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Economic Hardship: Gov Yusuf Calls For Urgent Reopening Of Nigerian Borders

By
The Source
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Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has called on President Bola Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency consider the re opening of Nigerian Borders for the importation of some essential commodities to mitigate the present excruciating economic situation in the country.

In a statement issued on Monday March 11 2024 by his Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf decried the  critical condition of the people, occasioned by incessant increases in the costs of essential food items.

The Governor who spoke after receiving in audience visiting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service Alhaji Bashir Adewale at the Government House Kano noted that opening the borders and allowing the importation of some essential commodities will serve the short term purpose of alleviating the current hardship in the land,while government can continue to explore other long term measures to fix the economy.

“We wish to appreciate the President’s intervention on the  ongoing national food initiative and we are grateful to him for choosing Kano as the host for the Flagg off of the initiative.

“We are believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented.

But another immediate intervention that can make food available and affordable to the teaming populace is for the Federal Government to consider the re opening of the borders and allow free importation of commodities.” Governor Yusuf stated.

The Kano State Governor lamented the prevalent hardship being experienced by the people ,expressing worry that the situation may be more biting during the ongoing Ramadan if nothing is done to arrest the situation.

He commended the  Nigerian Customs for  its plan to distribute food items to kano residents,pleading  that the exercise should be carried out in a way that will ensure the benevolent act reaches those that really need assistance.

The Comptroller General of Customs assured all Stakeholders of the Service readiness to address the current  challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano through the distribution of essential food items to the state residents , adding that the bond between the Kano state Communities and Nigerian Customs Service will be fortified through mutual understanding and collaboration.

Imo: “List Of  Commissioner-nominees Fake, It’s Uzodimma’s Detractors At Work” – Nwachuku, Gov’s Spokesperson

By
The Source
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The attention of the Office of the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor has been drawn to a fake list of seven names purportedly sent to the House of Assembly by Governor Hope Uzodimma for screening and confirmation as “second batch” this week.

No such list exists to the best of my knowledge.

Unfortunately, those behind this latest fake list, like they did last week using the New and Electronic Media desk and also tagged it “second batch”, put my name on the poorly written press release they escalated on social media to make it look authentic before the unsuspecting reading public.

Truth is that my office did not issue any press statement on any purported list of seven persons whose names were purportedly sent to the House of Assembly.

The unsuspecting and reading members of the public who, those behind the fake list wanted to deceive, should ignore such antics of political jobbers and idlers who think that resort to blackmail is the answer to either their political ambition or that of their co travellers.

The Governor of Imo State, Sen. Uzodimma, is wiser than the perpetrators of this old order of using blackmail and arm twisting to climb to positions of responsibility which, unfortunately, left our dear State disabled over the years and will never travel that road again.

To also think that by raising a fake list and using my office and name to legitimise it is the answer to their haunt for job is the most stupid thing any right thinking person could ever do.

For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Uzodimma has commenced the process of selecting those who will fit the mould of Imo State of his dream and there will be no going back. Not even trailer loads of blackmailers will stop the idea.

Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore those who have always worked against their interest, using all manner of tactics, as they can see from the release of fake list of purported commissioner nominees for confirmation.

Visit Of Conference Of Former Speakers To Oti: No Plan To Defect To LP, Say Abia PDP Members

By
The Source
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Conference Of Former Speakers visit Alex Otti

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has  stated that the Party members who formed the nucleus of Members of the  Conference of Former Speakers that visited the Abia State Governor Dr Alex Oti on Friday, March 8, 2024, and the statements credited to  them were made in their personal capacities and do not represent the views of the PDP in Abia State .

The PDP also has rejected speculations linking the said visit with plans by its members involved in the visit to dump the Party. The Party insisted that its members who participated in the said visit did so in line with their rights to freedom of association as guaranteed by the different declarations on human rights at the international, national and local levels.

The Source reports that the Conference of Former Speakers, Abia state, on Friday, March 8, 2024, visited  and lauded Governor Oti for his performance  within the short period in office, and assured the Governor of their readiness to partner with him in moving the state forward.

According to them, what is paramount at the moment is not politics ,but how to ensure that Abia State is  sustained on the path of growth and development ‘ promising to avail the Labour Party LP led Governor Oti’s  administration useful advice when ever needed.

The Conference of Former Speakers, as presently constituted is dominated by PDP members including the immediate past Deputy Governor Sir Udo Oko Chukwu , thus fueling  insinuations about some of them joining ranks with the ruling LP in the state .

But in statement issued by  the PDP Vice Chairman/ Acting Publicity Secretary, Hon.Abraham Amah, on Sunday March 10 and  made available to The Source the party said it is laughable to speculate that its members who were part of the visit are planning to defect to the Lab our Party..

“What is even more laughable is the suggestions that the PDP in Abia is no longer intact because its members who belong to a non- partisan organization paid a visit to the Governor.

“The Abia PDP wishes to clear the air on the visit and set records straight to disappoint those who wish to see it dismembered.

“The Conference of Former Speakers is a non partisan organization made up of eight members . Of the number ,five belong to the PDP ,while three are of the APC and two of the PDP members Rt Hon Dr Alwell Asiforo Okere and Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Orji did not embark on the said visit .

“We state in clear terms that the members who went to visit the Governor and the statement credited to them were made in their personal capacities and do not represent the views of the PDP

“We are aware that the Conference made a similar visit to a PDP Governor in the North East region a few weeks ago and that they are also planning to visit another PDP Governor in the South South in the coming days .

“Does it now suggest that the APC members of the Conference who visited the North East Governor ,the Governor of Abia state and the planned visit to the South South Governor are planning to defect to the PDP and or LP?

“Such laborious speculations about decampment of PDP members is insulting to those who peddle such unfounded fantasies because the PDP recognises that everyone is at liberty to join any party he or she desires at any time and there fore would not restrain any one.

“For the PDP such rumours go a long way to reinforce our undiluted strength and immutable capacity to the point that even when we are no longer in power people always feel jittery when our members cough.

“The Abia PDP uses this opportunity to reassure its teeming, members sympathisers and the good people of Abia state that the party remains firm,intact and unshakable and would continue to provide credible measures to strengthen our democracy,” the PDP statement noted.

55,000 Doctors left In Nigeria – Minister

By
James Orji
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0

The Coordinating Minister of Health Prof Ali Pate has disclosed that close to 16,000 doctors have left the country in search of greener pasture abroad.

As a result, the minister said on Sunday, less than 60,000 doctors are not left in the nation’s hospitals and other health facilities to attend to the rising number of patients in the country.

The minister spoke on the heels of the cancellation of leave of absence for health workers.

The federal government said two days ago that some health workers have capitalized on leave of absence to abandon their work while looking for better opportunities outside the country.

Health workers seeking to work outside the country must now resign their appointment, the federal government said amidst concern among the nation’s health work force that the government is tightening the noose on them.

Prof Pate who spoke on Channels Television Politics Today yesterday said the current brain drain syndrome has robbed the health sector of its best hands, stating that health workers who wishes to stay would be encouraged to do so.

According to the minister, the federal government has done an assessment of the number of health workers in the country and discovered that they are barely enough to attend to the need of patients.

He said most countries in the world are trying to motivate their health work force to stay back in their countries, noting that the problem is not peculiar to Nigeria.

The Minister said, “There are about 300,000 health professionals working in Nigeria today in all cadres. I am talking about doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and others.

“We did an assessment and discovered we have 85,000 to 90,000 registered Nigerian doctors. Not all of them are in the country. Some are in the Diaspora, especially in the US and UK. But there are 55,000 licensed doctors in the country.

“The issue overall, in terms of health professionals, is that they are not enough. They are insufficient in terms of the skills mix. Can you believe most of the high skilled professional doctors are in Lagos, Abuja and a few urban centres? There is a huge distribution issue.

“The population of doctor overall is about 7,600 doctors in Lagos and 4,700 or thereabout in Abuja. The doctor to population ratio in Abuja is 14.7 per 10,000 population. These are numbers that you can verify. In Lagos, it is about 4.6, even though the average is 2.2 by 10,000.

“There are huge distributional issues and they are, of course, the opportunities even for some of those who have been trained to get into the market. So you have to look at it from a perspective that is holistic. Not only doctors but other cadres that are important in the delivery of health care. For doctors, we have been losing many that have been trained.”

“Now to the Japa you talked about, it is not only limited to Nigeria. It is a global phenomenon. Other countries don’t have enough. They are asking to take more. It is not only in Nigeria. It is happening in India, Philippines and other parts of Africa. In the last five years, we have lost about 15,000 to 16,000 and about 17,000 had been transferred. We’re barely managing. That’s why expanding their training will become logical. The same thing with nurses and midwives; they are also leaving.

“That’s why expanding the training is important to ensure those still around are well trained.”

Pate said there are still patriotic doctors, nurses and other health workers who have decided to stay back in other to help the country’s health sector grown despite the attraction abroad.

He said, “But there are also thousands more, which is what I was trying to hint at, who are here. And despite the opportunity to travel abroad did not leave and we don’t appreciate them. I’ll give you an example. The head of the ICU at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, a very brilliant gentleman. I met him in December and he said, ‘Four of my colleagues have left’ and I asked to know why he has not left. He said ‘Look, this is my country. I want to serve because health is a sector where there’s inherent motivation in those who select to go in there.’ People don’t just go in there because they want to have a job. They go because they’re intrinsically motivated and we have to recognise and tap into that.

“We are beginning to take steps to expand the training and work environment, taking some steps to encourage salaries and incomes commission to do certain things that will encourage them to feel at home. But even the issue of working hours that has come about recently, particularly for the junior doctors, is being addressed.”

Oronsaye Report: Cost Of Governance Too High-RMAFC

By
James Orji
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Hazida Bala-Usman
Hazida Bala-Usman

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC says the government has not been able to provide critical infrastructure to Nigerians due to the high cost of governance.

The commission stated on Sunday in a statement that if the situation persists, dearth in investment, high-level of unemployment and insecurity will continue unabated.

RMAFC made the observation amidst the recent decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement the Stephen Oronsaye report.

The 800-page report recommended that 263 of the statutory agencies be slashed to 161; 38 agencies be scrapped; 52 be merged and 14 be reverted to departments in various ministries, among others.

The administration took the decision two weeks ago to implement the report several years after it has been submitted to the federal government.

The report sought to reduce the cost of governance in the country by merging some federal government agencies, departments, parastatals and ministries in the country.

RMAFC is one of the agencies to be merged, according to the report.

On February 26, President Tinubu ordered the full implementation of the report after setting up a committee headed by Hadiza Bala -Usman, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on policy Coordination.

According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of the commission yesterday, Nwachukwu Christian, the agency said the federal government must ensure the prudent management of resources in other to enhance national development.

The statement read, “The problem of the cost of governance is responsible for the reduction in the provision of infrastructure and social services and the consequent fall in investment, high-level unemployment and rising insecurity in the country adding that no society can make meaningful progress unless it develops a competent and cost-effective management system capable of maximising the nation’s resources to the benefit of all.

“The RMAFC Boss also noted that the cost of governance over the years has been very high and alarming and therefore unsustainable as recurrent expenditure continues to significantly exceed capital expenditure thus negatively impacting investment, industrial expansion, infrastructural development and growth of the real sectors of the economy.”

“The high cost of governance in Nigeria was caused by the expensive nature of the presidential system of government, large bureaucracy, duplication of government ministries, departments and agencies and endemic corruption. Other factors were the high cost of public service delivery due to infrastructure failure, high-security costs as a result of insurgencies, kidnappings, ethnoreligious agitations and armed robbery, multiple salaries and severance allowances; extravagant activities and expenditures, high domestic and foreign debts and weak enforcement institutions.”

Uzodinma As Roadmaster: When A Leader’s Vision Berths On The Shores Of Reality

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodimma

By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality” – Warren Bennis

The leadership and personality traits of Imo state Governor His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma completely align with Bennis’ timeless postulation above.

A careful x-ray of Governor Uzodinma’s silent but wholesome reinvention of Imo since mounting the saddle four years ago clinically encapsulates his vision for the state.

January 15, 2020, ushered in for Ndi Imo, a refreshing dawn of HOPE. On that day,  Governor Uzodinma,  a man imbued with fecundity of ideas as to how to pull Imo from the doldrums,  took over the reins of government, signalling the commencement of the first term of the Shared Prosperity government.

As he stood on the dais set to be sworn-in,  Governor Uzodimma was clear about his mission,  vision and agenda for the Imo people. His eyes shone with determination and zeal to make a difference, and his face flushed with a glint of inward satisfaction and conviction about his vision having carefully designed and armed himself with a workable blueprint for the re-engineering of Imo.

Of course, prominent in the blueprint was road infrastructure. Essentially,  before the coming of Governor Uzodinma,  Imo had, for close to a decade, witnessed a stagnation in the critical areas of the economy,  particularly road infrastructure.

Imo roads were the gateway to hell. However, within

four years of his people-oriented administration, the Governor,  among other superlative achievements,  has endeared himself to the hearts of the Imo people with his massive,  state-wide road construction.

Governor Uzodinma is arguable,  in practical terms, demonstrating and stamping the import and meaning of his name on the Imo landscape. His name, “Uzodinma”,  when transliterated means “when the road is good”. Of course,  when the road is good, movements are easy, the economy booms and the people are happy! In the last four years, by the grace of Governor Uzodinma,  Imo roads have witnessed unprecedented turnaround and intra-state/ community movements have been made easy, the local economy is booming and Imo people are happy. Indeed, UZODINMA happened to Imo!

Governor Uzodimma’s road revolution is on the cusp of making Imo the only state east of Niger with the best network of rural and intra-state roads.

His unparalleled strides in road infrastructure are undeniable as his administration has constructed and completed or is about to complete over 100 roads in the state, spread across the three senatorial districts and the 27 local government areas.

Not only that the new roads open up communities hitherto cut off from the rest of the state, but Governor Uzodinma’s road revolution has also ensured that inter and intra-community movements have become seamless and effortless.

Another elegant commentary about the Governor’s road construction blitz is that it has brought about increased economic activities among the communities, especially the transportation to the local markets of farm produce.

Besides,  with brand new roads springing up in hitherto hard-to-reach areas, the Uzodimma administration has virtually turned Imo rural communities into semi-urban areas complete with the accruing socio-economic benefits.

Many indigenes of such communities who had been away from home for a long time hardly recognised the landscape of their communities upon returning home.

Such was the case of Andrew Ubajaka,  an indigene of Nempi in the Oru-West local government area who returned home recently after nearly a decade outside the community.

When he returned home, Ubajaka was pleasantly confronted by a beautifully constructed Nemp-Amagu-Akuma road which passes through his family compound.

Ubajaka could not believe that the road which was completely impassable at the time he left Nempi as a teenager was now road users’ delight.

“I can’t believe that anyone can now drive effortlessly from Nempi through Amagu up to Akuuma inward Awo ideally. I can no longer recognise Nempi, even Amagu! This is like magic.  Thanks to our Governor,  onwa Oyoko”( as Governor Uzodinma is affectionately called by his admirers),  Ubajaka said.

The Nempi-Amagu-Akuma road is a strategic road connecting three communities and linking four local government areas:  Nempi( Oru-west),  Amagu( Oru-East),  Akuma( Oru-East) and Awo-idemili( Orsu).

The Akuma end of the road links with Awo- idemili, inward the Orlu-Ihila road, and then connects motorists to Orlu to the right and Ihiala/Onitsha to the left.

Before Governor Uzodinma’s intervention, successive Imo governments had ignored fervent pleas to construct the Nempi- Amagu-Akuma road which has been a nightmare to motorists and other road users for over four decades with the Amagu-Akuma portion of it completely impassable, cut into two by gully erosion.

Apart from changing the narratives in the 27 local government areas of the state in terms of road construction,  Governor Uzodinma has also changed the face of Owerri, the state capital with exhilarating urban renewal efforts.

Among the roads the Shared Prosperity government has constructed in the Owerri metropolis and its environs include: Aba Road,  Douglas Road,  Port Harcourt Road (Federal Road),  Assumpta Cathedral/ Aladimma Road, MCC-Uratta Road, MCC-Egbu Road.

Others include Naze-PolyNek road,  Poly junction-Ogbosisi/FRSC/Whetheral/Toronto road,  Orji-Okigwe road,  Owerri-Orlu road,  Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road,  Egbeada bypass among others.

Love him or hate him,  you cannot but concede to Governor Uzodinma that he has translated into reality his vision of Imo where the citizens enjoy in abundance, the social and economic benefits of socio-economic and infrastructural development, a state where an economy can be created from ground zero through a deliberate recaliberation of road infrastructure with the attendant high multiplier effect on the economy.

Ndi Imo and indeed Imo communities wanted to continue to benefit from onwa oyoko’s road revolution and his government’s other infrastructural and economic projects and policies hence they didn’t think twice before renewing his mandate for a second term last November.

Indeed UZODINMA,  Uzo Imo dinma!

Chidiebere Onyemaizu, an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, is a former Deputy Editor and served as the Senior Special Assistant on Print media to former Governor Ben Ayade

President Tinubu Never Accented To Padded Budget – Presidency

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Bola Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has declared that it is not aware or in possession of any padded 2024 budget.

The clarification is coming following the false claims made by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government is operating two versions of the 2024 budget.

Acting under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum, Senator Ningi, falsely claimed in an interview he granted BBC Hausa Service, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.

However, one one of the mouth piece of government, in a statement on Sunday explained that “President Tinubu on November 29, 2023 presented a budget of N27.5 Trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly made up of N9.92 Trillion recurrent expenditure, Debt Service N8.25 Trillion and Capital Expenditure N8.7 Trillion.

Bayo Onanuga, the president mouthpiece stated that “This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 Trillion.

“Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly.

“We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.

“It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024 as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7 Trillion.

“The National Assembly, in its wisdom, increased the amount proposed by the Executive by N1.2 Trillion.

“In the spirit of democracy which allows give and take, President Tinubu didn’t withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly.

“We want to stress that if the budget figure was increased and made to be different from what the Executive proposed, it was the National Assembly that jacked it up in exercise of its power of appropriation.

“On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.

“President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.

“The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture.

“It is concerning that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive  rhetoric at a time well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.

“We want to use this opportunity to commend  Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity for setting the record straight.

“We also commend Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.

“President Tinubu is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy. As an avowed democrat, he will not engage and indulge in any unconstitutional action or act in any manner that assaults the Constitution of Nigeria by operating any budget outside the one approved by the National Assembly, which he dutifully signed into law.

“We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7 Trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President.

“Included in the budget are statutory transfers to the Judiciary, National Assembly, Tetfund and others.”

Budget Padding: Senate Set For A Rowdy Session; Senator Ningi Under Fire

By
James Orji
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0

The Nigerian Senate is set for a rowdy session when they meet this week over allegation that the 2024 Budget was padded.

A senator, Abdul Ningi had alleged that the Budget was padded by the presidency, a situation that has put the Senate under crossfire, particularly after the Presidency denied padding the monetary document.

The controversy has led to the Senate summoning an emergency meeting on Tuesday this week where the issue will be discussed.

A source informed the magazine that some sanctions are likely to be applied to “ensure that the upper chamber is not put in disrepute” by some divisive elements in the Senate.

The source did not say whether Senator Ningi will be suspended or sanctioned for throwing up the controversy that has now set the Senate and the Presidency against each other.

While raising the allegation last week, Senator Ningi alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was operating two versions of the budget, saying that the presidency has padded the budget with over N3 trillion, from the N25 trillion passed the Nigeria Upper House in December last year.

Ningi who spoke under the banner of Northern Senators’ Forum told the BBC Hausa Service in aninterview, that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 Trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 Trillion that is being implemented by the Federal Government.

The senator also accused president Tinubu of favouring the south in the budget, adding that the north has been roundly shortchanged.

The presidency has however denied the allegation saying the National Assembly padded the budget and not the executive.

In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, the Tinubu-led administration stated that the budget passed by the NASS is the one being implemented by the president.

The statement said Senator Ningi made ‘wild claims’ that President Tinubu has abandoned the budget passed by the NASS.

The presidency said Senator Ningi expressed “strange view” by saying that President Tinubu was implementing a different budget from the ones passed by the NASS.

He said Senator Ningi expressed “primordial antics to fuel divisive  rhetoric” in the country by saying that the budget did not favour the north.

Part of the statement read: “To begin with, President Tinubu on November 29, 2023 presented a budget of N27.5 Trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly made up of N9.92 Trillion recurrent expenditure, Debt Service N8.25 Trillion and Capital Expenditure N8.7 Trillion.

“This was widely reported. He did not present a budget of N25 Trillion.

“Contrary to the strange view expressed by Senator Ningi, there was no way the Senate could have debated and passed a N25 Trillion budget that was not presented to the National Assembly.

“We don’t expect a ranking Senator not to pay due attention to details before making wild claims.

“It is also important to let Nigerians know that the budget that President Tinubu signed into law on January 1, 2024 as passed by the National Assembly was N28.7 Trillion.

“The National Assembly, in its wisdom, increased the amount proposed by the Executive by N1.2 Trillion.

“In the spirit of democracy which allows give and take, President Tinubu didn’t withhold his assent to the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly. We want to stress that if the budget figure was increased and made to be different from what the Executive proposed, it was the National Assembly that jacked it up in exercise of its power of appropriation.

“On the uncharitable claim that the 2024 budget was anti-North, we found such position as canvassed by Senator Ningi as too far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status.

“President Tinubu is leading a government that is fair and equitable to every part and segment of Nigeria. In terms of funding, distribution of capital and priority projects, the 2024 Appropriation Act was not skewed against any section of the country.

“The North as an integral part of the country is well covered in all areas, from security to agriculture, healthcare to education, and other important infrastructure such as roads, rail, dams, power and irrigation projects to support all year-round agriculture.

“It is concerning that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can employ such primordial antics to fuel divisive  rhetoric at a time well-meaning Nigerians are joining hands with President Tinubu to raise the spirit of national cohesion, unity and inclusive politics.

“We want to use this opportunity to commend  Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity for setting the record straight. We also commend Senators Steve Sunday Karimi (Kogi), Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue) and Kaka Sheu (Borno) for their forthrightness and for coming out against the misrepresentation of facts by Senator Ningi.

“President Tinubu is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy. As an avowed democrat, he will not engage and indulge in any unconstitutional action or act in any manner that assaults the Constitution of Nigeria by operating any budget outside the one approved by the National Assembly, which he dutifully signed into law.

‘We want to state categorically that the only 2024 budget that is being implemented is the N28.7 Trillion budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President,” Onanuga said.

Oyo Set To Make Council Of Obas Functional, 13 Years After Lull

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Better living condition beckons on traditional rulers in Oyo state as Governor ‘Seyi Makinde expressed the readiness of his administration to fully resolve issues and make the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs functional again.

This is coming almost after 13 years the Obas’ council has been in the cooler.

The governor, who spoke in Ibadan at a meeting with royal fathers,  stated that it has become imperative to restore the body.

He noted that it has become expedient to resolve all issues so that the council could contribute its quota to the development of the state in its official capacity.

The governor pointed out that though the Makinde-led government has involved the traditional institution in the state in different activities and policies of government, the state council of Obas and Chiefs has been unable to meet officially since 2011.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Bayo Lawal, revealed that the administration has, in a bid to reconstitute and restore the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, earlier called for recommendations and suggestions from the members of the council.

He added that the government has received recommendations and suggestions from all the geopolitical zones of the state and that it would go ahead to treat the same with all the seriousness and confidentiality they deserved.

“We have engaged the monarchs in consultative activities relating to the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State.

“Recall that this council has not been functioning as required by law and it has become a source of worry for the government of Oyo State.

“The governor, in his wisdom, has decided to do something about it in such a way that the council becomes functional again.

“Since 2011, this council has not sat for once, and you recall that our royal fathers are custodians of culture in various local government areas and zones of Oyo State.

“Therefore, the government, to reconstitute the council, called for ideas, suggestions, and recommendations from our royal fathers in a manner that will promote stability in the council and promote development in Oyo State.

“We have received observations and suggestions from the five geopolitical zones of the state, Ibadan zone, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, and Oke-Ogun zones.

“We have received very profound and useful suggestions that will make the government make necessary amendments to the Chiefs law of Oyo State.

“This is our discussion until proper reports are made. Those suggestions from our Kabiyesi will be treated with confidentiality by the government of Oyo State until we can come up with agreed resolutions by both the royal fathers and the government of Oyo State.

“Those suggestions and recommendations remain as they are now.”

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters,  Olusegun Olayiwola, charged the traditional rulers to seek common ground and embrace unity, respect, and mutual understanding in the efforts to reconstitute the council.

He added that it would take the collaborative efforts of the state government and the council to stamp out criminal activities, including land grabbing, kidnapping, banditry, and illegal mining.

Labour Party Crisis: Apapa Goes To Supreme Court, Seeks Reinstatement As National Chairman

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Lamidi Apapa and Julius Abure

By Akinwale Kasali

The  Lamidi Apapa Led Faction of the Labour Party, LP,  has challenged the Judgment of the Appeal Court that ordered the reinstatement of Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Party.

The Apapa led Faction of the Party at a Press Briefing Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital addressed by its National Publicity Secretary,  Abayomi Arabambi, said the party has obtained a stay of execution in respect of the judgement.

Last week, the Appeal Court said that the High Court erred when it  restrained Apapa from parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.

Reading the unanimous judgement, Justice Harmman Barka, said the High Court lacked jurisdiction to have listen to the matter at the first instance, describing the matter as purely an internpapa.

Arabambi faulted the ruling and said that the party has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and gotten a stay of execution order.

“The Acting National Chairman of Labour Party, Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa has successfully filed an appeal on the 6th day of March 2024, and has stayed the execution of the judgement delivered in favour of Julius Abure by an Abuja Court of Appeal in the Supreme Court through a motion for stay of execution filed on Thursday the 7th day of March 2024.

Arabambi alleged that “Julius Abure had earlier before today forged the seal of the judge of FCT, forged the Commissioner of Oath signatures and generated his own TSA receipts without making any payment to federal government consequently upon which the police established a prima facie case against him for forgery, criminal conspiracies and perjury.

“You would also recall that on the 12th May, 2023, the FCT High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Hamza Mua’zu dismissed the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed by Abure and ors challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the Originating Summons filed by Martins Esikpali & Ors basically on the ground that there was an allegation of crime and that it’s a contentious issues in the said summons and as such, not suitable for Originating Summons which inherently meant that the case ought to have been commenced by Writ of Summons so that oral evidence can be taken.

“As stated earlier the said objection was dismissed as the court held that it has jurisdictions as the case has to do with construction of documents submitted before it simpliciter without more.

“Abure and 3 ors then appealed to the Court of Appeal.

“ Therefore, the issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the issues raised in the case were contentious or not. If the court says the case was contentious, all that the Court was required to do was to ask parties to convert the Originating Summons to Writ of Summons and order parties to file pleadings so that the case can be heard on the merits at the trial court i.e, FCT High Court.

“ Surprisingly, the Court of Appeal in a rather strange manner, went on the voyage of discovery totally out of context to deliver judgment touching on the substantive case as if the appeal was against a final judgment.

Apapa described the Appeal Court ruling as “perverse” and said he has appealed immediately to the Supreme Court on five grounds and more grounds will be filled once the CTC of the judgment is obtained by the lawyers.

“The judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on Wednesday 6th day of March, has now been put on hold as it cannot be executed, since motion for stay of execution is already before the Supreme Court and has been served on Abure and his lawyers”

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