PROCUREMENT CLINIC: A-2 DAY WORKSHOP FOR ALL FEDERAL MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS, AND AGENCIES (MDAs)

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3 weeks ago

April 10, 2025

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Public Procurement is a strategic enabler of national development, which contributes to economic growth through transparency, accountability, and efficient management of public resources.

The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, MCIPS, ACFE, stated this at the opening ceremony of the Procurement Clinic for all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), at the UBEC Digital Resource Centre Abuja, on the Principles of procurement planning, Records keeping and E-Advertisement; A 2-day workshop for procurement officers, organized by the Bureau of Public Procurement to improve public procurement practices in Nigeria and ensure its alignment with international best standards.

Dr. Adebowale, in his remarks, appreciated His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the opportunity given to the Bureau to carry out this scheme of procurement training. He acknowledged the management team as well as the organizers for their painstaking efforts to see that the program is well organized.

The DG reiterated the mandate of BPP under section 5 (k) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, tasked with organizing training and development programs for procurement professionals.
Adding that, the essence of the training is designed to empower procurement officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to discharge their duties effectively. It is a platform for learning, collaboration, and reform.

He emphasized on the principles of procurement planning, which ensures that procurement activities are strategically aligned with organizational goals and, by extension, Mr. President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”. Pointing out the need for proper documentation; the use of E-Advertisement Module for leveraging technology to enhance competition, transparency and access to public procurement opportunities; the use of Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) for uploading procurement information and the efficient use of the New Revised Standard Bidding Document.

The DG reminded the participants and all procurement officers that Procurement in Nigeria has taken a paradigm shift, as transactional procurement is no longer viable, and BPP would not condone any infraction against this policy. BPP is strengthening its relationship with some of the Anti-Graft Agencies like ICPC, EFCC, NEITI, Code of Conduct Bureau, and NFIU through effective corruption free mechanisms

Therefore, all procurement practitioners should play a pivotal role in procurement processes to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively to deliver impactful services to the citizens. He encouraged everyone to use this golden opportunity to explore innovative ideas that will strengthen our collective resolves in upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism.

Soldiers should arrest civilians wearing military uniform, not assault them – Nigerian Army official

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6 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major Gen. Gold Chibuisi, has told Nigerian soldiers what to do to civilians dressed in military uniform.

Speaking during a chat with journalists on Saturday night in Abuja, Chibuisi also said that it is against Nigerian law for non-military personnel to wear military uniforms.

According to him, soldiers must act professionally and lawfully when handling such cases.

He, however, revealed that many soldiers had been sanctioned for assaulting Nigerians who wore military camouflage.

Chibuisi said: “I’m surprised that in most briefs we give in our programmes, we always talk about this uniform issue because it keeps recurring.

“It’s against the law of the land. If you are not in the Armed Forces, please don’t use our uniform, whether you love it or not.

“But that is one part of it. Let people stop it. The other part is what we do, what our troops do when they see somebody dressed in a military uniform.

“You are supposed to just get the person to remove it, arrest the person and hand him over to the police, basically for prosecution.

“All these other things that come with it are not right. And we are doing sensitisation on them.

”Those that we find and there is evidence that they did that, we always sanction them sternly. And we will continue to do that.”

Kidnappers attack Shanono community in Kano

Published

6 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Kano

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Armed kidnappers attacked Shanono Local Government Area late Saturday night, attempting to abduct a prominent businessman and his two children.

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants stormed the town around 2:20 a.m., heavily armed with guns and other dangerous weapons. Residents reported hearing continuous gunfire near the victim’s residence as the kidnappers tried to seize him and his children.

However, the businessman and his children managed to escape the attack, frustrating the kidnappers’ efforts. One of the victims was injured during the incident and has been rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

This latest attack comes less than ten days after gunmen invaded Faruruwa town, also in the Shanono area, where they killed two people and abducted another.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Shanono Local Government Area, Hon. Abubakar Barau, through his spokesperson, Comrade Ammar Shanono, said security operatives have been deployed to the area to investigate the attack and ensure the safety of residents.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as efforts to track down the perpetrators continue.

Fresh explosion kills over five persons in Rivers

Published

6 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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At least five persons lost their lives in an explosion in a residential area in Omoku, headquarters of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State, on Saturday.

Fyneface Dumnamene, an environmentalist and executive director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.

It was gathered that the blast was said to have occurred in one of the rooms in a residential area used for storing illegally refined petroleum products.

According to Dumnamene, the occupants of the residence where the explosion occurred usually buy illegally refined kerosene and other products, store them, and resell them to members of the public.

The statement partly reads, “The incident occurred in the late hours of Saturday, April 26, by about 11 am, killing five persons, four females and one male, burnt beyond recognition.”

The Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, also confirmed the incident and casualties.

She explained the cause of the explosion.

According to her, “What really caused the fire was that a resident brought a cooking stove to the place and was preparing noodles, which ignited the fire.

Recall that in March two explosions rocked Rivers State.

The first explosion was at the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The second was at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa community, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Thereafter, President Bola Ahmed Tinubudeclared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as administrator on March 18, 2025.