President Bola Tinubu has expressed happiness at the ruling of the Supreme Court which granted autonomy to the local councils.
The apex court had earlier on Thursday granted full autonomy to the 774 local councils in the country.
In its ruling on a suit filed by the Federal Government, the Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds budgeted for local government administrations.
It held that the federal government should pay any money standing to the credit of the local councils in the Federation Account directly to the local government areas managed by democratically elected officials.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the president noted that Nigerians, especially the poor, would be able to hold their local leaders to account.
READ ALSO: Supreme Court in historic ruling grants local govts full financial autonomy
He said the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments regarding financial autonomy, and other salient principles, was significant and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the country’s development.
Tinubu said: “By this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions.
“What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people.
“This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people.”
The post ‘Leaders will be able to provide services without excuses,’ Tinubu hails Supreme Court ruling on LGA autonomy appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
‘Leaders will be able to provide services without excuses,’ Tinubu hails Supreme Court ruling on LGA autonomy
Keep holding public officials accountable – Speaker Abass to Reps press corps
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, has said that media plays a significant role in fostering democracy between those in positions of authority and the public, tasking journalists to keep holding public officials to account.
The Speaker made the remarks at the National Assembly on Thursday at the commissioning of the newly renovated Media Centre and the inauguration of the newly elected executive committee members of the House of Representatives Press Corps.
The Speaker, while commending members of the Corps for their services to the Nigerian society through the reportage of the House over the years, urged them to keep the flag flying and ensure objective, balanced and accurate reporting.
He said: “The role of the media within a democracy cannot be overstated. As the fourth estate (of the realm), the media plays a pivotal role in fostering public engagement and upholding democratic values. The cooperation and collaboration between the media and the legislature, as outlined in our House Legislative Agenda, are essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and effective governance. By working together, we can ensure that the public remains well-informed and actively engaged in the democratic process.
“I commend the Press Corps for your dedicated reporting on the activities of parliament. Your efforts to keep the public informed about our work are invaluable. It is essential that your reportage remain well-researched and balanced, providing accurate and fair coverage of our proceedings. This commitment to journalistic integrity helps to maintain public trust and ensures that citizens receive reliable information,” Speaker Abbas said.
Speaking to the issue of the resourcefulness of the media in the process of informing the public and committing the House under his leadership is supporting the Corps, Speaker Abbas acknowledged the need for the provision of a conducive environment and capacity building for effective service delivery.
“A well-resourced Press Centre within parliament is crucial for enabling the media to perform its duties effectively. This renovated Press Centre is yet another evidence of our commitment to providing you with a conducive work environment. I encourage you to make full use of this facility to enhance your reporting and facilitate meaningful dialogue between the legislature and the public.
“Continuous capacity building for the press corps covering the National Assembly is of paramount importance. The House of Representatives is committed to supporting your professional development with the help of our partners. We will work together to provide training programs and resources that will enhance your skills and ensure high-quality reporting on parliamentary activities,” he said.
The Speaker congratulated the newly elected executive committee members and urged them to prioritize the welfare of their colleagues by building on the achievements of the outgoing leadership for their members.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected members of the Executive Committee. Your election signifies the confidence your peers have in your ability to lead with integrity and dedication. As you assume your roles, I urge you to prioritize the unity and welfare of your members. In an era where misinformation and division can easily spread, it is vital that the press corps stands united in its pursuit of truth and public interest.
Earlier, the outgoing Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Grace Ike applauded Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for providing quality leadership since his election.
She gave the commendation while delivering her valedictory speech after the inauguration of the newly renovated House of Representatives Media Centre and the swearing-in ceremony of the new Executive
While stressing the need for the provision of a fully digitalized Media Centre, Ike averred that: “the inauguration of this edifice- our renovated Media Centre is a testament to the Right Honourable Speaker’s and indeed the leadership of the House’s commitment to our well-being and the importance of a free press in our democracy.
“We are deeply grateful for your generosity and vision. This modernised facility is a beacon of hope for our profession, enabling us to discharge our duties more effectively. Your support is a reminder that a free press and a functioning democracy go hand-in-hand.
Keep holding public officials accountable – Speaker Abass to Reps press corps
Anambra police probe alleged phone robbery by officers
The Anambra State Police Command said it has identified the officers allegedly fingered in a viral video of telephone theft in a community in Otuocha Local Government Area of the state.
In a video that circulated on social media on Wednesday, a resident of the area narrated how police officers from the Otuocha Police Division invaded their houses and forcefully took away mobile sets people were charging.
The voice, who identified himself as a resident of the community, said the heavily armed police officers invaded the locations in a commando-like style, unplugged the telephones from the socket one by one and carted them away for no reason.
According to the voice in the three-minute video, the police officers invaded their community late on Tuesday and carted an undisclosed number of telephones.
He, therefore begged the police authorities in the state to look into the situation and returned the telephones to the owners.
In the video, the residents blocked a major express road in the community and used it to protest the action of the police officers.
The development has generated various reactions from different quarters with residents calling for the probe into the police officers’ actions.
But while reacting to the development in a statement on Thursday, the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command has identified the officers involved in the act.
Ikenga called on the victims whose telephones were forcefully taken to come forward to help facilitate the necessary action involved in the investigation.
He said, “Anambra State Police Command has intercepted a video of a protest against police action and wishes to state that the police team and the officers mentioned in the video have been identified.
“The Command also invites the victims to come forward to help facilitate the necessary action involved in the investigation.
“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, calls for calm and urges citizens to utilise the channels of the complaint against police officers rather than being unruly as seen in the video blocking the express road, thereby infringing on the fundamental rights of others which is the very course citizens want to protect.
“We seek for Police that is civil and professional in discharging their duties. Aggrieved residents should make use of police complaint channels to express any grievances.
“These channels include the CP Monitoring Unit of Command CMU, the Police X-Squad under the State Criminal Investigation Department Police Complaints Bureau or the newly resuscitated Complaint Response Unit under the Police Public Relations Department Awka.
“You can call the Command Control Room at 07039194332 or the Police Public Relations Officer at 08039334002 in the event of any distress. Also download the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’, usable on Android and Apple iOS phones, to make reports. Further details shall be communicated, please.”
Suspected cultists kill vigilante in Rivers community
Gunmen suspected to be cultists have shot dead a member of a local security outfit simply identified as Prince, in the Igwuruta community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Wednesday night.
It was gathered that members of the vigilante group, the Onelga Security Planning Advisory Committee codenamed OSPAC had responded to a distress call about a kidnapping in the area when they were ambushed by the gunmen who opened fire on them.
The bullet was said to have hit Prince, who is one of the vigilantes, resulting in his death, while the assailants fled with the speed of light.
A source who pleaded anonymity said the incident caused panic in the area as residents scampered for safety to avoid being hit by a stray bullet.
“From what we heard the OSPAC people rushed to where they said there was a kidnapping going on. So immediately they arrived at the place, some gunmen opened fire and one of their men was shot dead. That is all I can say.”
Our correspondent gathered that the body of the deceased had been evacuated and taken to an undisclosed mortuary.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident.
“Investigation is ongoing to ascertain what happened and to ensure the culprits are apprehended and prosecuted,” she stated
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NDDC begins repair of East-West Road, demands cooperation
The Niger Delta Development Commission said it has commenced emergency repairs of the failed sections of the East West-Road between Ahoada and Ula-Okobo town in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who inspected the ongoing repair works at the failed sections of the East-West Road between Ahoada and Ula-Okobo town in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, appealed to motorists to cooperate with the contractor undertaking the repairs.
This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, and made available to newsmen
Ogbuku stated that the emergency repairs would restore the link between Rivers and Bayelsa states and observed that the contractor was having challenges with taking construction materials to the bad spots that needed to be fixed.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, who was accompanied by other Directors of the Commission, was given an on the site briefing by the engineers of Webster Global Ventures, the construction firm handling the project for the Commission.
Ogbuku, observed that the deplorable state of the road, necessitated the emergency measures the NDDC was taking to immediately restore the road and make it motorable.
He apologised to road users, especially truck drivers, who had been stuck at the bad spot for several days, assuring them that the NDDC would support the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Works, which was constructing huge culverts at the sections that were washed away during the 2022 flood.
He assured that the interventionist agency would complement the efforts of the construction company working for the Ministry of Works to urgently fix the failed and unmotorable sections of the road to restore the links between Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states.
He said: “We were here a week ago and we saw it was impossible for any vehicle to ply between Rivers and Bayelsa States. After that visit, we promptly engaged a construction firm to urgently fix about 1.5-kilometres that were virtually impassable. Our inspection today has shown that we need to work on more sections of the road.”
The Managing Director of the construction firm handling the repairs, Opeoluwa Adara, assured the NDDC that the company would expedite action on the repair work. He regretted that some of the motorists were making it difficult for them to bring in materials for the repairs.
He promised that the road links to Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta State would soon be restored, noting: “It is challenging but we have been working to stabilise the bad sections and make them motorable.
One of the truck drivers, stuck at Okobo, Malam Sani Ahmed, lamented that he had not been able to move his vehicle for over one week.
He appealed to the federal government and the NDDC to come to their aid by fixing the road, stating that they were at the mercy of criminals who were taking advantage of their helplessness
Lekki women go to gym in search of rich men’ – Pastor Bolaji Idowu
The Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Center, HICC, Bolaji Idowu, has alleged that most ladies living in Lekki, Lagos State do not visit the gym to lose weight.
Pastor Bolaji in a recent video shared on TikTok, argued that the ladies go to the gym in search of rich men.
Buttressing his argument in a now trending video on social media, the cleric explained that his gym instructor once told him that many women inquire about the financial and marital status of their male clients.
“Go to the Admiralty, many girls that go to the gym, half of the time they are talking. So, when they finish, they will buy shawarma, and hotdog in the gym and eat. That was not the goal.
“They are not trying to lose weight. One of the gym instructors told me they will never ask after me because they never knew how important I am. I said, “What do they ask after?” The instructor said they always asked all the guys that have G Wagon.
“What does he do? Is he married? Is he single? Does he come on Mondays and Wednesdays?”
The famous pastor who is well known for speaking out on relationships and politics, had earlier taken a shot at men, stating that it is shameful for a man to marry a woman for financial reasons.
Lekki women go to gym in search of rich men’ – Pastor Bolaji Idowu
We have emergency meeting to review Supreme Court verdict on LG Autonomy – Soludo
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has revealed that the Nigeria Governors Forum has convened an emergency meeting, to review the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria granting autonomy to Local Government Councils in the country.
Soludo who held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Thursday, however, praised the court decision saying it was a democratic process which should be commended by all democrats.
Reacting to the ruling, he said, “That’s great. I mean, the Supreme Court is Supreme because it is the final authority and I am a Democrat. I believe in the rule of law. Once the Supreme Court has spoken it has spoken. I understand, I mean, tonight, I think the Governors Forum is meeting to review this.
“We’re yet to even… I mean, I haven’t seen the document myself. I’ve been extremely, very busy all through the day but I’ve seen snippets of it.
“But at a fundamental level, yes, we need resources to get down to the real grassroot and we need the people’s money to work for them at all levels, whether at the federal or the state and the local government.
“We need to promote accountability. We need to promote transparency in the utilization of public resources at all levels, to be able to lift the burden of the common man”.
Recall that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had on Thursday, declared as unconstitutional the situation where State Governors stifle funds meant for the LGs.
The feat achieved was made possible when the Federal Government dragged the state governors to court to compel them to hands-off local government administration in the country and face their tasks squarely as governors.
We have emergency meeting to review Supreme Court verdict on LG Autonomy – Soludo
Army destroys over 30 illegal refineries in Abia
The Nigeria Army, under the 82 Division, on Thursday, destroyed over 33 illegal refineries in Obuaku and Imo Rivers in the Ipu West communities of Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
During the operation codenamed “Operation Dragon Spit” supervised by the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, Major General Hassan Dada, over 33 refineries were destroyed, 21 suspects were arrested and siz vehicles as well as over 12 boats were burnt.
Speaking with newsmen, Dada said, “What we discovered here is unbelievable compared to what we discovered at Obuaku last time. That of Obuaku is a child’s play when compared with what we saw today.
“We have counted over 30 of these illegal refineries and we are still counting. This is just a phase of our Operation Dragon Spit. We are still monitoring and the operation is still continuing.
“All I am assuring is that for anybody who is an economic saboteur, it is just a matter of time to face the consequences.
“In as much as Operation Dragon Spit, under the auspices of Operation Udoka, is going on, we will not relent in our efforts to make sure that all the culprits are brought to book.
“We cannot, as we have been mandated, allow this amount of economic sabotage and degradation of the environment. No stone will be left unturned to make sure that oil bunkering will not be allowed within the area of responsibility of Operation Udoka.”
He added that between Wednesday and Thursday, “We burnt six vehicles and we arrested about 18 people and when we got to this place (today), we arrested another three while others ran into the Imo River. The operation is ongoing. In another village, you will see the number of boats that we seized. We have another 12 boats.”
According to him, at the Imo River community of Ipu West of Ukwa West LGA, a bus and the more than 12 boats used for illegal bunkering were burnt to discourage the operators of the illegal refineries.
Niger CP calls for aggressive action against illegal miners to forestall loss of lives
The Niger State Commissioner of Police CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman has called for aggressive action against illegal miners to reduce loss of lives across the state.
The CP, who made the call during a visit by state Commissioner for Mineral Resources Garba Sabo Yahaya to his office in Minna said urgent steps should be taken to tackle the activities of illegal miners who operate without safety measures in the state.
Danmamman was responding to a call by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources for support and assistance of the police in effectively addressing the issue of illegal mining.
Yahaya had told the CP during the visit that the ministry required the assistance of the police to carry out their activities successfully as it does not have the required manpower for enforcement and needs to partner with the Police and other security agencies in the state.
The CP noted that illegal mining is a great challenge and that security agencies must be brought together for a robust fight to reduce the trend to the barest minimum while the ministry must have in place a robust intelligence structure for information to help it and the mining security operations.
” It is one thing to be allowed to do something, but it is another thing to do things rightly, as the miners don’t put measures in place to reduce risk as observed during the last rescue operation. The miners did not provide an ambulance and there was no first aid equipment, ” Danmamman observed.
He also called for the engagement of traditional leaders and the media for sensitization of the public against unsafe and illegal mining, adding that ” illegal and unsafe miners must be pursued for safety and that the effort must be aggressive”.
Furthemore, Danmamman stressed on the need for setting up Zonal offices by the ministry, considering the size of the State.
” The government could also be advised on revocation of land ownership from anyone found to be leasing lands for illegal and unsafe mining in the State, ” the CP added.
Niger CP calls for aggressive action against illegal miners to forestall loss of lives
Allocate shops to real owners after reconstruction, Senate tells Wike
The Senate on Thursday urged the Federal Capital Development Authority and Abuja Municipal Area Council under the leadership of the minister, Nyesom Wike, to re-allocate shops affected by fire at the Karu Main Market to original owners after rebuilding them.
The Karu modern market in Abuja was on Thursday, June 27, gutted by fire.
A viral video on social media indicated that the fire, which began at about 8pm., consumed goods and properties worth millions of naira.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government through its Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs , Disaster Management , Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency, to urgently provide emergency palliative and relief provisions to cushion the effect of fire on the victims.
The Red Chamber consequently mandated its Committees on Environment and Legislative Compliance , to ensure strict compliance with the resolutions and report back within four weeks .
The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored to that effect by Senator Ireti Kingibe ( Labour Party FCT) .
Kingibe in the motion titled “The Karu fire outbreak and the need for safer public places,” informed the Senate that the fire outbreak that occured at Karu main market on June 27, 2024, left scores of traders in tears after goods worth billions of naira were destroyed .
She lamented that the inferno razed almost all the shops and destroyed food stuff, electronics, cosmetics, clothes among other consumables and non-consumable items worth billions of naira.
She said, “These fire outbreaks have become one too many already; with attendant losses running to billions of naira. In the last six months, there have been several incidents of this nature. From Idumota Market Area in Lagos; to the Police Shopping Complex, Mararaba, Nasarawa State; to the Yan Katako Market, Rijiyar Lemu Area of Fagge LGA, Kano State, just to mention a few.
“These fire outbreaks all had the same causative factors which hinged on basic building safety regulations that were either inadequate or not adhered to or out rightly not in place.”
She added, “This state of unpreparedness in safety management cuts across private homes, government buildings, open parks and gardens, markets, shopping malls, Warehouses, Sawmills, fuel tankers, gas and fuel Stations, educational establishments, shops, clubs, hospitals, hotels, and restaurants: thereby exposing ourselves to avoidable mishaps.”