The Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed 1,504 officers and men to secure the council election scheduled for the state this Saturday, July 13.
A statement from the command headquarters in Yola on Thursday said the officers and men would be ensuring the safety and security of citizens, electoral officers, and election materials across all polling units of the 21 local government areas.
“This deployment is crucial to ensuring the smooth conduct of this important electoral process, enabling citizens to freely cast their voters,” the NSCDC said in the statement signed by the command DPRO, Nyako Amidu Baba.
“The Command has enhanced patrols and intelligence gathering efforts to facilitate proactive responses,” the statement said, asking for timely and reliable information from the public to promptly address any potential threats to peace.
“Additionally, the public is informed of temporary restrictions on movement and the closure of public spaces (such as markets, motor parks, and recreation centres) from 8:00am to 3:00pm of Saturday 13th July, 2024,” the NSCDC stated.
It appealed to all citizens to participate in the electoral process responsibly and to carry out their lawful activities peacefully.
NSCDC deploys 1,504 officers for Adamawa council poll
NSCDC deploys 1,504 officers for Adamawa council poll
Revisit school feeding programme, Reps tell FG
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged the Federal Government to revisit the school feeding programme, suspended over sundry controversies.
The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme was a pilot programme launched in 2004 targeting 12 states to provide a nutritious midday meal to public primary school pupils in the country:
In 2016, the programme was relaunched nationally, targeting public primary school children using locally sourced ingredients to improve health, stimulate agricultural production, and boost smallholder farmers’ income.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, on January 12, 2024, suspended all programmes of the National Social Investment Programme Agency for six weeks.
The four programmes administered by NSIPA are N- the Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, and Home Grown School Feeding Programme.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Special Duties and Finance to invite the Ministers of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Education, and Finance to revisit the program and propose solutions for its future success.”
The House, while adopting a motion on “Urgent call to revisit school feeding policy” moved by the member representing Tarauni Federal Constituency, Kano State, Mr Muktar Zakari, noted that the philosophy behind the NHGSFP is to encourage enrollment into the public primary schools, address childhood hunger pangs, and improve their ability to concentrate, learn, and increase school attendance.
The lawmaker, a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party, lamented that “The suspension of the NHGSFP by the current administration is unsettling for several reasons, namely reduced school enrollment and attendance, compromised health and cognitive development of the children, and disruption of the income of smallholder farmers.”
He also said “Addressing the programme’s challenges is crucial, but a complete suspension may cause more harm,” noting that “It is important to find alternative solutions or efficient implementation of the NHGSFP to ensure Nigerian children continue to benefit from this important initiative.”
In his words, “The cancellation of the programme is causing an upsurge in the number of out-of-school children, posing a threat to the country’s future and leading to a high rate of crimes, insecurity, and unemployment.”
Tinubu inherited hardship, food crisis can end in 2026 – Suleiman Izuagbe
A senior Consultant and Public Affairs analyst, Abdulsalam Suleiman Izuagbe, on Thursday faulted those blaming President Bola Tinubu for the hardship and food crisis in Nigeria.
Izuagbe said Tinubu inherited a near comatose economy from former President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the president did not remove fuel subsidy that paved the way for the current economic situation in the country.
He noted that since assuming office, the president has been making efforts to recover the losses Nigeria incurred during the previous administrations.
Speaking with TVN on the state of the nation, Izuagbe said: “People are blaming President Tinubu for the state of affairs of the country, it’s not correct because many people forget that when he assumed office, he inherited an almost comatose economy and people should remember that during the presentation of the 2023 budget by Zainab Ahmed, there was provision for fuel subsidy removal up to June 2023.
“The only thing Nigerians are using to crucify Tinubu is that he came to remove the subsidy which is a lie, he wasn’t the one who removed the subsidy; there was no provision for subsidy in the budget.
“It’s disturbing that Nigerians are blaming Tinubu now that multinational corporations are leaving Nigeria. We must all agree that the issue of insecurity is responsible for most of these cases that made the economy collapse and it’s been there long before Tinubu came in. For instance, how can you explain the suicide bombing in Borno State two weeks ago killing about 30 human beings? This means that our security operatives are not using appropriate equipment and command systems to destroy the enemies of Nigeria. People who have no regard for human life can slaughter people at will and those sponsoring them said they should not be referred to as terrorists but bandits; you don’t treat enemies with kid gloves.
“And when you see all these things, they still blame Tinubu for the failure that was handed over to him, a failed system was handed over to him just like Obasanjo said recently that there is no structure.
“He’s taking good steps to rectify the errors he inherited by trying to create ways to recover the losses we have suffered as a nation. Since he assumed office, Tinubu has been performing well, sending palliatives to the state while some of them have not yet told us what they did with it. I know that with the Economic Coordination Council and the calibre of men in it, some bold will come up.”
The senior consultant also highlighted that Nigeria can produce adequate food to end the shortage by 2026.
This, he said can be done by investing over N800 billion into Agricultural programmes across the local governments in Nigeria.
“The only way out of the economic downturn is to go the Agricultural way, we should be able to encourage the president so that he can come out with a plan for Agriculture, so that by 2026; Nigeria will be able to produce stable crops from the present 135 million metric tons this year to 165 metric tones by 2026 if we do the needful.
“We have a programme: Renewed Hope for Agricultural Advancement where N800 billion can be invested in all the local governments in Nigeria. There will be farm centres in all local governments, there will be an agric taskforce that will monitor them and it will yield better results than the N732 billion spent on empowerment projects.
“Food supply and security is the best policy for every government, if the people are well fed they will be ready to work, not steal, and go to school. We don’t think it will be the same music again for Tinubu in 2026 because then there will be an abundant food supply in the country,” he added.
Tinubu inherited hardship, food crisis can end in 2026 – Suleiman Izuagbe
There was pushback against the directive on IOC’s FX proceeds use – Cardoso
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, has said there was pushback from players in the oil & gas industry when the apex bank issued a new directive on the use of foreign exchange proceeds by firms in the sector.
Cardoso revealed this on Thursday at the BusinessDay CEO forum themed ‘Leadership in Tough Economic Times’ held in Lagos.
Asked for an update on the impact of the directive, the CBN governor said, “It is still work in process. To be frank, when this first came out, we got some pushback. But, we dialogued, spoke, looked at the issues that some of the players were uncomfortable with, and gave reassurances which seemed to calm many of them down and it works in process.
“I see that it is gradually getting to a phase where the sort of contributions that one would expect from that sector would be there.”
In a circular dated May 6, 2024, signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Hassan Mahmud, the apex bank said oil firms can now spend 50 per cent of the repatriated export proceeds on financial obligations.
The CBN said, “Following the recent inquiries by banks and other stakeholders on our circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/004, in respect of Cash Pooling requests by banks on behalf of IOCs, we provide further clarifications as follows:
“The initial 50 per cent of the repatriated proceeds can be pooled immediately or as when required. Banks may submit the request for cash pooling ahead of the expected date of receipt, supported by the required documentation, for approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The 50% balance of the repatriated export proceeds could be used to settle financial obligations in Nigeria, whenever required, during the prescribed 90-day period.”
The CBN said petroleum profit tax, royalty, domestic contractor invoices, cash calls, domestic loan principal and interest payment, transaction taxes, education tax, and forex sales at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market are eligible for settlement from the balance 50 per cent.
The CBN earlier stopped international oil companies operating in Nigeria from immediately remitting 100 per cent of their forex proceeds to their parent companies abroad.
The regulator said that the practice known as ‘cash pooling’ had an impact on liquidity in the domestic forex market.
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
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
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
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]
![Oyo reps member, Akinremi buried amidst tears in Ibadan [PHOTOS]](https://tvn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG-20240711-WA0010-1024x682-768x512.jpg "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
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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