policies…

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, stepped down proceedings in the continuation of trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, Chairman, defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTM), over his failing health. Justice Abang, who made the remark, said the order was to allow Maina, who was in court take his medication. The development began few minutes after the commencement of the proceeding. NAN observed that when the matter was called, Maina, who was sitting with families and officers of the Nigerian Correctional Services, was assisted up by two of the officers, so as to be taken to the…

The Senate on Thursday passed President Muhammadu Buhari’s Finance Bill, 2019, which seeks an amendment of Nigeria’s tax laws. The passage of the Bill was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Finance. In his presentation of the report, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, said the Bill specifically seeks to amend Nigeria’s tax provisions and make them more responsive to the tax policies of the Federal Government, among other things. He added that the amendment and passage of the Finance Bill would enhance the implementation and effectiveness of government’s tax policies. According to…

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has called on local and International Oil Companies (IOCs) to give back to the communities where they operate for economic growth. Sylva gave the charge at the Grand finale of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 2019 Science Quiz competition in Abuja on Thursday. He said that the need for corporate organisations to give back to society was imperative to guarantee smooth operations. The minister of state urged them to emulate what the NNPC was doing under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), especially with development of intellectuals. “I am honoured…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with speakers of the 36 states Houses of Assembly of the federation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. NAN reports that the speakers were led by their Chairman, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who is also the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly. NAN reports that though the agenda of the meeting was unknown as at the time of filing this report, President Buhari and the speakers are expected to deliberate on national issues, including security and autonomy of the assemblies. FG negotiating Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail – Amaechi Those at the meeting included the Speaker of…