The Sokoto State House of Assembly has approved the 2024 budget totaling N270.1 billion. The decision was reached following the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation during Wednesday’s plenary session. Alhaji Abdullahi Zakari, the Committee Chairman, presented the report, stating that the budget submitted by Governor Ahmed Aliyu at N270 billion remained unchanged. He detailed that the budget comprises N97.8 billion for recurrent expenditure and N172.2 billion for capital expenditure. Zakari explained, “These figures remain as submitted by the governor. However, responding to genuine requests from sub-committees, the committee reallocated resources to accommodate essential…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), a non-governmental organization (NGO), has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on unemployment in Nigeria. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, the Executive Director of CHRICED, made this appeal during a news conference addressing the state of the nation in Abuja on Wednesday. In addition to declaring a state of emergency, Zikirullahi urged the government to allocate N1 billion for job creation in each of the 774 local government areas (LGAs) across the country. He emphasized that the distribution of this fund should take into account the unique characteristics…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its intention to sanction the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for allegedly working against the party’s interests. The Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, made this declaration during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday. Damagum’s statement comes in the wake of a crisis in Rivers State involving Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which resulted in 25 PDP lawmakers defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Additionally, seven commissioners in the state have resigned from their positions. The rift between Wike and Fubara reportedly revolves around…
The national secretariat of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) has expressed concern over the ongoing leadership crisis within the Abia State chapter of the party. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of YPP, Egbeola Wale Martins, the party called for the maintenance of the status quo ante pending the resolution of the crisis through ongoing interventions. The statement affirmed that Mr. Uluocha Nelccin Chiemezuo, who was suspended by the State Working Committee (SWC) last week, remains the recognized Chairman of the Abia State chapter of YPP. The party cautioned against the actions of Uzodinma Nwoko, who was…
In a surprising turn of events, Yakubu Abdulmalik Bala, a member of the Niger State House of Assembly representing Katcha Constituency, has officially defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmaker made this announcement during a session at the House on Wednesday, where he symbolically raised the APC flag. Explaining his decision, Bala attributed it to the commendable efforts of the Governor in delivering tangible benefits of governance to the people. He expressed his confidence in the APC’s agenda and its ability to positively impact the state. The Speaker of the House welcomed…
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, has officially tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, signaling his departure from the role to assume his position as Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District. The resignation was confirmed in a statement signed by Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Special Adviser to the outgoing Minister on Media. According to the statement, Lalong submitted his resignation letter to President Tinubu on December 19, 2023. Lalong cited the recent legal proceedings that resulted in the Court of Appeal declaring him the duly elected senator for Plateau South Senatorial District and instructing the…
In the midst of a protracted dispute with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has expressed his willingness to embrace peace. The governor, alongside other key stakeholders, recently entered into an eight-point agreement in Abuja on Monday, aiming to resolve the political crisis gripping the state. This agreement followed a meeting at the State House facilitated by President Bola Tinubu, where Wike, Fubara, and other stakeholders deliberated on the issues at hand. Addressing the public on Tuesday at the 3rd Convocation and 6th Founders Day ceremonies of the PAMO University of…
Ijaw leader Edwin Clark has expressed his dissatisfaction with the eight-point resolution released on Monday aimed at resolving the political crisis in Rivers State, describing it as one-sided and unacceptable. The resolution was reached following a meeting between President Bola Tinubu, other stakeholders, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, and his immediate predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to address the ongoing face-off between the two political figures. Key points of the resolution included the withdrawal of all court cases initiated by Governor Fubara against Wike and his team, as well as a directive for state lawmakers loyal to Wike to cease any impeachment…
Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has revealed that his office has not received any allocation in the last six months. Shaibu stated that he has been sustaining the operations of his office through personal sacrifices and goodwill. Speaking at the inauguration of the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City, Shaibu expressed gratitude to journalists for their role in his life. He emphasized that his dedication to the state is not driven by politics but by a commitment to Edo’s well-being. Shaibu acknowledged the…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to schedule new elections to fill 25 vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly. This call comes in line with Section 109 (1) (g) of the Nigerian constitution. The PDP argues that there is no legal remedy for the 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the PDP, these lawmakers vacated and lost their seats by defecting, as per Section 109 (1) (g) of the Nigerian Constitution. In a statement released…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has disclosed that the 2024 budget is scheduled for passage on Saturday, December 30, 2023. This announcement came as the House resumed plenary on Tuesday. During the session, Abbas conveyed a message from the Committee on Appropriations to various House committees, directing them to conclude and submit their reports on budget defense by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. He also outlined that other budget-related activities, including compilation, processing, and harmonization, would follow. The House had earlier suspended plenary on December 1 to focus on budget proposal defense, aiming for…
The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has come under criticism from a civil society organization, Policy Alert, for allegedly prioritizing his office over the state’s social sector budget implementation in the third quarter of 2023. In a statement signed by its Programme Officer, Fiscal Reforms and Anti-Corruption, Faith Paulinus, Policy Alert expressed concern over the allocation of a substantial portion of the state’s budget to the Office of the Governor at the expense of critical social sectors. The organization’s statement, released after a review of the Imo State Third Quarter Budget Performance Report 2023 (July-September), revealed that while…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially presented the staff of office and instrument of office to the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye. The presentation ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Ogbomoso township stadium, marked the formal recognition of Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso. Governor Makinde, exercising his authority as the governor of the state, conferred the staff of office and instrument of office on the new monarch during the event. In his remarks, Governor Makinde emphasized the significance of the presentations, stating that they symbolize the official confirmation of Oba…
Tunji Akinosi, the member representing Ado-Odo Ota Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, has refuted allegations of assaulting a police officer during the 2023 Iganmode Day celebration in Ota, Ogun State. A viral video purportedly showing the altercation has sparked controversy, prompting Akinosi to defend his actions. In a statement released by his Media Aide, Joel Okeodebija, Akinosi clarified that the incident involved a clash with a Police officer, identified as M. Yusuf, allegedly attached to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), representing Ogun West senatorial district. Akinosi asserted that the officer disrespected the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, which…
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State is currently engaged in a confidential discussion with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, at the Defence Headquarters. The closed-door meeting, which commenced at approximately 1:19 pm on Tuesday, involves the governor and a delegation of state government officials. Sources indicate that the meeting’s agenda is likely linked to the persistent security challenges facing Benue State. The region has been grappling with a significant security crisis, resulting in the displacement of over two million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing in various camps across the state, a consequence of attacks attributed to suspected…
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has cautioned against early political distractions aimed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging politicians to focus on governance rather than premature 2027 presidential ambitions. In a statement released through his Media Aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni expressed concern over recent efforts by a group known as the Forum of 2023 APC Presidential Candidates, led by former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, to endorse President Tinubu for a second term in 2027. Mumuni emphasized that the President is currently dedicated to governing and fulfilling his promises to the…
In a closely watched election held in Abuja on Monday, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has elected a new chairman, marking a shift in leadership. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who served as both the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and IPAC, will be stepping down, making way for Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle. The election, which witnessed a keen contest, unfolded between the incumbent, Yusuf Sani, and Dantalle. Ultimately, Dantalle secured victory with 10 votes, while Yusuf Sani garnered eight votes. Declaring the results, the electoral chairman, Dan Nwayanwu, officially announced Dantalle as the new chairman of IPAC and the…
The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, revealed on Monday that the board has disbursed a staggering sum of over N400 billion to tertiary institutions nationwide in the year 2023. Speaking during TETFund’s management retreat in Makurdi, Echono explained that this substantial amount encompassed both the backlog from previous years and the disbursement for the ongoing year. The disbursement occurred in two phases, with the initial phase taking place in 2023, approving an allocation of approximately N320 billion. Echono happily reported that institutions accessed even more than the approved amount, attributing the increase to streamlined…
In a firm declaration, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not provide protection to any military personnel found guilty of illicit drug abuse and trafficking. Gen Musa conveyed this commitment during his visit to the Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), on Monday in Abuja. Commending the NDLEA for its remarkable achievements in combating drug abuse and trafficking, Gen Musa highlighted the positive impact this has had on altering Nigeria’s international perception. Nigerian Army Expressing unwavering support, Gen Musa…
In a proactive move to guarantee a smooth flow of traffic during the festive season, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the deployment of its entire workforce, including Special Marshals, to the highways across the country. Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem, in a statement released on Monday in Abuja, outlined the corps’ commitment to combating traffic gridlock and ensuring zero Road Traffic Crashes during the yuletide period. Kazeem stated that the personnel have been equipped with necessary logistics and operational materials, including radar guns to monitor speed violations. To enhance efficiency, 16 traffic control camps have been established…