News
Disregard call for probe of PENCOM DG, group urges Buhari, EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been asked to dismiss the call for the Probe of the Director General of the National Pension Commission, PENCOM, Mrs Aisha Dahiru Umar, over purported allegations of Corruption in the commission.
Rising from a briefing on Friday in Lagos, some members of the Centre for Public Accountability, led by its Coordinator of Research and Projects, Oluwatobi Johnson, said the petition by the Executive Director of the group Comrade Olufemi Lawson, was not a collective decision, done by the organization and does not represent, the view, of members of the Centre. It described the call, for the Probe of the PENCOM boss, as self serving.
The group said since the appointment and confirmation of Aisha Dahiru Umar in 2020 as the substantive Director General, Pension Commission PENCOM , she had turned the once moribund agency into a prospective organization that was determined to deliver on its mandate in line with the pension act.
Oluwatobi said “Mrs Dahiru, away from the analogue way of operation wholistically automated the entire process and systems of the new commission in line with government new order, prevailing situations and the best practices across the world.”
The group said it is also opposed to the call, because, it is sure, that certain individuals within and outside the commission, who are opposed, to the radical transformation, are behind the orchestrated call for probe, against the pension boss.
It urged President Muhammadu Buhari, and the anti-corruption agencies, to disregard the petitions against Mrs Aisha Dahiru, saying, if this is allowed, it will negatively impact, on the reforms, that the management of PENCOM, has continued to introduce, into the pension system, in the country.
The group said no individual, should use the organization, to engage in self serving battles.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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