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FG Inaugurates Committee To Enforce LG Autonomy

November 5, 2024

Bola Ahmed Tinubu - President — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

To ensure strict compliance with the Supreme Court Judgement on local governments’ autonomy, the Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to enforce the decision.

The Committee, an inter- ministerial one, has 10 members with Secretary to Government of the Federation, (SGF)as chairman.

In a statement on Tuesday, Segun Imohiosen Director, Information & Public Relations in SGF office explained that the Inter-Ministerial Committee is saddled with the task to enforce Supreme Court Judgement On Local Governments Autonomy

The SGF, George Akume, performed the inauguration ceremony on Abuja.

The Supreme Court had on 11th July, 2024, delivered the judgement, granting financial autonomy to Local Governments in Nigeria.

Other members of the committee are :Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, and Minister of Budget & Economic Planning

It also has Accountant General of the Federation, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission, Representative of State Governors and Representative of Local Governments.

The committee’s primary goal is to ensure that local governments are granted full autonomy, allowing them to function effectively without interference from state governments.

According to the statement, this move is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to give appropriate implementation to the provisions of the Constitution, which recognizes Local Governments as the third tier of government.”

Parents Storm Governor Sanwo Olu’s To Protest Hike In School Fees

Akinwale Kasali

November 5, 2024

Lagos Models school parent Protest Hike In School Fees

By Akinwale Kasali

“Not a few people are of the view that the protesting parents are being very unreasonable. They have a choice, they insist, to take their children to cheaper public schools

Parents and Guardians of Students in Model Colleges in Lagos staged a peaceful protest to the office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to air their grievances over hike in the School Fees from N35,000 to N100,000.

The Parents decried the Insensitivity of the Lagos State Government, especially the Governor, for further inflicting pains on Parents at a time the nation’s economic fortunes are dwindling, which has in turn led to hardship for Nigerians.

Prince Sowemimo, the Parents Forum Chairman of Meiran Junior Model College, led other Parents to the Governor’s office to seek his intervention and redress the issue.

In a statement signed by Sowemimo said:

“Dear Parents,

“We thank God for a successful protest. Today at Alausa Governor Sanwo-Olu sent the Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, to us and called all the State Executive PF and told us to come in for a peaceful negotiations.

“So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Please, all parents should take back there children to school without any additional money. No Principal has the right to stop any child from entering the school.

“After tomorrow’s (Tuesday) negotiations the final verdict will be made known to all parents.

“I want to use this medium to thank all faithful parents, may we all eat the fruits of our labour Inshallah”, the statement reads.

It would be recalled that there have been mixed feelings over the increment in School Fees at Model Colleges across the State. It led to public outcry. Parents and Guardians stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest against the hike. They urged the Lawmakers to wade into the issue and call on the LASG to rescind its decision.

The LASG has, however, remained defiant, insisting the hike stays.

This led to Monday’s peaceful protest to the office of the Governor.

VP Shettima Hands Over 71 Teenage Protesters To Kano Gov Yusuf

Ayodele Oni

November 5, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Vice President, Kashim Shettima will formally hand over to Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, the 71 teenagers arrested in the State during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday, discharged and acquitted the 71 teenagers from Kano State, who were arrested in connection with the August 2024 EndBadGovernance protest.

President Bola Tinubu had on Monday ordered the release of the teenagers following public outcry against their detention.

The teenagers, accused of treasonable felony after being found with Russian flags, were cleared of all charges, marking a success for advocates who argued that their arrest was a violation of their rights.

The teenagers are to be flown to Kano immediately their release formalities are completed.

A statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, stated that Governor Yusuf has remained committed to securing the teenagers’ freedom, pledging to pursue every legal option for their release.

“Governor Yusuf acknowledged the efforts of human rights advocates, including lawyer Femi Falana SAN, and other legal teams who defended the minors’ rights.”

“The Federal Government has today withdrawn the treason charges against the minors, who were primarily from Kano State,” stated Barrister Suleiman Dantsoho, one of the lawyers representing the teenagers.

“This decision highlights the importance of protecting individual rights, particularly those of minors, and the role of legal advocacy in challenging injustice.”

FG Sacks Julius Berger, Terminates N740bn Road Contract To Firm

Akinwale Kasali

November 5, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

David Umahi, Minister of Works, has brought his threat to fulfillment by terminating the Section 1 (Abuja-Kaduna) of the contract for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway.

The Contract was awarded to Julius Berger, but due to non compliance, the Federal Ministry of Works gave a notice of termination of the N740bn if Julius Berger does not straighten up.

Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, in a statement said:

“Based on non-compliance with reviewed cost, scope and terms, stoppage of work and refusal to remobilise to site as directed, the Federal Ministry of Works had issued a 14-day Notice of Termination to Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc for the rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano states, contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna), today (yesterday) November 4, 2024.

“The decision, which is borne out of several months of going back and forth without any meaningful progress was reached at a management meeting of the ministry.

“The ministry has in the last 13 months been in constant talks with the company in order to reach an amiable position on the said alignment but to no avail.

“Nigerians may wish to know that the Contract for the Rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual carriageway, which was divided into three (3) Section was awarded to the company on 20th December, 2017, and flagged off by the then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at an initial sum of N155.748,178,425.50 billion on 18th June, 2018.

“Sections II (Kaduna – Zaria) and III (Zaria – Kano) were partially completed and handed over during the twilight of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Since then it has been one variation and augmentation or the other and finally, the present minister of works directed the redesigning and re-scoping of the Section I of the contract.

“The alignment was divided into two with one phase redesigned to be on continuously reinforced concrete pavement, CRCP, while the remaining with asphaltic pavement.

“Approval for Section I, Phase 1 for a length of 38 (thirty-eight) kilometres on the concrete pavement was given to Messrs Dangote Industries (Nig.) Ltd, while the remaining 127 (one hundred and twenty-seven) kilometres remained with the substantive contractor.

“The Phase 1 was flagged off on October 17, 2024, with a 14-month completion period.”

He further said: “Due to the stalemate of the contract and, most importantly, the desire of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda infrastructure initiative, to see to the completion of this laudable project, also to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians plying the road, the ministry re-scoped it and got the approval of the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

‘’The award for the re-scoping and downward review of the contract for the rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) in favour of Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc from the sum of N797,263,523,738.87 (seven hundred and ninety-seven billion, two hundred and sixty-three million, five hundred and twenty-three thousand, seven hundred and thirty-eight naira eighty-seven kobo) to N740,797,204,173.25 was granted by FEC on September 23, 2024, and conveyed to the company on October 3, 2024.

“As due to the socio-economic importance of the road as a vital artery connecting Abuja, the FCT to the north, the ministry conveyed the approval for a final offer on the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway to the company on October 23, 2024, stating that it should agree, in writing, to accept the reviewed contract sum of N740,797,204,173.25 within seven days or risk the termination of the said contract. It is a sad commentary on the company that rather than accepting the offer, they tinkered with the bills of quantities, as well as that of engineering measurements and evaluation via a letter to the ministry dated October 29, 2024. The company was summoned for a meeting with the Management of the Ministry, today (yesterday), November 4, 2024, but refused to show up, hence the termination of the contract based on effluxion of time and non- performance”.

Reno Omokri To Atiku: “You Lost The 2023 Presidential Election, Nobody Rigged You Out

Ayodele Oni

November 5, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

“A combination of the exit of Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso from the PDP, and the rebellion by the G5 led by Wike cost you the Election. Do the math”

Reno Omokri, has reacted to the claim by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that he was rigged out of the 2023 Presidential Election.

In a statement he released on social media, Omokri noted that the former Vice President, in a critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, made several statements that perhaps were not an accurate reflection of the situation we now find ourselves in as a country.

“Firstly, I supported, campaigned for and believed in the candidacy of Waziri Atiku Abubakar. However, the election was not stolen from him or the Nigerian public by either the Independent National Electoral Commission or the All Progressives Congress.

“It would have been hard for us in the Peoples Democratic Party to win the 2023 Presidential election.”

According to him, with the exit of Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the activities of the PDP five governors, led by Nyesome Wike, it was difficult for the PDP to win the poll.

“So, while Tinubu was adding, we were subtracting. If you minus the Southeast votes, Kano votes, and Oyo, Benue and Rivers, you will see that it roughly equals the 6,984,520 votes polled by Waziri Atiku Abubakar in 2023.

“We in the PDP were not rigged out, nor was the election stolen from us. Rather, we were defeated by the disunity in our party.

“It was for the same reason we lost the 2015 election when the PDP split into PDP and n-PDP, with the n-PDP and its four Governors eventually merging with the APC along with Kwankwaso.

“2023 was just a replay of 2015. History did not repeat itself. We rather repeated history.”

PSC Promotes Four Officers At Police Academy Who Acquired PhD Certificates

The Source

November 5, 2024

PSC Promotes Four Officers At Police Academy

The Police Service Commission on Tuesday, October 29th 2024, promoted four Police Officers currently teaching at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, who have successfully completed different academic programmes and acquired PhD certificates.

In a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, the Officers, who appeared before the Commission are CSP Favour Fadawag, Inspector Shide Sunday, Inspector Oparaji Benjamin Chetachi Ukwu and Inspector Benjamin Wanger.

CSP Fadawag was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police while the three Inspectors were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police for now until they are confirmed for further proper placement.

PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, who presided over the extraordinary Management Meeting of the Commission said other Police Officers with additional professional certificates and have been engaged in such professional duties such as Lawyers will soon be upgraded in line with the public Service requirements.

DIG Argungu said the Commission will henceforth encourage merit and personal development as motivation to greater dedication and commitment to duty.

He noted that the Commission will continue to promote transparency and accountability in the conduct of its constitutional mandate and assured serving Police Officers that their welfare including proper placement will receive the Commission’s attention.

The PSC Chairman said all lecturers in the Police Academy who have additional certificates will be considered for promotion. He also announced that while the Commission gives attention to Police welfare, it will not fail to fight corruption not only in the Commands, Departments etc but also in Police Colleges and the Academy.

DIG Argungu said the Commission’s policy on whistle blowing will soon be taken to the Police Academy and all the Police Colleges and anyone found with corrupt tendencies will be sanctioned. “We have to expose the enemies of our country, anyone found collecting money for admission into the Academy or recruitment into the Police will be dealt with according to the law of the land”, he remarked.

He congratulated the newly promoted Officers and charged them to go and give off their best in the service of their fatherland.

DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, fdc, commended the Chairman for his remarkable courage to pull through the promotion of the Officers with PhD certificates and had continued to lecture with Inspector ranks.

DIG Lakanu said he will continue to stand by him and ensure that the Commission succeeds in turning around the Nigeria Police Force for the better.

Ex-LG Elected Officials In Ekiti Lament Unpaid Terminal Benefits 14 Years After

Ayodele Oni

November 5, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

After 14 years of endless wait for their terminal benefits, former elected local governments officials in Ekiti state have appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to pay them their entitlements.

In an open letter dated November 5, 2024, igned on their behalf by Adeselu Adesoji, the ex officials lamented the long delay in paying them despite judicial pronouncement to support their claim.

The open letter reads “I write to you with a heavy heart, bearing the weight of injustice and suffering endured by the ex-council officials including former Vice-Chairmen, Councillors, Supervisors and Advisers among others in Ekiti State.

“Fourteen agonizing years have passed since their unjust dissolution in 2010. The Supreme Court’s ruling in 2016 brought hope, but the delayed payment has inflicted unbearable pains.

“Many of these dedicated public servants have lost their lives due to lack of funds for medical treatment, hospital bills went unpaid, and families were left to mourn.

“Their cries still echo while the memories haunting us. How many more must suffer?

“The Naira’s devaluation has ravaged the value of the owed amount, further enslaving these innocent individuals. Their benefits, which was once a symbol of hope are now seem like a distant dream.

“We urge you to reconsider the plight of ex-council officials who have been waiting for their entitlements for 14 long years.

“Must they continue to resort to limitless litigation before receiving their due benefits? We know you as a passionate person, and these individuals are your constituency, having served as political office holders in Ekiti State without blemish. We implore you to treat them with the dignity they deserve Sir.

“The Ekiti State Government has outlined its agenda focusing on job creation, human capital development, agriculture and infrastructure development

“We request that you prioritize the welfares of these ex-officials by demonstrating your commitment to responsible and responsive governance which is your hallmark.

“We beg you, Governor Oyebanji to intervene and resolve this matter swiftly, upholding the principles of justice and empathy.”

Ekiti Chief Judge, Adeyeye, Dies After Office Wall Collapsed On Him

Ayodele Oni

November 5, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Judiciary is in mourning mood as news filtered in early Tuesday about the death of the Chief Judge, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye.

Sources within the third arm of government in Ado Ekiti, confirmed the incident.

According to a source, Justice Adeyeye died in the early hours of Tuesday after over-a-year of absence from duty post.

Investigation reveals that Justice Adeleye has been indisposed since July 12, 2023 following serious injury he sustained when a section of the state high court complex wall collapsed on him in his office, in Ado Ekiti.

Though no official statement has been issued to announce his death, but the association of International Female Lawyer (FIDA) in the state has sent condolences to the family.

The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.

“May He find rest with his maker. I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss. Adieu great one”

Justice Adeleye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.

He started his career as a State counsel in the Civil service of the old Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission shortly after the creation of the State in 1996.

He got elevated to the position of a judge in the Ekiti State high court in 2002 and had served at different times in the election petition tribunals.

Foreign: Will US Elect Harris As First Woman Black President?

James Orji

November 5, 2024

Global Focus is centered on the United States, US, as the country is set to elect a new president, as two candidates, Donald J. Trump of the Republican Party, and Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party clash today for the top job.

While Trump is running with Senator JD Vance, Harris had picked Governor Tim WaLz as her running mate.

As the bastion of world democracy, keen watchers of US politics all over the world are watching, who among the two candidates would emerged the 47 president of the country.

Initially, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Was billed to run as an independent candidate, but later withdrew in August and endorsed Trump. But all along close watchers of the politics of the US had described the election as a straight fight between Harris, who became the Democratic Nominee after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, and Trump, a former president and businessman.

President Biden, the magazine recalls dropped out of the presidential race following serious pressure on him to do so because of his age. The US president is 81 years old, and not a few leaders of his party, including a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nanci Pelosi insisted that he stepped down because they thought this factor could work against him, particularly after he made some gaffes during a crucial debate with Trump in June.

Voting to elect the new president started few weeks ago, and is expected to climax on the Super Tuesday, the last day of the election, as candidates look up to the voters to decide their fates, in what political analysts have described as the most consequential election in the US democracy.

From all indications, the two candidates are standing neck-to-neck, as results from both Gallop and Exit polls have shown, but the major decider of the votes, according to knowledgeable analysts in today’s vote, are the eight swing states whose voters have yet to decide who to elect as the president. The Swing states, according to US top media house CBS News are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. They are also called the Battleground States.

The eight Swing States alongside other 42 states will decide, today, the fate of Haris and Trump to become US President, and arguably the world most powerful leader.

Instructively, the winner of the election must win the highest Electoral College votes, unlike some countries where emerging president is the one with the highest popular votes.

In the US, a candidate could win the highest popular votes but still lose the election, as it happened in 2016 when Senator Hilary Clinton of the Democratic Party won the popular votes, but lost the election to Trump who secured the most Electoral College votes.

There are a total of 538 Electoral College votes, out of which the winning candidate must secure at least 270 votes to emerge president.

In case neither of the candidate secures the deciding electoral votes, may be, in a situation where both Trump and Harris secure 269 apiece, the president will be elected by the House of Representatives, which is currently dominated by the Republican majority, while the Senate, currently with Democrat Majority will chose the Vice president for the country.

Ahead the election, major issues that dominated the campaign for the two candidates include Border security and immigration, women rights, crime amongst others.

While Trump promised to strengthen the US borders with other countries, to control the influx of criminals Harris’ position on the issue has been described as vague, raising serious questions on how she intends to prevent illegal influx of immigrants into the country.

Many illegal immigrants in the country are already gearing up to be deported as Trump has vowed throw them out of the country if he won.

But supporters of the former California Attorney General said Harris’ strong campaign issues include women rights to abortion, rule of law, amongst others which, analysts say have made her popular among women voters.

On these basis, she will be judge today by American voters on whether she is eligible enough to succeed President Biden whose term expires in January 2025.

The world is however watching whether Americans would elect Harris as her first black woman commander-in-chief.

For Trump who ruled the country between 2016 and 2020, millions of American voters will decide whether they want him to make America Great Again in line with his campaign mantra.

Kemi Badenoch And The Betrayal Of Heritage: The Painful Truth Behind Colonialism’s Legacy

The Source

November 5, 2024

By Olufemi Aduwo

Kemi Badenoch’s recent comments downplaying the role of colonialism in Britain’s development have sparked outrage, frustration, and deep disappointment. For many, her remarks feel not only historically inaccurate but also painfully dismissive of the profound suffering and injustice endured by generations across colonised lands. In dismissing the exploitation and plundering of colonised territories as non-factors in Britain’s rise, Badenoch appears to turn her back on her heritage,a heritage that carries the weight of colonialism’s scars.

The British Empire was an economic enterprise as much as a political one. At its height, it controlled almost a quarter of the world’s landmass, spanning continents, cultures, and civilisations. This was not merely an era of “civilisation,” as some have argued, but a brutal system that drained wealth, resources, and labour from colonised lands, often by force or coercion. Wealthy from its spoils, Britain could fund its industrial revolution, build cities, and establish itself as a financial powerhouse.

Resources like sugar, cotton, spices, minerals, and, perhaps most egregiously, human lives were ripped from their origins, transported across oceans, and turned into profits. Colonies were economically reshaped to serve British interests, with infrastructure and industries crafted to extract resources and funnel them back to the empire. Local industries were frequently dismantled, and entire societies were economically and politically subjugated to create a dependency on British goods. This exploitation established the foundation for Britain’s prosperity, a fact well-documented by historians across the globe.

The ramifications of colonialism are still painfully present in many countries today. Forced onto exploitative economic paths, these nations often emerged from colonialism with economies tailored to serve the needs of distant powers rather than their own people. Systems of inequality, administrative dysfunction, and economic dependencies were bequeathed to nations as colonial powers exited. These legacies continue to shape economic challenges, political tensions, and social issues in former colonies.

Badenoch’s dismissal of this complex history is, therefore, more than just a matter of opinion; it reflects a troubling disregard for the trauma of colonised populations and a failure to acknowledge the long-term impact of empire. Her comments seem to overlook the painful fact that the prosperity of Britain was, in part, built on the deprivation and suffering of others. It’s one thing to honour one’s country and another to overlook its painful truths. To argue that Britain’s prosperity was not significantly shaped by colonialism requires a selective reading of history. Far from a “civilising mission,” colonialism was a system of resource extraction and subjugation. British officials and businesses profited immensely while colonised populations were left with economic hardship and legacies of division.

For Badenoch, as a woman of Nigerian descent, to defend colonialism’s legacy is particularly painful for many of African and global diasporic heritage. This defence feels like a betrayal to those who continue to grapple with the socio-economic challenges birthed by colonialism. While it is, of course, essential to embrace one’s nation and contribute to its progress, such patriotism should not come at the expense of truth, nor should it obscure the voices and experiences of one’s ancestors. The painful history of colonialism deserves recognition, not dismissal. Refuting the reality of colonial exploitation does a disservice to the memory of those who suffered under it. Badenoch’s comments reflect a worrying trend of revisionism that not only undermines historical understanding but also risks alienating future generations from a complete and honest view of the past.

The world today is a global tapestry, with former colonies and empires intertwined in complex relationships. To deny or downplay the impact of colonialism on Britain’s rise is to miss an opportunity for authentic dialogue and understanding. It is essential to honour the contributions of colonial subjects, forced and otherwise, that were instrumental in building Britain’s wealth.In the face of Badenoch’s remarks, we must remember that acknowledging painful truths is not an act of disloyalty but an act of courage. True strength lies in facing history with honesty, not in rewriting it for convenience. For those of us who carry the legacies of colonialism in our heritage, this truth is vital, and it must not be silenced or ignored.

Aduwo is President, Center for Convention on Democratic lntegrity lnc(CCDI),Maryland, United States and Permanent Representative of CCDI at United Nations.

www.ccdiltd.org

Email:[email protected]
NB: CCDI, is a non-profit organisation with Consultative Status of United Nations

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