| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No/Web link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 8th December 2021 | Kwara Governor Signs Gender Composition Bill into Law | Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Tuesday, 7th December in Ilorin, signed a bill titled: ‘Political Offices (Gender Composition) Bill 2021’, to ensure that women get 35 per cent representation and appointment in the State. Speaking at a women empowerment programme tagged: ‘Cracking the glass ceiling’, held at Ilorin Township Stadium, the governor stated that the purpose of signing the bill was to further ensure that the trend of women inclusivity is sustained. The event also commemorated the United Nations 16 days of activism against gender-based violence which started on 25th November. The Governor, who stated that the programme was aimed to bring to the fore the impacts women can make when given a fair competitive chance in all spheres of endeavour, added that the event provided the opportunity to celebrate women, especially Kwara women, who have carved a niche for themselves in their respective callings. Abdulrazaq also stated that there should be no limit to the dream and aspirations of every woman and girl irrespective of their religion or socio cultural leanings. It will be recalled that the Governor appointed women contituting 56.25 percent of his cabinet. Also speaking, the wife of the Governor, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, stated that he appointed 50 percent women as permanent secretaries, with a woman as the Head of Civil Service of the State, to also promote women inclusion. | Kwara State, Political Offices (Gender Composition) Bill 2021 | |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, 8th December 2021 | Buhari Transmits 2021 Finance Bill to National Assembly | The Senate on Tuesday, 7th December 2021, received the Finance Bill 2021, transmitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. The request by the President seeking the passage of the bill into law was contained in a letter dated December 7, 2021, and read at plenary by President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan. Buhari in the letter explained that the request for the passage of the bill was made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. He explained that the Finance Bill, 2021, seeks to support the implementation of the 2022 Federal Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability by proposing key reforms to specific taxation, customs, excise, fiscal and other relevant laws. The President added that the bill provides for enhanced Domestic Revenue Mobilisation efforts to increase tax and non-tax revenues; and ensure Tax Administration and Legislative Drafting Reforms, particularly to support the ongoing automation reforms by the Federal Inland Revenue Service. | Finance Bill 2021, National Assembly | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/12/08/buhari-transmits-2021-finance-bill-to-nassembly/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 6th December 2021 | Electoral Act Amendment: INEC Replies Buhari, Advises President to Assent Bill | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replied President Mohammadu Buhari’s letter he wrote to the electoral body seeking the Commission's opinion on the Electoral Bill transmitted to him by the National Assembly. According to a reliable source in the Presidency, it was INEC’s considered opinion that the bill contains substantial provisions that would lay a solid foundation for important improvements in the electoral process. INEC's position was conveyed in its response to the President’s request for the view of the Commission on the Electoral Bill 2021. In a letter dated November 29th, 2021 and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the President had requested the INEC Chairman and the office of the Vice President, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Finance and the Inspector General of Police to provide considered views on the bill by Friday December 3, 2021. Contrary to information in public domain that the President requested for comments on specific sections of the bill, it was gathered that INEC and the ministries and agencies were not requested to comment on any specific clause of the bill or provide cost implication of implementing any clause in the bill. The source disclosed that INEC highlighted important provisions of the bill capable of deepening public trust, public confidences and overall credibility of the elections and the electoral process. The Commission also highlighted landmark proposals in the bill that would radically improve the quality of elections. INEC stated in its response that, “An accelerated assent to the bill will facilitate the preparation of major elections such as the FCT municipal area council elections, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and the 2023 general elections.” It therefore urged the President not to hesitate in signing the bill on electoral reforms. The President has until December 19, to assent or decline. The big issue is if the National Assembly goes on recess on December 15, they would resume in the third week of January next year. | Electoral Bill, INEC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/12/06/electoral-act-amendment-inec-replies-buhari-advises-president-to-assent-bill/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 6th December 2021 | APC Sweeps All Seats in Ekiti LG Polls | The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has swept all the 35 available chairmanship seats and 176 of the 177 councilorship seats in the local government elections held in Ekiti State on Saturday, 4th December 2021. The elections were held across the 16 local governments and the 19 Local Council Development Areas, as well as the 177 wards. The main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), had boycotted the election, claiming that the APC is incapable of organising any free and fair election , devoid of violence. Six political parties that participated are: Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress(APC), National Rescue Movement(NRM), and Young Progressives Party (YPP). Declaring the results on Sunday, 5th December 2021, the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Jide Aladejana, stated that the APC also won 176 out of the 177 councilorship seats available in the elections. Aladejana added that the councilorship election in Erinjiyan ward has been postponed due to alleged violence that broke out during the poll in the town. He appreciated the security agencies and the staff of the Commission, as well as the Ekiti electorate for participating in the poll and for the successful conduct of the elections. | Ekiti State, Local Government Elections | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/12/06/apc-sweeps-all-seats-in-ekiti-lg-polls/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 6th December 2021 | Anger, Dismay Across Nigeria Over UK’s Red Listing of Country | In a policy many have described as racist, misguided and discriminatory, Britain’s ban on Nigerians from travelling to the United Kingdom (UK), while allowing many western countries, where Omicron is also present is sparking fury among Nigerians across the country who are stoutly condemning the British government’s action, accusing it of racism. They wonder how the British government came to such drastic measure especially when it is not supported by science. The same feeling was evident amongst the nation’s leaders who have equally expressed shock and consternation at Britain’s selective red listing of Nigeria and South Africa, their largest Commonwealth allies. Rather than seek to work with its Commonwealth allies, Britain decided to isolate these countries’ citizens for punishment through the ban. Britain’s outright ban is however in sharp contrast to that of the United States Government, whose response to the Omicron variant, has received sweeping commendation across board, for not banning travellers outright, but insisting they must produce evidence of a negative test result at the point of departure, as well as a day-two test result after arrival in their country. Expectedly, many Nigerians are livid and have started to urge their leaders to reciprocate the poor treatment to the UK by banning their national carrier, the British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights in addition to British citizens from Africa. | United Kingdom, Nigeria, Omicron Variant | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/12/06/anger-dismay-across-nigeria-over-uks-red-listing-of-country/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 6th December 2021 | 2023: Persuade Other Zones for Presidency, Anyim, Ezeife Urge South East | A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, a former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and a host of other stakeholders, have advised the Southeast zone to persuade other geo-political zones to support them to achieve a presidency of the Igbo extraction in 2023. They stated this on Saturday, 4th December at the United For Better Nigeria Initiative (UBNI) National Convention in Abuja. However, Anyim, while speaking at the UBNI convention, stated that it was neither a right nor legal for the South East to demand Igbo presidency in 2023. He therefore explained thus: “So, the approach, the language will be to persuade others to see reason with you that morally, they should support you to take a turn since it rotates.” Anyim encouraged the Southeast that as they go ahead advocating Igbo presidency, it should be with an attitude of persuasion. | South East, 2023 Presidency | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/12/06/2023-persuade-other-zones-for-presidency-anyim-ezeife-urge-seast/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, 9th December 2021 | Buhari Visits Lagos Today | President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to visit Lagos State today, Thursday, 9th December 2021. The visit was announced in a statement by Tunde Rahman, media aide to the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu. According to Rahman, the President will be a special guest of honour at the public presentation of “My Participations,” which is the autobiography of the former interim chairman of the APC, Bisi Akande, at an event that would hold at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island. According to the statement, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu would be the chief host while Tinubu will be the guest of honour at the event. In addition, President Buhari is also expected to commission some projects while in Lagos State. Ahead of the visit, the state government had announced that the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, would be shut for four hours today. | President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 6th December 2021 | Senate Unravels N34b in Account Allegedly Held by PEF, Non-Remittance of N182m Interest | The Senate has uncovered N34 billion in a fixed deposit account allegedly traced to the management of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and non-remittance of N182 million interest. The agency only remitted N82 million, while withholding N100 million from an interest of N34 billion in various banks. The discovery by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, was based on a 2016 Auditor General’s report, currently being considered by the Committee. The management of PEF declined to appear before the committee for a meeting on Wednesday, 1st December. The new management of Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission is expected to respond to the allegation, since the Federal Government has scrapped the Fund, following signing of the Petroleum Industrial Act. The query reads: “At the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, it was revealed that in 2015, the board placed the sum of N34,003,057,534.22 in fixed deposit accounts in various banks, which yielded interest in the sum of N182,400,810.74. However, the board remitted only the sum of N82,263,824.31 to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, leaving a balance of N100,136,986.43 unaccounted for. This act is in contravention of the provision of Financial Regulation 222, which stipulates that interest earned on bank accounts must be properly classified to the appropriate revenue head of accounts and paid to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The Executive Secretary should remit the outstanding interest yield of N100,136,986.43 immediately to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and furnish evidence of remittance for verification. Failure to comply should attract appropriate sanctions, in line with Financial Regulation 3112, which stipulates that where an officer fails to give satisfactory reply to an audit query within seven days for his failure to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer handed over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).” | Senate, Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) | https://guardian.ng/news/senate-unravels-n34b-in-account-allegedly-held-by-pef-non-remittance-of-n182m-interest/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 9th December 2021 | Sanwo-Olu Postpones ‘Walk for Peace’ Over Omicron Fears | Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended preparations for the peace walk he called for as the state records more cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus. Sanwo-Olu called for the peace walk on November 30, hours before the State released a white paper on the reports submitted by a judicial panel that investigated cases of police brutality in the State and the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on the evening of October 20, 2020. According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, “Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.” | Lagos State, Walk for Peace, Omicron | https://guardian.ng/breakingnews/sanwo-olu-postpones-walk-for-peace-over-omicron-fears/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, 9th December 2021 | Senate to Amend Standing Rules | The Senate has hinted it would amend the 2015 Senate Standing Orders. Senate President Ahmad Lawan made the disclosure on Wednesday, 8th December 2021 during plenary. He stated that the decision to amend the Senate Rules was to enable the chamber operate better. He explained that the amendment would allow the Senate to accommodate committees created under the Eighth Assembly that were not captured in the Orders. He stated thus: “It is inevitable. The Standing Orders, as they are today, have to be amended for us to be up to date with everything we do here.” | Senate, Standing Rules | |
| Punch Newspaper | Thursday, 9th December 2021 | States Grumble as FG Slashes N36bn COVID-19 Fund | Thirty-six states of the Federation have faulted the Federal Government’s handling of N36 billion international fund meant to combat COVID-19. The PUNCH learnt that at a meeting of State commissioners of health and federal health officers, which started on Tuesday, 7th December and ended early on Wednesday, 8th December. State governments opposed the Federal Government over the distribution of the N36 billion international fund. The World Bank Board of Directors had on 7th August 2020 approved a $114.28 financing to help Nigeria prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 with a specific focus on state level responses. The World Bank stated that through the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project, the government of Nigeria would provide grants to 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory as immediate support to break the chain of COVID-19 local transmission and limit the spread of coronavirus through containment and mitigation strategies. | COVID-19 Fund | |
| Punch Newspaper | Thursday, 9th December 2021 | Bamidele Notifies Senate on Governorship Bid | The Chairman of Southern Senators' Forum and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has notified the senators elected on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) about his intention to contest the 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State. The Senator, in a letter to the APC senators dated December 5, 2021 stated that he has what it takes to lead Ekiti State, having served in the legislative, executive and judiciary arms of government in the country. Bamidele, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, sought the support of his colleagues and pledged to move Ekiti State forward as governor. The Senator stated thus: “I have what it takes to lead Ekiti State in such a peculiar time like this, following my over 35 years in various leadership positions and brilliant exposure in the three arms of government." | Senator Opeyemi Bamidele | |
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 8th December 2021 | Governors Will Back NPC For Successful 2022 Census – Fayemi | Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, has stated that governors will support the conduct of the 2022 National Population Census, describing the exercise as vital to the socio-economic index of the country. He stated this when the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra, led South West federal commissioners and some principal officers in the Commission on an advocacy visit to him in Ado Ekiti. The Governor maintained that the exercise was of utmost priority to the governors and would be given the needed assistance to ensure that the process was conducted scientifically to avoid manipulation and human error. He assured the Commission of the support of his colleagues in the area of sensitisation, mobilisation, and provision of security, accommodation and logistics for effective deployment of personnel across the States. | Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Population Census | https://dailytrust.com/governors-will-back-npc-for-successful-2022-census-fayemi |
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 8th December 2021 | Plateau Deputy Majority Leader Resigns | The Deputy Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Philip Dasun, has resigned, citing personal reasons. Dasun, a strong ally of the impeached Speaker, Abuk Nuhu Ayuba, announced his resignation on Tuesday, 7th December 2021. While fielding questions from journalists, Dasun stated that, “Change is part and parcel of everything in life”. On the recent crisis between his faction of the House and that of the current Speaker, he stated thus: “We have had some level of conflict but the House is now in order; we are all back and considering the fact that we have lost one of us there is no need of further conflict. This is enough lesson.” However, the House Majority Leader, Naa’anlong Daniel, in an interview with newsmen, stated that his former deputy had to resign because of certain decisions by the party. | Plateau State House of Assembly, Deputy Majority Leader | https://dailytrust.com/plateau-deputy-majority-leader-resigns |
| DailyTrust Online | Wednesday, 8th December 2021 | COVID-19: FG Says 109 Million Nigerians Will Be In Poverty By 2022 | The Federal Government on Tuesday, 7th December 2021, stated that the total number of poor Nigerians would be about 109 million by the end of next year. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, stated that 11 million Nigerians were likely to fall into poverty by the end of 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She spoke in Abuja at the ongoing National COVID-19 Summit with the theme: ‘Pushing through the Last Mile to End the Pandemic and Build Back Better.’ The Minister represented by Director-General, Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, stated that before the pandemic, about two million Nigerians were expected to fall into poverty by 2020 as population growth outpaced economic growth. She further stated that with COVID-19, the recession pushed an additional 6.6 million Nigerians into poverty in 2020, bringing the total newly poor to 8.6 million in the same year. She explained that, “This implies an increase in the total number of the poor in Nigeria from about 90 million in 2020 to about 109 million in 2022.” She cited vulnerable employment; receiving fewer remittances and being close to the poverty line, as being responsible for the increase in poverty. | COVID-19, Poverty | https://dailytrust.com/covid-19-fg-says-109m-nigerians-ll-be-in-poverty-by-2022 |