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Abia unveils N1bn interest-free loan for businesses

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Abia unveils N1bn interest-free loan for businesses

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has inaugurated the disbursement of the N1 billion interest-free loan under the state cooperative support scheme for nano and micro business operators drawn from the 184 electoral wards of the state.

Speaking during the inauguration in Umuahia the state capital, on Thursday, Otti said the scheme is strategic to the economic emancipation of small business owners especially the rural dwellers, adding that the multiplier effect will lift dependants of the beneficiaries from abject poverty.

About 10,000 individuals would benefit from the credit facility.

The governor said the scheme aligns perfectly with the strategic development agenda of his government geared towards improving the welfare of the general populace, maintaining that the target is beyond the present, adding that the projection is to boost the economy.

He said, “Thousands of the beneficiaries selected for this batch are petty traders, farmers, and artisans who have over the years toiled on their own without the kind of structured support that their peers from other parts of the world take for granted.

“Our model is geared towards improving production, creating jobs and reducing poverty. Our target is beyond the present number of beneficiaries, which is to reach about 100, 000 businesses directly over the next 36 months because we are optimistic that today’s beneficiaries will put in honest effort to repay the loans in time so that others can benefit.

“The projection is that the injection of about N1bn into the economy of the various communities in the state through the interest-free revolving loan scheme will ultimately lead to a jump in the volume of agricultural outputs brought to the markets in the short to medium term, new orders for business inputs, and a measurable rise in the value of the gross domestic product of the local communities.”

He assured all that appropriate mechanism for monitoring the scheme would be put in place and added that as soon as a measurable rise in business consciousness amongst the people at the grassroots is seen, government would go into partnership with international development institutions and agencies to increase the pool of funds available for borrowing.

In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Blessing Felix, thanked Otti for being consistently committed to the welfare of Abia people and providing the resources to run the scheme.

She said it is a proof that help has indeed come.

Speaking on behalf of other Mayors, the Mayor of Aba North Local Government Council, Ide Udeagbala, thanked the governor for a well thought out initiative aimed at empowering small business owners across the state.

While describing the scheme as strategic to the economic emancipation of small business owners especially the rural dwellers, he noted that the multiplier effect will lift dependants of the beneficiaries from abject poverty.

Earlier in his address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Cooperative Societies, Ishmael Onuoha, said that the interest-free loan, which is not free money, is structured in a way that anyone who makes gains would be given more money and assured that the scheme would be monitored to ensure compliance.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mercy Alamba, thanked Otti for the gesture extended to them, saying that they have not seen it in that form before.

She enjoined her fellow beneficiaries to utilise the funds well.

Appeal Court upholds Gov Ododo’s election in Kogi

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Appeal Court upholds Gov Ododo’s election in Kogi

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday upheld Governor Usman Ododo’s victory in the November 2023 election in Kogi State.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, are challenging the verdict of the state governorship election petition tribunal which upheld Ododo’s victory in the poll.
In Thursday’s proceeding, the appellate court resolved all the four grounds of appeal against the appellants.
READ ALSO: Ondo: APC governorship aspirants pass vote of no confidence on Ododo
The court held that the SDP and its candidate failed to prove the allegation of fraud in the election.
It added that the allegation of certificate forgery against the governor was a pre-election matter that should have been resolved by the Federal High Court.
The post Appeal Court upholds Gov Ododo’s election in Kogi appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Assa Ohaji town laments neglect, begs for social amenities, oil companies intervention

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Assa Ohaji town laments neglect, begs for social amenities, oil companies intervention

The leadership of Assa autonomous community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area Imo have appealed to the state government and oil companies operating in their area to embrace the development of their host community as part of its corporate social responsibility for a harmonious relationship.
The appeal was made when the community leaders paid a courtesy visit to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rubby Emele, in her office, in Owerri, on Friday.
Addressing the Commissioner, the Town Union President General, Reward Evans, who led the delegation on the visit, said the people are suffering and in dire need of development, having been intentionally neglected by government and oil multinational companies despite the rich oil resources and revenue being harnessed from their land.
The President General alleged since the creation of the world that their people have never shouted ‘Up NEPA’ despite being surrounded by multi-million oil companies that only specialize in reaping off the mineral resources given to them by nature without paying recourse to the plights of the people who bear the consequences of their industrial activities.
His words:” You can’t even believe that the road leading to their operational base is impassable, our pregnant women often die on the road because of its deplorable condition before they can get to the hospital in the state capital because the community lacks nearby quality and affordable hospitals.
”We urge the government to urgently intervene and do the needful to address the pressing humanitarian challenges facing our people”
The town union, however, commended Rubby Emele for the leadership qualities she exhibits, especially in the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
A member of the delegation, the Secretary General of Assa Town Union also former President of the National Congress of Ohaji Youths, NACOY, Emmanuel C. Ugorji, complained that lack of synergy in the leadership of the community amidst balkanization has been identified as one of the major factors working against the development of the community as he maintained that the intervention of the Commissioner using Assa as a case study will encourage traditional rulers in the state to lead rightly.
He called for a synergy between the State Government and Assa community.
Speaking also, the Youth President of Assa, Chidi Egezul, thanked Emele for her leadership roles in the state, which he observed attracted awards from different communities across the state, even as he begged her to come to Assa to see the nature of the community by herself.
Lending his voice, the Legal Adviser of Assa Town Union, Eric Nwanom, added that one of the reasons for the Courtesy Visit was to formally establish strong synergy with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Community.
“We consciously ask for your partnership for the development of our community”.
Stressing the sheer marginalization of the community, the Town Union Women Leader Mrs. Violet N. Assor, lamented that the suffering of the people of Assa, particularly women, is alarming.
“Women are mostly affected by maternal deaths. Our people have been highly marginalized coupled with neglect from the Government and Oil Companies operating in our area, but with your aptness, kindness and rapt attention, we rationally seek quick government intervention as the community consciously leans on the 3R Government being championed by Governor Hope Uzodimma to effect a positive change” she stressed.
Uzoma Dominic Onyenaju, Vice President and Public Relations Officer, Duke-Bright C. C. Enyia affirmed that the people will have full joy when their community is socially and economically developed.
In her response, Mrs Rubby Emele, congratulated the Executive of Assa Town Union on their appointment, assuring them that the government will do the needful to ensure that the area sees more development, urging them to work in league with their traditional ruler to maintain peace and security, thanking the Governor for the opportunity given to her to serve the state in that capacity.
Assa Ohaji town laments neglect, begs for social amenities, oil companies intervention

Ganduje, wife, others for trial in absentia

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Ganduje, wife, others for trial in absentia

A Kano High Court presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu on Thursday ruled that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, and six others, should not be slammed with a bench warrant in a case of alleged diversion of public funds.

The presiding judge, while giving the ruling, expressed worry that because the polity in the state was already charged and that some people were waiting to use the actions of the court to cause mayhem, the prayers for a bench warrant were struck out.

The judge ruled that the trial would proceed in the defendants’ absence, as they had been properly served but chose not to appear.

The defendants will be tried in absentia, and the legal process will continue without them.

The court entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendants and reserved judgment on the preliminary objections filed by their counsel, Nuraini Jimoh SAN, regarding the charges against his clients

When the case resumed for hearing, Justice Aliyu expressed concern that the defendants had failed to appear in court despite being served with a substituted means of service.

The prosecution counsel led by Adeola Adediyo, SAN, wanted the court to slam the bench warrant on Ganduje, his wife, and six others.

He also prayed that a plea of no guilt be entered for the defendants since they were served and refused to appear, and the bench warrants be issued on them since they were served.

Jimoh asked the court to either strike out the charge or have his preliminary objections heard.

Jimoh filed preliminary objections in the matter, insisting that the court lacks jurisdiction and the constitutionality to grant any order, not until his objections were heard.

He cited relevant sections of the State Administration of Criminal Justice Law that allowed his case to be heard and that he had also notified the court, though orally, that they had filed an appeal on the substituted service order earlier granted by the court on June 5, 2024.

The respondents in the case include Ganduje (first respondent), his wife, Hafsat (second respondent), and others facing charges related to alleged bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds.

Other respondents named in the case are Abubakar Bawuro (third respondent), Umar Abdullahi Umar (fourth respondent), Jibrilla Muhammad (fifth respondent), Lamash Properties Limited (sixth respondent), Safari Textiles Ltd (seventh respondent), and Lesage General Enterprises (eighth respondent).

The presiding judge adjourned the matter till July 23 and 24, 2024, for a hearing of preliminary objections and the substantive charges in the case.

Friends mourn as 25-year-old lady dies seven months after wedding

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Friends mourn as 25-year-old lady dies seven months after wedding

Friends and family members of a 25-year-old lady, Endurance Gunat, have been mourning the sudden death of the Plateau lady seven months after her wedding.

The lady, who reportedly got married on December 9, 2023, died on Sunday, July 6, 2024.

Circumstances surrounding the death of the lady born on March 21, 1999, were not clear as of the time of filing this report.

She is billed to be buried on Friday, July 12 at the family burial ground, Tangur, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State after a burial service at COCIN Central Church, Bokkos.

Friends and family members of the deceased and her husband have taken to social media to mourn her.

A Facebook user, Fuki Christian Daniel, described the deceased as the wife of his friend, Gunat Japhet.

Daniel expressed his disbelief at the sudden death, stating, “It’s just like I’m dreaming. My friend’s wife is gone.”

Daniel mentioned that Gunat Japhet’s wedding took place on December 9, barely two weeks after his wedding at the same church.

The Facebook user further conveyed his deep sorrow over the incident, reflecting on the fragility of life.

“I feel very sad. On a daily basis, a targeted age of young people keep going,” Daniel wrote as he expressed concern over what appears to be a pattern of premature deaths among the younger generation.

In his condolence message, Daniel turned to faith for solace, saying, “God, teach us to number our days as death is inevitable and a snitch. Rest in peace, dear. It is well when Jesus is involved.”

The deceased’s husband, Japhet, in announcing her death on Facebook three days ago, simply wrote, “What a Black Sunday!”

The post had attracted 420 condolence messages as of Thursday afternoon.

On Wednesday, he posted the burial arrangements of the deceased.

That post had also attracted 384 condolence messages as of the time of filing this report.

We declared fast over LG autonomy – NULGE on Supreme Court judgement

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We declared fast over LG autonomy – NULGE on Supreme Court judgement

The National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Osun chapter, said it declared a fast to ensure a favourable judgment of the Supreme Court on Local Government (LG) financial autonomy.
The Osun State NULGE Chairman, Dr Kehinde Ogungbangbe, said this in an interview with NAN on Thursday in Osogbo.
Ogungbangbe commended the apex court for its judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country.
He said the judgment would bring a new lease of life across local government areas in the country in terms of growth and development.
According to him, councils will now have available resources to carry out most of their dealings.
“I am very happy and I believe every local government employee in Nigeria should also be very happy with this latest development.
“Osun has been in support of local government autonomy earlier before now, and I know there cannot be any obstacle in making it a reality,” Ogungbangbe said.
NAN recalls that the Federal Government approached the Supreme Court seeking to compel governors of the 36 states of the federation to grant full financial autonomy to local governments.
The suit, marked SC/CV/343/2024, was filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on behalf of the Federal Government.
NAN also recalls that the Supreme Court in its verdict held that henceforth all local government councils’ allocations should be paid directly into their accounts.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who led a seven-member panel of Justices of the apex court, gave the order while delivering judgment
We declared fast over LG autonomy – NULGE on Supreme Court judgement

Reps want modern technology deployed in nation’s borders

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Reps want modern technology deployed in nation’s borders

The House of Representatives has called on the Nigeria Customs Service to deploy modern technology to secure the nation’s borders with neighbouring countries.

The Reps’ directive followed the adoption of a motion on “Need to employ the use of modern technology to secure the nation’s borders,” sponsored by the member representing Akwa North/Awka South Federal Constituency, Anambra State, Obiageli Orogbu at Thursday’s plenary.

Consequently, the Reps mandated “The Nigeria Customs Service to beef up the nation’s border security with modern technological gadgets.”

It also directed its Committees on National Security and Intelligence and Customs and Excise to “Interface with the relevant agencies of the executive arm to ensure implementation and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.”

Leading the debate, Orogbu said that there are over 320 illegal routes into Nigeria “That serves as horrendous channels for the influx of inadmissible aliens and goods.

“Nigeria at the moment lacks sufficient security personnel to safeguard the existing illegal routes across the borders. These unmanned routes provide avenues for insecurity, proliferation of arms, and dumping of unwholesome goods into the country;

“The porous borders have provided an impetus to the thriving drug and human trafficking routes all over the country.”

Justifying the significance of the motion, the Labour Party chieftain noted that, “Border policing has since shifted from the mundane use of only human beings to the deployment of sophisticated electronic based equipment for potency.

“The deployment of technologies like electronic sensors, video monitors, and night vision scopes to detect illegal entries has proved more effective in western countries than human security.

“Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, (drones) and dark fighter cameras are available to further enhance border controls,” she added.

Tinubu, labour leaders’ meeting adjourned till next week

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Tinubu, labour leaders’ meeting adjourned till next week

The Thursday meeting between President Bola Tinubu and labour union leaders to finalise the agreement on the minimum wage has been adjourned till next week.

The meeting was adjourned to next week after about one-hour discussions at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Nigerian Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, said the union did not negotiate at the meeting.

“In the real sense, it wasn’t a negotiation but a discussion and we have had that discussion. We agreed to look at the real terms probably and reconvene in the next week.

“So that’s where we are because we didn’t go down there to talk naira and kobo. At least, there were some basic issues that we agreed on,” he said.

On the N250,000 demanded by the NLC, the labour leader said, “I remember mentioning that we didn’t go into naira and kobo discussion. Now the status quo in terms of the amount N250,000 and N62,000 remains until we finish this conversation.”

On his part, the Trade Union Congress President, Comrade Osifo said that the organized labour put all the economic indices on the table and how it was biting on Nigerians.

He said, “In the meeting we tried to put the issues on the table. Issues that are bordering and biting Nigerians today, the economic difficulties and the value of naira, how it has also eroded, how these have affected the prices of commodities and goods in the market.

“So, we tried to put these before Mr President because he is the President of the country and the bulk stops at his table.

“We have had all the conversations with all his agents, but today (Thursday) we said let us meet with the father of the country and have this conversation and make the argument that Labour always make.

“We made all the arguments, the economic analysis, macro, micro, fiscal and monetary issues. so we put everything forward and at the end, the President made his remark as the President and we all agreed let’s go back to internalize it, have some conversations and by one week time, we will come back and we will continue the meeting.”

LGs Autonomy: Supreme Court verdict ends gov’s reign as emperors – Moghalu

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LGs Autonomy: Supreme Court verdict ends gov’s reign as emperors – Moghalu

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Kingsley Moghalu has said the judgement of the Supreme Court regarding the autonomy of local government allocations would reduce the reign of state governors as emperors.
Moghalu described the judgement of the Supreme Court as a correct verdict, adding that local government should be encouraged if Nigeria expects development.
He disclosed this via a series of posts on his X page.
According to Noghalu: “The @SupremeCourtNg decision in favour of full autonomy (including direct financial allocation to LGs without passing through state Governors) is a correct one that accords with the Constitution of Nigeria in its present form.
“Local governments and local governance (and their accountability!) should be encouraged if we are to have any hope of development, and will become the next battleground. But it will empower the citizens of Nigeria in the context of democratic governance and reduce the reign of state Governors as “emperors”.
“All of this, however, does not address the core issues of federalism, which in general means two levels of sovereignty- central and sub-national, with sub-nationals (states or regions) creating local governments. Our “Third Tier” LGAs were created by fiat via military decree!
“India is the only major federal state I know where LGs are a constitutional third tier of government. These issues should be addressed in an organized national dialogue and negotiations on a new constitution for Nigeria.”
LGs Autonomy: Supreme Court verdict ends gov’s reign as emperors – Moghalu

Atiku hails Supreme Court judgment on LG autonomy

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Atiku hails Supreme Court judgment on LG autonomy

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming fiscal autonomy for local government councils across Nigeria.

In a statement released on Thursday via X, Atiku described the ruling as “a win for the people of Nigeria” and a step in the right direction.

The Supreme Court’s decision overturns the previous practice of consolidating local council revenues into state government accounts.

Atiku criticised the earlier arrangement, stating that it was borne out of politics of hasty compromise.

Expressing his support for the ruling, Atiku said, “I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development.”

The former Vice President went further, advocating for an expansion of fiscal autonomy beyond Federation Account allocations.

“I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities,” he stated.

Atiku highlighted concerns about state governments, particularly in urban areas, interfering with local councils’ revenue generation.

He wrote, “Many of our states, especially those in the ultra-urban areas with high-density economic activities, have become notorious in muscling local councils from generating revenue on items that border on motor parks, outdoor advertising, rents and many more.”

Atiku further praised the Supreme Court’s role, saying, “The verdict of the court is in tandem with the core functions of the Supreme Court as an arbitration court between and among governments.”

On Thursday, the Supreme Court 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.

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