Home Blog Page 1518

Shaibu denies evading impeachment notice, Catholic church wades in

admin
-
0
Shaibu denies evading impeachment notice, Catholic church wades in

he Office of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Tuesday, denied that an impeachment notice was served on the deputy governor by the state House of Assembly.

It denied the allegation made by the lawmakers on Monday that Shaibu was evading service, leading to the lawmakers’ decision to publish the impeachment notice in a daily newspaper.

The state Assembly last Wednesday commenced impeachment proceedings against Shaibu, accusing him of perjury and leaking the government’s secrets.

The impeachment move is believed to be the latest development in the rift between Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

There had been an uneasy calm between the deputy governor and his principal since last year when Shaibu declared his interest to join this year’s Edo governorship race.

The Assembly directed its Clerk to serve Shaibu with the impeachment notice, saying he had seven days to respond.

However, the Assembly, on Monday, alleged that the Deputy Governor was evading service and therefore decided to serve him by substituted means, through a newspaper publication.

However, the deputy governor’s office denied the claim by the Assembly.

In a letter, dated March 12, addressed to the House of Assembly, Shaibu’s Personal Assistant, Charles Olubayo, chided the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, over the allegation of evading impeachment notice.

Olubayo said, “The Office of the Deputy Governor, Edo State wishes to draw your attention to the inaccuracies and misleading information that emanated from the plenary session of Monday, March 11, 2024, wherein Mr. Speaker directed that the impeachment notice be served on the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, through newspaper publications, The Nigeria Observer, and other national dailies, ‘sequel to the refusal of the Deputy Governor to acknowledge the impeachment notice’.

“Mr. Speaker was quoted to have also stated at the said plenary that ‘The action became necessary because the Deputy Governor refused to

acknowledge an earlier impeachment notice sent to him through the Clerk of the House’.

“We wish to state categorically that no impeachment notice was ever served on the Deputy Governor, let alone refusing to acknowledge the impeachment notice.

“The Deputy Governor has since March 3, 2024, travelled out of Benin to Abuja and has not returned to Benin since the said March 3, 2024.

“The Clerk never saw the Deputy Governor whether in the Office, at home or anywhere for that matter since the said date; hence, we are surprised that the House resolved to publish the impeachment notice in the Observer and other national dailies.

“One, therefore, wonders where the Clerk or his appointee served him the impeachment notice and he refused to acknowledge it.

“Neither the Clerk nor any person sent impeachment notice to the Deputy Governor which he refused to acknowledge.

“It is therefore our prayer that Mr. Speaker corrects the impression created in the public as the outcome of Monday’s plenary to avoid misrepresentation in this all-important matter.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Lawyers and six other groups in the Catholic Church, on Tuesday, joined the call on the  Assembly to drop the impeachment proceedings against Shaibu.

The groups presented a joint letter to the House Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, describing the move to impeach Shaibu as “disrespect towards our Archbishop and the intervention of other respected religious and traditional leaders in the state.”

The seven groups are Catholic Action Nigeria; Catholic Lawyers; Catholic Men Organisation of Nigeria; Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria; Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria; Catholic Girls Organisation of Nigeria and Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria.

Presenting the letter to the Speaker, Agbebaku, in the presence of some principal officers of the House, Steve Apologun, who is the Benin Provincial President of the CMO, said there was a need for peace in the state ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

In their letter, the groups urged the Edo lawmakers to take cognizance of how religious leaders, led by the Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze, prevailed upon Shaibu last year to withdraw all court cases he filed to stop his anticipated impeachment.

They appealed for caution “to ensure that your legislative responsibilities are not perceived as a political witch-hunt against the deputy governor due to his political disagreement with the governor.”

“We call for a careful approach to this matter with a focus on dialogue and peace, rather than creating further tension in the state.

 “We would like to draw your attention to the fact that our Chief Shepherd, His Grace, Most Revd Dr Augustine Akubeze, Catholic Archbishop of Benin City, has tirelessly worked towards promoting peace and reconciliation between His Excellency, the Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

“As part of the reconciliation process initiated by our Archbishop, there was a mutual agreement for the deputy governor to withdraw the legal action that sought to halt the initial alleged impeachment process.

“As Catholic lay faithful and eligible voters, we are saddened by the current impeachment process, which is perceived by the public as a political witch-hunt. This perception reflects disrespect towards our Archbishop and the intervention of other respected religious and traditional leaders in the state.

“Therefore, we humbly request your intervention and alignment with the peace process initiated by our Archbishop and other respected leaders within and outside the state.

“As leaders, our commitment lies in promoting peaceful coexistence and good governance. Once again, we assure you and the well-meaning residents of Edo State that we will fulfil our responsibility in the upcoming gubernatorial election to educate, sensitise, and mobilise our lay faithful and other voters in Edo State on the importance of identifying desirable qualities in prospective candidates and the need to support anyone found with integrity and the ability to deliver on their promises, regardless of political, tribal, and religious affiliations.”

Responding, the Speaker said he was only a servant leader to the other 23 members of the House and he could not take any decision alone.

 “Yes I am the head of this parliament, we are 24 in number, I am a servant to them all. It is the decision they take that I will follow,” the Speaker said.

Sokoto votes N6.7bn for feeding, Jigawa slashes working hours

admin
-
0
Sokoto votes N6.7bn for feeding, Jigawa slashes working hours

The Sokoto State government has earmarked N6.7bn for the feeding of poor and underprivileged persons in the state during the 30-day Ramadan fast.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu disclosed this during the flag-off of the distribution of grains to 18,400 orphans and the destitute across the state at the state Government House on Monday.

He noted that the underprivileged persons would be fed at the 605 Ramadan feeding centres created by the state.

Giving the breakdown of the expenditure, the governor said  N1.2bn was allocated to 244 wards feeding centres while N797.9m was allocated to the existing 335 feeding centres across the state.

“Additionally, N288m would be spent on 26 special feeding centres for people with disabilities.

“Similarly, each of the 18,400 orphans and the destitute will receive bags of rice and millet with N5,000.”

The Sultan of Sokoko, Alhaji Sa’ad Muhammad, thanked the governor for sustaining the Ramadan feeding programme, which was initiated by former governor Aliyu Wamakko.

“It is important for us to be seen doing what is right as leaders. We pray for you because to whom much is given much is expected.

“I assure you, we are hundred per cent in support of your nine-point agenda aimed at transforming the state and helping humanity,” the Sultan said.

He called on the wealthy people to show compassion to the needy.

In a related development, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, approved the reduction of working hours for workers in the state by two hours in view of the Ramadan fast.

The decision was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the state Head of the Service, Alhaji Muhammad Dagaceri.

Dagaceri said workers were expected to report to work at 9 am and close at 3 pm instead of 5 pm from Monday to Thursday.

“Furthermore, workers would report to work on Fridays by 9 am and close by 1 pm as usual,” he said.

He said the initiative was to enable workers to prepare for the break of fast and have time to observe spiritual activities in the holy month of Ramadan.

He expressed hope that the workers would use the Ramadan fast to pray for God’s guidance and blessings.

“It is also our hope that civil servants will use the fast period to pray for the peace and economic prosperity of the state and Nigeria at large,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Fika, Yobe State, Alhaji Muhammad Idrissa, has called for collective efforts to assist the underprivileged during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Emir, who is also the Chairman, Yobe  Council of Chiefs, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Potiskum.

He urged marketers who hoard and inflate the prices of goods in the state, to have the fear of God and refrain from the practice.

He urged well-meaning individuals and philanthropists to support the underprivileged in communities,  particularly during Ramadan to alleviate their hardship.

The traditional ruler commended the federal and state governments for the distribution of palliatives to Nigerians to ease the economic hardship in the land.

He called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other security agencies to intensify efforts to curb drug use and addiction within the state.

Osun alleges plot to attack schools, farm settlements

admin
-
0
Osun alleges plot to attack schools, farm settlements

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, says his administration has uncovered plans by criminals to attack schools and farm settlements in rural communities in the state.

The governor, who raised the alarm in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Tuesday, said those behind the plot plan to disrupt the implementation of the infrastructure plan of his administration and cause apprehension in the state.

Adeleke, however, said he had convened a meeting of the state security council to prevent security breaches in any part of the state.

The governor made reference to intelligence snippets of “deliberate mobilisation of criminal elements to the rural areas of the state,” stressing that such reports were alarming and posed serious concerns to the well-being of the Osun people.

He noted that his administration was worried about reports that “those behind the plot are targeting disruption of farming activities through kidnappings and attacks on rural farm settlements.

“It was further revealed that schools are being targeted with abductions and attacks as a way of distracting from the implementation of the safe school initiative and the multi-billion naira infrastructure plan.”

While a meeting of the state security council had been summoned, Adeleke said preliminary directives had been issued to school authorities to take precautions to enhance the safety of pupils and students.

The statement further read, “The Ministry of Education and all education agencies have been ordered to review safety measures in Osun schools in line with the Safe School Initiative.

“In specific terms, school principals and heads are expected to clear overgrown school environments and ensure close liaison with the Parents and Teachers Association to secure their school environments.

“The governor further directs the Food Security Committee to submit an interim report to allow for immediate actions to safeguard farm security and secure farmers as the rainy season knocks on the door.

“We expect the initial report to contain practical and implementable measures to safeguard our farming communities through closer integration and mobilisation of the local hunters and forest rangers.”

The governor, who also announced plans to embark on major reforms of the Amotekun security force, frowned on the internal rivalry and what he called opposition penetration and external intervention that had negatively affected the operation of the Amotekun Corps in the state.

According to him, the Amotekun would be reorganised to make it a truly efficient force to complement the efforts and operation of the police and other security agencies.

He assured the public that his administration had taken preemptive steps to secure schools and farming communities in the state, describing Osun as a peaceful state which would not succumb to attempts to destabilise the peace and harmony among its residents.

“I have summoned a meeting of the State Security Council to firm up all plans. I assure our people that I am on top of the situation. We are committed to securing our school, our farm, and our society.

“No stone will be left unturned to disrupt plans of enemies of progress to plunge the state into a crisis. I urge members of the public to inform security agencies of any unusual movement or activities across the state,” Adeleke said.

Customs release 15 grain trucks seized in Sokoto

admin
-
0
Customs release 15 grain trucks seized in Sokoto

The Nigeria Customs Service, on Tuesday, released to the owners 15 trucks loaded with grains intercepted last week at the Sokoto State border, en route to neighbouring countries.

The Customs said the trucks were intercepted along the Gwadabawa-Illela Road in Sokoto.

The spokesman for the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, NCS,  Abdullahi Abubakar, in a statement on Tuesday, said the trucks were released to the owners in compliance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the statement, the Comptroller of the Command, Kamal Mohammed, handed over the 15 grain trucks to their owners at the command’s headquarters in Sokoto.

Mohammed charged the traders to reciprocate the President’s magnanimity by ensuring that the grains get to Nigerian markets.

He said, “The management of the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in their resolve to fight smuggling in all ramifications has added to the patrol fleet of the command.

“This will go a long way in making the border an unsafe haven for smugglers  and unpatriotic merchants seeking to make money at the detriment of the country.”

In his response, the Secretary of the Grain Sellers Association of Sokoto, Alhaji  Dahiru Ladan, on behalf of the union thanked President Tinubu for tempering justice with mercy and assured that the union would ensure the grains were sold to Nigerian markets.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Neveah raises workers’ salaries by 44%

admin
-
0
Neveah raises workers’ salaries by 44%

Indigenous commodities export company, Neveah Limited, has announced a 44 per cent increase in the salaries of its employees to ease the burden of economic hardship in the country.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ibidapo Lawal, in a statement recently revealed that the salary increment would become effective in March.

Nigerians have been facing tough times due to macroeconomic headwinds such as rising inflation, increasing costs of living, and stagnant wages.

Lawal said, “We understand the challenges that our employees are facing, and we want to do everything we can to support them during these difficult times.

“We believe that investing in our employees is not only the right thing to do morally, but it also makes good business sense. Happy and financially stable employees are more productive, engaged, and committed to the company’s success.”

 He stated that while most Neveah employees would receive a salary bump of over 44 per cent on average, some would enjoy a 70 per cent upward review.

Neveah Limited deals in agro commodities, base metals and minor metals and the company exports to over 15 countries within Europe, Asia, and North America.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

FG probes 107 varsities over fake degrees

admin
-
0
FG probes 107 varsities over fake degrees

The Federal Government has invited memoranda from the public as it begins the probe of private universities established in the last 15 years.

The Federal Government initiated the probe following an investigative report by Daily Nigerian journalist, Umar Audu, uncovering certificate racketeering in neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.

Checks by The According showed that no fewer than 107 private universities were established in the last 15 years.

The Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling set up by the Federal Government would be examining “whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in place prescribed facilities, appropriate management structure, adequate funding of programmes, requisite state, and nature of the staff – full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting and other types.”

The committee, in an advertorial published in The According of Tuesday, noted that the probe was “without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission.”

“Memoranda from the general public are, therefore, solicited to provide information to the committee to help it make appropriate recommendations to address the menace in line with its terms of reference,” the committee said.

In his investigative report published late last year, Daily Nigerian journalist Audu had narrated how he obtained a degree within six weeks from Benin Republic and even proceeded to embark on the mandatory youth service under the National Youth Service Corps scheme in the country.

Reacting, the Federal Government, on January 9, 2024, said it would launch an investigation into private universities established in the last 15 years.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made this known in Abuja while inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Committee on fake degrees and activities of degree mills in the country.

The Committee Chairman, Jibrila Amin, noted that the inter-ministerial committee would “Review the role of any MDA or its officials (including identifying such officials) in the facilitation of the recognition and procurement of the fake certificate in question.”

The committee will also”examine the rules, procedures and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education; Establish if unapproved foreign institutions (Degree Mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever form with their identities and locations if any.”

It is expected to “make appropriate recommendations for review of any rules, procedures, and processes to prevent re-occurrence and sanctions for identified erring officials.

“Make other recommendations that will strengthen the system of recognition, accreditations and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria and examine the extant rules, procedures and processes for granting provisional licenses to new universities by the National Universities Commission.”

Police grill Primeboy over petition by Mohbad’s wife

admin
-
0
Police grill Primeboy over petition by Mohbad’s wife

The Lagos State Police Command has revealed that Ibrahim Owodunni, aka Primeboy, was interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, on Tuesday, owing to a petition filed by Wunmi, the wife of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

According Metro learnt that Primeboy was arrested during a scheduled visit to the SCID alongside Ayobami Fisayo, aka Spending.

A source privy to the development told our correspondent that Primeboy and Spending had been asked to visit the SCID every week since the commencement of the investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Primeboy was, however, detained during Tuesday’s visit while Spending was released.

Reacting, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, told our correspondent that the afro singer was questioned over alleged defamation of character and other allegations cited in Wunmi’s petition.

He said, “One of the conditions under which he (Primeboy) was granted bail during Mohbad’s case was that he would come to the state CID every Tuesday to sign just to keep an eye on him so that he wouldn’t run away. So, he came in today and he took longer than usual. This is because Mohbad’s wife wrote a petition against him in which defamation of character was part of it. He was questioned on the allegation. After the questioning, I was told that the DC asked him to go. So, the SCID confirmed to me that he had left the place about five minutes ago (6.12pm).”

Meanwhile, the source disclosed that Primeboy had yet to leave the police facility when he spoke to our correspondent around 8pm.

“It is not true. A lawyer, Barrister Emmanuel, who went to bail him, is still there. The IPO has not released him.”

During its probe, the police declared Primeboy wanted on October 4, 2023, after which he turned himself in two days later.

Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, had filed an application in January at the coroner court sitting in the Ikorodu area of the state, seeking to call more witnesses in the bid to unravel the cause of his son’s death.

The witnesses requested to testify before the court include Primeboy, Spending, and Boluwatife Adeyemo, aka Darosha; all of whom were alleged to have been with the deceased at the material time.

Mohbad died on September 12 at the age of 27, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

Being a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022.

The state Police Command had on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the death.

His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, amongst others.

The body of Mohbad was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.

Hundeyin had tweeted in September 2023 that an “autopsy has been concluded” and the police were “awaiting result.”

Meanwhile, Aloba, in November 2023, had stated that nobody should collect his son’s body for burial without his authorisation.

In an interview with According Metro in December 2023, Hundeyin reiterated that the command had not received the report of the autopsy conducted on Mohbad from the pathologists

Ranking senators get N17bn constituency votes, Ningi suspended

admin
-
0
Ranking senators get N17bn constituency votes, Ningi suspended

Fresh revelations at the Senate plenary, on Tuesday, indicated that  ranking senators  got N500m each for their constituency projects   in the   2024 budget passed by the National Assembly..

According to the Senate rules, any lawmaker who has spent at least a term in the House of Representatives or Senate,  is considered a ranking senator.

On the list of senators in the 10th Senate, at least 34  of them are ranking. With the revelation at the plenary on Tuesday that  senior   senators got N500m each, the ranking senators,   must have got a total of  N17bn as their constituency projects votes.

Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe (PDP, Cross-River North), during the debate of the motion on breach of privilege moved by Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC Ogun West) against Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) over Ningi’s interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Services), alleged  that senior senators got N500m each.

Ningi was  suspended for three months on Tuesday. He also resigned as the Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum

Jarigbe’s revelation led to a rowdy session at the plenary with some senators denying collecting the amount.

Jarigbe later clarified, in an interview on Arise TV that the money was for constituency projects, not for personal palliatives of the Senators.

Adeola had come under orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) over Ningi’s interview with the BBC (Hausa Services)

Ningi, in the BBC interview on Friday, alleged that N3.7tn was not tied to specific projects in the 2024 budget.

Also, at a press conference on Monday, the senator insisted on the allegation, adding that he was not afraid of suspension.

Contributing to the debate on Tuesday, Jarigbe said issues about the missing N3.7tn as alleged by Ningi had been clarified under the Government Owned Enterprises and the first line charge.

He said, “I thought this issue should have ended when the chairman of the Committee on Appropriation explained that the N3.7tn was under GOEs and the first line charge.

“That explains everything.We are going back and forth on this issue and coming up with the issue of budget and individual issues concerning what comes into our various constituencies.

“If we want to go into those issues, all of us are culpable. Some senators here—the so-called senior senators—got N500m each. I am a ranking senator, but I didn’t get it. Did I go to the press? Most of you here got it.”

However, when given another chance to speak, he clarified that it was Ningi who told him that some senators got N500m.

Jarigbe said, “This is an important clarification. I was speaking when the microphone went off. I was told by Ningi that some ranking senators got N500m. Ningi came to me and said that there were discrepancies in the budget and I told him that let’s go to the Senate President.

He explained further, “Senator Yayi (Adeola) has cleared the air on the N3tn, so there is no padding anywhere. Senator Ningi told me that he got N500m worth of projects in the budget. I said Senator Ningi shouldn’t be the one speaking about certain things.’’

‘N500m for projects’

But Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), stated that though the senators got N500m, it was for constituency projects.

“I was going through online and it’s trending that every senator got N500m here today and I am not going to deny anything. My appeal to Nigerians today is not about what was said here today because I am not going to deny that.

“But we have 12 months to implement this budget and see whether any of these senators here will not implement boreholes, enough solar street lights, road construction, training, and empowerment that will not be up to N500m.”

Meanwhile, Bamidele alleged that Ningi planned a coup against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

He said, “What Abdul Ningi wanted to do was tantamount to a civilian coup. It is always about Akpabio, never about the House of Representatives or the President. It is not about North and South, it is about our rules.

“I am speaking as Bamidele, not as a Senate Leader. The last time a South-South person was ever given the opportunity to become president was over 40 years ago. We have another peaceful Senate, but why is it always about Akpabio?”

Bamidele went ahead to state that “we must do this right. He (Ningi) said some of us got N100bn, why do we need an apology? If I have anything here, it is not money put in my pocket, they are for constituency projects. Let us do the right thing.”

Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), however, expressed disappointment over the actions of Ningi and Kawu saying, “Any discovery that I have not seen, to me it is not a discovery.

“Distinguished Senators Ningi and Kawu, I am not a second-class northerner. If there is anything that happens in the Northern Senators Forum, they do not inform me. If anybody says he has seen anything, provide the evidence.

“But when I saw the post from Senator Sumaila Kawu, I was disappointed. We will deal with the budget, but we have to also deal with our ethical standards in this Senate.”

Ningi denies padding

In his defence, Ningi stated that he never mentioned padding in the 2024 budget.

“I have never issued a statement of this to anybody anywhere and anytime. What is being forwarded is the distorted version of what I said. Mr Chairman, you would recall last Tuesday that Kawu and I said we wanted to have an audience with you.

“The Northern Senators’ Forum met with you on Tuesday and this copy is with me. I am the only one who has a copy of our findings. At the end of our conversation, you said that the way the budget was brought to us didn’t allow us to vet it accurately.”

Ningi stated that in the BBC interview, he never mentioned Akpabio and budget padding.

“I know that the budget was increased by N1.2tn, but I am not aware of the National Assembly budget or what was increased. We discovered some anomalies.

“Some things were repeated in the budget, Some senatorial districts have N120bn, some N50bn, some N30bn while my senatorial district just has N2bn and others have less than N1bn. I do not know the takeoff pay of the Senate President while you know mine,” he stated.

Ningi, during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year was N25tn, while the one being implemented by the Presidency was N28.7tn.

In the interview, he was quoted to have said, “For the first time in Nigerian history, today we are operating two different budgets. One budget was approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu and the one was implemented by the presidency.

“The one approved by us is N25tn while the one being operated by Federal Government is N28tn

“Apparently, we discovered N3tn was inserted into the budgets for projects without locations. This is the highest budget padding that happened in Nigerian history under Senator Akpabio’s watch.”

The Bauchi senator was further quoted to have said, “We resolved as the peoples’ representatives to see President Tinubu on this issue, with facts and figures, to ask him if he is aware of this embarrassment or not, then from there we will take action.

“Let Nigerians be patient with us. This is a national issue; it affects all Nigerians irrespective of party, tribe or religion.”

Also commenting on the matter on Tuesday, Senator Ali Ndume said the issue was about the integrity of the Senate.

He said, “This is about the integrity of the Senate. It’s beyond Ningi. Ningi was wrong. At first, they said the budget was skewed against the North and I said this thing was wrong. I asked them if they were sure that the North was short-changed.

“I told them to bring the budget, I expected Ningi to apologise to the entire Senate because the figures he was looking for are captured in the budget. N3tn isn’t missing and Ningi should apologise to us.”

Meanwhile, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim noted that he wouldn’t back down on his move to request the prosecution of Ningi over breach of peace.

‘No N500m largesse’

On his part, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, while briefing journalists after the Plenary, said no senator got N500m as palliative.

He said the Senator who raised the issue had recanted, claiming that he also got the information as a rumour somewhere.

He said, “There is no N500m largesse anywhere. The senator who raised it had since recanted claiming that somebody told him somewhere.”

The Senate later suspended the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, for three months.

Ningi was suspended after about three hours of elaborate debate over his interview where he alleged that the National Assembly padded the 2024 budget.

The Senate also extended a strong warning to Senator Suleiman Kawu ( NNPP, Kano South) from sharing and distributing disturbing news about the Senate.

Senator Adeola in his motion stated that in the January-December Budget Cycle, sub-committees submitted their harmonised reports to the Committee on Appropriation and the report of the Committee on Appropriation submitted to the Senate was unanimously passed on December 30, 2023 and a budget of N28.77tn was assented by the President January 1, 2024.

He said, “The additional increase of N1.2tn to what was presented by the President came during the appropriation process through additional funding requests and some items of expenditure to the committee that was not included in the bill as submitted by the President and were meant to address additional funding for the Judiciary, Agriculture and Food Security, Works, Science and Technology, Education, Water Resources, National Assembly, Health and National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.

“The additional source of funding for the increase came from the increase in the benchmark of naira to dollar from N750-N800, increase in Government Owned Enterprises revenue and other sources;”

Senator Adeola, thereafter prayed the Senate that pursuant to Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Order 2023 (as Amended) allow immediate deliberation of this matter and take appropriate action deemed fit in the overriding public interest and as a matter of urgent public importance to prevent break down of law and order.

He prayed, “Take further necessary steps to correct the wrong impression in the public domain of the 2024 budget created by the BBC interview and other national media houses and social media platforms by Senator Abdul Ningi and amplified by Senator Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu through his Facebook account and other social media platforms; and

“Take any further decision as the senate deems fit and proper to safeguard the integrity of the 2024 budget which is pivotal to the revamping of our economy.”

After extensive elaboration, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim ( APC, Ondo South) moved a motion that Ningi be suspended for 12 months, but the motion was amended by Senator Asququo Ekpeyong (APC, Cross RiverSouth) that the punishment be reduced to three months.

Senator Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South) thereafter, moved that Ningi be suspended for three months or an apology be accepted if he wrote to the Senate within 24 hours.

He was seconded by Senator Sani Musa ( APC, Niger East) whose motion the Senate eventually adopted.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, in his initial comment before the debate noted that Nigerians were bashing the Senate but Ningi insisted and refused to apologise to the Senate.

Akpabio said, “Nigerians are bashing the Senate. Many Nigerians will never in future come back to respect this chamber. The integrity of this chamber has been totally damaged and we wanted you to repair it with your speech.

“Instead of that, you said you have more documents to prove what you are saying. This thing is in the public glare. I have not received full details up to this moment. If you had given me full details, I would have been able to know what you know.

“So far, what you know is only known to you, it is not known to any other person. I don’t know how you rushed to the press carrying different versions. Social media is very fast. From Canada, the United States, everywhere, the story was budget padding by the Senate.

“I can quote a section of the Premium Times that said ‘This is the highest level of budget padding in Nigeria’s history where the budget passed a budget of N25tn but what we collected was N28tn.”

Ningi resigns from NSF

As the situation at the Senate festered, Senator Ningi had to tender his resignation as the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.

Although the resignation letter was dated March 11, a copy was made public shortly after Ningi was suspended for three months by the Senate over his statement on the alleged padding of the 2024 budget.

Ningi, in a letter sent to the forum, wrote, “I would like to resign my position as the Chairman of the Northern Senators forum.

“This is, of course, necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North, and the nation at large.

“I will like to especially thank members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight months to spearhead this very important forum. I believe this forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.”

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held closed-door talks with Akpabio, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and other lawmakers at the State House, Abuja.

The talks followed the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi who alleged that the executive was implementing a budget other than the one approved on January 1, 2024.

The According understood that the lawmakers rushed to the Villa on Tuesday afternoon at the close of a rowdy session as the senate decided Ningi’s fate.

High domestic airfares will persist, say stakeholders

admin
-
0
High domestic airfares will persist, say stakeholders

Stakeholders have predicted that airfares for domestic travel would remain because of operators’ rising operating costs.

In separate chats with The According, they pointed out that airline operators were contending with various economic factors, such as increasing fuel costs and operational expenses.

The General Secretary of Aviation Roundtable, Olumide Ohunayo, told The According that although there had been a decline in air travel lately, airlines have not lowered ticket prices.

He explained that fares were determined by market dynamics, influenced by factors such as inflation, the naira-to-dollar exchange rate, and operational costs.

He said, “There has been a decline in the number of passengers, but this has not prompted airlines to reduce air ticket prices. With the devaluation of the naira and other cost components, along with inflationary trends, it is very difficult for the airlines.

 “What they will do is cut down their frequencies until the market booms again. People would rather ship cargo or send money than travel due to the cost. Corporate travel has decreased, while most operators are declaring losses.”

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the costs of air travel increased by 11.01 per cent in November compared to the same period of the previous year.

In February, former President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Sheri Kyari, warned that aviation fuel prices would remain high as long as the product was imported due to the exchange rate.

Currently, aviation fuel, also known as Jet fuel, is selling for over N1,200 per litre in Lagos, compared to N250 in the same period last year.

In 2022, the aviation sector reportedly incurred $192bn operating costs, as indicated in a report by Phillips Consulting Limited.

The Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Security Limited, Captain John Ojikutu, noted that aviation fuel accounted for approximately 60 per cent of airlines’ operational costs.

Ojikutu told The According that with the current price of aviation fuel, air tickets for local travel would cost as much as N140,000.

He recommended the resumption of local manufacturing of aviation fuel to alleviate the impact its scarcity was having on both operators and passengers.

FG to set standards for electric, CNG vehicles

admin
-
0
FG to set standards for electric, CNG vehicles

The National Automotive Design and Development Council has announced plans to validate its National Occupational Standards for the conversion and maintenance of electric vehicles and Compressed Natural Gas vehicles.

The Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin disclosed this during the validation workshop exercise for the draft of the national standards for auto gas vehicles in Nasarawa recently.

He stated that the primary objective of the workshop was to develop a blueprint for skills development and standardised operational procedures in the conversion, calibration, and maintenance of those new automotive energy sources, aligning with the government’s renewed hope agenda.

Osanipin noted that upon approval of the draft by the National Assembly, it would facilitate job creation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as ongoing plans include the establishment of more CNG gas stations in Abuja.

He said, “If we achieve what the Federal Government wants us to achieve with autogas, it will reduce the dependency on PMS and diesel and mitigate environmental concerns. It will also create more jobs and wealth for the nation.”

According to Osanipin, the essence of the workshop was to ensure that the input of all relevant stakeholders was captured in the making of this national document.

He added, “This is in line with international best practices, it is expected that the document will come out of this effort at international standards and help to drive the auto sector to global standards.”

He emphasised the significance of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan 2023 – 2033, relaunched by the Federal Government in 2023, aimed at revitalising the automotive industry and fostering sustainable growth through technological and skills development.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

1...1,5171,5181,519...2,849Page 1,518 of 2,849
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv