President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday forwarded to the Senate for consideration and approval a request for the injection of N6.2 trillion into the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget.
Tinubu made the request via a letter read on the floor of the Senate by its President, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary, in Abuja.
The President specifically sought for withdrawal of N3.2 trillion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, for capital expenditure.
In the second leg of the request, the President sought for withdrawal of another N3 trillion from the consolidated revenue fund for additional recurrent expenditure for the year ending on December 31, 2024.
READ ALSO: Senate dismisses reports on padding of 2024 budget
Tinubu in the letter also sought an Act to amend the Finance Act of 2023, to impose and charge windfall tax on banks and to provide for the administration of the tax and matters related thereto.
For expeditious consideration, the Senate had already listed the two requests on its Order Paper as Executive bills for consideration.
If the requested N6.2 trillion is injected into the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget, the budget size will increase to N33.7 trillion.
The post Tinubu seeks Senate approval to inject N6.2tn into 2024 budget appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Tinubu seeks Senate approval to inject N6.2tn into 2024 budget
Trump’s ex-aide, Peter Navarro, released from federal prison
Donald Trump’s former White House trade advisor, Peter Navarro, was released from a Florida prison on Wednesday after serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Navarro, 75, is expected to travel from Miami, where he was incarcerated in a federal prison, to Milwaukee to address the Republican National Convention. He is listed as one of the speakers at the gathering.
Navarro is the highest-ranking former member of the Trump administration to spend time behind bars for actions stemming from the former Republican president’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Navarro was found guilty of two counts of contempt in September for refusing to comply with a subpoena to testify before the congressional panel that investigated the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.
Navarro, a Harvard-educated economist, was the architect of the “Green Bay Sweep,” a plot to block Congress from certifying the 2020 election results.
Navarro refused to appear for a deposition before the House of Representatives committee that investigated the January 6 attack on Congress and declined to supply documents to the panel.
He was convicted of contempt by a federal jury in Washington after a two-day trial and claimed to be a victim of “partisan weaponization of our justice system.”
Navarro was the second close Trump ally to be convicted of contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas from the House committee.
Steve Bannon, one of the masterminds behind Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, was also found guilty of contempt of Congress.
Bannon was sentenced to four months behind bars and began serving his sentence on July 1 at a federal prison in Connecticut.
Trump was scheduled to go on trial in Washington on March 4 on charges of conspiring to overturn the results of the election won by Democrat Joe Biden.
His trial was put on hold, however, until the Supreme Court heard Trump’s claim that as a former president, he is immune from criminal prosecution.
The court ruled earlier this month that a former president has broad immunity and Trump’s trial is unlikely to be held before the November election, if ever.
Trump, 78, was impeached for a second time by the House after the Capitol riot — he was charged with inciting an insurrection — but was acquitted by the Senate.
AFP
Israel ready to partner Nigerian govt, private sector, Envoy reveals
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, on Wednesday said that Israel is open to partner with the Federal Government and the private sector in areas that would be of mutual benefit to both countries.
Freeman noted that this was part of his country’s efforts to eradicate poverty and insecurity in the world.
Freeman stated this when he spoke at the Nigeria-Israel Business Forum’s Annual General meeting in Abuja.
Represented by the Consul of Israel in Nigeria, Inbar Lipman Garden, the Ambassador, said: “Having gone through the agenda for the day, I can attest to the fact that you have eloquent professionals and great speakers to address the issues of the day. Israel is proud to be partnering development of the Nigerian economic and business sector. We are ready to partner with the government and the private sectors in areas of mutual benefit to our countries.
“I implore you to take advantage of today’s presentations and join us in a quest to eradicate poverty and insecurity in the world. We look forward to receiving the dividends of this gathering, hoping it will improve the trade business between our countries.”
READ ALSO: Israeli forces rescue four hostages from Gaza after 246 days
Speaking virtually, the Nigerian Ambassador in Tel-Aviv, Agatha Afokelu, encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the partnership offered by the Israeli government.
Afokelu said: “For me, again, it is a great opportunity this time. I urge Nigerians to use this advantage to think of products to export to Israel.
“Now that the door is open for us, I heard the speech of the representative of Ambassador Freeman, and she said that they are open to receive us, they are open for business. So I encourage all members to be ready. We are also ready to receive you, to make you feel at home, to make you happy.”
The president of the forum, PatGrace Owusi said the forum had helped to improve the economy of the two countries.
He said: “Over the years, by the grace of God, we have done so much. The forum has helped to improve the economic standards of the two countries. We are glad that Nigeria can fly to Israel today without heading because the Basra agreement was signed.
“We are glad that today, Nigerian people can go to Israel and do business because of the economic agreement that was signed. This was piloted by this organization.
“And today, we want to look into some vital issues. Israel needs Nigeria, and Nigeria needs Israel. Fish needs water and water needs fish. Without water, fish do not exist. And without fish, water does not exist. It exists with nothing.”
The post Israel ready to partner Nigerian govt, private sector, Envoy reveals appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
IBB promises to champion call for reintroduction of Religious Knowledge in public schools
Former Nigeria Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, has urged the Federal and state governments to reintroduce religious knowledge across public primary and secondary schools in the Nation to foster unity and love.
IBB stated this when he received the leadership of the Niger State Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, led by the state Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who were on a visit to his hilltop mansion, Minna.
He noted that there is a need for Nigeria to go back to the teachings of religious knowledge in schools as the only way to change the society for the better.
The elder statesman who commended the state CAN for its effort in making sure good morals are inculcated in the youths expressed his readiness to champion the cause for a better society.
According to him: “I can see that you are making a lot of efforts in trying to bring back morals and religious knowledge in our society.
“This is the only way we can change our society, by teaching Christian Religious Knowledge, CRK, Islamic Religious Knowledge, IRK, and other moral subjects in public schools.
“It may not be easy, but I know it is what this country needs at the moment. We need to go back to what it used to be, especially in the teachings of religious knowledge.”
He continued, ” I am prepared and I will be ready anytime with any good cause you have. I will be ready to speak to the President (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and the State Governor (Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago) and I can assure you that something will be done both at national and state levels”.
Recall the call for the reintroduction of CRK to public schools in Niger State has been among the top topical issues by various stakeholders in the state.
Babangida added that in his growing days, religious knowledge was one factor that shaped the society, saying, then Christians and Muslims prayed and played together in love and unity in the 50s and 60s.
Earlier, the State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna told IBB that the visit was to formally introduce themselves, and receive counsel from his wealth of experience as one who believes in the unity and peaceful coexistence of the country irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations.
Dr Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese stated that his leadership has made several efforts on the need for reintroduction of CRK in schools which include submitting proposals to the government and hoping for positive action.
The cleric said, ” Your Excellency sir, we are doing all we can to curtail any form of restiveness and to ensure we inculcate in our youths good morals for a better society. We strongly want to appeal to you to join us in the call for the reintroduction of Christian Religious Knowledge in the curriculum of all public primary and secondary schools across the state and the country.
IBB promises to champion call for reintroduction of Religious Knowledge in public schools
INEC warns observer groups to adhere to rules
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday warned election observer groups that their accreditation for the Edo and Ondo governorship polls could be revoked anytime if found violating its code of conduct.
On Monday, The According reported that 134 international and local observer groups were accredited by INEC.
The classification of the accredited groups showed that 28 are gender-based, three represent persons with disability, 8 are faith-based, 10 international and over 100 others working in areas relevant to the functions of the Commission.
Speaking at a training session for election observers in Abuja, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Election and Party Monitoring Committee, Sam Olumekun, said for the groups to retain their accreditations they must adhere to the rules.
He said, “As accredited Observer Groups, you will be allowed access to observe all the election processes as outlined in the Commission’s Reviewed Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections available at the INEC website.
“I need to, however, bring to your attention that your accreditation may be withdrawn at any stage of the election process if it is established that your organisation is violating the Code of Conduct for observers as contained in the Guidelines for Election Observation available on the INEC website.
“Again, you are to be reminded that the accreditation of your organisation to observe the elections is without financial obligations on the Commission.”
He also reminded them that the commission does not provide any funding for observers’ accreditation.
Olumekun said, “Another serious issue with election observation which has been of concern to the Commission is the issue of integrity in Election observation.
“While there are quite a number of trustworthy, honest, objective, hardworking and credible observer groups in the Country who have contributed greatly to deepening democracy and the electoral process in Nigeria over the years, there are still others who have continued to display laxity about election observation and have cared less about the integrity of the entire process.”
The Acting Director of Election and Party Monitoring, Hauwa Habib urged the groups to update their records with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Habib said, “The Commission’s process of selection and registration of observers is strictly on the provision that the organization is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as trustees whose areas include covering elections and the registered 134 of you here have passed the test.
“From the records available to us at the Commission it is noticed that some of you will need to update your records with the CAC.
“The importance of observers as stakeholders in the development of election processes and procedures and we urge your group leaders to select observers who are interested in the job and properly trained to ensure that their observation and reporting are in line with the guidelines of the Commission.”
BREAKING: Senate passes N6.2trn Appropriation Act amendment bill for second reading
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading, an amendment to the 2024 Appropriation Act to the tune of N6.2 trillion for capital and recurrent expenditure for the 2024 fiscal year.
The amended bill was presented to the Senate by Senator Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, indicating that the sum of N3.2 trillion is for capital expenditure, while N3 trillion goes for recurrent expenditure, to be spent before the end of 2024.
In his contribution, Senator Adamu Aliero representing Kebbi South, said the amendment, which would create opportunity for funding of critical projects that were not captured in the principal Act, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He reminded the Senate that the amendment will take care of the minimum wage that is being discussed with labour, adding that it was important that senators expeditiously pass it into law to avoid strike.
Speaking on the bill, Senator Seriake Dickson differed, saying that the Senate should not pass the bill in a hurry to avoid pitfalls.
He recalled the backlash from the public over a bill he said was previously passed in a hurry, noting that legislators should avoid public ridicule in the handling of legislative activities.
Dickson also disagreed with suggestions that the amendment to the Appropriation Act and the amendment to the Finance Act, 2023, be lumped together, stating: “I don’t believe we lumped the two bills together in a way and manner we are doing and if I have my way Mr President, I like to suggest that we step the Finance bill down.
“Let it not be that without the experts and critical stakeholders participating in public hearing. I think that we should be very cautious when we are discussing taxation and even these banks we intend to generate N500 billion are all running around to meet recapitalisation. These are two critical bills.”
Senator Sani Musa representing Niger North on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress maintained that banks earn enormous profit which can be inferred from their end of the year reports.
He said the profit was made possible due to robust policies of the government, hence, it should not be difficult for banks to be taxed.
He said: “Money bills are very important bills. The point is that if you look at the end of year report, you discover that commercial banks are making so much money despite the hardship pervading the country.
“I think banks should be well taxed because they make this profit out of the pronouncement made by this government. The reason for removing oil subsidy, the reason for abridging the gap is for the good of this country.”
After contribution by other senators in favour of amendment to the Act, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary called for voice votes and it was passed for second reading.
BREAKING: Senate passes N6.2trn Appropriation Act amendment bill for second reading
More confusion as two courts give different rulings on PDP’s nomination of Ighodalo for Edo guber poll
The conflicting rulings by courts of equal jurisdictions have continued to plaque the Nigerian judiciary, causing confusions and conflict in the political space.
This is as a Federal High Court on Wednesday affirmed Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the legitimate candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election.
The court’s decision is in direct opposition to an earlier ruling that nullified the PDP primary election, citing the unlawful exclusion of 378 delegates.
In the earlier ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo also of the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the PDP governorship primary election in Edo State that produced Ighodalo as its candidate.
The court voided the primary election conducted on February 22, 2024 on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP.
But Justice James Omotosho’s judgment on Wednesday stated that Ighodalo was properly nominated at the same February 22 PDP primaries in Benin City, dismissing the lawsuit challenging his candidacy.
Read Also: Edo Assembly opposes court order reinstating Shaibu as dep gov, files appeal
The PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, welcomed the Wednesday judgment as a victory for democracy, rule of law, and internal democracy.
The party noted that the ruling validates the credibility of the primary election and affirms Ighodalo as the preferred candidate of the majority of Edo State residents.
The statement read in part, “The Party describes the landmark judgement which upheld the PDP Edo State Governorship Primary election held on February 22, 2024, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City as a victory for democracy, rule of law and a well-founded affirmation of the propriety and credibility of the primary election and PDP’s internal democracy.
“The spontaneous jubilation across Edo State at the news of the judgement reaffirms the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the undisputed preference of the majority of the people of Edo State in the coming Governorship election.
“The party notes that the judgement further validates the fact that all the aspirants at the Governorship Primary election were accorded level playing ground in the conduct of the Edo State PDP Congresses and Governorship Primary election that produced Dr. Asue Ighodalo as a candidate.
“The PDP congratulates Dr. Asue Ighodalo and urges all party members to remain united and continue to work together with the majority of the people of Edo State to ensure the victory of our party and candidate in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.”
The PDP congratulated Ighodalo and urged party members to unite and work together to ensure victory in the upcoming governorship election.
The post More confusion as two courts give different rulings on PDP’s nomination of Ighodalo for Edo guber poll appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Son arrested for killing activist dad over monetary dispute in Edo
The Edo State Police Command has said that Arthur Angel Jr. killed his father, Arthur Judah Angel over monetary demand at Ugboha, in Esan South East on Sunday.
The Spokesman of the Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, told The According on Wednesday that a preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased son had threatened to kill his father and carried when he hit him with a sledgehammer
The PPRO said, “On the 15th of July, 2024, at about 09.00 hours, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ugboha division in Edo State received a complaint that one Arthur Angel Jr. (17 years) brought a complaint of a shallow grave discovery at the backyard of the compound where he lived with the deceased.
“Immediately, the DPO mobilized his men and they moved out to the scene. On getting there, they saw a shallow grave and decided to exhume the body.
“When the body was exhumed, they discovered that it was the lifeless body of Arthur Angel, 70, and at a close look, they saw a sharp injury on the back of the deceased head, and the body was taken to Uromi Hospital mortuary.”
He added, “According to the DPO, preliminary investigation revealed that Arthur Angel Jr. had severally threatened to kill his father on the ground that his father was expecting some money from Amnesty International.
“The suspect had a feeling that the money had been paid to the deceased and decided to use the sledgehammer to hit him behind the head while he was asleep.
“As we speak, the suspect has been successfully transferred from Ugboha to the homicide section of the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.”
Anti-death penalty advocate, Arthur Judah Angel, on Sunday, was killed and buried in a shallow grave behind his house.
Having been sentenced to death in 1986 for a crime he said he did not commit, Angel, who was also a human rights defender, used his foundation, Life Wire International Foundation, to fight for the use of the death penalty in the country.
He travelled to over 15 countries to speak out against the death penalty through his art exhibitions and drawings.
When the According contacted Angel’s cousin, Michael Ihaza on Tuesday, he confirmed the assassination of his uncle.
He said, “I cannot really say if he had a problem with anyone. He won several cases over family land but I really don’t know if that brought issues between him and anyone.
“He never reported any threat to his life to me. However, his 15-year-old son who reported the case to the police in Ugboha has been taken into custody for questioning but I don’t think he has a hand in his father’s death.
“His son was arrested the same day he was killed. The narrative that is making the round within the police circle and in town is that the boy is also a suspect.”
“My late uncle fought for humanity in his lifetime. How worked on prison reform and he was a gentleman. I never heard that he had a problem with anyone.
“The police say they are investigating the matter so we don’t want to say anything that will jeopardize the investigation. Hopefully, the culprit will be identified and brought to justice,” he added.
Yobe govt launches war against moral decadence, warns youth against vices
The Yobe government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ethical Re-Orientation has launched an ethical reorientation campaign in the state.
Governor Mai Mala Buni on Wednesday, during the campaign launch said the initiative is timely, considering the decay and rot in moral values and the decadence in cultural and religious ethics in the society especially among the youth.
“The increasing consumption of illicit substances, especially drugs is quite worrisome and calls for immediate and strategic action to stem the growing tide to save our communities, state and country”, he said.
He said it has become expedient for all stakeholders including the government, traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and guardians to join hands with the security agencies in the war against illicit substances and drugs.
The Governor ordered the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ethical Reorientation to hold periodic meetings with stakeholders to assess the situation and strategies in the respective local government areas, and where necessary change the existing strategy to meet the existing challenges.
The ethical re-orientation campaign is tagged, “Operation Gyaran Hali”.
Yobe govt launches war against moral decadence, warns youth against vices
Final year student stabbed to death over N150 in Bayelsa
There is outrage in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following the stabbing to death on Monday of a final-year student of the Niger Delta University.
Community sources said the victim, Francis Palowei, was at the Sand Dump, a popular spot among the students for relaxation and socialising when some youths in the area stabbed him to death when he failed to give them N150.
Palowei, who hailed from the Obrigbene community in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was expected to graduate on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, when the university will hold its next convocation.
The According gathered that men of the Nigerian Police Force had gone into the community and started searching for the perpetrators.
The Public Relations Officer of Niger Delta University, Indoni Engezi, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, said that the incident did not affect the institution’s academic activity
Engezi said the police were already on top of the situation.
According to him, the owner of the sand dump does not charge any fees for using the premises, but some youths usually charge N150 for anyone who wants to use the premises.
Musa Mohammed, Police Public Relations Officer, said the Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, has deployed additional police manpower to the community to maintain the peace.
Mohammed said the police had launched a manhunt for the killers.
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]