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Govs are major problem to good governance, says Bwala

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Govs are major problem to good governance, says Bwala

A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Daniel Bwala, has said governors are the main challenge to good governance in Nigeria.

While hailing the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy, the lawyer lampooned the governors for not being up and doing.

He alleged that the governors are not addressing hunger and unemployment despite the funds they’ve received from the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

“Thank God for the Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy to the effect that “it is unconstitutional for state governments to hold onto LG funds; henceforth FGN pay directly to LGAs,” Bwala wrote in a post on his X.

He added, “One victory down. The next is either a constitutional review or court verdict declaring that INEC to conduct LG elections, otherwise, governors might still use LG chairmen appointed by them to hold the monies in trust for them

“Governors are the problem of good governance, but many people don’t know. Do you know how much they have received since @officialABAT took office? Tell me what they are doing in their states to address hunger and unemployment?

“In my opinion, even media houses hardly stay long on this conversation because their major clients are state governments. This democracy requires all of us to move it forward ohh. There is God ohhhhh.”

The According reports that the apex court earlier on Thursday declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.

The seven-man panel, in the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.

The apex court held that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state, and the local government.

The court further declared that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.

Minister hails S’Court judgement, plans LGs conference

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Minister hails S’Court judgement, plans LGs conference

The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Zephaniah Jisalo, has expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s decision to grant autonomy to local governments in the country.

The seven-justice panel of the apex court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, ruled that the 774 local government councils in the country should independently manage their own funds.

The apex court held that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state and the local government.

The court further declared that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government

Speaking at the opening of a two-day retreat for ministry staff in Abuja on Thursday, Jisalo stated that the autonomy would foster development in local governments.

Jisalo noted that with the autonomy granted to LGs, the staff of the ministry must perform its constitutional responsibilities to better the lives of the citizens.

He said, “I have been informed that the Supreme Court judgment has given the autonomy of local governments in the country. That is to say, the state assembly will also legislate on the activities of local government, including the tenure of a local government administration.

“We are resolute to perform. And we have no excuse as a ministry not to perform. We will ensure that our effort will be translated meaningfully into improvements to the lives of our citizens of our country.”

Jisalo also disclosed that the ministry would organise a conference for local government leaders as well as the traditional rulers before the end of the year.

He said, “It will also help to develop, particularly the administration of the local government system and the chieftaincy affairs. The traditional rulers are under our office. And as such, we are going to have a local government conference in Nigeria. We are also going to have a conference of traditional rulers in Nigeria this year.”

On the retreat, the minister said it would help to strategise and improve the ministry’s performance.

He said, “The retreat is a fundamental moment for us to reflect, to evaluate, and to strategize on how we can improve our performance management system and intergovernmental coordination to improve better services to our Nigerian people. The retreat marks a real commitment to excellence in our service delivery. The outcome will have far-reaching implications on our ministry and the entire nation.”

Kano; Ganduje, wife, others to be tried in absentia, escape bench warrant

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Kano; Ganduje, wife, others to be tried in absentia, escape bench warrant

A Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Aminu Adamu Aliyu, has ruled that former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife and six others, not be slammed with Bench Warrant in a case of alleged funds diversion.
Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu said she based her decision on the political tension in the state, worrying that some individuals may use the actions of the court to cause mayhem.
She then struck out the prayers for a bench warrant against the former governor and his wife.
However, the Judge said that the defendants whom she knows were served with a substituted means of service but refused to appear in court would be tried even in absentia.
Meanwhile, the Prosecution Counsel, led by Adeola Adediyo SAN, had asked the Court to slam a Bench Warrant on Ganduje, his Wife and six others.
Kano; Ganduje, wife, others to be tried in absentia, escape bench warrant

Ex-NYSC director joins APC, says party means well for Nigeria

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Ex-NYSC director joins APC, says party means well for Nigeria

A former Legal Director of the National Youth Service Corps, Ahmed Ibrahim, has joined the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Ibrahim, who recently retired from public office, was received by the Secretary of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Zakari Babale, and members of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the party on Thursday in Abuja.

While addressing newsmen, Ibrahim explained that he joined the APC out of conviction that it meant well for Nigerians.

According to him, there was a need for all to support the vision and policies of President Bola Tinubu in moving the nation forward.

He noted that despite the country’s challenges, Tinubu has done well in the areas of security, agriculture, human capital development and social investment.

He said, “In this regard, all hands must be on the deck to support the president in his Renewed Hope Agenda to move the country forward and move it to a greater and enviable height.”

“Let me also say I joined the APC to help sustain it by contributing my quota to national development.”

The event was attended by APC stakeholders from the FCT’s six area councils and some of its chieftains from Edo, Ibrahim’s home state.

After his acceptance speech, Ibrahim was presented with the party’s flag and a broom, which is the symbol of the APC.

“We are convinced that Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim would help reposition and revive the party ahead of the 2027 general election. Although the FCT APC had its challenges, this is not the time for members to grumble. It is a time to join efforts with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to build a better society for all.

“This is because the unity and commitment of APC members in ensuring the implementation of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is critical to the country’s development. So while opposition political parties are doing everything to pull President Tinubu and the APC down through propaganda, we as members will remain committed.

“I therefore call on the party’s members to remain united in projecting the Federal Government’s policies and programmes in the interest of all,” he said.

Oyo reps member, Akinremi buried amidst tears in Ibadan [PHOTOS]

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Oyo reps member, Akinremi buried amidst tears in Ibadan [PHOTOS]

The lawmaker who represented the Ibadan North federal constituency before his demise, Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi has been buried.
TVN reports that Akinremi who was elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) died in Abuja on Wednesday, at the age of 51.
The body of the lawmaker was received by friends and associates at the Ibadan Airport in the Alakia area of Ibadan and moved to one of his residences for burial.
He was buried amidst tears at his Ologuneru residence in Ibadan.
The burial rites were conducted by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere.
Our correspondent reports that family, friends, political associates and mourners trooped out to pay their last respects to the lawmaker.

Oyo reps member, Akinremi buried amidst tears in Ibadan [PHOTOS]

Court remands ex-power minister in prison

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Court remands ex-power minister in prison

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, be remanded in Kuje prison in Abuja pending the consideration of his bail application.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Thursday after the court resumed Mamman’s arraignment on money laundering charge which was earlier stepped down by the judge.

The former minister pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC had filed a 12-count money laundering charge against Mamman.

He was alleged to have committed money laundering offences to the tune of N33 billion.

The former minister served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021.

On May 10, 2021, he was arrested and detained at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.

Buhari had September 1, 2021, sacked Mamman and the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, in what was called a cabinet restructuring.

Mamman was accused of conspiring with staff of the ministry in charge of the accounts of the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects to divert about N22 billion.

The investigations uncovered property in Nigeria and overseas allegedly linked to the suspects, while millions of naira and dollars had reportedly been recovered.

Details later…

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Reactions trail Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy in Kwara

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Reactions trail Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy in Kwara

Reactions have trailed the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the vexed issue of local government autonomy delivered on Thursday.
Recall that the court, aside from granting full autonomy to the local governments in the country, also ordered the Federal government to stop allocations to local governments without democratically elected council officials.
Amid jubilation among local government staff and residents of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lasisi.A.K.Jimoh, described the judgment as long overdue.
“If the constitution says the existence of a democratically elected local government is constitutionally guaranteed, then where do you have a caretaker and payments being channelled through state governments to local governments?
“The constitution also states that the local government is the third tier of government, will one tier be under another tier, and is the state under the federal government.?
“I expected the judgment to go a bit further to pronounce emphatically that there cannot be a caretaker committee under the constitution which we are operating now because a caretaker committee is not a local government,” Lasisi declared.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Babatunde Muhammed, said the judgement was long expected.
“In Kwara State now, for the past five years, our highly respected Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s government, has refused to conduct local government elections.
“For the past five years, this is the first time in the history of the state that we have unelected council officials running the affairs of the 16 local governments in the state.”
Babatunde argued that the inability of the local governments in the state to get their allocations directly from the federal government has constituted a serious setback to the development of the third tier of government.
“I was opportune to contest and be elected as a councillor here in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state in 1990. Our election was handled by the National Electoral Commission, and our monthly allocations came directly from the federal government to the local governments.
“We spent three years during our tenure between 1991 to 1993 and local governments were able to embark on many laudable projects beneficial to the people at the grassroots.”
The PDP chairman, said his then council chairman, Architect Olukayode Abogunrin, performed creditably well constructing enviable projects including the Share-Oke-Ode road bridge with just N7m from allocations directly received from the federal government.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Attorney General of the federation, for taking up the matter from the Appeal court to the Supreme Court to ensure that the local government autonomy becomes a reality as expected by Nigerians.
On his part, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Kwara state, Oyinlade Seun, said “We are overwhelmed as we declared fasting and prayers since Wednesday and Thursday on the autonomy issue.
“We are sure our governor will comply with the judgment to give true and pure autonomy to the local governments in the state to guarantee grassroots development.
Oyinlade asserted that with the full autonomy now granted the local governments, the issues of insecurity, food insecurity and other things hindering development at the third tier of government will become a thing of the past.
Reactions trail Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy in Kwara

Spain’s decade journey to Euro 2024 final

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Spain’s decade journey to Euro 2024 final

After spending over a decade bogged down in disappointment, Spain waltzed their way back to football’s peak by reaching Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

Winning two European Championships in 2008 and 2012, either side of their 2010 World Cup triumph, La Roja were set to dominate football for years to come.

However, they fell from grace at astonishing speed. The players destined to replace their golden generation fell desperately short.

Spain’s 2014 World Cup defence ended in early humiliation, battered 5-1 by the Netherlands, crashing out in the group stage.

The two-time defending champions were eliminated by Italy in the Euro 2016 last-16, with newspaper Marca labelling it “The End” for Vicente del Bosque’s La Roja.

Spain fell at the same stage in the 2018 World Cup against Russia on penalties, completing over 1,000 passes but failing to hurt the limited hosts.

A better showing at Euro 2020 took a young side to the semi-finals but the 2022 World Cup last-16 defeat by Morocco was another painful exit.

However, the Spanish football federation believed the team was close to where they needed to be.

They replaced coach Luis Enrique with Luis de la Fuente, who had coached national youth sides for years with success.

Despite early jitters, including a 2-0 defeat by Scotland last year, Spain stuck with their little-known coach and are now reaping the rewards.

De la Fuente earned their first silverware in 11 years by lifting the Nations League last summer, pledging it was only the beginning.

And so it proved, with La Roja the standout Euros team, dominating the toughest group featuring defending champions Italy, before beating hosts Germany and France.

What they have achieved seems remarkable given their line-up boasts few recognisable stars beyond Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, 16, will dazzle the football world for years to come and could earn that billing, but he is only just starting his career.

On the opposite flank Nico Williams has also burst into the limelight and may get a big move this summer from Athletic Bilbao.

Elsewhere the team features many ‘misfits’, including Marc Cucurella who has struggled at Chelsea, Saudi Arabia-based Aymeric Laporte, and others who are not standouts for their clubs.

However, their lack of superstars poses no problems. “I have 26 great players and I’m just lucky that they are Spanish,” said De la Fuente.

Unlike final opponents England, whose coach Gareth Southgate is sometimes reluctant to replace struggling icons, or France building around a sub-par Kylian Mbappe, Spain accept everyone is on an equal footing.

“The big difference to all the (other) countries is that we are a team and there is no one leader above the rest,” explained Barcelona’s Pedri before the tournament.

 

•⁠ ⁠’A long process’ –

De la Fuente, more pragmatic than his predecessor, is profiting from his willingness to try different approaches.

Spain still enjoy possession but also release the explosive Yamal and Williams, fire in crosses and let them take risks to beat their markers.

While other coaches might have opted for one winger and a possession-friendly midfielder on the other flank, the 63-year-old goes full throttle with both.

Luis Enrique’s Spain tried to pass teams to death but at times in Euro 2024 La Roja have had less than 50 percent possession.

De la Fuente knows his players better than most of his counterparts did at the tournament, having coached the vast majority of them over the past few years.

He won the U19 Euros with Spain in 2013 and the U21 Euros in 2019, plus silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Seven of the starting line-up that day have played at Euro 2024.

“I know the players very well, what we had available to us and we needed time to do what we are seeing now,” said the coach this week.

“I am not surprised by it. Cooking this up… is a long process but we knew the decisions and the path we had to take.”

That continuity has proven vital in the international game where coaches do not typically have long to work with their players and has taken Spain to the verge of glory once more.

AFP

UK varsity eases payment for Nigerian students

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UK varsity eases payment for Nigerian students

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Thursday, announced that Teesside University in the United Kingdom has implemented a more compassionate payment method.

Dabiri-Erewa stated this at a press conference ahead of the National Diaspora Day Celebrations 2024 on July 25, in Abuja.

She noted that while students were still required to pay their fees, the new arrangements aimed to make the process more manageable.

For those students who were near completion of their payments and were asked to leave, Dabiri-Erewa stated that an agreement has been reached allowing them to finish their payments and receive their certificates once all fees are settled.

“The Teesside University has come up with a more compassionate payment method. The students are going to pay their fees. It is not charity, but they have devised ways that can be a bit more convenient.

“For those who were almost done with payment and were told to leave, they agreed that they would pay their fees but would not receive their certificate until they completed their payment,” she explained.

The NiDCOM Boss also mentioned that Teesside University was not the only institution affected; many other universities have Nigerian students facing similar issues.

“We are working closely with the student organisations in the UK and the Nigerian Mission to address these challenges,” she added.

The NiDCOM boss highlighted economic instability, security concerns, and inadequate living standards as the primary drivers behind the increasing migration of Nigerians abroad.

She noted that the theme for this year’s National Diaspora Day, “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development,” reflected growing concerns over the demographic most affected by this migration—Nigeria’s youth.

“Factors such as economic instability, security concerns, and inadequate standard of living are ranked high among reasons for the exodus of Nigerians abroad.

“The consequence of this phenomenon is the decline of strong human resources because most of the Nigerians relocating are the youths,” Dabiri-Erewa noted. “This, in turn, makes a downward turn on labour and productivity in the country.”

Despite these challenges, Dabiri-Erewa called for a change in perspective, urging Nigerians to see the positive side of the situation.

“We have to turn our lemons into lemonade. Today, we change the story by celebrating those vibrant Nigerians who are making positive impacts in the Diaspora and making the country very proud.

Also, those who, while abroad, are contributing positively to national development,” NiDCOM Boss noted.

The financial crisis in Nigeria, exacerbated by a shift from a seven-installment to a three-installment payment plan by the university, left many students struggling to cover their expenses.

A local food charity reported that 75 per cent of its clients are now Nigerian students, highlighting the extent of their financial hardship.

On May 22, 2024, a group of Nigerian students at Teesside University were expelled from their courses and ordered to leave the United Kingdom due to difficulties in paying their tuition fees on time.

The students cited the devaluation of the naira as a significant barrier to meeting their financial obligations, which has led to a breach of their visa sponsorship requirements.

Several students found themselves locked out of their university accounts, reported to the Home Office, and mandated to leave the UK. The university maintained that strict external regulations necessitate these actions.

The affected students, numbering 60, expressed deep distress and disappointment, accusing the university of being unsupportive and “heartless.”

They banded together to urge the university for assistance after witnessing their peers face severe consequences for late payments.

On May 29, 2024, the Federal Government stepped in to address the deportation orders issued against some Nigerian students at Teesside University.

A delegation led by a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the UK, Amb. Christian Okeke, along with leaders of the Nigerian Students Union in the UK, met with the University’s management to seek a resolution.

Court remands ex-Power Minister, Mamman over N33bn fraud

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Court remands ex-Power Minister, Mamman over N33bn fraud

sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, ordered the remand of the immediate past Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, in Kuje prison.
The ex-Minister was remanded after pleading not guilty to a 12-count money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.
According to the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, the former minister should remain in custody till Friday, when his bail application will be heard.
Mamman, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing trial over his alleged complicity in a N33 billion fraud.
He was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by ex-President Buhari.
Among other things, the EFCC alleged that he conspired with staff members of the ministry to divert about N22bn that was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.
The Commission said its investigations revealed that the suspects used the funds to acquire choice assets, both within and outside the country.
The defendant had earlier before he was arraigned on Thursday, slumped within the court premises.
It took the help of both lawyers and a team of medical personnel from the court, to revive him.
Eventually, the defendant, who looked frail and ill, walked into the courtroom and entered the dock with part of his clothes drenched.
The trial judge, who was not aware of what transpired outside the courtroom, queried the defendant to ascertain if he was exposed to rain.
Responding from the dock, Mamman, explained that water was poured on him after he collapsed.
His lawyer, Mr Femi Ate, SAN, confirmed the development after the prosecution counsel, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, told the court that his attention was also drawn to the situation.
Narrating what happened, Mamman’s lawyer, Ate, SAN, said: “My lord, upon being brought into the premises of the court, the defendant collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.”
He said his client was, however, served with a copy of the charge against him after he was resuscitated, adding that he had already discussed with EFCC’s lawyer for the arraignment to be deferred.
On his part, the prosecution counsel told the court that what was served on the defendant was an amended charge.
He said the amendment was effected to correct an error in the name of the defendant.
Olumide-Fusika, SAN, urged the court to compel the defendant to enter his plea to the charge.
After he had listened to both sides, Justice Omotosho said he could only adjourn the matter till September in view of the heavy workload the court is faced with.
Following the position of the court, Ake withdrew his oral application for an adjournment.
The defendant also confirmed to the court that he was fit and ready to take his plea, explaining that he collapsed as a result of a medication he took without food.
The court, after standing the matter down for about an hour, resumed sitting and took the defendant’s plea.
Court remands ex-Power Minister, Mamman over N33bn fraud

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