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CBN Assures Naira Free-Flow Following Pockets Of Scarcity

By
James Orji
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The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has assured Nigerians that there is enough cash in circulation, in response to the report that some parts of the country have been witnessing cash scarcity in the last few days.

The apex bank urged Nigerians not to panic as it would ensure sufficient cash in circulation, it also advised Nigerians not to embark on panic withdrawals, adding that transactions could also be carried out through electronic and internet banking to reduce pressure on the available cash in circulation.

The reaction comes amidst reports earlier in the week that cash scarcity is being experienced in some parts of the country, particularly in the northern parts of Nigeria.

Some commercial banks in Lagos Island also experienced the same problem on Tuesday, according to customers who said they were forced to resort to POS operators for their transactions after most ATMs failed to dispense cash.

According to sources who spoke to the magazine, the problem was caused following rumuors that the CBN was planning to redesign the naira.  The apex bank has already debunked the suggestion.

In its reaction in a statement signed by the apex bank’s spokesman, Isa AbdulMumin on Thursday, the CBN said it noted “the concerns of Nigerians’ but allayed fears that economic activities are being disrupted due to the perceived problems by some Nigerians, adding that everything is being done to ensure a free-flow of cash.

The CBN said, “While we note the concerns of Nigerians on the availability of cash for financial transactions, we wish to assure the public that there is sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in the country,” the statement read.

“The branches of the CBN across the country are also working to ensure the seamless circulation of cash in their respective states of operation.”

The Yemi Cardoso-led apex bank had on Monday debunked reports that it was planning to push on with the naira redesign policy introduced by Godwin Emefiele, the sacked CBN Governor.

Meanwhile, the CBN said it has started to clear the estimated $7 billion outstanding foreign exchange obligations of the Federal Government, on foreign currency forwards contracts owed to banks. The apex bank spokesman confirmed this to Reuters yesterday.

Ajaero’s May Be Flown Abroad For Treatment

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero may be flown abroad following the degree of injuries sustained on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo State.

Ajaero had mobilized Imo State Workers for a protest rally in the state over an alleged violation and abuse of the rights and privileges of workers by the state government. But the planned protest turned violent when Police Operatives allegedly pounced on him,  and manhandled him. He was, thereafter, arrested  detained and released later following an outcry.

But the Police denied they brutalized Ajaero, and insisted the NLC President was only taken into protected custody to save him from being lynched by a mob.

Benson Upah, NLC’s Publicity Secretary disclosed that Ajaero could not be treated to the satisfaction of the NLC and families of the NLC at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri because of the nature of the injuries he sustained during the scuffle, leading to the plan to fly him abroad for better healthcare.

FG Bows To Pressure, Removes Controversial Acquisition Of Yacht From 2023 Supplementary Budget

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bola Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the public outcry that trailed the plan to buy a Presidential Yacht, the Federal Government has removed the controversial Presidential Yacht Purchase from the 2023 Supplementary Budget.

The FG had planned to spend a whopping sum N5 Billion to purchase the Presidential yacht in the midst of an economic hardship, leading to mixed reactions.

Though, President Tinubu’s aide clarified that it wasn’t meant for President Tinubu, that it was meant for the Nigerian Navy.

However, Abubakar Bichi, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations disclosed that the budget for Presidential yacht has been transferred to Student loan.

Ekiti Power Project To Accommodate Private Concerns, Begins Test Running

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Independent Power Project (IPP) which is currently undergoing test running, will be expanded to cover private concerns on a willing buyer, willing seller basis, Commissioner for infrastructure and public utilities, Bolaji Aluko has revealed.

The Commissioner said in Ado Ekiti that the project has been tested successfully for two weeks with 700kw distributed so far out of the total strength of 3.5megawatts and room for expansion.

Aluko added that the test covered Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH) and streetlights along major roads in the metropolis.

Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, explained that the power projecth is part of efforts at addressing the shortage of electricity supply to the State.

Speaking during a facility tour of the Power Plant Station in Ado Ekiti, the Commissioner said that the project initiated by the immediate past administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi and completed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was one in the series of interventions to address inherent challenges in electricity supply to the State.

Olatunbosun stressed that the development was geared to boost industrialization and socio-economic development, as well as enhance good governance.

He noted that doing away with the hitherto ubiquitous generators with attendant huge cost of diesels and environmental pollution used to power public facilities like streetlights and government offices would block a lot of wastages.

Reiterating the commitment of the  administration to the general well-being of people in the State, Olatunbosun stated that the completion of the Power plant came in the heels of several other similar interventions including the restoration of electricity at Ekiti East and Gbonyin (Ayekire) Local Government Areas within his one year in office after fifteen years of blackout.

The Commissioner added that the tourism hub in Ikogosi, Erijinyan and Ipole-Iloro axis has also been connected back to the National grid through a dedicated feeder line from the 132/33KVA power substation at Omisanjana in Ado Ekiti after almost two decades of power outage.

He pointed out that it was the determination of government to boost the local economy and propel industrial development via robust growth of Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the State adding that government places a high premium on provision of stable supply of electricity across the state to serve as an impetus and a major boost to the growth of SMEs.

He appealed for the continued support of residents for Government’s efforts at developing the State and improving their lot, stressing the need for stakeholders to take ownership of public projects and ensure their safety.

Imo: APGA Gov Candidate Condemns Attack On NLC President

By
James Orji
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The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate in the 2023 Imo state governorship election, Sir Tony Ejiogu, has expressed sadness over the brutal attack on the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero in Owerri, the state capital.
The NLC president was in Owerri on Wednesday, November 1, to mobilize Imo workers for a protest rally in the state over an alleged violation and abuse of rights and privileges of workers by the state government, but the planned peaceful protest turned violent with allegations that thugs emerged and descended on the protesters and labour leaders.
In a statement on Thursday November 2,  Ejiogu described as a huge embarrassment to the highly cultured and peace-loving people of Imo state, the news that a man of Joe Ajaero’s status would be so treated in his own state where he should be lovingly welcomed.
“Regardless of the sentiment that the perpetrators of this act might express, there is no moral or legal justification for violence against a fellow citizen. There should be no place for violence in the Imo state that we all want to live in and prosper.
“How did we get here as Imolites? When did we become a state where leaders and elders are being disrespected, beaten up and disgraced while our children are watching? When did we become a state that has no respect for the leadership of the working population of our nation?” he said.
The NLC stated that Ajaero was arrested, “beaten up and blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where more brutalisation took place, sometimes with bottles”. Images of a badly battered Ajaero later emerged on the internet to the shock of many Nigerians.
While there are divergent reports about the circumstances around the attack on Comrade Joe Ajaero and how he was whisked away by men of the Police, Sir Ejiogu wants the police to ensure that the perpetrators of this “shameful act” are brought to book.
“While the police have been providing the public with their details of this sad event, please permit me to state that an issue like this should not end on the pages of newspapers and social media, because our state and the police leadership will be on the wrong side of history.
“This is not just a crime against Ajaero’s person, but against Nigerian workers, our state and humanity. I appeal to the Imo State Police Command to ensure thorough investigation of this shameful act, so that its perpetrators are exposed, charged and made to face the consequences of their crime.”
The APGA candidate then appealed to the people of the state not to lose hope in the future of Imo state. “Do not be discouraged by these events. Rather, let them inspire you to troop out on November 11 and use your votes to choose a new future for our state. Vote for a new leadership that has genuine respect for human lives and places the security of the state as its top priority.”

Senate Passes President Tinubu’s N2.18tn Supplementary Budget

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Senate on Thursday passed the N2.18 trillion 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill forwarded to it for consideration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The  Supplementary Appropriation Bill sent to the Senate, was read, earlier, on the floor of the Senate and given expeditious consideration.

The budgetary proposals made in the bill were debated, passed for a second reading, and the Committee on Appropriations mandated to interface with heads of affected agencies for defence on proposals made.

The Committee chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola, representing the All Progressives Congress, Ogun West Senatorial District  met with Heads of the seven affected agencies till the late hours of Wednesday and told journalists that the reports on the supplementary budgetary proposals will be submitted to the Senate for final consideration and passage on Thursday.

Adeola said, “As mandated by the Senate on the strength of the request made by President Bola Tinubu, the Appropriations Committee has met with heads of the affected seven agencies supplementary budget proposals were provided for.

“Heads of each of the agencies have defended proposals made for them by the President and convinced the committee on the need for the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly to approve the N2.17tn 2023 supplementary budget.

“The committee has carried out the assignment given in line with the urgency required on the basis which reports for final consideration and passage of the bill, will be submitted to the Senate today (Thursday)”.

It would be recalled that the Budget Committee met with Heads of various agencies, that included the Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa, defended the N100 billion budgeted for the Federal Ministry of Housing in the supplementary budget which according to him, would be spent on construction of housing estates across the country.

In his presentation, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, defended the N100 billion provided in the supplementary budget for the Federal Capital Territory out of which N22 billion was earmarked for the completion of metro rail.

For security and safety in FCT, Wike told the committee members that all abandoned structures would be brought down so as not to serve as hideouts for criminals from neighbouring states.

Other Ministers who made presentations before the committee were the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who defended his almost N400 billion appropriation; the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale, as well as service chiefs.

Activists Urge President Tinubu To Caution Desperate Politicians Ahead Of Kogi Guber Polls

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

With less than 10 days to the Kogi State Governorship Election slated for November 11th, 2023, some Activists, under the aegis of Activists for Good Governance have called on President Bola Tinubu to caution desperate politicians blackmailing Nigeria’s security agencies for selfish, sinister motives.

The Activists said these desperate politicians are fanning the ember of hate and threatening the relative peace being enjoyed by the people of Kogi State.

At a Press Conference held in Abuja, the nation’s Capital, the Activists called on security chiefs in the country to caution and deal appropriately with politicians who have continued to drag security agencies into the dirty arena of politics through unwarranted and incessant blackmail with which they hope to compromise them.

The Activists specifically pointed accusing fingers at the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and its candidate, Muritala Yakubu of deliberately blackmailing the Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, to prevent them from carrying out their constitutional assignments of ensuring the security of lives and property and preventing criminal activities from festering.

The leader of the activists and also co-convener, Lawyers, and Activists for Good Governance, Comrade Mohammed Sanni referred to a recent press release by the SDP, in which the party passed a vote of no confidence in the security agencies in the state while alleging that they were planning to arrest some of their members.

According to Sanni, the SDP Candidate is the only candidate that has had a running battle with every Police Commissioner posted to the Kogi State and should be thoroughly investigated.

He said, “We consider as unfortunate and irresponsible the Press Release authored by the Social Democratic Party a few days ago, which amounted to blackmailing the Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, for carrying out their constitutional assignments of providing security for politicians and the electorate alike.

“In the said Press Release, the SDP claimed to have passed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Police and DSS in the state and called for their removal. The Party alleged that the security agencies were planning to arrest some of their people. If those people have committed crimes worth investigating, why would they not be invited or arrested as the case warrants?”

Natasha Akpoti Sworn In As Senator

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Candidate at the National Assembly Polls in the February 25th, 2023 Election, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been sworn-in to represent Kogi Central Senatorial District at the Senate

The Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, administered the oath on Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This followed the judgement of the Appeal Court which on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, declared her the winner of the Feb. 25 poll.

The three-member panel, of the Abuja Division of tge Court, in its unanimous judgment, upheld the judgment of the state’s Election Petitions Tribunal and dismissed the appeal filed by Sen Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ohere had been declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after the election. But both the Election Petition Court and the Court of Appeal disagreed with INEC and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan duly elected.

TETFUND, Partner In Progress For State Varsities – Gov Oyebanji

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor,  Biodun Oyebanji, has attributed the survival of State-owned Universities to  existence of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

The Governor lauded TETFUND for the infrastructure development of higher institutions, stressing that it has enhanced growth and development of education in the State.

Oyebanji, who led a team comprising the Commissioner for Finance, Akintunde Oyebode, Director General, office of SDGs, Wole Ajakaiye and Permanent Secretary Abuja  Liason office, Babatunde Olaoye were received by the Executive Secretary, TETFUND,  Sonny Echono and the board of directors in Abuja.

Governor Oyebanji, who thanked the TETFUND management for various projects funded in the state tertiary institutions, said the agency has contributed in no small measures to the state’s drive for economic re-engineering.

According to the Governor,  efforts of his administration in the last one year have been geared toward developing the foundation laid by his predecessor, particularly in the area making the youths have the right place of knowledge and skills acquisition for productivity and  poverty alleviation.

He sought more collaboration and partnership with TETFUND, saying that the state would continue to make the best use of structures in Ekiti State University, Bamidele Olumilua University and the State Polytechnic Isan Ekiti.

“I am aware of the TETFUND interventions in all our institutions in Ekiti state and I think it is very appropriate for me to come here and say thank you to TETFUND.

“There is a saying that if you say thank you for what has been done for you yesterday, the chances are there that you will get more.

“This visit is long overdue, but I was stuck in the state trying to build on the foundations laid by my predecessor, we campaigned on the mantra of shared prosperity and for the past one year, we have been driving in that direction.

“Everybody knows Ekiti state to be the state of intellectuals and we believe strongly that if people are educated and have the right place of knowledge, they will be productive knowing that the antidote to poverty is productivity, and to be productive, one must have the right skills.

“This is where TETFUND is playing a very big role in trying to provide the prerequisite for knowledge acquisition. We want to partner with TETFUND and explore other areas of collaboration.”

Responding, the TETFUND Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono described Ekiti state as a warehouse of intellectuals, commending the Ekiti state government for serving as a model to other states in the country in terms of sound education and research as well as making the best use of the TETFUND projects in the various schools.

He assured the Governor of TETFUND continuous partnership with institutions in order to achieve the federal government goals of creating a level playing ground for youth to contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.

“Everyone knows that Ekiti state has a special place in the education of this country, having produced aggregate proportion of the highest number of intellectuals and academics, who have contributed in no immeasurable ways to the development of the country.

“We look forward to deepening that partnership and collaborate with the institutions in Ekiti state to create opportunities especially for the youths to express themselves and contribute their quota to the development of this country and to collectively grow this economy.

“We are glad that the institutions in Ekiti State both owned by the state and the Federal Government are doing well with respect to TETFUND projects and we are giving assurances that we will be expanding these areas of collaboration particularly in the area of research and upgrading facilities.

“We want the country to know that we are proud of the continuity of programmes and the model that is working in Ekiti State and we recommend that to other states in the country to emulate because it assures us of a seamless effort to rebuild the broken walls of our institutions.”

Gov Akeredolu Threatens To Stop Take Off Of Newly Created LCDAs In Ondo

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Despite signing the bill creating them to law, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has threatened that some newly created Local Council Development Authority, (LCDA) may not take off.

Governor Akeredolu explained that areas where there is crisis over the LCDA may not witness their takeoff stressing that unity, is the prerequisite for the take off of newly created LCDAs.

The Governor disclosed Government position to stakeholders, as he embarked on a tour of the Northern Senatorial District of the State, to inspect facilities on ground for the take off of the newly created LCDAs, as well as assess the level of preparedness of stakeholders.

The new LCDAs whose bill was signed into law by Governor Akeredolu in Ibadan, Oyo state on his return from medical leave abroad, have been finding it difficult to take off following disagreement among communities either on the headquarter or their name.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, led a team on an inspection of newly created LCDAs in the Northern Senatorial District.

Akeredolu pointed out that his intention of creating the LCDAs was not to put division among the people, but to bring government closer to them and make the State develop faster, through local government administration.

He maintained that unity among the communities which make up the LCDAs, as mandatory for their take off, as the government will not tolerate any turbulence arising from creation of LCDAs.

According to him, no meaningful development can take place if stakeholders do not put aside selfish interests and come together in the interest of their communities.

The Governor said in response to the yearnings, agitations and aspirations of his people, he had to take the bull by the horn, to ensure that the newly created LCDAs see the light of the day.

He added that the Bill that created the LCDAs had been passed into law, accented to and sent to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, for implementation.

The Governor said if stakeholders are ready and willing to do the needful, the LCDAs could take off in the next few days.

While seeking the continued support and collaboration of stakeholders, the Governor thanked them for their prayers and for standing by him when it seemed all hopes were lost.

He reiterated commitment to the continued provision of amenities and infrastructure to make life better for the people.

Akeredolu sought the cooperation of all stakeholders in tackling insecurity in the state and making it a safe heaven for all and sundry.

At Oredegbe and Arigidi/Erusu LCDAs, there was disagreement on the location provided for permanent sites and name of the LCDA, the Governor apart from listening to all argument on the merit and demerits of the locations, he visited the sites for an on the spot assessment .

He then promised to invite the different interest groups to a meeting, with the view to resolving amicably, areas of differences.

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