A former Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned the 2016 budget estimate presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint-session of the National Assembly as a “fantasy”. Fani-Kayode, who accused the President Buhari-led administration of spending money like a drunken sailor, alleged that the government was borrowing like there was no tomorrow. He noted that the government was mortgaging the future of Nigeria and its future generation. “The 2016 budget is fueled by insincerity, shrouded in fantasy, built on tall dreams and spawned by deceit, ignorance and the illusion of change. It is bloated, unrealistic, expensive, cosmetic and it will…
Author: Wale Adebayo
A sigh of relief has come the way of the Cross River advertising agencies as teh Cross River State Signage and Advertisement Agency (CRISSAA) declared a five-year tax holiday and other incentives for members of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), who intend to invest in the state. Mr. Stanley Nsemo, the Director-General of CRISSAA, made this declaration at the Extra Ordinary General Meeting of the Association in Abeokuta, Ogun state, where he delivered a paper titled: Sustainable Partnership for Economic Development. He listed among the incentives to include discounted charges on processing fees and sites fees, direct reduced…
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says 2016 will be tough, going by the crisis in the economy caused by a slump in global oil prices. However, he expressed optimism that his government will finish strong despite the economic indicators. “It is clear from all indicators that the coming year is likely to be very tough with the continued decline in revenue and rising expectation on the part of our people and with many state governments, local governments, and perhaps, even some federal agencies defaulting in the payment of salaries and allowances to workers,” the governor said during a meeting…
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed an “applicable sanction” on Aero Contractors Airlines in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs), following an embarrasing situation that saw the airline disembark passengers from one of its aircraft using a ladder. NCAA said the sanction runs into millions of Naira. “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed an applicable sanction on Aero Contractors Airlines in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs),” said Mr Sam Adurogboye, Ag General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA. “In a letter conveying the sanction, the Director General of the Regulatory Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman, said the action…
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has inaugurated a General Hospital complex at Odu-Ogboyaga, Dekina Local Government of the state. He said that the hospital, which cost his administration N300 million was built in 12 months, as part of efforts to improve the health of the people living in the rural areas. According to him, the fully equipped hospital with state of the art machines, will help in the delivery of quality health services to the people of the area and its environs. Wada expressed delight over the completion of the project in record time, saying that it was one of the…
The Kaduna State Government has disclosed plans to use its share of the N10bn that every state has been allowed to borrow long-term from the Central Bank of Nigeria at 9% interest rate, for the mass rail transport system. Twelve companies were on Monday pre-qualified to develop and operate a system in Kaduna metropolis. The 12 selected companies were among the 18 that submitted bids to build and operate the rail network. Those prequalified are, China Railway, 14th Bureau Group, Alstom, Gauff Gmbh, CCECC, SREI Infrastructure Finance, Atom Services, China Railway International Group, Sino-Hydro Corporation, the Infrastructure Bank, China Camce…
Nigeria will borrow as much as N984 billion locally and N900 billion abroad to fund its budget deficit which is expected to double to N2.2 trillion in 2016. This is to enable the federal government to revive Nigeria’s weakening economy by tripling capital expenditure. “The 2016 budget, as outlined, is designed to ensure that we revive our economy, deliver inclusive growth to Nigerians and create a significant number of jobs,” said President Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday when he appeared before the parliament to present the budget. The total budget volume would be N6.08 trillion. Of this total, N1.8 trillion…
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has signed a Bill to repeal the establishment of the Customary Court of Appeal in Edo State, into law. The governor, who signed the bill into law on Tuesday, after the State Executive Council meeting, said the Bill provides for the judges of the Customary Court of Appeal to be transferred to the State High Court. According to him, the move was to increase the number of judges for speedy determination of cases, adding that when appeal cases arise from the customary courts, the chief judge will appoint the judges that will hear and…
The FCT Coordinator of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Moses Aba, today, December 22 expressed appreciation at the efforts of the current administration in the fight against terrorism. Aba, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said that the efforts had drastically reduced the activities of the insurgents. He called on Nigerians to be peaceful and vigilant as they celebrate Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. He expressed the hope that 2016 would witness growth in the country’s economy. “When the economy regains its momentum; we will see investors coming in, industries will spring up here and there that will absorb our teaming…
The Members of the Kwara State House of Assembly today, December 22, urged the Federal Government to urgently relocate the llorin Prison to its permanent site. The lawmakers made the call in a resolution after adopting the report of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary. The committee had investigated the alleged harassment of residents where the prison was sited by soldiers deployed in the area. The report was read by Mr AbdulRafiu AbdulRahman of llorin North-West Constituency. The House noted that the prison was presently occupying a traditional area of llorin, adding that this was now affecting socio-economic life. It similarly…
The Federal Government today, December 22, in Abuja earmarked N433.4billion in the 2016 budget for its services in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. President Muhammadu Buhari stated this today in his 2016 budget speech delivered at the Joint session of the National Assembly. He said it was the intention of government to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure in future. To deliver our development objectives, we have increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion in the 2016 budget. “For the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30…
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the N6.8 trillion 2016 budget proposal presented by President Muhammadu Buhari today, December 22, to a joint session of the National Assembly “as a big fraud and executive conspiracy tailored towards mortgaging the future of the nation”. In the budget proposal, capital expenditure takes N1.8 trillion (30%), marking a significant increment of over 300% from the 2015 allocation of N557 billion. According to the estimate, N396billion is earmarked for education, making it the largest sectoral allocation. The health sector gets N296 billion while defence received an allocation of N294 billion. In its reaction,…
The newly appointed Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, says President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to proper repositioning of the Niger Delta region. Semenitari spoke with newsmen on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Tuesday. She said that President Buhari had charged the new appointees to clean-up the commission so as to be able to serve the people of the region effectively. Semenitari, however, said that her appointment was a confirmation of President Buhari’s commitment to active women participation in his government. “My appointment is in keeping with President Buhari’s commitment to…
President Muhammadu Buhari has apologized to Nigerians for the lingering fuel scarcity in the country, most especially, the queues that have refused to disappear from filling stations, ascribing the situation to the handiwork of rent seekers, which he said his administration is working hard to check. He made the apology while presenting the 2016 budget, which he described as the budget that will stimulate the economy, at a joint session of the National Assembly. The budget presentation, which centered on Nigerians’ ability to change the fortune of the country, was at intervals, interjected by applause from lawmakers. The president said about N2.1…
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Monday, hinted that the mining sector’s N400 billion contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), will soon increase. He gave the indication yesterday while reeling out his plans at the ministry’s maiden press conference in Abuja. Nigeria has 44 mineral assets, including precious minerals, which, Fayemi said, could make the sector a key source of economic growth and diversified revenue base for Nigeria. He also gave all mining licensees till March 1, 2016 to use their licences or lose them. Fayemi, who said he was projecting about one million direct jobs from solid…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State on Monday accused Governor Seriake Dickson of allegedly victimizing some top civil servants and politicians perceived to be against his re-election. The opposition party also alleged that Dickson was buying up the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of eligible voters from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and other councils ahead of the January 9 rerun. It said: “In his acts of desperation, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has vowed to use to deal with some top civil servants and politicians believed not to have supported him in the governorship election”. In a statement…
A human rights activist, Mr. Emmanuel Owotunse has condemned Hon. James Abiodun Faleke for approaching the tribunal over the choice of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace late Prince Abubakar Audu, saying Hon. Faleke’s action was an affront to the authority of the party. Speaking with Vanguard in Lokoja, Monday, Owotunse said the action of the party was based on the fact that Yahaya Bello was the most constitutionally qualified to replace the late Audu. “Faleke is taking too many wrong steps. His lawyers are surely misleading him into taking decisions that will burn…
Mrs Oluronke Rosolu, a court registrar, was yesterday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court for defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, of 330,000 dollars. Rosolu was convicted on all the two counts charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “The representation that she never collected $330,000 from the complainant is deceptive; the accused could not provide a strong alibi for her whereabouts when the fraud occurred,” Lawal-Akapo said while sentencing Rosolu. “I find the accused…
Some Muslim women led by Hajia Maryam Abubakar, on Monday, donated a giant Christmas tree to Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry based in Kaduna as Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas. They also donated other Christmas gifts to Christians in the northern city. “We have observed that the Christmas tree is very vital to the life of every Christian, and that is why we bought it for them, and we donated it to the church as a sign of togetherness and to wish them the best of the season that is full of blessing to mankind, that is, the birth…
The Rivers State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has drawn the attention of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who it claims to be unlawfully dispossessing members of the public of their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), under the guise of conducting the party’s membership registration in the State. The alarm was raised Monday by the State PDP chairman, Felix Obuah, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jerry Needam. The PDP said it had confirmed that leaders and members of the APC are procuring…