You must pay the appropriate China visa fee at the cashier located at the CVAC. The Visa Centre accepts cash, debit cards and credit cards.
Note: Prices are listed as per exchange rate and are subject to change.
Passport – Your original passport with at least six months validity and two blank visa pages; including one photocopy of your passport’s data and photo page.
China visa application form – Download the application form, fill it out manually and sign it. (Take the completed application form along to the visa centre to submit your application).
One recently taken passport photo – full face, front view, bare-head, and against a light background (size: 48 x 33mm). Follow the Chinese Embassy photo guidelines.
Proof of legal status (only required if you’re not applying for the China visa in your country of citizenship).
Details of your visit to China: confirmed return ticket, proof of hotel reservation, etc.
If you’re going to stay with family or friends in China and cannot present the hotel confirmation, you need to provide an invitation letter. The letter must include the following:
Your personal information: name, gender, and date of birth.
Details of your planned trip to China: arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, accommodation arrangements etc.
Information of the inviting party: name(s), contact number, address, and relationship to you
If necessary, the consular officer may request you to provide additional documents or require an interview.
Where to Apply:
All China visa applications must be done at the China Visa Application Centres. You’ll find two located in Abuja and Lagos.
China Visa Application Process:
*Schedule an appointment to submit your application
*Once at the CVAC, scan your passport upon arrival
*Get a queue number for the submission of your application
*When your number is called, submit your application at the counter
*Receive a payment notice and pay the necessary fees at the cashier
*You will receive a pick-up form (a receipt detailing the information of your application and the expected date for your passport collection)
*Track the status of your China visa application via the CVAC’s website
Note: The consular officer has the final say on whether or not to grant your China visa as well as its validity, duration of stay and number of entries with regard to the specific conditions of the applicants.
Electricity tariff is going up across the country, and this is official. The 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have the mandate of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to effect the tariff increase from April.
These are: Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and Yola Electricity Distribution Company.
Consequent upon the NERC directive, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) residential customers R3 will now pay N47.09 per unit as against the current N27.20, while Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) customers in R3 category will pay N36.92 per unit instead of N26.50. Commercial customers C3 category will start paying N38.14 per unit instead of N24.63 and industrial customers of the IKEDC D3 category who are currently paying N25.82 per unit will henceforth pay N35.85 per unit.
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company residential (R3) customers who currently pay N27.11 per unit will start paying N48.12 per unit. NERC said the order was pursuant to Section 32 and 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act aimed at providing a cost reflective tariffs that ensures prices charged by licensees are fair to consumers.
The commission also directed the DisCos to complete settlement of market invoices. “All DisCos are obligated to settle their market invoices in full as adjusted and netted off by the applicable tariff shortfall,” NERC said, adding: “In the determination for compliance to the minimum remittance threshold in this Order, the commission shall consider verified receivables from MDAs for the settlement period and DisCos’ historical collection efficiency for MDAs.
“The commission shall hold the TCN responsible for deviation from the economic dispatch Order that adversely impact on the base weighed average cost of the wholesale of energy.” NERC last approved an upward review of tariff in July. The commission said the tariff adjustment was based on the relevant data it obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) such as average monthly inflation rate of 11.3 per cent, exchange rate of N309.97.
It also added that it obtained its data on inflation rate from the US rate of inflation, which projected 1.8 percent for the period of January to October 2019. It said that all DisCos are “obligated to settle their market invoices in full as adjusted and netted off by the applicable tariff shortfall.” It added:”in the determination for compliance to the minimum remittance threshold in this Order, the commission shall consider verified receivables from MDAs for the settlement period and DisCos’ historical collection efficiency for MDAs.
“The commission shall hold the TCN responsible for deviation from the economic dispatch Order that adversely impact on the base weighed average cost of the wholesale of energy. All FGN intervention from the financing plan of the PSRP for funding tariff shortfall shall be applied through NBET and the MO to ensure 100 percent settlement of invoices issued by market participants.Under this framework, the minimum market remittance by AEDC is determined after deducting the revenue deficient arising from tariff shortfall from the aggregate NBET and MO market invoices. AEDC shall be availed the opportunity to earn its revenue requirement only upon fully meeting the following obligations and subject to efficient operations.”
The increase in tariff is coming at a time the majority of Nigerians are displeased with the poor and epileptic supply from the Discos. The national grid collapses at will, disrupting socio-economic activities. Many households cannot afford to store food items in freezers while commercial and industrial companies spend huge sums to generate their own power, resulting in high production costs. Only last week, residents of Yenagoa stormed the streets to protest a blackout that left them without electricity for about 10 days.
Angry youths besieged the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company to drive home their grievances. The power company insisted it was struggling with a shortfall due to unpaid bills totaling running into billions of naira. Power output currently hovers around 4,000 megawatts.Electricity tariff is going up across the country, and this is official. The 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have the mandate of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to effect the tariff increase from April.
These are: Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and Yola Electricity Distribution Company.
Consequent upon the NERC directive, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) residential customers R3 will now pay N47.09 per unit as against the current N27.20, while Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) customers in R3 category will pay N36.92 per unit instead of N26.50. Commercial customers C3 category will start paying N38.14 per unit instead of N24.63 and industrial customers of the IKEDC D3 category who are currently paying N25.82 per unit will henceforth pay N35.85 per unit.
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company residential (R3) customers who currently pay N27.11 per unit will start paying N48.12 per unit. NERC said the order was pursuant to Section 32 and 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act aimed at providing a cost reflective tariffs that ensures prices charged by licensees are fair to consumers.
The commission also directed the DisCos to complete settlement of market invoices. “All DisCos are obligated to settle their market invoices in full as adjusted and netted off by the applicable tariff shortfall,” NERC said, adding: “In the determination for compliance to the minimum remittance threshold in this Order, the commission shall consider verified receivables from MDAs for the settlement period and DisCos’ historical collection efficiency for MDAs.
“The commission shall hold the TCN responsible for deviation from the economic dispatch Order that adversely impact on the base weighed average cost of the wholesale of energy.” NERC last approved an upward review of tariff in July. The commission said the tariff adjustment was based on the relevant data it obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) such as average monthly inflation rate of 11.3 per cent, exchange rate of N309.97.
It also added that it obtained its data on inflation rate from the US rate of inflation, which projected 1.8 percent for the period of January to October 2019. It said that all DisCos are “obligated to settle their market invoices in full as adjusted and netted off by the applicable tariff shortfall.” It added:”in the determination for compliance to the minimum remittance threshold in this Order, the commission shall consider verified receivables from MDAs for the settlement period and DisCos’ historical collection efficiency for MDAs.
“The commission shall hold the TCN responsible for deviation from the economic dispatch Order that adversely impact on the base weighed average cost of the wholesale of energy. All FGN intervention from the financing plan of the PSRP for funding tariff shortfall shall be applied through NBET and the MO to ensure 100 percent settlement of invoices issued by market participants.Under this framework, the minimum market remittance by AEDC is determined after deducting the revenue deficient arising from tariff shortfall from the aggregate NBET and MO market invoices. AEDC shall be availed the opportunity to earn its revenue requirement only upon fully meeting the following obligations and subject to efficient operations.”
The increase in tariff is coming at a time the majority of Nigerians are displeased with the poor and epileptic supply from the Discos. The national grid collapses at will, disrupting socio-economic activities. Many households cannot afford to store food items in freezers while commercial and industrial companies spend huge sums to generate their own power, resulting in high production costs. Only last week, residents of Yenagoa stormed the streets to protest a blackout that left them without electricity for about 10 days.
Angry youths besieged the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company to drive home their grievances. The power company insisted it was struggling with a shortfall due to unpaid bills totaling running into billions of naira. Power output currently hovers around 4,000 megawatts.
Multiple rockets was on Sunday launched at the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.
According to Daily Mail, reports suggested the rocket hit an apartment complex instead, killing civilians.
Residents of the Baghdad said three explosions rang out, heard inside the heavily-fortified Green Zone, home to the US Embassy and the seat of Iraq’s government.
This is following growing tension between the United States and the government of Iran over the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Soleimani, Iran’s preeminent military commander, was killed on Friday in a US drone strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport.
Soleimani’s death has stoked fears of a new war in the Middle East.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to revenge Soleimani’s killing, while President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would target 52 sites in the Islamic Republic if Tehran retaliates.
Kwara State Government Demolishes Saraki’s Home In Ilorin
The Kwara state government has demolished the Sarakis’ political home better known as ‘Ile Arúgbó’ in Ilorin.
247NNU learnt the building was demolished early Thursday after security operatives dispersed protesters, including aged women within the complex.
The state government had fixed midnight for the demolition exercise to avoid a clash with Saraki’s loyalists who had been keeping a vigil in the area.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the state governor, in December, 2019 announced his decision to revoke the late Olusola Saraki’s property owing to alleged illegality in its acquisition.
He said the land was originally designated for the construction of a secretariat and parking lot of the civil service clinic, but that it was unlawfully allocated to a private firm — Asa Investments Limited — without any record of payment to the state government.
But Bukola Saraki, former senate president, countered this statement, saying his late father lawfully acquired the land from the state government.
“The property had been rightfully allocated to my late father under the name of one of his companies, Asa Investment Limited, since the 1980s and contrary to the claim of the Governor, the land was properly allocated and a Right of Occupancy title issued on it,” Saraki said.
A coalition of groups from the 19 northern states and Abuja, have advocated for a Southern President in 2023.
This was contrary to claims by the Prof. Ango Abdullahi-led Northern Elders’ Forum that the region should retain the Presidency in 2023.
The former vice-chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, had said at a book launch in December 2019 that the rotation of the Presidency between the North and the South was the making of political parties to win elections.
He had said that the arrangement was encouraged by the Peoples Democratic Party which later jettisoned it under the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Abdullahi had said, “Go and check the constitution. There is no place it is written that the president of Nigeria will be rotated according to local governments, states or geopolitical zones.
“In fact, geopolitical zone does not exist in the constitution. Go and check,” he had said.
But on Wednesday, the coalition of youth groups, under the auspices of the Arewa Youth Assembly, urged their kinsmen to be magnanimous enough and give the southern part of the country, especially the South-South geopolitical zone, the chance to produce the Presidency in 2023.
They said in addition to shifting the 2023 presidency to the South-South, they were ready to support a youthful president within the age bracket of between 40 and 50 years.
The group declared that it was time to say no to recycled politicians in 2023, especially from the region.
The leader of the coalition, Mohammed Danlami, who addressed the press conference held at the Arewa House, Kaduna, said it would be unfair for the North not to relinquish political power to the South in 2023.
He noted that the position being taken by the youth at the moment might be hard as northerners but it was aimed at moving the nation forward.
The AYA leader said, “Arewa Youth Assembly has noticed a series of misleading comments being orchestrated by some political buccaneers over leadership factor that North should retain the national leadership come 2023.
“It is grossly unfair, malicious and wicked for all those fuelling or promoting this project. We say No!
“The North has occupied the leadership position of the country since independence, more than any other region.
“It is time for the South-South youths to produce the next president in 2023 to complete their eight years of leadership.
“We seek to redefine the role and leadership development process of the country.
“We are charting a new path to national rebirth to put an end to the issues of recycling old politician for leadership.
“Nigerian is a nation standing half in the light of progress and promise, and half in darkness of injustice.
“We live in a period of grave uncertainty. As things now stand, we have no idea where the nation would be heading to if the North retains power in 2023.
“The greatest challenge facing Nigeria today is that of leadership. Nigeria needs a leader that the people can identify with and who can inspire them to greater heights.
“We are calling for power shift to the South-South. We need leaders with vision and passion because sound and visionary political leadership is vital for Nigerian peaceful co-existence.
“With this timely intervention ahead of 2023, we are championing the course of youths within the age bracket of 40 to 50 years to lead Nigeria to the Promised Land.
“A vibrant youth who is detribalised; a youth who has vision enough to foresee the needs of the people and compassionate enough to match these needs with actions.”
The President said he is determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region.
He stated this in his New Year letter to Nigerians, which was released by the Presidency on Wednesday, January 1, 2020.
“I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be available in any future elections. But I am determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region, where several ECOWAS members go to the polls this year,” the President.
In his letter titled, ‘A Letter from the President at New Year’, President Buhari stated his primary concern is the security of the nation and the safety of its citizens.
Below is the full statement signed by President Buhari.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said he will leave office in 2023 and won’t contest in any future elections.
Buhari said he is a strong believer of democratic principles and will promote and sustain them in Nigeria and across West Africa.
He stated this in his New Year letter to Nigerians, which was released by the Presidency at 6am on Wednesday (today).
“I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be available in any future elections. But I am determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region, where several ECOWAS members go to the polls this year,” he said.
Titled ‘A Letter from the President at New Year’, and personally signed by him, Buhari stated that fighting corruption, improving the economy and combating insecurity would remain the planks of his regime in the new year.
The emphasis on leaving office in 2023 is apparently to clarify the speculation that there are underground moves to secure a third term for him after the completion of his current last term in 2023.
He also itemised what his regime had done since 2015 and would do in the years ahead to improve power supply, build roads/houses for Nigerians, develop agriculture, diversify the economy, create jobs, combat terrorism and promote democracy.
Among the new developments to expect in 2020 and ahead are “47 road projects scheduled for completion in 2020/21, including roads leading to ports” and many bridges.
Details:
My dear compatriots, today marks a new decade. It is a time of hope, optimism and fresh possibilities. We look forward as a nation to the new year as the opportunity to build on the foundations we have laid together on security, diversification of our economy and taking on the curse of corruption. These are the pledges on which I have been twice elected president and remain the framework for a stable, sustainable and more prosperous future.
Elections are the cornerstones of our democracy. I salute the commitments of the millions who voted in peace last February and of those leaders who contested for office vigorously but fairly, to the authority of the electorates, the Independent National Electoral Commission and Judicial process. I understand very well the frustrations our system has in the past triggered. I will be standing down in 2023 and will not be available in any future elections. But I am determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region, where several members go to the polls this year.
As Commander-in-Chief, my primary concern is the security of the nation and the safety of our citizens. When I assumed office in May 2015, my first task was to rally our neighbors so that we could confront Boko Haram on a coordinated regional basis. Chaos is not a neighbor any of us hope for.
We have been fighting on several fronts; violent extremists, cultists and organised criminal networks. It has not been easy, but as we are winning the war, we also look at the challenge of winning the peace, the reconstruction of lives, communities and markets. The North East Development Commission will work with Local and International stakeholders to help create a new beginning for the North East.
The Federal Government will continue to work with State Governors, Neighboring States and our international partners to tackle the root causes of violent extremism and network that help finance and organize terror. Our Security Forces will receive the best training and modern weaponry, and in turn will be held to the highest standards of professionalism, and respect for human rights. We will use all the human and emerging technological resources available to tackle Kidnapping, Banditry and Armed Robbery.
The new ministry of Police Affairs increased recruitment of officers and the security reforms being introduced will build on what we are already delivering. We will work tireless at home and with our allies in support of our policies to protect the security of lives and property. Our actions at all times will be governed by the rule of law. At same time, we shall look always to engage with all well-meaning leaders and citizens of goodwill to promote dialogue, partnership and understanding.
We need a democratic government that can guarantee peace and security to realize the full potentials of our ingenious, entrepreneurial and hard-working people. Our policies are designed to promote genuine, balanced growth that delivers jobs and rewards industry. Our new Economic Advisory Council brings together respected and independent thinkers to advise me on a strategy that champions inclusive and balanced growth, and above all fight poverty and safeguard National Economic Interests.
As we have sat down to celebrate with friends and family over this holiday season, for the first time in a generation our food plates have not all been filled with imports of products we know can easily be produced here at home. The revolution in agriculture is already a reality in all corners of the country. New agreements with Morocco, Russia and others will help us access on attractive terms the inputs we need to accelerate the transformation in farming that is taking place.
A good example of commitment to this inclusive growth is the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the creation of the National Action Committee to oversee its implementation and ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to allow us to fully capitalize on Regional and Continental Markets.
The Joint Land Border Security exercise currently taking place is meant to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and security. No one can doubt that we have been good neighbors and good citizens. We have been the helpers and shock absorbers of the sub-region but we can not allow our well-planned economic regeneration plans to be sabotaged. As soon as we are satisfied that the safeguards are adequate, normal cross-border movements will resumed.
Already, we are making key infrastructure investments to enhance our doing business. On transportation, we are making significant progress on key roads such as the second Niger Bridge, Lagos – Ibadan expressway and the Abuja – Kano Highway. 2020 will also see tangible progress on the Lagos – Kano rail line. Through Executive Order 007, we are also using alternative funding programs in collaboration with private sector partners to fix strategic roads such as the Apapa – Oworonshaki expressway. Abuja and Port Harcourt have new International Airport Terminals, as will Kano and Lagos in 2020. When completed, all these projects will positively impact business operations in the country. These projects are not small and do not come without some temporary disruption; We are doing now what should have been done a long time ago. I thank you for your patience and look forward to the dividends that we and future generations will long enjoy.
Power has been a problem for a generation. We know we need to pick up the pace of progress. We have solutions to help separate parts of the value chain to work better together. In the past few months, we have engaged extensively with stakeholders to develop a series of comprehensive solutions to improve the reliability and availability of electricity across the country. These solutions include ensuring fiscal sustainability for the sector, increasing both government and private sector investments in the power transmission and distribution segments, improving payment transparency through the development of smart meters and ensuring regulatory actions maximize service delivery.
We have in place a new deal with Siemens, supported by the German Government after German Chancellor Angela Markel visited us in Abuja, to invest in new capacity for generation, transmission and distribution. These projects will be under close scrutiny and transparency – There will be no more extravagant claims that end only in waste, theft and mismanagement.
The next twelve months will witness the gradual implementation of these actions, after which Nigerians can expect to see significant improvement in electricity service supply reliability and delivery. Separately, we have plans to increase domestic gas consumption. In the first quarter of 2020, we will commence work on the AKK Gas Pipeline, OB3 gas Pipeline and the expansion of the Escravos – Lagos Pipeline.
While we look to create new opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing and other long neglected sectors, in 2020 we will also realize increased value from Oil and Gas. Delivering a more competitive, attractive and profitable industry operating on commercial principles and free from political interference. Just last week, we were able to approve a fair framework for the USD 10 Billion expansion of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, which will increase exports by 35 per cent, restore our position as a world leader in the sector and create thousands of jobs. The amendment of the Deep Offshore Act in October signaled our intention to create a modern, forward-looking industry in Nigeria. I am confident that in 2020, we will be able to present a radical programme of reform for Oil and Gas that will excite investors, improve governance and strengthen protection for host communities and the environment.
We can expect the pace of change in technology only to accelerate in the decade ahead. Coupled with our young and vibrant population, this offers huge opportunities if we are able to harness the most productive trends and tame some of the wilder elements. This is a delicate balance with which many countries are struggling. We are seeking an informed and mature debate that reflects our rights and responsibilities as citizens in shaping the boundaries of how best to allow technology to benefit Nigeria.
During my Democracy Day Speech on June 12, 2019, I promised to lay the enduring foundations for taking a hundred million Nigerians out of mass poverty over the next ten years. Today, I restate that commitment. We shall continue reforms in education, healthcare, and water sanitation. I have met international partners such as GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation who support our social welfare programmes. I will continue to work with State and Local Governments to make sure that these partnerships deliver as they should. Workers will have a living wage and pensioners will be looked after. We are steadily clearing pensions and benefits arrears neglected for so long.
The New Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will consolidate and build on the social intervention schemes and will enhance the checks and balances for this set of programmes to succeed for the long term.
I am able to report that the journey has already begun with the passage and signing into law of the 2020 Appropriation Act. As the new decade dawns, we are ready to hit the ground running. Let me pay tribute to the 9th National Assembly who worked uncommonly long hours to make sure that the 20202 budget scrutiny is both thorough and timely. The close harmony between the Executive and the Legislature is a sharp contrast to what we have experienced in the recent past, when the senate kept the previous budget for seven months without good reason just to score cheap political points thereby disrupting the budgetary processes and overall economic development plans.
Our policies are working and the results will continue to show themselves more clearly by the day. Nigeria is the most tremendous, can-do market, offering extraordinary opportunities and returns. Investors can look forward with confidence not only to an increasing momentum of change but also to specific incentives, including our new visa-on-arrival policy.
They can also be certain of our unshakeable commitment to tackle corruption. As we create an environment that allows initiative, enterprise and hard work to thrive, it is more important than ever to call out those who find the rule of law and inconvenience, or independent regulation an irritation. We are doing our part here in Nigeria. We will continue to press our partners abroad to help with the supply side of corruption and have received some encouragement. We expect more funds stolen in the past to be returned to us and they will be ploughed back into development with all due transparency.
This is a joint initiative, where our policies have worked best, it has been because of the support of ordinary Nigerians in their millions, numbers that even the most powerful of special interests cannot defy. I thank you for your support, transition by its very nature carries with it change and some uncertainty along the way. I encourage you to be tolerant, law abiding and peace-loving. This is a new year and the beginning of a new decade – The Nigerian decade of prosperity and promise for Nigeria and for Africa.
To recapitulate, some of the projects Nigerians should expect to come upstream from 2020 include:
47 road projects scheduled for completion in 2020/21, including roads leading to ports; major bridges including substantial work on the 2nd Niger Bridge;
Completion of 13 Housing Estates under the National Housing Project Plan;
Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri and Enugu International Airports to be commissioned in 2020;
Launching of an Agricultural Rural Mechanization Scheme that will cover 700 Local Governments over a period of three years;
Launching of the Livestock Development Project Grazing Development in Gombe State where 200,000 hectares of land has been identified;
Training of 50,000 workers to complement the Country’s 7,000 extension workers;
Commissioning of the Lagos – Ibadan and Itakpe – Warri Rail Lines in the first quarter;
Commencement of the Ibadan – Abuja and Kano – Kaduna Rail Lines also in the first quarter;
Further liberalization of of the power sector to allow businesses to generate and sell power;
Commencement of the construction of the Mambilla Power Project by the fist half of 2020;
And commencement of the construction of the AKK Gas Pipeline and the expansion of the ESCRAVOS – Lagos Pipeline in the first quarter of 2020.
A woman has died after being set on fire during a hospital operation in Romania, the health ministry said Monday, in a case which has cast a spotlight on the ailing health system.
The pancreatic cancer patient died Sunday after suffering burns to 40 percent of her body when surgeons used an electrical scalpel despite her being treated with an alcohol-based disinfectant.
Contact with the flammable disinfectant caused combustion and the patient “ignited like a torch”, lawmaker Emanuel Ungureanu said on his Facebook page, citing medical staff at the capital’s Floreasca urgent care hospital.
A nurse threw a bucket of water onto the 66-year-old Romanian to prevent the December 22 fire from spreading.
The health ministry vowed to investigate the “unfortunate incident”.
“The surgeons should have been aware that it is prohibited to use an alcohol-based disinfectant during surgical procedures performed with an electric scalpel,” deputy minister Horatiu Moldovan said.
The victim’s family said the medical staff had spoken of an “accident”, but declined to offer details.
Despite some improvements due to increased funding, Romania’s hospital system still suffers from dilapidated equipment and a shortage of doctors, and finds itself at the heart of repeated scandals.
In a 2015 nightclub fire that killed 64 people — 26 on site and 38 others later — a former health minister stands accused of having delayed, and even blocked, the transfer of burn victims abroad.
They subsequently died in ill-equipped Romanian hospitals. An inquiry is still ongoing.
The suspects arrested for attempting to rob an old generation bank in Mpape, Abuja, on Saturday, have reportedly indicted some employees of the financial institution.
Our correspondent gathered that the suspects told police detectives during interrogation that they were invited to carry out the robbery by some employees of the bank.
While four gang members were apprehended, the number of bank workers in custody could not be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and soldiers from the Guards Brigade foiled the heist in Mpape, a settlement a few metres away from the highbrow Maitama District.
One of the suspects was gunned down, while four others were arrested.
The suspects had holed up in the banking hall for almost two hours until they were smoked out with teargas by security personnel, who condoned off all possible escape routes.
It was gathered that the suspects were invited to rob the Automated Teller Machines located on the bank premises.
It was believed that the ATMs were stashed with huge amounts of money to cater to customers’ cash needs during the Yuletide.
A police source, who is familiar with the investigation into the failed heist, informed PUNCH Metro that the bank workers in custody were trying hard to absolve themselves of blame.
“It is too early to give details, but so far, the suspects are claiming that they were given information about how to rob the bank by some of the workers. We are still working to verify their claims,” the officer said.
Our correspondent, who passed by the bank premises on Sunday, observed that the place was desolate with broken glasses everywhere.
Two armed policemen were seen chatting outside the building.
Meanwhile, the bank’s management said in a statement after the standoff between the robbers and security personnel that its workers and customers were safe.
“The immediate response by the police and military is very commendable and we truly appreciate them for their doggedness and commitment,” it stated.
Members of the ‘cabal’ in the presidency are not hungry individuals and do not deserve the public criticism they get, a presidential aide has said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also said it was improper to refer to the president’s advisers as a ‘cabal’ and it is not true that they influence critical decisions of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Mr Shehu made this known while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Christmas day.
Many Nigerians including the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, have said that there is a cabal of people who influence decisions taken by Mr Buhari and the presidency.
The men said to be members of the cabal include a relative of the president, Mamman Daura; an associate of the president, Isa Funtua; and the Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari.
Mrs Buhari has at several instances accused the men of controlling her husband.
She also recently accused Mr Shehu of receiving instructions from the cabal to the detriment of her husband and his immediate family. She asked him to resign or be relieved of his position.
Mr Shehu has refused to join words with the first lady but on Wednesday denied that the cabal members have a sinister motive.
He said contrary to the false belief that the cabal manipulates the president, ”they are respectable Nigerians who deserve respect because they have achieved a lot.”
“A lot of people who are being dragged into this cabal thing, they are respectable Nigerians who have achieved a lot for themselves and for the nation. They are not there as hungry people who are there to grab things for themselves,” he said.
He also said Nigerians should not brand persons close to President Buhari who have offered to serve the nation as members of a ‘cabal.’
“Nigerians have formed the practice by labeling people that are in some advisable positions of the president as a cabal.
“People (cabals) should not be labelled negatively simply because they have offered themselves to support the president of this country,” he said.
Godwin Emefiele, governor of Nigeria's central bank, speaks during the Nigeria Capital Markets and Banking Forum in London, U.K., on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017. The Nigerian government is looking to plug a 2017 budget deficit that it forecast at 2.3 trillion naira, or 2.2 percent of GDP following a revenue shortfall caused by the decline of output and price of oil, its main export. Photographer: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
The Central Bank of Nigeria has reduced charges on current account and some other services.
It stated that card maintenance fee on current account had been removed as the accounts already attracted account maintenance fee.
The CBN clarified charges that depositors should know about their accounts with their lenders in its revised guide to charges by banks, other financial and non-bank financial institutions.
Part of the provisions was that a graduated fee scale for electronic transfers would replace the current flat fee of N50.
Accordingly, transfers below N10,000 would attract a maximum charge of N10; transfer from N5,001 to N50,000 would attract N25; and transfers above N50,000 would attract N50.
Savings accounts would attract card maintenance fee of N50 per quarter from N50 per month.
Annual card maintenance fee on FCY denominated cards was reduced to $10 from $20.
Remote on ATM charges were reduced to N35 after third withdrawal within a month from N65.
The charge for hardware token will on cost recovery basis subject to a maximum of N2,500 from previous maximum charge of N3,500.
Fee for SMS mandatory alert will be on cost recovery from previous maximum charge of N4.
Bill payment via e-channels will attract a maximum charge of N500 from 0.75 per cent of transaction value subject to maximum of N1,200.
The Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Isaac Okorafor, said the guide would incentivise stakeholders, especially those making micro payments, to further embrace electronic banking channels, which would improve financial inclusion.
It would also reduce cost of banking services to customers to deepen access without much impact on bottom-line of regulated institutions under the purview of the bank, he stated.
He also said the Consumer Protection Regulations which were being released by the CBN alongside the revised Guide to Charges provided clarity on roles and responsibilities of all participants in the industry.
“It sets out minimum standards on fair treatment of consumers, disclosure and transparency, business conduct, complaint handling and redress in order to protect the rights of consumers, hold banks, other financial and non-bank financial institutions accountable and preserve trust in the entire financial system,” he said.
The CBN also stated in its guidelines on consumer protection that any bank that failed to acknowledge the complaints from depositors, will pay a fine of N2m, guidelines from the Central Bank of Nigeria, stated.
Besides, each week the bank refused to address customer’s complaints within the prescribed timelines, it would also attract a fine of N500,000 per week.
Part of the penalties for violation of the guidelines by institutions as stipulated by the CBN said, “Non-resolution of complaints within prescribed timelines attracts a penalty of N500,000 per complaint per week while the infraction subsists.
“Non-acknowledgment of complaints from customer or non-issuance of tracking numbers attracts N2m per complaint.
“Non-response to request or failure to comply with CBN directive attracts a penalty of N2m.”
Again, the CBN stated further that false or non-rendition of returns/reports, would attract N100,000 fine, in addition, N10,000 for each day the infraction continued.
“Failure to comply with other provisions of the Regulations not specified above shall attract sanctions provided in the CBN Act, the BOFIA, other enabling laws and regulations,” it stated.
On dispute resolution, the CBN said a complaint would only be escalated to the CBN if the complainant had exhausted the Institution’s Internal Dispute Resolution process.
It could also be escalated if an institution failed to acknowledge the complaint within three days.
The CBN added that it could be escalated if, “Within 90 days from the date of the receipt of a decision from an institution; If it is not undergoing the process of resolution or already considered and resolved by a recognised Alternative Dispute Resolution channel.
“If it is not under litigation or already adjudicated upon by a court of law, except where the aspect before the court is distinct from the matter brought to the CBN or where the court is dealing with the criminal aspect of the matter.”
