Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday, announced a new transport management system for Osun State with triple objectives of securing the motor parks, creating thousands of jobs and increasing the state’s internally-generated revenue.

In a statement by Spokesperson to the Governor, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke described the new transport management model as “a fulfilment of his earlier promise to sanitise the current park system and ensure commuters enjoy a new lease of safe and secured transportation.”

The governor, who reiterated the need to overhaul the state transport system, said the approved new structure had a supervisory disciplinary committee to supervise all the activities of the two sectors in the transport system, namely Vehicles and Cycles.

The transport disciplinary committee has 11 team members, including representative of Commissioner for Works and Transport, Office of Transportation; representative of Commissioner for Finance; representative of Consultant; representative of OIRS; Fakorede Rauf; Jola Akintola; Olusola Adedokun; Rev. Olaleye Edward Onipede; Bamidele Isiaka; Oyeyemi Dauda Olamilekan and Animashaun Adeshina Taofeek.

“The disciplinary committee will swear in Wakeel Nurudeen Oluronbi for the vehicle sector of the transport system and Oyeniyi Sikiru Ayobami to head the cycles sector.

“It is a one-ticketing system approach across the state and it will create thousands of temporary jobs in Osun State. The new policy will boost revenue generating capacity and help improve economy.

“In addition, the new system will eradicate insecurity, destruction of property and killings experienced by commuters when rival union groups attack each other. Moving forward, nobody should be caught fighting or causing any kind of unrest in the parks or roads.

“Elchanan Projects and Concepts Limited is the consultant that will supervise the overall implementation of the transport sector reform,” the statement stated.

Guardianng 

The Central Bank of Nigeria has ordered Deposit Money Banks not to pay customers making over-the-counter withdrawals of new naira notes again.

Instead, the apex bank directed the banks to load their Automated Teller Machines with only new notes to ensure that the currency circulates across the nation ahead of the January 31, 2023 deadline when the old notes will no longer be legal tender.

Punch gathered that the apex bank issued the directive to the banks on Wednesday and ordered that the implementation must begin immediately.

However, as of Friday, the banks had not been able to comply with the directive as they complained of inadequate supply of the new notes, prompting them to load their ATMs with the old notes.

A source in a Tier-1 bank, who informed one of our correspondents of the CBN directive on Thursday, said her lender on Thursday issued a memo in that respect to all the branch managers to enforce the CBN order.

The memo, which was titled., ‘Urgent update on currency redesign’ and signed by the Group Head, Retail Operation, stated, “The CBN has mandated that we immediately stop the Over-the-Counter payment of the new N200, N500 & N,1000 currency. Instead, all new notes should be loaded into the ATMs for customer withdrawals.

“This is effective immediately please.”

The source, who is a manager in one of the bank’s branches in Ikeja, Lagos, however, complained that the new notes were in short supply, hence the branch decided to load a mixture of the old and new N1,000 and N500 notes in the ATMs for customers to withdraw.

The source stated, “We got a memo from the head office this morning (Thursday) that we should stop dispensing new notes to customers who come to withdraw over the counter, but instead we should load the ATMs with the new notes. The correspondence from the head office said the directive was from the CBN and that we should implement it immediately.

“The directive has, however, thrown us into a dilemma as we are in short supply of the new notes and we can’t afford not to load the ATMs as there has been a surge in the number of customers coming to withdraw after the Yuletide holidays.

“Loading of ATMs is the responsibility of the banks. When our bank tested the ATMs, only one denomination of the new notes passed the test of dispensing seamlessly through our machines. The bank is working on reconfiguring the ATMs to be able to dispense the new notes. What we have done in my branch is to mix the few new N1,000 and N500 notes available with old ones so that desperate customers can make withdrawals and meet their immediate needs.

“If you observed, a lot of ATMs were inactive during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The idea was not to give out old notes, but unfortunately, the new ones are not in circulation. The banks have a mandate to evacuate N1bn old notes each to the CBN on a daily basis and our head office has set a strict vault limit or cash holding limit for each branch, which on no condition we must exceed.”

When contacted, the CBN spokesman, Osita Nwanisobi, did not respond to enquiries by Punch. As soon as one of our correspondents introduced himself and the topic, he went mute. Subsequent calls to his mobile line were not taken. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to his telephone were not replied to.

However, a senior official of the CBN, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the issue, confirmed to Punch that the apex bank indeed issued the directive to the banks.

He explained, “From this weekend, new notes will be available for disbursement to bank customers. We are pushing the N1,000 and N500 notes through the ATMs for now. The N200 will be available later.

“The aim is to check inflation and currency abuse. A research was conducted and it showed that the demand for the N1,000 and N500 is higher, hence the decision to start with them.”

When asked when the agent banking representatives, who dispense cash to customers through Point of Sale terminals, would have the new notes, he said the objective of setting them up was not to handle large volume transactions, adding that the operators were abusing the guideline.

A source in the corporate affairs department of a new generation bank told Punch, “Even before the CBN directive, our bank had been loading the ATMs with new notes. However, I must admit that the new notes are in short supply. What we do is to mix them up with old notes. For example, if you want to withdraw N10,000, you may get only two pieces of new N1,000. Some of our ATMs in the Oniru area of Victoria Island, Lagos, are dispensing only new notes.

“The configuration of the ATMs is an ongoing thing; yes, all the ATMs have not been fully configured. There are gaps from the regulator, which is the CBN, but we will obey the directive within the limit of what we have. Customers are depositing old notes in huge volumes. The CBN has stopped the supply of the notes that will soon cease to be legal tenders to the banks.

“I am sure that before January 31, the new notes would have spread to different parts of the country. Though I work in a bank, I have not seen the new N200; I have only seen N500 at a party in Abeokuta and it was being sold as your paper rightly reported a few weeks back.”

Punch

The 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season will now start off on January 8, 2023.

The new date was agreed following a meeting between the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and the club owners in Abuja on Wednesday night.

The new campaign was initially expected to start on Wednesday, December 28.

The draw ceremony is now expected to hold next week Wednesday in Abuja.

The IMC and the clubs also agreed to go ahead with an abridged league format as against the usual full season format that has been used over the years.

Rivers United won the NPFL title last season. Dailypost 

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Mr Hezekiah Adaiden, the Youth President of Inen community in OrukAnam Local Government Area of Akwa- Ibom state has been gruesomely murdered by suspected cultists who beheaded him and escaped with his head. 

The unfortunate incident happened last Sunday, December 18, 2022, when he was hosting a group of young men in his compound, An eyewitness said the cultists dragged Adaiden to a corner, beat him to a coma and cut off his head.

The source said the hoodlums looted the house, beat up the wife and carted away valuables items. "The cultists arrived in the compound at an odd hour in the night and since they were known by the youth president, he offered them drinks. While they were drinking around 1am, another group well armed arrived and was violent, as they dragged the victim to a corner and killed him," the source said.

“The most annoying is that they beheaded him and escaped with his head after they tortured his wife and poured the soup which the woman cooked on her head, as they beat her mercilessly."

Spokesperson of the command, Odiko Mcdon, in a statement on Wednesday, December 21, described the killing of the youth president as barbaric, adding that the perpetrators would be brought to book. “There is an ongoing manhunt to arrest perpetrators of such crime,” he said.

Gistmania 

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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged its staff to give maximum support to the 2023 general elections and the National Population and Housing Census.

The NYSC acting Director-General, Mrs Christy Uba, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the maiden edition of the National Programme Desk Officers’ Workshop in Abuja.

It was organised for officers at the frontline of the implementation of the scheme’s partnership with other agencies of government at the grassroots.

The workshop has “Enhancing Welfare and Security of Corps Members for Successful Implementation of National Programmes: The Role of Schedule Officers,” as a theme.

Uba was represented by the Director, of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, Mr Omotade Ayodele.

Uba reminded the officers that 2023 would be a defining year for the scheme because of these national programmes and the scheme’s Golden Jubilee.

“In line with the established tradition, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Population Commission (NPC) are expected to enlist corps members as ad hoc personnel for the conduct of these important programmes.

“I must stress that we cannot afford to record any failure. At the same time, Nigerians are expected to roll out the drums in celebration of our five decades of unequalled contributions to nation-building.

“For you and other NYSC staff, it will be a moment when your guidance, coordination and supervisory capabilities as field officers will be put to test.”

The director-general said that the essence of the training was to come up with strategies for the more effective and efficient conduct of the scheme’s field operations, especially as they relate to its partnerships with other bodies.

The Director of, the Corps Welfare and Health Services Department, Alhaji Sanusi Abdulrasheed, said that the workshop was for frontline officers who would be held accountable in the discharge of ad hoc assignments across NYSC formations nationwide.

This, he said, was necessary given the number of applications from many government agencies requesting partnership with NYSC in recent times.

He added that considering the spread of NYSC and the sensitive nature of civic duties, there was the need to attain uniformity and strict adherence to terms of agreement with all agencies it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day workshop is expected to equip participants drawn from the NYSC Area Offices and all the NYSC State/FCT Secretariats with the requisite training to drive home the terms of agreement with its partners.

Guardianng 

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The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo has warned that some navy personnel are working with criminal elements to steal crude oil. 

Speaking at the decoration of the newly promoted Rear Admirals in Abuja, Gambo warned that those trying to sabotage the efforts of the Nigerian Navy at curbing illegal bunkering and crude oil theft in the country will be made to face stiff penalties. 

He also warned that any personnel caught sabotaging the measures that have been put in place by the navy will meet a stiff penalty and the wrath of the law. Gistmania 

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), has called on the general public to beware of a new terrorist group masquerading as security agents, wearing uniforms and wreaking havoc on unsuspecting members of the public.

Commandant General of the Corps, associate Professor Ahmed Audi, made this known during the last CG’s conference with Zonal Commanders and State Commandants for the year 2022,. as the agency strategizes for the new year, yesterday in Abuja.

He said recent intelligence available to the Corps reveals that a terror group dressed as security personnel has been attacking civilians recently hence, the need to continue to strengthen efforts in stemming and fighting insecurity.

“We have heard from intelligence that there is a dangerous group in town that has been dressing in security uniforms, unleashing mayhem on citizens so we will have to buckle up and fish them out because there is no way that non-state actors will surpass the powers of the state, therefore, we must live up to expectation and the confidence that government has reposed in us’, he told his commanders and commandants.

Commending efforts by men and officers of the corps in tackling banditry, kidnappings, terrorism and insurgency, the CG pointed out that the agency has increased its overt and covert operations in all its formations and has also upscale intelligence gathering.

According to him, “the year 2022 has been very challenging against the backdrop of the activities of bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, insurgents and armed communal clashes among others but despite the glaring and damning challenges, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have continued to make its mark in the discharge of its core mandate.

Audi said recent attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), 

facilities nationwide, believed to have been masterminded by some disgruntled elements to frustrate successful conduct of the 2023 general elections, have led to both human and material losses and must be effectively checkmated and addressed for hitch-free elections.

He said “The Corps will continue to effectively synergize with the police and other sister agencies and stakeholders to safeguard INEC facilities nationwide.

The has upscale its intelligence gathering mechanism and has equally deployed personnel and equipment as a proactive measure towards addressing this menace.”

He urged his personnel to be apolitical, and avoid all forms of intimidation, molestation or harassment of members of the public. He also said there will be a massive deployment of personnel for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Guardianng 

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If you get a call from your tailor asking, “how far? I have new designs that will fit you”, don’t be surprised. That has become a common practice among them these days as most people have abandoned making new clothes due to the cost of purchasing the materials and that of sewing them. 

Many tailors have abandoned the trade as a result and the few sticking to it are now doing direct marketing. A  yard of cotton material which used to be N200   is now about N3,000 and many fashion enthusiasts can’t put up with that. 

A banker, Mrs.Osamudiame Mary, told Economy&Lifestyle that her tailor who has never called her for some time, contacted her to ask if she has any material to sew. 

“I was in the house this week when I received a call from my tailor asking if I have materials to make.

“She has been making my clothes for over seven years and has never called to ask me such.

“She further explained that she has beautiful materials and matching designs and has made them to my size.

“I was very surprised but when I narrated the story to a friend, she also told me that her tailor called her too.

“But this time asking if she could visit my friend to pick up materials to sew”, Osamudiame said.

Mrs. Ezinne Amadi, a tailor who spoke to Economy & Lifestyle, complained bitterly about the rise in the cost of materials especially cotton materials and net fabrics such as tulle, maline, crinoline, among others.

“The cost of materials has increased. When you get to the market to buy linen or net fabric or even flowers and stones to design an outfit, you discover the price has tripled and when you finish making the outfit, you have little or no profit for your services.

“This has made tailors increase the cost of making a dress and the increase has resulted in decline in patronage as many could not afford such prices.

“I had to do self marketing by calling most of my customers who have not patronized me for long. I look for their measurement and buy good materials from which I make outfits with beautiful designs. 

“Most of them complained bitterly of thinking about food and paying bills. Two women even told me that buying aso-ebi or materials to sew are not in their agenda at all.

“But when I marketed my new already made designs they were interested. Some make payment twice others once. But the profit on it is small but better than having nothing.

“The money of paying rent for my shop is also there.

“I pay N120,000 per annum for my shop because it is close to the main road and we all know businesses thrive in such locations.

 “Recently, I was told by the caretaker that the rent has increased to N200, 000. Where do I get such money in this state where customer’s patronage has reduced? How much do I make from this business?

“I have decided to move out of the shop and make clothes from my house when it gets worse.

Mr. Kola Adeyemi, a fashion designer, also explained that the cost of making a man’s clothing is expensive due to the rise in the cost of accessories. 

This he said consumes most of the profit a tailor would have saved to pay other bills such as rent.

“Some people see the tailoring business as something you make a huge profit from because of the charges on services.

“Meanwhile 97 per cent of the money goes to purchasing accessories added to materials to make an outfit. 

“The remaining money isn’t enough to take care of  bills including the shop rent which has increased over the years.

“Many of my colleagues in this profession have left for other businesses while some others are now workers in other fashion designing houses.

“I am struggling to keep the business moving. I do self marketing by going to the market to get materials and sew them at lesser price.

“I call some of my customers and advertise these designs to them. When they order, I do free delivery to encourage more patronage.

“One must be very innovative to survive in anything you do today.”

Apart from the high cost of materials and other clothing accessories, the increase in the cost of renting a shop is also sending tailors out of business.

With as low as N20,000 per annum, you can rent a shop few years ago. 

Sometimes most of the built shops lay empty for months without any occupant because people were after white collar jobs.

After the economic recession in 2018, many never recovered. The situation was aggravated with the Covid’19 pandemic where people lost their jobs and many fell back to their acquired skills for survival.

Hence, the struggle to get a shop to dispense services based on their skills.

Today the rise in sourcing of space to trade coupled with the increase in goods and services has led to the hike in cost of renting a shop. This has affected the livelihood of artisans especially tailors.

Mr. Afeez Olorunsogo, a property agent, said that artisan’s high demand for shops, the cost of building materials and maintenance is the cause of the increase in shop rents. 

“To rent a shop now you have to keep up to N250,000 to N1 million depending on the location of the shop.”    Vanguardngr