Former National Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Abdulrahman Maina-Yaji, has said the Supreme Court judgment that granted autonomy to local governments will address poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.
He made this statement in Maiduguri while reacting to the landmark judgment.
He said all those who worked toward it deserved commendation in promoting good governance and enhancing democracy.
Maina-Yaji, who is now the Mutawalli of Michika and Kakaki of Mubi Emirate of Adamawa, said “the judgement is a big relief to majority of Nigerians.
“President Bola Tinubu as an experienced administrator who understands the vital position of local governments as third tier of government closer to the people, deserves commendation for actualising this dream.
“In fact, to us as stakeholders in the local government, it is the judgment of the millennium, it signifies the return of life to the third tier of government.”
He recalled that NULGE had been pointing out that the growing poverty and insecurity at the grassroots was aggravated by lack of autonomy to local governments, as chairmen remained helpless due to poor funding.
He urged stakeholders to sit up and ensure that the judgement was enforced to the latter, by thwarting any move by any governor to compel his cronies who emerge as council chairmen to continue to open council purses for such governors to exploit.
“I want to draw the attention of elected chairmen not to be tempted by any governor to use another means to siphon money.
“As veterans of local governments, we will mobilize council workers and other stakeholders to ensure that apart from statutory deductions, any chairman that gives out money to the state will be petitioned to EFCC.
“We will not just allow this judgment to be frustrated by anyone by putting all necessary mechanisms to ensure its implementation to the fullest for maximum results,” he said.
LG autonomy will tackle poverty, insecurity – Ex-NULGE official
LG autonomy will tackle poverty, insecurity – Ex-NULGE official
Dapo Abiodun celebrates Wole Soyinka @90
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as a literary icon and a voice for social justice and human rights, whose legacies straddle the entire world.
Abiodun, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, to mark Soyinka’s 90th birthday today, described the first African Nobel Laureate winner in Literature as “An icon, a literary giant, and a global ambassador of Nigeria.”
He added, “Congratulations to Professor Soyinka on reaching the incredible milestone of 90 years! Throughout his lifetime, he has not only become a literary icon but also a voice for social justice and human rights.
“His contributions to literature, theatre, and activism have left an indelible mark on the sand of history. Here’s to celebrate his remarkable achievements and wish him many more years of inspiration and impact,” the governor said.
The governor noted that Soyinka has made immense contributions to the development of literature, culture, and democracy in Nigeria and across the world through his gifted art of writing and activism.
Abiodun commended the legendary playwright, poet, and essayist for his unwavering commitment to the fight for social justice, human rights, and good governance over the past six decades.
He said Soyinka’s legacy as a fearless, principled, and cerebral public intellectual will continue to inspire generations of both born and yet unborn Nigerians and Africans.
Abiodun wished the revered scholar many more years of good health, wisdom, and fulfilment ahead as he celebrates his landmark 90th birthday.
Nigeria scores legal victory as P&ID to pay judgement costs in Pounds Sterling
In a significant legal victory for Nigeria, the United Kingdom Court of Appeal has ruled that Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) must pay the country’s legal costs associated with their failed gas processing contract dispute, and crucially, those costs must be paid in British Pounds Sterling (GBP).
This was contained in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Communications and Publicity, Office of the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on Friday.
Ogundele stated that the AGF lauded the U.K Appellate Court’s decision that rejected P&ID’s request to pay the judgment cost in Naira which would have reduced the legal cost by a wide margin.
He described the request to pay the fees in naira as another desperate attempt to defraud Nigeria, saying the court’s refusal is another victory won against corruption.
“The Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef O. Fagbemi, (SAN) is delighted at a report just received from our UK solicitors on the latest victory recorded by Nigeria in its fight against corruption and extortion by litigation hawks. Consequent to our success in defeating the fraudulent USD 11 billion claim by P&ID last year, Nigeria is continuing its efforts to recover its substantial costs from P&ID and its vulture fund backers.
READ ALSO:Reps summon Umahi, Edun, Fagbemi to explain procurement process on Lagos-Calabar Highway
“Today (being the 12th day of July 2024), the United Kingdom Court of Appeal validated Nigeria’s claim for the post-judgment costs to be paid in Pound Sterling (GBP), which P&ID tried to reduce drastically by claiming that Nigeria should only be entitled to recover its costs in Naira, which evidently will produce a much lower cost.
“This was another misconceived and desperate attempt by fraudsters to deprive the Nigerian people of hard-earned public revenue. As a government, we are very determined to recover these costs and make P&ID and its US funders pay for their scam so as to serve as a deterrence to others of their ilk. We commend the dedication and tenacity of our legal team for this accomplishment,” the statement read.
This decision comes after a tumultuous legal battle. P&ID, a British Virgin Islands-registered company, initially secured a $11 billion judgement against Nigeria in 2019 at an arbitration tribunal in London. Nigeria vehemently contested the award, arguing the contract was a sham and P&ID had no real investment in the project.
A Win on Two Fronts
The latest ruling holds a double win for Nigeria. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, hailed the decision, highlighting the importance of the currency used for payment. By demanding the costs be paid in Pounds Sterling, Nigeria avoids significant devaluation due to exchange rate fluctuations.
A Blow to P&ID’s Finances
The ruling is a substantial financial blow to P&ID. The exact amount of legal costs is unknown, but it is likely to be a significant sum. This decision, coupled with the ongoing legal challenges to the original $11 billion judgement, puts P&ID’s financial viability further in question
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LASTMA denies involvement in man’s death by suicide
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has distanced itself from the discovery of a man’s body hanging from a tree not far from its offices on the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway.
In a statement issued on Friday, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Taofiq Adebayo, addressed rumors circulating online suggesting the agency was involved in the man’s death.
“Several speculations were made by sympathisers present at the scene,” Adebayo said. “Some said he was dressed like a motorcyclist (okada rider), while some speculated he was a tricyclist (Marwa rider).
He also debunked the rumours circulating on social media, insinuating that the deceased’s vehicle was impounded by officers of the agency.
The statement further clarified that the body was discovered early Thursday morning by passersby who immediately reported it to the Shagamu Road Police Station.
READ ALSO:Bus driver jailed 12 years for killing LASTMA officer
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, emphasized, “Our operatives are not responsible for the dead body found hanging by the gate of the estate.
“Some even believed he was brought to the scene by his killers during the wee hours of midnight, and stage managed it, to give it the semblance of suicide because the victim’s leg was touching ground.
“For brevity, no one could really identify him as either an okada or Marwa rider from amongst several operators of okada and Marwa who visited the scene.”
The cause of death and the man’s identity remain under investigation by the police.
The post LASTMA denies involvement in man’s death by suicide appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Gaza: Netanyahu reverses on key Israeli concession in ceasefire talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reversed a key Israeli concession in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.
CNN reports that Netanyahu is now demanding that armed men be barred from returning to northern Gaza during an eventual ceasefire.
According to the report, Israel had previously agreed to allow Palestinians unrestricted access to northern Gaza during an eventual ceasefire.
However, the Prime Minister told his negotiating team this week to demand that armed men be barred from northern Gaza as part of any ceasefire and hostage deal, a source told CNN.
The new demand could potentially upend progress in hostage negotiations and raise further questions about Netanyahu’s commitment to Israel’s own proposal for a deal that has become the basis for detailed negotiations.
Talks resumed in the Qatari capital, Doha, last Friday between Israel and Hamas over the weekend.
Hamas agreed to compromise on a major sticking point for Israel, that the Jewish state commit to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza before signing an agreement.
Gaza: Netanyahu reverses on key Israeli concession in ceasefire talks
Ex-Rep rejects membership of Edo APC gov campaign council
A former Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Pally Iriase, has declined his membership of the National Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress for the Edo State governorship election.
Iriase, whose name was included in the list released on Friday, said he was not consulted before he was included in the team and that he has since stepped aside from politics.
In a statement on Friday, Iriase wished the APC a successful campaign and a peaceful election and urged everyone to respect his desire to be excluded from the council.
The statement reads, “My attention has been drawn to the fact that my name is included in the list of appointees into the National Campaign Council for the governorship election in Edo State by the All Progressives Congress.
“I appreciate the National Working Committee for finding me worthy of the appointment. But, I hereby reject the appointment for the following reasons:
“I was never consulted. I have for several years stepped away from partisan politics, and I do not intend to change my mind.
“I do not want my associates, friends, admirers, and family to see me as a hypocrite.
“While wishing APC a successful campaign and a peaceful election, I strongly urge everyone to respect my desire to be excluded from partisan politics.”
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Russian oil depot gutted by fire after Ukrainian drone attack
An oil depot was gutted by fire on Saturday in Russia’s Rostov region after a Ukrainian drone attack, its governor, Vasily Golubev said on Telegram.
“After a drone attack, a fire broke out in a petrol refinery in the Tsimlyansky district,” Golubev wrote, adding that there were no casualties.
The area is hundreds of kilometres from the front line.
Russia’s defence ministry meanwhile announced that its forces had downed four Ukrainian drones — two in Rostov, one in the Belgorod region adjoining Ukraine and another in Kursk which is up further north.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have used drones, including larger self-detonating craft with ranges stretching hundreds of kilometres extensively throughout the conflict, which began in February 2022.
AFP
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Two die in Ogun road crash
The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, on Saturday, confirmed the death of two persons in a road accident on the Ikorodu-Ogijo Sagamu Expressway.
The Public Education Officer, Ogun Sector Command, Florence Okpe, confirmed the accident in a statement made available to journalists.
According to Okpe, the accident which involved a silver Toyota Camry, with registration number EPE602JD, and a yellow Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number AA938YE, occurred at about 5.30 pm on Friday.
She said, “Three male adults were involved in the crash, two out of the persons involved were killed, while the third passenger was unhurt.
“The corpses were handed over to the families of the deceased.”
She added that loss of control as a result of speeding was the cause of the accident.
The FRSC Sector Commander, CC Anthony Uga, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and advised motorists to avoid speed and ensure full attention while driving.
Uga urged owners of trucks to ensure they install speed limit devices on their vehicles.
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Police dismiss officer who ignored transfer, promoted self
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a Corporal, Buba Adamu, for refusing to report to his new post in Kaduna State.
The spokesperson for the Cross River Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, made this known at a press briefing on Thursday in Calabar, the state capital.
According Online learnt that Adamu was transferred from Cross River command to Kaduna nine years ago, but failed to report to his new base.
The corporal was also said to have promoted himself to the rank of Superintendent and operated illegal activities in Calabar until he was caught and arrested.
Adamu was exposed by some concerned members of the Nasarawa community, a Hausa-Fulani settlement in Calabar municipality that had reportedly suffered from his illegal activities.
The community leaders were said to have raised the alarm when they learnt that the police command was under pressure to release Adamu following his arrest.
According to Ugbo, Adamu had operated as a “mobile police officer” without any supervision or reporting to a specific police command since 2015, when the transfer was made.
The spokesperson added that the dismissed corporal was alleged to have been receiving his salary despite not reporting to his new station.
She said, “As of today, Corporal Adamu is no longer a policeman because he has been relieved of his duties.
“Every item of property belonging to the Nigeria Police in his possession, including uniforms, identification cards and others, has been retrieved.
“The matter has now been charged in court. It is left to the judiciary. The court will take it up from where we stopped, as we have done the needful.”
Republicans to anoint Trump at party convention
Donald Trump will next week receive the Republicans’ official blessing to run for president — the first ever convicted felon to be a nominee for one of the two major US parties.
The 78-year-old billionaire will be the star of the show as Milwaukee rolls out the red carpet for the Republican National Convention, transforming the Wisconsin city into a fortress to welcome 50,000 attendees.
Despite a year in which he was convicted of 34 campaign finance felonies and fined a fortune in fraud and sexual assault lawsuits, convention-goers will find Trump in good spirits as his opponent flounders.
Trump has seen his poll lead expand since President Joe Biden’s disastrous TV debate performance last month ushered in an existential crisis for the Democratic Party.
The Trump campaign is even talking up its chances in Democrat strongholds like Minnesota and Virginia, potentially forcing Biden funds and manpower away from defending the Democrat “blue wall” in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
“It’s no coincidence the convention will lay out President Trump’s vision to restore America in Wisconsin — ground-zero on the road back to the White House,” RNC chairman Michael Whatley and co-chairman Lara Trump (Donald’s daughter-in-law) said in a statement.
Some 2,429 “delegates” — a mix of politicians and grassroots activists — will vote for the candidate who won their state’s nominating contest earlier this year. And in almost every part of America, that’s Trump.
‘Laughing stock’
It will be the first convention over which the former president has total control after the 2016 edition was hampered by party divisions and his second appearance in 2020 was reined in by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The RNC has released a schedule for a convention very much in the former president’s image, with themes for each day playing on his “Make America Great Again” rallying cry.
The four-day celebration of all things Trump opens on Monday with a focus on the economy called “Make America Wealthy Once Again” before shifting to crime on Tuesday to “Make America Safe Once Again.”
Wednesday, labelled “Make America Strong Once Again,” will zero in on foreign policy and how “America has become a global laughing stock.”
Trump formally accepts the nomination on Thursday in a speech that will be followed on television by millions, closing the convention by ushering in “a new golden age for America,” according to the campaign.
As ever, there are formal sessions for party business and events hosted by groups such as the Heritage Foundation, sponsor of the radical right-wing “Project 2025” blueprint to reshape the federal government.
Delegates will vote to approve the Republican Party platform that reflects Trump’s hardline stance on immigration while softening its approach on some social issues like abortion and LGBT rights.
There is nothing yet on the schedule about Trump’s choice of his vice presidential candidate — he may wait until convention week itself to reveal his decision.
Three leading names are Senators J.D. Vance of Ohio, Marco Rubio of Florida and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
Battleground state
Pundits have also been interested in the roles given to defeated rivals such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley.
Haley announced earlier this week she had not been invited but DeSantis is getting a speaking slot on the main stage, Politico reported.
The convention puts a spotlight on Wisconsin’s importance to both parties this year as key battleground that Trump has in his sights after losing the state by 20,000 votes in 2020.
In a meeting with House Republicans in June, Trump ranted about crime rates in the beer-brewing hub, calling it “a horrible city,” and Democrats have been seeking to capitalize.
“Donald Trump and the RNC haven’t even bothered to set up a real campaign operation in Wisconsin,” said DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd.
“They’d rather stick to telling voters how much they hate the city they chose to hold their convention in.”
The Trump campaign and several lawmakers tried to clean up Trump’s comment by asserting that he was referring to violent crime and voter fraud — and it seems to have done him little harm.
A new AARP poll has Trump up 50 per cent to 45 per cent over Biden in a head-to-head matchup in the state. When third-party candidates are factored in, Trump’s lead grows to six points.
AFP