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| THISDAY LIVE | 8 JAN 2025 | Ondo Cult Clash: Police arrest 19 suspects, laments proliferation of fire arms | The new Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Wilfred Afolabi, yesterday, revealed that 19 suspects had been arrested in connection with Sunday’s cult clash in Owo, Owo Local Government Area of the state. THISDAY reported that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, had Monday ordered a dawn-to-dusk curfew in the town till further notice, following the cult clash and unrest in the community. However, CP Afolabi while speaking with journalists at the command headquarters in Akure upon his assumption of office as the 45th commissioner of police in the coastal state, said aside the 19 suspects, efforts were ongoing to arrest other miscreants, having connection with the killing. Afolabi, who had earlier went for an on-the-spot assessment of the crime scene of the violent cult attack that left four persons dead said peace has been restored to the affected areas, which included Eyin Ogbe, Iselu, Ijebu Owo, and Palace area, amongst others. Consequently, the police boss assured the people that those arrested would be made to face the full weight of the law, stressing that level of compliance with the curfew imposed on the town by the state government was satisfactory. “So far, 19 suspects have been arrested in connection with the crisis. Investigations are ongoing to determine their level of involvement in the incident. Life is precious and we will make sure that justice is dispensed over the Owo matter. “There is proliferation of firearms in the hands of people, who aren’t supposed to be in possession of them. And that’s why we are experiencing clashes here and there. “But, we will work assiduously to make sure that such people are dispossessed of the firearms so that the state can be made safe and conducive for people to live.” Afolabi, however, issued a stern warning to miscreants and potential criminals to stay away from the state, emphasising the command’s resolve to rid the state of all forms of crimes and criminality. | ONDO; CULT; OWO | THISDAY | ||||
| THISDAY LIVE | 8 JAN 2025 | Nigeria & Ghana move to strengthen ties as top government officials grace Mahama’s inauguration | President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday led former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and as many as 10 State Governors to the inauguration of John Mahama as the new President of Ghana. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, alongside governors of Taraba, Plateau, Zamfara, Delta States, Osun, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed and others were all guests of the newly sworn in President. In his speech, Tinubu declared that the African continent would not allow any outside forces to disrupt the peace achieved by past heroes through their blood, sweat and lives. The president, who spoke as a special guest at the inauguration of President John Mahama of Ghana in Accra, however, called on African leaders to guard against external forces infiltrating their ranks. Mahama returned to the office he held eight years ago following his commanding victory in December elections. Now 66, he trounced the ruling-party’s candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia amid voter anger over economic hardship exacerbated by Ghana’s 2022 sovereign-debt default. | GHANA; NIGERIA; INAUGURATION | THISDAY | ||||
| CHANNELS TV | 8 JAN 2025 | ICPC charges El-Rufai’s former finance Commissioner with money laundering | The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed charges against a former commissioner of finance under the administration of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Bashir Saidu, over alleged financial misappropriation and money laundering. The embattled former commissioner was arrested some weeks ago by the Kaduna State Police command over allegations of diversion of public funds, and was later remanded at the correctional centre in the Kaduna State capital. An Assistant legal officer at ICPC, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, filed the case against the former finance commissioner at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday. He was charged alongside a staff of the Ministry of Finance, Ibrahim Muktar. | ICPC; EL RUFAI; KADUNA; MINISTRY OF FINANCE | CHANNELSTV | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 8 JAN 2025 | UNI ABUJA VC FRACAS: 43 professors ask Tinubu to dissolve Governing Council, cite manipulation of selection process | Forty-three professors at the University of Abuja have asked President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita-led governing council of the university, citing alleged manipulation of the selection process for the university’s vice chancellor. This comes as the professors sent a strong delegation to meet with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, yesterday, to register their grievances. In a petition sighted by The Guardian, dated January 2, 2025 and sent to the visitor of the institution, President Tinubu, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, they urged Tinubu to nullify all decisions taken by the council, warning that failure to act would set a dangerous precedent for other universities. Titled, ‘Complaint regarding the manipulation of Vice-Chancellor appointment processes at the University of Abuja’, they passed a vote of no confidence on the council and called for a reconstitution of a new one. The dons accused the governing council of manipulating the selection process in favour of Prof Aisha Sani Maikudi. Recall that Maikudi was, on December 31, declared the substantive V.C. of the institution by the Kaita-led council. | UNIABUJA; TINUBU; GOVERNING COUNCIL | GUARDIAN | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 8 JAN 2025 | Opposition mounts as more Northern groups reject tax reform bills, demand inclusive policies | The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Gombe State Chapter, in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other key stakeholders, yesterday, rejected the Tax Reform Bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu. The group urged lawmakers, particularly those representing Northern Nigeria, to oppose the reforms, and called for broader consultations to develop inclusive and sustainable economic policies. In a statement issued after a town hall meeting held at Gombe State University, Co Muhammed Usman Deba, Coordinator of CNG Gombe State, Muhammed Usman Deba, representing Voice for Rural Women, and Lawal Idris Lawantee, Acting Chairman of CSOs, enunciated their concerns and recommendations. The meeting, themed “Tax Reform Bills: A Catalyst for Economic Growth or a Burden on the People?”, brought together policymakers, academics, civil society leaders, youth groups, and concerned citizens to examine the implications of the proposed tax reform bills. While restating its opposition, the group cited the bills’ potential to aggravate prevailing socio-economic challenges, particularly in Northern Nigeria. It noted that proposed pieces of legislation had equally faced significant opposition from various stakeholders, including the National Economic Council, Northern Governors’ Forum, and other prominent groups. A major concern, according to the group, is the proposed amendment to the Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution formula. Under the current system, VAT revenue is allocated based on the location of a company’s headquarters and tax office, rather than where the goods and services are consumed. A statement issued by the gathering reads in part: “The Federal Government should halt the proposed VAT increases, and instead reduce the current VAT rate to per cent. This reduction will provide relief to citizens and businesses while encouraging economic activities. | OPPOSITION; NORTH; TAX REFORM BILL; | GUARDIAN | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 8 JAN 2025 | Borno Attack: Many soldiers missing as death toll rises | Four days after Boko Haram terrorists overran a military base in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State, many soldiers are still unaccounted for, credible security sources have revealed. Fighters, in their large numbers, carried out the attack around 4pm on Saturday at the Forward Operating Base, Sabon Gari area. The military in Maiduguri and Abuja and the Borno State government have not said anything on the incident yet. But sources within the military told our correspondent yesterday that the casualty figure has continued to rise as more bodies are being recovered by the military search team. “More bodies are being recovered, some died on their way to hospital in Maiduguri, while many soldiers and vigilantes are unaccounted for, missing in action (MIA). “It’s too early to tell how many people we have lost because we are still counting. I cannot tell you the exact number of the soldiers and vigilantes or the identity of the officers killed, but we have recovered over 12 dead bodies,” said the source. Another credible military source said: “The attack was on Forward Operations Base of 25TF Brigade located in Sabon Gari, Damboa LGA. The base is responsible for securing southern Damboa, especially curtailing the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP from Yobe to Chibok and Gwoza axis. | BORNO; MILITARY BASE; BOKO HARAM | GUARDIAN | ||||
| VANGUARD | 9 JAN 2025 | NASS laments poor implementation of 2024 budget, requests more funds for capital projects | THE National Assembly has taken a swipe at the federal government over poor implementation of capital projects in 2024 budget, saying the situation was unpalatable. It also expressed serious concern over the huge discrepancies in the size of recurrent expenditure, relative to capital expenditure and the low level of fund releases for capital projects for ministries, Ddepartments and agencies, MDAs, in the 2024 budget currently ongoing. Consequently, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have asked the economic team to, as a matter of urgency, release more funds for capital projects, so that a great majority of Nigerians could feel the impact of government. The decisions of the National Assembly were sequel to a joint sitting of the chairmen of Senate and House Committees on Appropriations and the Presidential Economic Team on the consideration of 2025 Appropriation Bill, with Senator Olamilekan Adeola, APC, Ogun West, and Abubakar Bichi, chairmen of Senate and House committees, respectively, presiding. The position of the National Assembly was taken after the report of the economic team, led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, showed that overall, so far, only 25% of capital expenditure was implemented, against 43% for recurrent. In his remarks, the chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Adeola, said he was an advocate of drastically reducing the ratio of recurrent expenditure to capital in the budget from the present level of about 80% for recurrent and 20% for capital to at least 60% to 40%. He stressed that capital projects in the budget and their implementation remained a major spur for economic growth and direct impact on the people. Adeola said: “Capital releases to MDAs are the major drivers of economic activities within the nation. Non release of funds for capital projects is a major issue in the performance of 2024 budget so far and it is desirable that funds are released to prevent abandoned projects and ensure the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.” | NASS; BUDGET; CAPITAL PROJECT; | VANGUARD | ||||
| VANGUARD | 9 JAN 2025 | House of Reps Public Accounts Committee demands 2022 consolidated financial statement, rebukes Accountant General for low performance | The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has charged the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Shakirat Madein to submit the 2022 Consolidated financial statement of the Federal Government to the Auditor General of the Federation in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution. This is also as the Committee expressed concern at the low implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget, which the Accountant General put at twenty-five per cent, which the committee observed was not helping the attainment of desired economic growth. These were some of the outcomes of an interactive engagement between the office of the Accountant General and the Public Accounts Committee led by Rep Bamidele Salam on Tuesday in Abuja. He said: “It is regrettable that from recent studies conducted in Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda, Nigeria is still lagging in submission and consideration of audit reports largely due to the non-submission of Financial statements by the Accountant Generals office as required by law. While considering the submissions of the Accountant General on the low revenue remittances by many government-owned enterprises, the PAC Chairman said there was a need for stricter measures to block revenue leakages through automation of processes and regular audit exercises. The House Committee also asked the Accountant General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior to immediately resolve all outstanding issues on the non automation of revenue collections from Foreign missions in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the process. The committee Chairman disclosed that the 2021 Auditor Generals report which was recently submitted to the National Assembly will receive accelerated consideration immediately after the passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill currently before the House. Earlier in her speech, the Accountant General of the Federation attributed the delay in the submission of the consolidated financial statement to lack of sufficient data of government revenue from the Central Bank of Nigeria. While assuring that efforts are at advanced stage to get the CBN submit necessary information, the Accountant General gave an undertaking to conclude the exercise within two months. Madein informed the committee of several initiatives of her office to strengthen existing regulations and initiate new ones to promote greater accountability in public expenditure management. | HOUSE OF REPS; BUDGET; ACCOUNTANT GENERAL; PUBLIC ACCOUNTS | VANGUARD | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 9 JAN 2025 | Media awash as Bauchi govt budgets N400 million to procure six computers for SSG’s office | The Bauchi State Government has proposed N400 million in its 2025 budget to purchase six computers for the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The state government also budgeted N1 billion for the “purchase of land for the construction of offices and buildings.” It will also spend N170 million to buy a generator to power the SSG’s office. A public affairs analyst, Ibrahim Musa, faulted the proposed allocations, describing them as misplaced priorities amid the biting hardship facing Nigerians due to the government’s economic policies. He said: “Everyone would believe that prudence will start from different levels of the government, but this appears to be the reverse. We have seen several inflated figures of capital expenditure from this government. “The state government is asking citizens to sacrifice by adjusting their living conditions. On the other hand, you see the same government engaging in wastage. How can you convince a man who has no food on his table that you’re buying six computers at the cost of N400 million? “This amount can be used to build about six primary healthcare facilities where service delivery could be taken closer to Nigerians. This is what the government is buying yearly and has become a recurring expenditure.” Musa encouraged the Bauchi State Government to avoid wastage and prioritise projects that will positively impact the lives of the citizens. His words: “We want to be aggressive in these last two years. We want to do the best we can. The people of Nasarawa State expect a lot, and we are also seeing a lot coming to us, and we want to do the best.” Sule revealed that the incompetency of most of his appointees was responsible for the recent dissolution of his cabinet. He urged the permanent secretaries to always seek clarification whenever they encounter challenges. | BAUCHI GOVT; BUDGET; | GUARDIAN | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 9 JAN 2025 | EFCC moves to rid the Commission of corruption, dismisses 27 operatives, detains 10 for theft | The officers were arrested last week in connection with the theft of some operational items unaccounted for. The commission on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, stated that the 10 officers detained were from the Lagos Zonal Command of the agency. EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated that the 10 officers were being detained in respect to the investigation of some missing items involving them. Oyewale said the action was an ongoing effort to sweep EFCC clean of corrupt tendencies. The officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede answered questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for. “Investigators are making good progress, and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes,” Oyewale said. The EFCC recently dismissed 27 officers from its workforce. The action was taken to enforce integrity and rid the anti-graft agency of fraudulent elements. The officers were dismissed 2024 for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Oyewale, on Monday, stated that the officers’ dismissal, followed the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, which was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption. He warned that no officer was immune to disciplinary measures. “Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of yet-to-be-identified supposed staff members of the EFCC against a Sectional Head,” he said. “The core values of the Commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.” | EFCC; CORRUPTION; | GUARDIAN | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 9 JAN 2025 | Ondo State to hold LG elections across its 18 LGAs on Jan 18, 2025 | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State has officially unveiled its candidates for the council elections in the area. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the LGA elections is scheduled for Jan. 18 across the 18 LGA’s in the state. Mr Bode Ikulala, APC Chairman in Okitipupa LGA, on Wednesday in Okitipupa, officially presented Mr Soga Ogunsakin and Mr James Orimisan Ogunyemi as the APC Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates for the election. Ikulala also presented to the party stakeholders and members the 13 councilorship candidates who would be vying for seats in the forthcoming LGA election. The chairman said that he had confidence in the ability of the APC candidates to deliver victory for the party in the forthcoming election. According to him, the party’s candidates have impressive credentials and track record of service to the community, assuring that they would bring value to the people of Okitipupa if elected. Ikulala also commended the party’s leadership for their efforts in ensuring a peaceful and transparent primary election process. He said that the presentation of its candidates officially flagged off the APC’s campaign for the Okitipupa LGA election. “The party is expected to engage in a series of campaign activities, including rallies, town hall meetings, and door-to-door canvassing, to mobilise support for its candidates,” Ikulala said. Meanwhile, Ogunsakin, who spoke on behalf of other candidates thanked the party leadership and stakeholders for the opportunity to serve. He promised to run an all inclusive and transparent administration if elected, pledging to prioritise the welfare and development of the people of Okitipupa LGA. “We express gratitude to the party leadership and promised to work tirelessly to ensure victory for the party in the election,” Ogunsakin said. NAN reports that in attendance at the event were Mr Segun Aiyerin, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Femi Agagu, a former Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology and Mr Igbekeke Akinrinwa, the incumbent Chairman, Okitipupa LGA Transition Committee. | ONDO; LOCAL GOVT ELECTION; APC | GUARDIAN | ||||
| CHANNELSTV | 10 JAN 2025 | Criticisms pour in as Obio/Akpor LGA Chairman appoints 130 special assistants in 6 months | The Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has appointed 130 special assistants. Ihunwo, who announced the appointments in a post on X on Wednesday, saying the appointment takes immediate effect. Some of the appointees are Helen Nyekwere, Josephine Wogu, Daisy Worgu, Wagwu Hilda, Ogbonna Stella, Goodness Ogbonna, and Grace Amadi. He said the new appointees “must serve diligently”. “I have appointed the following persons as my Special Assistants,” he said. “I congratulate them, and call on them to serve diligently, in the interest of Obio/Akpor local government. Their appointments takes immediate effect.” This is the second time he would appoint over 100 aides. I expressed my gratitude to the esteemed leadership of ward six in Obio/Akpor local government for their unwavering support. Their solidarity visit to me at the Council Secretariat was a testament to their commitment to standing by me. It was a moment of deep appreciation as I… pic.twitter.com/H6Heu4VaSE — Chijioke Ihunwo (@AmbChijioke) January 4, 2025 Advertisement In July 2024, when he was caretaker committee chairman of the LGA, Ihunwo appointed 100 special assistants. Ihunwo, an ally of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, yanked the name of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, off the administrative block of the council secretariat. Wike and Fubara are political foes who have been locked in a supremacy battle in the state. | RIVERS; OBIO/AKPOR; SPECIAL ASSISTANTS; WIKE; FUBARA | CHANNELSTV | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 10 JAN 2025 | Drama unfolds as Senators quiz Wale Edun on debt servicing and amount saved from fuel subsidy removal | Drama unfolded at the National Assembly yesterday as Finance Minister Wale Edun faced intense questioning from senators during a hearing on the performance of the 2024 budget and the 2025 appropriation bill . The session, intended to provide clarity on fiscal planning, quickly escalated into tension, prompting Edun to request an executive session. This move further agitated lawmakers, especially as journalists were asked to leave. The Senate Appropriation Committee, chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, had invited Edun, who also serves as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, to address critical concerns regarding budget transparency, capital expenditure performance, and the utilisation of funds saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy. In his remarks, Edun provided vague responses, prompting senators to demand specific figures. Questions focused on how much had been saved from the fuel subsidy removal and the actual performance of the 2024 budget. Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) expressed frustration, asking pointedly, “How much has truly been saved from the removal of the subsidy, and where has the money gone? What is the current budget performance? These details are critical for our deliberations and for informing the public.” Other senators joined in, raising concerns about debt servicing, revenue projections, and the implications of extending the 2024 budget’s implementation on the economy. Ningi emphasised the need for clear and detailed figures, stating, “On the removal of fuel subsidies, we have not been told how much has been saved or how these savings have been utilised. Similarly, debt servicing remains a grey area. How much debt did we service in 2024, and what are the projections for 2025?” Senator Adetokunbo Abiru highlighted issues with Government-Owned Enterprises (GEOs), acknowledging improvements in revenue collection but raising questions about independent revenues and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividend. He also flagged the underperformance of capital expenditure, which he identified as critical for economic growth. Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno criticised the “bottom-up approach” policy, which centralised payment processes under the Office of the Accountant General. He argued that the policy introduced bureaucratic delays and created opportunities for corruption, urging a reevaluation to facilitate more efficient budget implementation. Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro expressed concerns over the simultaneous implementation of the extended 2024 budget and the 2025 budget, describing it as a failure to adhere to the January-December budget cycle. He also addressed challenges such as declining oil revenues, naira depreciation, and the impact of tax increases on citizens. | SENATE; FUEL SUBSIDY; DEBT SERVICING; 2025 BUDGET | GUARDIAN | ||||
| PUNCH | 10 JAN 2025 | LP raises concern over defected lawmakers evading service of court papers seeking to declare their seats vacant | The Labour Party has said it is having difficulty serving court papers on the six members of the House of Representatives who dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress. The leadership of the party lamented that the Reps were evading the service of the court papers in order to frustrate the suit filed by the LP, seeking to declare their seats vacant. The development was revealed to The PUNCH on Thursday by the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and the party’s National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, The party’s legal battle aims to recover the seats of the six defected Reps and secure the refund of all salaries and allowances they have received as lawmakers. In December 2024, Ajang Iliya, the member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State, announced his defection to the APC. His defection raised the total number of lawmakers lost by the LP to six, joining Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau). Iliya cited the crisis within the Labour Party and the need to align with the policies and developmental initiatives of President Bola Tinubu’s administration as reasons for his decision. However, the party’s leadership dismissed these defectors as insignificant, describing them as “paper-weight politicians” who wouldn’t be missed by their supporters. Speaking with our correspondent, Ifoh expressed frustration over the evasive actions of the affected lawmakers, saying that after multiple failed attempts to serve court documents, the party would have no choice but to hand over the matter to the Clerk of the National Assembly and publish the names of the defectors in national newspapers. He said, “But you know LP has taken one of our Ondo lawmakers to court in the past and he lost his seat. At that time, it was easy to get judgment. They are just going to the APC to waste their time as over half of them will not get return tickets. The remaining ones that get will lose the election. Those who may make it back to the National Assembly wouldn’t be more than two per cent.” Obiora further stated, “We are also ready to receive them back should they make an attempt to return. In politics, you don’t close your door but it will be on our terms and conditions.” | LP; DEFECTIONS; APC; PDP; | PUNCH | ||||
| PUNCH | 10 JAN 2025 | INEC says over 6 million voter cards remain uncollected since 2015, urges Nigerians not to play into the hands of politicians seeking to perpetuate stay in power. | FRESH disclosures by the Independent National Electoral Commission that over six million Permanent Voter Cards were not collected by voters ahead of the 2023 elections, including those issued since 2015, are disturbing. In a country where candidates win elections by a little below or above one million votes, six million uncollected PVCs are huge and can make a significant difference. For a robust democracy, Nigerians should fulfil their civic obligations by collecting their PVCs. They should vote in elections. Since the PVC confers legitimacy to qualified citizens to elect their leaders, all registered voters must have access to it. To do otherwise is de-enfranchisement. PVC collection should, therefore, be easy, and voting should be convenient. Frustrated by some citizens’ non-collection of PVCs, INEC has recently proposed the withdrawal of PVCs left uncollected in the past decade, the gradual phase-out of PVCs, and their replacement with computer-generated slips or credentials containing the voter register resident in the BVAS. This initiative is one of the 208 proposals arising from the commission’s review of the 2023 general elections. INEC said, “The utility of the PVC is now limited to voter identification. …With the BVAS, voters can be identified using their registration slips, otherwise known as the Temporary Voter Card and accredited biometrically without the need for a plastic PVC.” INEC has however denied the news making the rounds that burning the uncollected cards is part of its proposals. This is cheering, especially given the humongous sum involved in printing the cards. INEC’s December-February time frame for collection of PVCs was rather short for a challenge that had persisted for 16 years. An open-ended or longer time frame should have been preferred. Besides, the issues responsible for the non-collection of six million PVCs are deeper than INEC would want to admit. At its introduction, the collection of PVCs was a cumbersome and tortuous exercise. The news was replete with the pains Nigerians went through to collect PVCs. PVC collection seems politicised. Of the 93,469,008 that registered during the 2023 elections, 87,209,007 or 93.3 per cent collected PVCs, leaving 6,259,229 or 6.7 per cent uncollected. Of the 93.47 million registered voters, only 24.9 million persons voted in the presidential and National Assembly elections, representing 26.72 per cent voter turnout, the lowest since the return to democracy in 1999. | INEC; PVCs; POLITICS; ELECTION | PUNCH | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 10 JAN 2025 | FG says minimum wage will be reviewed before the end of Tinubu's first term as citizens raise brows in suspicion ahead of 2027 | The Federal Government has restated its commitment to review the N70,000 minimum wage before the end of the present administration. It further reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of workers. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, disclosed this during a briefing in Umuahia, Abia, after meeting with labour leaders in the state. She emphasized that President Bola Tinubu is determined to honour his promises to workers and prioritise their well-being. “We are not going to allow minimum wage review to be forever. It used to be about five years, but now, in three year’s time, which is less than two years, we will also review the minimum wage “This promise remains on course and will be fulfilled to further improve workers’ welfare”, Onyejeocha stated. She further noted that the review timeline has been clearly documented, assuring workers of the Federal Government’s sincerity and commitment to transparency. Onyejeocha also used the opportunity to remind labour leaders of their critical role in fostering stability and peace across the nation, particularly in the workplace. She called for a collaborative effort to ensure a productive and strike-free year. “We should have a strike-free year, where we will be able to work with the government in partnership, knowing that if we are at peace, we will be more productive,” she said. Tinubu had approved a minimum wage of N70,000 in July 2024 with a promise to review it every three years. | FG; MINIMUM WAGE; NLC; HUNGER | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 14 JAN 2025 | Lagos House of Assembly elects first female Speaker as several versions of why Obasa was impeached flood the news | Mrs Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa I, has been elected as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. This followed the removal of Mudashiru Obasa who has been occupying the seat since 2015. The impeachment took place at the plenary in the Lagos House of Assembly on Monday following the allegation of gross misconduct against Obasa. Meranda was elected as a replacement making her first female speaker in the parliament since 1999. The Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Fatai Mojeed, has also been elected as the Deputy Speaker. Daily Trust reports that Obasa has fallen out of favour following his controversial comments on the Lagos 2027 governorship. In November, last year, when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was presenting 2025 budget, Obasa stoked controversy when he declared that he is not too young or lacks experience to run for Lagos governor, insisting that “those who have been before me are not better of.” Obasa was later accused of spending N17 billion on a gate to the assembly complex. There have also been allegations of mishandling constituency funds and projects. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was first elected as a member of the House in 2015, representing Apapa constituency 1. She was re-elected in 2019 and 2023. Mrs. Meranda, a Lagos blue blood, was the Chief Whip of the ninth house. Before her time in the House, Mrs. Meranda served the Apapa local government in different capacities. She also worked in the private sector. She is one of only four women in the 40-member 10th assembly. | APC; OBASA; LAGOS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY; IMPEACHMENT | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 14 JAN 2025 | National Assembly laments the low remittance of revenue to the Federation Account by Ministries, Departments and Agencies. | The National Assembly on Monday expressed concerns over low remittances of revenue generated in 2024 by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and some government-owned enterprises (GOEs) to the federation account. The Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), expressed displeasure over the development during an interactive session on MDAs’ revenue projections for 2025 in Abuja. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) were present. Senator Sani said the Senate was deeply worried about the widening disparity between the substantial revenue accruals to the MDAs and their consistently low remittances to the federation account. | NASS; FEDERATION ACCOUNT; MDAs; FEDERAL GOVT | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 14 JAN 2025 | Edwin Clark calls for the suspension of the NGF as report exposes states’ shortcomings, departure from founding principles | Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has urged the immediate suspension and reform of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), accusing the body of undermining democracy and constitutional governance. In an open letter to Nigerians, Clark criticised the NGF for deviating from its original purpose of fostering inter-state collaboration. He described its evolution into a powerful bloc that prioritises governors’ interests over the welfare of the people as a betrayal of its founding mission. “The NGF began as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among governors, but it has become a cabal capable of challenging constitutional order and stifling local government autonomy,” Clark wrote. Drawing comparisons with the U.S. Governors’ Association, Clark noted the contrast between its governance-focused mission and the NGF’s tendencies towards political manipulation. He accused the Forum of wielding undue influence over state assemblies, describing them as mere extensions of the executive, where governors handpick Speakers and Assembly members to suppress dissent and erode legislative independence. At the federal level, Clark criticised the NGF for facilitating the transition of former governors into Senate positions, turning the legislative chamber into a “retirement haven” that undermines its role as a check on executive power. Clark decried the NGF’s transformation from a noble vision into a power-driven entity, lamenting its departure from its founding principles. While critics have labelled the NGF a “notorious cabal,” he expressed optimism for its reform, advocating for the Forum to become a collaborative body rooted in constitutional values and good governance. “Reform is not an indictment but an opportunity to rebuild and recommit,” Clark stated, urging the NGF to prioritise the people over politics. In a dramatic appeal, Clark proposed suspending the Forum to prevent further crises between state and federal governments. He also emphasised the need for a thorough overhaul to realign the NGF with its founding mission. “The NGF stands at a crossroads. Its survival depends on its willingness to embrace reform and align with the principles of democracy,” Clark concluded. Clark’s criticism came as the NGF’s health sector expenditure and institutional review report revealed that the 36 states rely on external funding for 16 per cent of their health budgets. The report, obtained yesterday, noted, “State governments rely on external sources, including aid, grants, and loans, for 16 per cent of their health budgets. Grant and international aid programmes were the primary sources of non-discretionary capital funding for most states, with less than a quarter opting for loans to finance their capital projects in the sector.” The report attributed the low loan uptake to challenges in securing them or a lack of interest in pursuing such financing options. In 2022, total health expenditure by the 36 states amounted to N505 billion—seven per cent of their total spending—an increase from N484 billion in 2021. In 2023, the states collectively budgeted N923.31 billion for the health sector, representing an 83 per cent increase from the total expenditure in 2022. However, the report noted that budget performance for the sector averages around 63 per cent yearly, suggesting that actual spending in 2023 may fall significantly short of the N923.31 billion target. State governments’ average yearly health expenditure stands at N14 billion, with significant variations among states. According to the report, only 15 states had a medium-term health sector strategy (MTSS) that included at least the 2024 budget year. The report also highlighted the use of alternative planning documents and frameworks by health ministries in some states to guide resource allocation. It noted that these tools often prescribe activities, outputs, and outcomes similar to those outlined in the MTSS, although they are driven at the ministry level. | NGF; TAX REFORM BILLS; EDWIN CLARK | GUARDIAN | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 14 JAN 2025 | House of Reps Panel commends Army on their use of the budgetary allocation, gives them 99% pass mark | The House of Representatives Committee on the Army has expressed satisfaction over the usage of the 2024 budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Army. The committee, chaired by Mr Aminu Balele, at the 2025 budget defence session at the National Assembly on Monday, promised to assist the Nigerian Army through adequate budgetary provisions to tackle the insecurity challenges affecting the country. Balele said the Army can rest assured that his committee would champion the welfare of troops, ensure adequate power provisions, and promote capacity building at all levels. Speaking on the Army’s 2024 budget performance after a closed-door session with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, he said that the committee was satisfied with their submission regarding implementation. He said: “In terms of implementation, it was excellent. They have achieved over 99 per cent in terms of implementation, and more to it, we have sent our colleagues and we have gone all around the country during the oversight function. “We have largely understood whatever they brought, and it is perfect and okay. It’s just a question of, you know, there is so much pressure from Nigerians. They need quick, you know, security solutions. They need quick, you know, results to address the issue of insecurity that is affecting our nation. Thank you. | HOUSE OF REPS; BUDGETARY ALLOCATION; NIGERIAN ARMY; BUDGETARY ALLOCATION | GUARDIAN | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 14 JAN 2025 | NASS to probe alleged loss of N4tr to waivers by govt agencies | The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has established a special panel to probe a shortfall of over N4 trillion in revenue due to indiscriminate waivers by agencies of government. The lawmakers lamented that due to waivers, there is a serious shortfall between what is supposed to be collected as revenue and what is actually collected. The lawmakers came to this decision on Monday at the Joint Committee hearing, co-chaired by Senator Sani Musa and Rep James Faleke, held to probe the revenue profiles of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) ahead of the 2025 budget. The hearing was intended to enable the Senate and House of Representatives Committees to develop accurate and realistic revenue projections for 2025. The panel to probe the shortfall followed a motion moved by Senator Adamu Aliero. Moving the motion, Aliero said, “Due to the issue of waivers, there is a serious shortfall between what is supposed to be collected as revenue and what is actually collected. | NASS; MDAs; FINANCE; GOVT AGENCIES; | GUARDIAN | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 15 JAN 2025 | Nigeria marks Armed Forces Remembrance Day as stakeholders call for better equipment, compensation and prosecution of terrorists | Today, in the absence of President Bola Tinubu, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to release white pigeons in commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day. But beyond the symbolic annual ritual of remembering the sacrifices of serving soldiers and fallen heroes, the armed forces hierarchy has been urged to do all that is possible to de-escalate the insecurity in the country and intensify its counter-terrorism efforts by decisively dismantling operations of Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province. The President, in his charge to the armed forces, called on them to embrace innovation and adaptability in addressing the nation’s security challenges. Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, at the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2025 Regimental and Award Night for Officers in Abuja, the President said the country needed courage, strength, innovation, and adaptability. He stressed that the country must continue to boost the capabilities of its military, equipping it with the resources and support necessary to address the evolving security challenges that confront it effectively. Tinubu added that the exemplary service and commitment of the honoured officers had not gone unnoticed, as it stood as a shining example of what it meant to serve the country selflessly with distinction. He assured the armed forces that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare and well-being of personnel, ensuring that they had the necessary resources and support to carry out their duties effectively. This is coming on the heels of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa’s recent revelation that more than 60,000 children were among the over 120,000 Boko Haram members who voluntarily surrendered at his last count. Recounting his experience from the frontlines, a former Nigerian soldier, Ayodele Olawale, yesterday revealed that Boko Haram terrorists often gained the upper hand in battles due to the Nigerian Army’s lack of adequate ammunition. | ARMED FORCES REMEMBERANCE DAY; NIGERIAN ARMY; | GUARDIAN | ||||
| GUARDIAN | 15 JAN 2025 | "N50b budget can’t end insecurity," Matawale tells lawmakers as House Committee on Defence resolves to increase budgetary allocation | Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has told lawmakers that the proposed N50 billion budget for the ministry in 2025 is grossly inadequate to address the country’s security challenges. He noted that the current security situation in Nigeria required more funding and a more comprehensive approach. This is as the House of Representatives Committee on Defence resolved to increase the budgetary provision of the Ministry of Defence to sustain the success being recorded in the fight against insecurity in the country. The committee decided on the adoption of a motion by a member, Philip Agbese, who commended the military for their efforts. Matawale spoke, yesterday when he appeared before the committee to defend his ministry’s budget for 2025. Matawale told the committee that the sum of N50 billion allocated for the ministry in the 2025 budget was inadequate and appealed for an upward review, assuring them that with adequate funding, the problem of banditry would be addressed in two months. He, however, promised that despite the limited resources, the ministry and the personnel would do their best to ensure the safety of all citizens. Chairman of the Committee, Babajimi Benson, said the importance of the defence sector could not be overstated as it was the backbone of the nation’s security architecture, tasked with addressing diverse threats that challenge our peace and stability. | INSECURITY; DEFENCE; SECURITY | GUARDIAN | ||||
| THE CABLE | 15 JAN 2025 | Tinubu appoints Folashade Adekaiyaoja as first female Deputy Director-General of DSS | President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Folashade Adekaiyaoja as deputy director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS). Adekaiyaoja, who hails from Kogi state, is the first female operative of the DSS to occupy the position. While the presidency has not made an official statement, a source told TheCable that the appointment is part of the president’s efforts to reorganise the secret police for better performance. The source, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the appointment, said Tinubu is poised to restore professionalism to the service. He added that the appointment, the first by any president in the history of Nigeria, also aims at enhancing career progression for operatives in the service. TheCable understands that Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), recommended Adekaiyaoja for the appointment through Oluwatosin Ajayi, the DG of the DSS. In December 2024, President Tinubu tasked security agencies to propose ways to improve service delivery, and Adekaiyaoja’s appointment is seen as a key step in this direction. He had also promised to support the DSS and other security agencies with artificial intelligence-powered equipment to combat insecurity." | DSS; DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL; TINUBU; | CABLE | ||||
| THE CABLE | 15 JAN 2025 | Court orders release of Bashir Hadejia, Matawalle's ex-aide arrested for 'treason', awards N10m fine against the IGP | A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the release of Bashir Hadejia, a politician and businessman, who was reportedly arrested for alleged terrorism. In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, described the invasion of Hadejia’s home, his arrest without a warrant, and his detention as unlawful and a breach of his fundamental human rights. Nwite, who ordered that the applicant be released unconditionally, also ordered a perpetual injunction restraining the inspector-general of police (IGP), his agents, or servants from any unlawful arrest and detention of Hadejia. The judge awarded a N10 million fine against the IGP. Hadejia was reportedly arrested by the force intelligence department intelligence response team (FID-IRT) over alleged “treason and subversion against the state” in August 2024. He was a former special adviser on special duties to Bello Matawalle, ex-governor of Zamfara. | DEFENCE; TREASON; FINE; IGP; MATAWALLE | CABLE | ||||
| PUNCH | 15 JAN 2025 | Open Competitive Bidding: Fed. High Court to hear Funsho Doherty's suit challenging Lagos-Calabar highway contract on 27 Jan 2025 | The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed January 27, 2025, to hear a lawsuit challenging the award of the N15tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to HiTech Construction Company. Justice A. O. Owoeye fixed the hearing date on Tuesday after resolving the issue of appearance for the second defendant and granting an extension of time to parties to enable them to regularize their processes. A former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Lagos State, Funsho Doherty, had dragged the Attorney General of the Federation, Bureau of Public Procurement, and HiTech Construction Company before the court over open competitive bidding. Doherty alleged that the Federal Ministry of Works violated the Public Procurement Act 2007 by awarding the first two phases of the highway to HiTech Construction through a single-source procurement process, bypassing the required open competitive bidding. He accused the Federal Ministry of Works of unlawfully awarding the highway’s first two sections to HiTech Construction without adhering to Nigeria’s public procurement laws. In his originating summons, Doherty argued that the ministry’s decision bypassed the open competitive bidding process mandated by the Public Procurement Act 2007. | FED HIGH COURT; LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY; OPEN COMPETITIVE BIDDING | PUNCH | ||||
| THE CABLE | 20 JAN 2025 | Criticisms flood in as Wike makes U-turn on state police creation, says Nigeria lacks institutional capacity for state policing | Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says Nigeria does not have the institutional capacity for state policing. The creation of state police has been on the front burner for years now, with many governors advocating for its implementation to enhance security within their domains. Last year, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, announced that all 36 state governments had submitted their reports backing the creation of state police. He said state policing would serve as a crucial step towards improving security across the country. Speaking during a media chat on Sunday, Wike said the adoption of state or community policing would birth autocratic governors in several states. “In Nigeria, what system do we run? Is Abuja different from Nigeria when you talk about the police? People have been recommending community policing and state police,” he said. “Knowing where we are, and where we are from, if you allow that, so many people would not come out of their houses. So, I said let’s try it first and see how it works. “But so many people said there’s no need to try, that we have seen that if they allow state policing today, nobody would oppose any state governor. It is either you would die for murder or for armed robbery. Our institutions are not such that are independent.” The former governor said his previous support for state police does not necessarily mean it is still the right decision today. “The mere fact that I supported state police [when I was governor], if I was wrong, I was wrong. If I was right, I was right,” he said. “What we are saying is that our institutions are not strong to be independent of manipulation by the system.” During his first term as governor of Rivers, Wike assented to a bill establishing the neighbourhood safety corps. Some of the functions of the corps included the detection of crime, arrest of offenders with or without a warrant, and bearing arms in the performance of their duties, among others. | WIKE; STATE POLICING; FCT | CABLE | ||||
| THE CABLE | 20 JAN 2025 | Eyes on Ministry of Steel Development as National Assembly queries ‘ghost projects’ during budget defence | The joint national assembly committee on steel development has queried what it describes as “ghost projects” in the federal ministry of steel development. The panel alleged that these projects were “designed to divert public funds”. The committee handed down its query at the weekend when Shuaibu Audu, minister of steel development, appeared before it to defend his ministry’s 2025 budget. Zainab Gimba, chair of the house of representatives committee on steel development, said some infractions such as violations of the fiscal responsibility act in the execution of the ministry’s 2024 budget were noticed. “A first-hand appraisal of the 2024 submissions shows some Budget infractions as funds allocated for unspecified capacity-building programmes and skills training initiatives in the steel sector show no evidence of execution or impact,” the lawmaker said. “The act mandates efficient use of public resources and accountability for project outcomes. Several projects, especially related to Ajaokuta Steel, failed to meet these criteria. “There are ghost projects which are a direct violation of Nigeria’s financial regulations, which require all expenditures to be backed by documentation and outcomes.” Patrick Ndubueze, chairman of the senate committee on steel development, said the nation assembly is concerned about putting Nigeria where it ought to be in steel development. “Nigeria cannot make much progress without a solid steel industry. We have to place emphasis on capital projects, not payment of salaries,” he said. “For us to do well, we cannot be repeating the same mistakes every time. We expected that the ministry would have improved by now.” Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the committee, wondered how the minister arrived at the sum of $2 billion to revamp the Ajaokuta Steel Complex without completing a proper audit. In responding, the minister said he would address the concerns raised by the committee. | MINISTRY OF STEEL; BUDGET DEFENCE | CABLE | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 20 JAN 2025 | Niger Tanker Explosion: Death toll rises, 86 buried, 43 hospitalised, many others remain missing | Eighty six of the victims of the Saturday’s fuel tanker explosion in Dikko, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, have been buried, the State Emergency Management Agency disclosed yesterday. The Director-General of the agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, said the mass burial, conducted in collaboration with Gurara LGA and local volunteers, took place between 5 p.m. and midnight at the Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre. He said while most of the bodies were interred in a mass grave, five were taken by relatives for burial in their hometowns, and one person passed away at the healthcare facility. The explosion occurred after a fuel tanker crashed at Dikko Junction, a major route between Niger and Kaduna states. As residents attempted to scoop fuel from the spill, a massive blaze erupted, claiming the lives of many, including those trying to assist the victims. Travellers and passersby were also caught up in the inferno; just as many businesses operating around the area also perished. Narrating the incident to Daily Trust yesterday, a resident, who gave his name as Yerima, said: “Security operatives tried their best to stop people from scooping the fuel but they didn’t listen. One of the boys even brought out a knife to stab a police officer who wanted to stop him from scooping fuel.” The roads around Dikko, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, are heavily trafficked. The dilapidated condition of the roads has exacerbated the risk of accidents, as many drivers avoid the more insecure Kaduna-Birnin Gwari route. | NIGER TANKER EXPLOSION; NIGER STATE | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 20 JAN 2025 | No end in sight as Obasanjo, Buhari testify over $6bn Mambilla Power contract scandal | rmer presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari are testifying before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, France, in connection with the $2.3 billion arbitration proceedings filed against Nigeria by Sunrise Power over an alleged breach of contract by the federal government. Sources confirmed to Daily Trust yesterday that both leaders are in Paris in respect of the matter. A presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had Saturday night denied a report that the Presidency forced some eminent Nigerians to testify in the arbitration proceeding taking place in Paris. Onanuga, who did not deny the existence of the case, had said: “All the eminent Nigerians involved in Nigeria’s defence are doing so willingly and out of sheer patriotism and conviction. President Tinubu and the entire country are grateful to them.” | MAMBILLA POWER; SCANDAL; CORRUPTION | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| THIS DAY LIVE | 21 JAN 2025 | Okpebholo swears in Edo SUBEB Chairman, six commissioners in Edo State | Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has sworn in the new Chairman of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), and six commissioners. Also sworn in were members of Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC), Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), and State Secondary Education Board (SSEB). Addressing the newly sworn in executives at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Okpebholo charged them to help him drive development and progress in the state, stressing that his administration was in a hurry to bring development. Harping on the unique qualities and capacity of the newly sworn in executives, Okpebholo noted that they reflected the requisite commitment of his administration to bring good governance, efficient and effective service delivery and fulfill the promises made to the people of Edo State. “To the newly appointed executives, congratulations on your appointment. This appointment is not just an honor but a call to serve with dedication, integrity, and excellence. “You have been chosen because of your skills and the trust we have in your ability to contribute meaningfully to the development of our State. “I encourage you to work with a share sense of purpose, prioritize teamwork, and remain focused on improving the lives of our citizens. Together, we can make Edo State a model of growth and prosperity.” The new Chairman of SUBEB was Onomen Goodness Briggs, while the new Commissioners were Sir Lucky Eseigbe; Hon. Paul Nosayaba Ohonbamu; Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu; Hon. Dr. Washington Osa Osifo; Mr. Andrew Ijegbai; and Barr. Marie Olabisi ldaomi. Portfolios for the new commissioners will be announced later. Other board chairmen were Jonathan Aifuobhokhan as Chairman, EDSIEC; Francis Osaretin Osabuohien, chairman, EDSOGPADEC; and Omozane Ebanehita Sonia as chairman, SSEB. | EDO STATE POLITICS; CABINET MEMBERS; | THISDAY | ||||
| THIS DAY LIVE | 21 JAN 2025 | Humanitarian Affairs Ministry seeks N260 billion budget allocation to create 2 million jobs in 2025 | The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has asked the National Assembly to approve N260 billion for it in the 2025 budget in order to create two million jobs. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, made the demand on Friday when he appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Poverty Reduction and Social Investment for the ministry’s 2025 budget defence. But the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence said the total allocation of N595,024,943,368 billion to the sub-sector in the 2025 appropriation bill was inadequate. The committee chairman, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the budget defence meeting with agencies under the committee’s oversight jurisdiction. Yilwatda was accompanied to the session by the national coordinator of National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Mr. Gbadamosi Lawan. He said, “The National Assembly should note that the ministry has a mandate to create two million jobs in 2025. “This will be achieved through a combination of efforts: the ministry has already procured starter packs that would enable over 110,000 beneficiaries to embark on self-reliant ventures. “These starter packs are vital tools for entrepreneurship and economic growth. “However, to ensure the success of these programmes, we require N55 billion funds to conduct a two-week intensive training for all beneficiaries, payment of resource person and logistics funding to facilitate the effective distribution of the starter packs at N45,000 per beneficiary. “There is need for monitoring and evaluation to ensure the transparency and sustainability of these initiatives at N5,000 per beneficiary. “Additionally, we need to train 50,000 unemployed graduates and non-graduates under our Skill2Wealth Initiative which seeks to create many micro and small-scale businesses. “This will cost N50 billion (at N1,000,000 per beneficiary: covering training in all the 36 states and FCT, Starter pack, linkage to the market and M&E).” Yilwatda added, “There is also the need to create a budget line for Humanitarian Response Fund of N10 billion for communities affected by climate-change related disasters, conflicts and man-made crises, including: flooding, fire outbreaks and insurgency attacks that have displaced thousands. “In the same vein, another budget line of N15 billion is required in 2025 fiscal year for durable solutions for households affected by disaster in 2024, just as additional sum of N130 billion is required by the ministry as intervention fund to resolve these humanitarian and poverty reduction challenges across the country in 2025.” | HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS; JOB CREATION; 2025 BUDGET ALLOCATION | THISDAY | ||||
| THIS DAY LIVE | 21 JAN 2025 | "N46 Billion is not sufficient for job creation," says Minister of Labour & Employment as he seeks more funds in the 2025 budget | The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has urged the National Assembly to appropriate more funds in the Ministry’s 2025 budget to enable it scale up the performance of key areas of employment generation. He said the total budgetary allocation of N46 billion, seventy-nine million, nine hundred and sixty thousand, five hundred and forty-four naira (N46, 079, 960, 544.00) for the ministry and its parastatals this year would not be sufficient to attain set objectives. He said that the fund would be particularly used to renovate, reconstruct, and re-equip the skills development centres under the ministry and its agencies across the country, aimed at generating employment. Dingyadi spoke in Abuja at the 2025 Budget Defence meetings with the House Committee, and the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, respectively. A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations Patience Onuobia quoted the minister as having said that skill development programmes would generate sustainable job opportunities for individuals, which would ultimately promote national economic growth. Dangyadi maintained that creating jobs through skill development is crucial to achieving part of the federal government’s agenda. The Minister said: “One of the key priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is job creation, which falls under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. “For us to achieve this noble objective, we need special funds to renovate, reconstruct, and re-equip the skills development centres under the ministry and its agencies across the country. “We are aware that many of the infrastructural projects in this year’s budget can be used to create jobs for our teeming youths. However, over 60% of such jobs are unskilled jobs that are not sustainable. Once the project is completed, many of them will go back to become unemployed. “The best solution to unemployment is the creation of skilled jobs with starter packs, where trainees will set up their own self-sustaining jobs to contribute to the economic growth of the nation.” | MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT; JOB CREATION; BUDGET ALLOCATION | THISDAY | ||||
| THIS DAY LIVE | 21 JAN 2025 | 2025 Anambra Governorship Polls: Political parties gear up for primaries set to be held from 20th March to 10th April | Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo last Saturday while launching a security operation codenamed; ‘Operation Udo Ga Achi’ at the International Convention Center in Awka told people of the state that he recently marked his two years and 10 months in office. What this means is that the governor still has a year and two months to complete his first term, but already, there is a clamour from political gladiators in the state on how to take his seat. This year, precisely on November 8, eligible voters in the state will go to the polls to either renew Soludo’s tenure as governor, or vote him out. The country’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in October, 2023 issued a guideline for the conduct of the election. It said: “The Commission has approved that the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will hold on Saturday 8th November 2025. In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the election will be published on 13th November 2024. Party primaries will be held from 20th March 2025 to 10th April 2025. “The candidate nomination portal will open at 9.00am on 18th April 2025 and close at 6.00pm on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025. Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday, 6th November 2025. Voting will take place in all the 5,720 polling units across the State on Saturday, 8th November 2025,” the commission said. Already, politicians have started placing themselves in good standing with both the electorates and political parties, in readiness for the contest. Typical of Anambra state which has always been known for multiplicity of contestants, many are already warming up from various parties, but what must be taken into cognizance is that only few parties are rooted in Anambra State, and any contest outside the key ones may just be a waste of resources. | ANAMBRA STATE; ELECTION 2025; PRIMARIES | THISDAY | ||||
| THIS DAY LIVE | 22 JAN 2025 | Edo Gov. Tribunal: Witnesses reveal how INEC excluded collation of results in 76 PUs, tenders CTCs of result sheets from IReV | A witness, yesterday, at the Edo State Governorship Tribunal, revealed how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly unlawfully excluded a total of 2,840 votes scored by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo in 76 Polling Units in Ward 2, Ikpoba Okha LGA at the September 21st Governorship Election in Edo State. Giving his testimony at the resumed hearing of the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, a PDP witness and LGA Collation Agent for Ikpoba Okha, established in evidence with graphic details that INEC unlawfully excluded 2,840 PDP votes during collation from ward to local government levels. He tendered IREV’s Certified True Copies (CTC) results sheets obtained from INEC and the duplicate copies of polling unit result sheets Form EC8A issued by INEC to polling unit agents as documentary evidence. He revealed that while the correct scores were contained in the IReV duly Certified True Copies (CTCs) declared and uploaded at the various polling units, noting that the incorrect scores were later computed in favour of APC at the Ward to state Level in Forms EC8B-E. The witness further stated that as a Collation Agent, he thoroughly examined agents duplicate copies and INEC verified CTCs of all Result sheets Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D used for the election and discovered that results from 76 polling units in Ward 2, Ikpoba Okha LGA were declared at the PU levels and uploaded on IREV before transmission to ward level for collation, but the results were not finally collated at the LGA and State level by INEC. Under cross-examination by Counsel to respondents, Kanu Agabi, SAN, the witness reaffirmed that he was a Collation Agent in the election and that he examined the result sheets himself. He went further to tender his agent identification Tags, CTCs of INEC original result sheets, BVAS Accreditation and original result sheets from IREV. The court admitted all the evidence before adjourning to Wednesday for appearance of more witnesses.l Similarly, the witness from Akoko-Edo LGA while givingoral evidence, or Akoko-Edo disclosed that number of votes cast in the area exceeded BVAS accreditation for eight polling units. He also disclosed that INEC incorrectly computed and inflated 5,724 votes for APC in 48 Polling Units in Akoko Edo, adding that they (INEC) failed to record serial number of result sheets in 17 PUs He further alleged that there was was over-voting in 8 Polling Units(PUs) as INEC BVAS report of accreditation showed clearly that the total number of votes cast and declared by INEC in result sheets Forms EC8A were in excess of the total accreditation figures captured by BVAS in 8 Polling Units in the LGA. In addition, he testified that INEC collated incorrect scores in favour of APC in 48 Polling Units across Wards 4 and 9 in Akoko Edo Lga of Edo State. He stated that from a thorough examination of agent copies and INEC CTCs of Results Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D used to declare the results of the Governorship Election in the LGA, it was manifest that INEC made incorrect computation of the results in the affected polling units (PUs). During Cross examination by Counsel to the 2nd respondent(Okpebholo), Oyechi Ikpeazu SAN, the witness reiterated that he was a Collation Agent in the LGA and that examined all the documents he mentioned in paragraphs 6, 18, 27 and 28 of his written statement on oath. | EDO GOVERNORSHIP TRIBUNAL; INEC; COLLATION; | THISDAYLIVE | ||||
| CHANNELS TV | 22 JAN 2025 | Senate says census must be conducted before 2027, plans meeting With Tinubu | The Senate has vowed to push for the conduct of a national population census before the current administration ends in 2027. Advertisement This commitment was reiterated during a budget defense session with the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra. The Chairman of the Committee on National Identity Management and Population, Senator Abdul Ningi, said, “We will not rest on our oars until a census is conducted before this administration ends”. He revealed that the Senate was preparing to meet with President Bola Tinubu to stress the urgency of conducting the census in 2025. “We will soon engage the President on this matter and formally write to him through the Senate President, highlighting the need for a census this year,” he said. Also, Senator Olalere Oyewunmi underscored the importance of pressuring the President to prioritise the census. Similarly, Senator Diket Plang lamented the country’s reliance on estimated population figures, which hampers effective planning. “It’s disheartening that we are still working with estimates in this modern age. How can we plan without knowing the exact population? It’s sad that 2024 passed without achieving 90 percent performance. According to him, we need to know our population, urging for a definitive count by 2025,” he said. The population commission boss explained that the census budget is yet to be finalised, as they plan to integrate a biometric component into the process. | CENSUS; SENATE; TINUBU; 2027 ELECTIONS | CHANNELSTV | ||||
| THIS DAY LIVE | 22 JAN 2025 | National Assembly tackles Minister of Regional Development over bias, saying 70% of its 2024 projects were executed in his state. | The National Assembly Joint Committee on Regional Development yesterday accused the Minister for Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, of allegedly disregarding the principles of federal character by citing more projects of the ministry in Edo State. The members wondered why 70 percent of the Ministry’s projects for 2024 were domiciled in his home state. They argued that it should not be so when the Ministry was to take care of the interest of the entire Niger Delta region. During the session, one of the members, Chinedu Ogar (APC, Ebonyi), pointedly accused the Minister of taking 70 percent of the project to his home state. Ogar said, “I am happy that you are a product of the National Assembly. My constituents are not happy with this your budget because it negates the constitutional principle of federal character. About 70 percent of your projects are located in Edo state. Why?” However, the Minister was not allowed by the Committee to respond to the question on camera as they asked the media to leave the hearing room to allow them go into an executive session. After the executive session, the Minister told journalists that all the issues raised by the federal lawmakers had been resolved. While presenting the 2024 budget performance, the Minister told the members that out of the N20 billion allocated to the Ministry in 2024 for capital budget, N2 billion was provided for zonal intervention in the Ministry’s budget by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere. | NATIONAL ASSEMBLY; REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT; FEDERAL CHARACTER; | THISDAY | ||||
| THE CABLE | 22 JAN 2025 | Court denies El-Rufai’s Ex-Commissioner bail. Recall he is charged for laundering $45 million of state resources and selling it at an undervalued rate of N410 per dollar. | The Kaduna state high court has declined to hear the bail application filed by Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu, a former commissioner in the state, in the alleged money laundering trial. The Kaduna government arraigned Sa’idu on Tuesday on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, embezzlement, and stealing. The former commissioner pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The state government accused Sa’idu of “selling $45 million in hard currency belonging to the Kaduna State Government, equivalent to N18,450,000,000, at the significantly undervalued rate of N410 per dollar, instead of the parallel market rate of ₦498 per dollar, with criminal intent, resulting in an N3,960,000,000 loss to the government”. The state government said the alleged offence took place in 2022 when Sa’idu was commissioner for finance under the administration of Nasir el-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna. During the court’s proceedings, M. I. Abubakar, the counsel to the former commissioner, said he has a pending bail application for his client. The counsel asked the court to grant bail to his client since he was arrested on January 2, 2025. He added that the former commissioner should be granted the bail to enable him to prepare for his defence. However, Nasiru Aliyu, the prosecuting counsel, objected to the bail application. Aliyu told the court that the law provides that the prosecution be allowed seven days to file its response to the bail application. In his ruling, Isa Aliyu, the presiding judge, granted the prayers of the prosecution and adjourned the case to January 23 for a hearing of the bail application. Sa’idu served as the commissioner for local government affairs, chief of staff, and commissioner for finance during the administration of el-Rufai. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had also filed a similar charge against the former commissioner at the federal high court in Kaduna. | KADUNA; MONEY LAUNDERING; | CABLE | ||||
| DAILY TRUST | 22 JAN 2025 | David Umahi counters investigative report, says Abuja-Kaduna road was awarded to Infiouest, not Infoquest. Recall he was accused of awarding the said contract to a non-existent company with address traced to a residence in Lagos | The Minister of Works, Sen David Umahi has said that the contract for the remaining sector of Section 2 of the Abuja-Kaduna highway was awarded to Infiouest International Limited, not Infoquest Nigeria Limited as stated in the Daily Trust report of Tuesday. Sen. Umahi, at a press conference yesterday, said the two companies bear similar pronunciation, stressing that Infiouest is a French word. “Infiouest is a French name. In French, O is pronounced like Q. So the pronouncement is the same. If you pronounce Infoquest in English, it is Q, but if you pronounce it in French it is O,” Umahi said. Curiously, however, Infoquest Nigeria Limited, the company Daily Trust reported as securing the contract in its report of Tuesday, quickly prompted the opening of an account on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) portal in the early hours of yesterday. Records show the account was created on January 21, 2025, at 05:59:42 WAT and last updated the same day at 07:59:03. However, the FIRS document shows that the company’s business status remains “Not commenced.” In our yesterday’s edition, this newspaper had published the status of Infoquest generated at 22:21 (Monday, January 20, 2025) which shows that the company is inactive. Speaking to our reporter, a source who is familiar with the procedures and operations of the FIRS, as well as extant laws governing awards of contracts, said Infoquest had never paid tax and had hurriedly registered as a tax-paying entity in the early hours of yesterday. “It is a statutory requirement that for you to be given any contract, you must be paying tax and have your tax clearance certificate by the Federal Inland Revenue Service. They uploaded the details at an FIRS office in Lagos, Ajah. “As of yesterday (Monday), there was no record. It was registered today (Tuesday) with all the details,” the source said. | MINISTER OF WORKS; ABUJA-KADUNA ROAD; CONTRACT AWARD | DAILYTRUST | ||||
| CHANNELS TV | 22 JAN 2025 | Tinubu meets Fubara, Wike, Ogoni leaders at Aso Rock, sue for peace and development in Ogoni Land | President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, held a closed-door meeting with a delegation of Ogoni leaders led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State. Also present at the meeting was the Chief of staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and other ministers and aides. The meeting came after a coalition of civil society organisations demanded an allocation of $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for lost livelihoods, before the resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland. The meeting came amid the protracted feud between Fubara and Wike who were once political allies. Wike was the immediate-past governor of the oil-rich South-South state. After the meeting, Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate negotiations with various parties within Ogoniland in the oil-rich Niger Delta area to resume oil production in the area. The President said his administration would prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in the area. Tinubu called for unity and reconciliation, urging the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment. “We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” Tinubu said, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. “We must work together with mutual trust. Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others. We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland,” the President said. | TINUBU; OGONI LAND; RIVERS STATE; WIKE; FUBARA | CHANNELSTV | ||||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 22 JAN 2025 | Amidst funding challenges, Nigerian govt establishes new polytechnic in Abuja, names it after Tinubu | Despite persistent funding challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, the federal government has approved the establishment of a new federal polytechnic in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced in a letter to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that the new institution would be named after President Bola Tinubu and sited in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Mr Alausa requested that Mr Wike suggest a suitable location for the polytechnic’s temporary and permanent sites to facilitate its commencement. The letter reads in part: “In addition, the technical team from the Federal Ministry of Education and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) would be visiting the sites to review and inspect the recommended locations, and based on the report presented by the team, the approval will be given. “Perhaps I should add that the Ministry, at this point, encourages takeover of existing Tertiary institutions if the Minister wishes.” | POLYTECHNIC; ABUJA; TINUBU; | PREMIUMTIMES | ||||