NEWS
NEC Committee to Liaise with Stakeholders on New NNPC Status

The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to set up a sub-committee that will liaise with the appropriate officials on the new status of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, briefed State House correspondents after a virtual NEC meeting on Thursday.
The virtual meeting, anchored from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“The governors at today’s council meeting also raised a few issues regarding the new status of the NNPC Limited, including issues around ownership.
“On the direction of the vice president, the council resolved to set up a sub-committee of council that will liaise with the appropriate Federal Government officials to look at all the issues that have arisen as implications of the new status of the NNPC Limited and also issues around the Petroleum Industry Act.
”In the same vein, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, also virtually briefed State House correspondents.
Sule said that the managing director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) updated NEC on various activities of the company, especially on the 2021 performance.
The governor said that the company delivered very impressive financial results underscoring the resilience of its strategy.
“For the 9th year in a row, the NSIA has consistently remained profitable; closing the year, 2021 with a performance of N153.8 billion which is slightly, 99.1 per cent below the 2020 figure of N156. 5 billion.
“The total comprehensive income declined marginally in 2021 by 8.2 per cent which actually closed at N160.1 billion.
“The NSIA has reached major milestone across domestic infrastructure in the year under review in terms of projects such as motorways, agriculture, healthcare, technology as well as industrialisation.
“The council resolution therefore accepted the report with commendation by all the members of the council to the management and board of NSIA for a very impressive performance.’’
Sule said that the vice president expressed deep appreciation to all the governors and council members for the several get-well wishes sent to him. (NAN)
JUDICIARY
Teenager Gets 10 Strokes Of Cane For Stealing Electric Cables

A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday ordered that a teenager, be given 10 strokes of the cane for breaking into a house and stealing electrical cables worth N450, 000.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, gave the sentence following a guilty plea by the 18-year-old now convict who resides at Kinkinau Kaduna.
Emmanuel said that the light punishment was because the convict saved the court from a prolonged trial, adding that he hoped that it would serve as a deterrent to others.
He also ordered that the recovered electrical cables be returned to the complainant, Sadiq Yusuf.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the convict committed the offence on May 17 at Ungwan sarki Kaduna.
He said the convict and one Mohammed Sani, now attack large, broke into the complainant’s house and stole the electrical cables worth N450, 000.
Leo said the convict was arrested when a neighbour to the complainant saw him coming out of the house with the stolen items.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN)
CRIME
Woman In Court For Allegedly Stabbing Boyfriend With Knife

A 23-year-old woman, Abigail Victor, was on Wednesday arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend with a knife.
Victor, a resident of Ungwan Sunday, Kaduna, was facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and causing injury.
The Prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 17 at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.
Leo said the defendant conspired with two others at large to beat her boyfriend, Dominic James, and also stab him with a knife in his shoulder.
He said the defendant, who had a misunderstanding with the complainant, accused him of cheating on her.
“In the process, she called two of her friends who came to the complainant’s house, beat him up and stabbed him.
“It took the intervention of neighbours who came to the aid of the complainant and rushed him to a hospital.
“The offences contravene Sections 58 and 284 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
“Section 58 attracts a one-year prison term if found guilty, while Section 284 attracts a prison term of not less than five years if found guilty,” he said.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
He said the surety must be a blood relation to the defendant and must present a three year tax clearance to the Kaduna State Government.
Emmanuel adjourned the case until June 17 for hearing. (NAN)
Metro
First Lady Urges Nigerians to Embrace Cultural Diversity, Promote Unity

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to embrace their cultural diversity and promote unity and respect within the diverse nation.
The first lady made the call in her message on Wednesday in commemoration of the 2025 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
“The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, highlights the profound strength that lies our differences and the shared humanity that connects us all.
”There is indeed strength and unity in diversity.
“Nigeria for example is blessed with over 250 ethnic groups, each speaking a different language, but it is through our dialogue, our interactions, and our mutual respect that we find true identity and unity.
“On this day, I encourage every Nigerian to celebrate our cultural richness, to listen with empathy, and to lead with understanding.
“Let us embrace this journey together and shape a brighter future for Nigeria and the world,” Mrs Tinubu said.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated every year on May 21, to raise awareness on the role of Culture in sustainable socio-economic growth and development. (NAN)