The President assented to the Appropriation Bill during a brief ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. Other notable figures present at the event included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Chairman…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the latter’s recent criticism of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the purported delay in the payment of December salaries to Federal Government workers. In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, the party asserted that Tinubu’s administration has shown a greater commitment to workers’ welfare in its short time in office than the PDP did in its 16 years of governance. Morka dismissed the PDP’s claims as baseless, stating, “The rather flimsy statement attempting to portray the administration as…
Residents of Evugi community in Gbako Local Government Area of Niger State have called on the Commissioner of Police in the state and other relevant security forces to swiftly rearrest one Dauda Shabako in the interest of peace and security. The appeal comes after Shabako, from Biramafu community, was reportedly released from a correctional facility during a public holiday declared by the Niger State Government, without the knowledge of Magistrate Hajiya Ummih Mohammed, who had issued a warrant for his arrest over the alleged killing of three persons from Evugi village. Shabako, along with others, was allegedly responsible for the…
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has approved the appointment of two new permanent secretaries in the state’s public service. The appointments were made to fill vacancies created by the recent retirement of two permanent secretaries. According to a statement signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, Governor Abiodun approved the appointments to ensure the smooth functioning of the state’s administrative structure, particularly in its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and to maintain continuity and stability in governance at all levels. The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Engr. Muritala Alabi Adekunle, Director at Grade level 17 from the…
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a stark warning to his country, urging them to prepare for the possibility of war as tensions rise on the Korean peninsula. In a recent speech, Kim highlighted the need for readiness, emphasizing that a conflict could erupt at any time. Kim’s warning comes after he concluded 2023 with threats of a nuclear attack on Seoul, escalating tensions in the region. He has since ordered a military build-up to bolster North Korea’s defenses, citing the potential for a conflict that could “break out any time.” During a series of year-end party meetings,…
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects in 2024, urging citizens to remain hopeful as the benefits of certain economic policies implemented in 2023 begin to materialize in the new year. In his New Year message to Nigerians and the people of Enugu State, Governor Mbah highlighted the potential for significant economic growth in the coming year. He assured Enugu residents of a period of substantial economic advancement, citing various projects, policies, and legislation, including the state’s 2024 Appropriation Law, as evidence of his administration’s commitment to development. Acknowledging the challenges faced by Nigerians in…
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has extended his congratulations to Nigerians for entering the New Year, urging them to maintain their faith in Nigeria, as he believes the country will experience positive changes in 2024. In a New Year message conveyed through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio expressed confidence that Nigeria, under the current administration, is on track to reclaim its esteemed position in the international community. Akpabio stated, “I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate our fellow citizens on successfully entering 2024. I want to reassure you that things will improve in…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has called on Nigerians to set aside the partisan politics of 2023 and work together to build a better nation in 2024. Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, the Lagos State APC Chairman, conveyed this message in his New Year’s Address on Sunday in Lagos. He expressed gratitude for witnessing the beginning of 2024 in good health and called for divine guidance throughout the year. “Let’s make this year better than 2023 by leaving behind the partisan politics of the past and focusing on advancing our state as the Centre of Excellence and Nigeria as…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed concern over the health of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, asserting that his life is in danger. According to IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, Kanu urgently needs medical attention outside the Department of State Services (DSS) custody, where he is currently held. Powerful suggested that Kanu might be experiencing internal bleeding due to alleged torture while in DSS custody. In a statement, Powerful stated, “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) raise an alarm over the precarious health situation of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu needs…
President Bola Tinubu is set to deliver a nationwide address on New Year’s Day, as announced by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity. In a statement released on Sunday, Ngelale stated, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a New Year’s Day broadcast to the nation at 7 am on Monday, January 1, 2024.” Ngelale urged television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets to connect to the network services of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to broadcast the address.
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has reminded the current administration that they were elected to address challenges for the benefit of the populace, not to cite inherited problems as excuses. In a New Year message signed by Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, its National Chairman-elect, IPAC emphasized the enormity of the tasks ahead, urging leaders to exhibit exceptional patriotism, political sagacity, leadership acumen, and unwavering determination. “To tackle insecurity, revitalize the economy, enhance infrastructure, create employment, maintain social harmony, improve living standards, and propel the nation’s progress, leaders must prioritize their responsibilities,” the statement read. IPAC underscored the weight of leadership,…
Malam Shehu Gabam, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has called for genuine independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral processes. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Gabam urged the executive, judiciary, and legislature to adhere to the law in order to strengthen the electoral system in the country. While acknowledging INEC’s efforts in the conduct of the 2023 general election and off-cycle elections, particularly in the area of logistics, Gabam expressed concern about the commission’s continued susceptibility to executive influence. “INEC is not independent,” Gabam emphasized. “Many…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State disclosed that it had apprehended 1,016 suspects and confiscated nine tons of illicit drugs in 2023. Mr. Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, the Commandant of the NDLEA in Kano State, made this revelation to journalists in Kano on Sunday. Out of the total number of suspects arrested, 40 were females, and 976 were males. The agency achieved 102 convictions during the year, leading to the forfeiture of five vehicles, while 104 cases remained pending in court. The seized drugs included 6,098 kilograms of Indian hemp, 1,696 kilograms of codeine and tramadol, and 1,335…
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Mr. Karim A. A. Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to issue a formal ‘preventative statement’ regarding the ongoing violence, unlawful killings, crimes against children, and other violations of international law in Plateau State, Nigeria. In a letter dated Saturday and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged Mr. Khan to undertake a preliminary examination into the situation in Plateau State and extend any current investigations to cover the ongoing crisis. SERAP also requested Mr. Khan to visit Plateau State, demonstrating the ICC’s commitment to delivering…
Doyin Odebowale, the former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has stated his reasons for declining to work with the newly sworn-in governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Odebowale, who had served alongside Akeredolu for nearly three decades, expressed his inability to replicate the same level of dedication and loyalty to Aiyedatiwa that he had shown to Akeredolu. He, along with other key aides, resigned from their positions following the demise of Governor Akeredolu, who passed away in Germany after battling prostate cancer. In a statement to journalists in Akure, Odebowale reflected…
The Acting Chairman of Gwale Local Government Area (LGA) in Kano State, Bashir Kasim Dandago, has issued a statement distancing the council from a court order that restrained Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from utilizing funds from the joint State/Local Government Account for the construction of two bridges in the state. Speaking to journalists alongside six out of 10 councillors of the LGA, Dandago rejected the court order obtained by the chairmen of the 44 local government areas of the state. He highlighted that the elected council chairman, Khalid Ishaq Diso, who signed the lawsuit leading to the court order, is…
In a New Year message titled ‘New Dawn,’ the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has underscored the need for a change in Nigeria’s leadership and policies, which it considers as the longstanding challenges faced by the country since its independence in 1960. The party, led by its National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, expressed hope that 2024 will mark a turning point where Nigerians will actively engage in reshaping the nation’s destiny. APM emphasized the importance of holding governments at all levels accountable as a crucial step in the quest for a better society. In its statement, the APM acknowledged the existence of…
Former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, has condemned the recent bandit attacks on communities in the state on Christmas Eve, describing the assailants as having a cleansing agenda to take over the land. In a statement issued by his media consultant, Clinton Garuba, on Saturday, Jang expressed concern over the orchestrated attacks aimed at disrupting the peace and serenity that the people of Plateau State deserve. Jang reiterated the urgent need for the Federal Government to consider the establishment of state police as part of measures to address insecurity. He emphasized that state police would enable a more effective…
The Senate has summoned the country’s top security chiefs to address the Christmas Eve attacks on communities in Plateau State. The attacks, which occurred on December 23 and 24, 2023, disrupted Christmas preparations and resulted in the destruction of homes and looting of properties. The Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Hassan Abubakar; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun are among those invited to appear before the Senate. The decision to summon the security chiefs came after Senator Diiket Plang, representing Plateau Central, brought the attacks…
The Senate has passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill, increasing the budget from the initial N27.5 trillion proposed by President Bola Tinubu to N28.7 trillion, marking an increase of about N1.2 trillion. The approval of the bill came after the Senate Committee on Appropriation presented its report, which was endorsed during the plenary session on Saturday. Senator Solomon Adeola, while presenting the report, stated that the committee based its deliberations on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Paper (MTEF/FSP) approved by the National Assembly. He noted that the committee made adjustments to the oil benchmark, setting it at 77.96 dollars…