Car sellers in Jalingo, Taraba state capital are running out of parking space as civil servants who cannot afford to maintain their vehicles since the removal of fuel subsidy are selling their cars.

Civil servants in the state are compelled to sell out their vehicles since the removal of the fuel subsidy which forced the price of the commodity to skyrocket over 100 percent.

Pump price of fuel in the state sells within the range of N550,00 to N570,00 while the state is among numerous states that are yet to implement the national N30,000 minimum wage.

Most of the Car stands visited by LEADERSHIP within Jalingo proved that 42 percent of vehicles brought in for sell in the last three weeks belongs to civil servants working with the state or local government council. “They are bringing cars massively” one of the car sellers revealed.

Aliyu Aba, a sales agent with Najib Motors, located at TSTC Junction along Jalingo Yola Highway and Nafiu Johnbosco an agent with Haske Motors, located at Roadblock Roundabout and Nathaniel Ibro, an agent with Muri Company located at Muri Hotel within Jalingo told our correspondent that they lack parking space as more customers were approaching them to pick their vehicles to sell on their stands.

They confirmed that most people selling their cars are civil servants particularly from the state.

“Those approaching us to sell their cars are mostly civil servants, they claim life is unbearable to them and the cost of fueling and maintaining the vehicles is not possible any longer.

“From our stand, we are not seeing buyers like before the removal of fuel subsidy, people are not ready to buy more vehicles, the cost of fuel has cushion extravagant use of cars, the market is not moving like before.

Titus Illiman, a civil servant with Taraba state ministry of information who also give out his car for sell said he could no longer drive the vehicle since the price of fuel skyrocketed to N550,00.

“I can not park my car and watch it damage without any income, is better I sell it, use the money to farm so that I can make profit to train my children in school, my monthly take home as a civil servant cannot fuel the car.”

The House of Representatives yesterday set up an ad hoc committee to investigate an alleged abuse of N2.3 trillion generated from the Tertiary Education Tax by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) from 2011 to 2013.

The committee is to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

The House took the action following the adoption of a motion to carry out the probe, sponsored by Olusola Fatoba, David Fouh and Zakari Nyampa.

The Green Chamber of the National Assembly recalled that the Tertiary Education Tax was introduced as a special corporate tax to provide specialised funding for tertiary education in Nigeria, including capital projects, research and development, among others.

It said the tax was introduced following the repealing of Education Tax Act, which established the Education Trust Fund to impose Education Tax on Nigerian companies at the rate of 2.5 per cent of the assessable profit for annual assessment.

The House also recalled that in 2011, the Education Tax Act was repealed and replaced with Tertiary Education Trust Fund Establishment, Act in 2021, the Finance Act 2021, increasing the applicable Tertiary Education Tax rate from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

The Green Chamber said it was aware that since the establishment of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund in 2011, the fund had earned trillions of naira as revenue.

It alleged that the fund had suffered numerous financial abuses in its operations, award of contracts and execution of projects.

The House said it was aware that the Standard Operating Procedure within the fund was porous and did not create a platform for proper supervision of projects domiciled with tertiary institutions.

The motion reads: “The House further notes that these abuses, actions, inactions and infractions have resulted in the misappropriation of funds and unjust enrichment of funds worth about N2.3 trillion.

“The House is worried that if urgent steps are not taken to investigate the allegations, the decay of the tertiary education system will continue to increase, thus resulting in strike actions, substandard institutions, lack of faith in the system, migration of talented youths and total collapse of the Education system arising from gross abuse of a laudable special intervention programmes and aspiration of the President to provide opportunities to young people through quality tertiary education.”

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum yesterday released 80 vehicles to ease high cost of transportation for farmers arising from the withdrawal of fuel subsidy in May.

A statement in Maiduguri, the state capital, by Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Mallam Isa Gusau, said the vehicles compressed 50 buses and 30 pick-up vans to convey farmers to their farms for free.

“To reduce high cost of living caused by withdrawal of fuel subsidy, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, released 80 buses and pick-up vans for free transportation of farmers.

“The 80 means of transport will comprise 50 luxury buses to be allocated from the fleet of the Borno Express Corporation, while the 30 pick-up vans will be hired by the state government.

“Due to the removal of fuel subsidy, which although has a long-term benefit, cost of transportation has increased.

“Therefore, the Borno State government has decided to provide 50 buses and 30 pick-up vans to convey farmers to their farmlands this rainy season,” the statement quoted Zulum as saying.

The governor also addressed farmers on the Maiduguri-Damboa road, urging them to cooperate with the military and other security agencies deployed in the area to protect them.

He expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting the people.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of thirty-five (35) Commissioners of Police to various state commands and formations across the country.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, “This followed the approval of his recommendation by the Police Service Commission”.

The IGP assured that the postings are in line with the commitment of the police leadership to ensuring effective policing, security, and the maintenance of law and order in Nigeria.

Amongst the newly posted Commissioners of Police are CP Adelesi E. Oluwarotimi to Kwara State Command; CP Adebola Ayinde Hamzat to Oyo State Command; CP Augustina N. Ogbodo to Ebonyi State Command; CP Samuel Titus Musa to Kebbi State Command; CP Aderemi Olufemi Adeoye to Anambra State Command; CP Auwal Musa to Bauchi State Command; and CP Alamatu Abiodun Mustapha to Ogun State Command.

Others include CP Margaret Ochalla to Police Special Fraud Unit Annex Lagos; CP Banji Ogunrinde to head the Explosive Ordnance Unit; CP Rhoda A. Olofu to Ports Authority Police Western, Lagos; and CP Kareem Musa to Interpol Annex Lagos.

CP Audu Dabigi is posted to Border Patrol Force; CP Abibo D. Reuben to Police Mobile Force; CP Adekunle Ismaila Olusokan to Welfare FHQ Abuja; CP Omolara Ibidun Oloruntola to Special Fraud Unit FCID Abuja; and CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi to Deputy Force Secretary amongst others.

Furthermore, the IGP charged the appointed Commissioners of Police to key into his policies, vision, and mission for the Nigerian Police Force while mandating them to prioritize the safety and well-being of the citizens they serve, ensuring adherence to the principles of fairness, professionalism, and respect for human rights.

While urging them to serve as exemplary leaders, fostering harmonious relationships with other security agencies, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders, the IGP tasked them to promote intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention strategies, and community engagement initiatives that will enhance public trust and confidence in the Nigerian Police Force.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, says the commission is working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prosecute electoral offenders in the general elections.

During a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, Mr Yakubu said the NBA had provided a list of 427 lawyers offering pro bono services.

“Already, the NBA has submitted a list of 427 lawyers across the country who have volunteered to render pro bono services to the commission,” said Mr Yakubu.

He added, “They are not charging legal fees, but by mutual agreement, the commission will provide a token amount to cover filing fees/expenses. We are most grateful to NBA and its president, Yakubu Maikyau, for this historic collaboration.”

The INEC chairman announced that the commission had received 216 case files related to the 2023 general elections.

He said the files include one on the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, and 215 other electoral offenders.

Mr Yakubu emphasised that INEC thoroughly examines all evidence of infractions during the elections and is committed to prosecuting the offenders.

According to the INEC chairman, the examination also extends to the activities of high-ranking officials within the commission.

Mr Yakubu assured that appropriate action would be taken within days, and the public would be duly informed.

To address vote buying and associated violations, he said INEC is working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to prosecute such cases.

Moreover, INEC has received reports from 54 accredited national and international observers.

The chairman urged RECs and senior officials to lead discussions on all aspects of the election, encouraging frank and constructive dialogue.

Mr Yakubu said the review would cover various areas, including the operational processes for Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and general elections, the legal framework for elections, and technology in the electoral process.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria needs all the help that it can get at the moment.

The president said this on Tuesday while receiving visiting Bank of America officials in his office at the State House, Abuja.

He expressed confidence that his administration was on the pathway to success in spite of the challenges facing the country.

President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Dele Alake, said his government was committed to instituting reforms that would engender the sustainable growth and development of the country.

“We believe we are on the right track so far. We believe we need all the help we can get,” the President said as he asked the bank’s management for support and partnership that would advance mutual benefits for Nigeria and the financial institution.

The president said governance and development challenges facing the country could not be addressed without fiscal and institutional reforms.

“21st Century actions on climate change, finance and innovation are intertwined. Having a good platform and believing in innovation will help in undertaking reforms and tackling the issues.

“This is the largest economy and democracy in Africa and if we cannot do it, nobody will do it for us,” he said.

President Tinubu, while stating that no one could do it alone, made a case for the bank and other willing financing institutions to help the country, for instance in partnering to ensure Nigerian gas compete favourably in the global market, as a viable source of alternative revenue.

In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and President of International for Bank of America, Mr. Bernard Mensah, expressed excitement about the initial steps taken by the new administration, which, he said, is taking Nigeria back to its rightful place on the global stage.

He said the bank was willing to assist the country address its immediate and longer term challenges not only in the area of financing but also contributing with ideas.

In company with Mr. Mensah on the visit were Head of Sub-Saharan Africa of the bank, Mrs. Yvonne Ike Fasinro, and Head of Investment Banking Sub -Saharan Africa, Mr. Chuba Ezenwa.

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Idris Wada Saleh, in Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission custody over alleged N1 billion fraud.

The defendant, a former Commissioner to Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on false information and return and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Mr Salisu Tahir, Assistant Director, PCACC, told the court that the defendant was arrested on July 3, at about 2:30 p.m.

He alleged that sometime in 2023, the defendant released the sum of N1 billion to Arafat construction company, No Stone Construction Company and Multi Resources, to rehabilitate 30 roads in the metropolis, noting that the projects weren’t carried out.

Tahir filed an exparte under section 295(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2019 urging the court to remand the defendant at PCACC custody for 14 days to enable them to complete the investigation.

“The defendant has a case to answer of N1 billion belonging to the Kano State government.

“The exparte application is supported by seven paragraphs deposed by one Insp. Sa’id Ilu, attached with six voucher exhibits,” Tahir stated.

He urged the court to grant the application to enable the agency to file a proper charge against the defendant in the interest of Justice and public outcry.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provision of section 26 of PCACC 2010 as amended and section 322 of the Penal Code.

The defense counsel, Mr Mustapha Idris, urged the court to grant the defendant bail pursuant to sections 35(6) and 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

He said, “The defendant is presumed innocent and the offence is bailable pursuant to sections 168 and 172 of ACJL Kano State 2019 and order 5 rules 1 and 3 of ACJL rules 2023.”

Chief Magistrate Tijjani Sale-Minjibir, ordered the remand of the defendant in PCACC custody for 12 days.

He adjourned the matter until July 14, for a ruling on the bail application.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has joined the Federal Ministry of Education in a suit filed by a Seventh-day Adventist member seeking to stop the conduct of examinations and elections on Saturdays.

The court also joined the Council of Legal Education to the suit following an application by the plaintiff that the two agencies be joined to the suit.

When the hearing commenced on Tuesday, in the suit instituted by one Ugochukwu Uchenwa, seeking an order of the court to stop the conduct of examinations and elections on Saturdays, counsel for the plaintiff, Benjamin Amaefule told the court that he had an application filed on March 29, for joinder pending in court.

The lawyer told the court that he had attached relevant exhibits to the application to show that the council was conducting examination on Saturdays.

He stated that the Ministry of Education was being joined to the suit since all education institutions were under it to stop universities and other institutions of higher learning in the country from conducting academic activities on non-academic days.

Out of the six reliefs sought by the plaintiff, from the court, Justice James Omotosho granted only four of the reliefs.

The reliefs granted include: “An order of the court joining the Council of Legal Education and the Federal Ministry of Education to the suit.

“An order of the court allowing the applicant to amend the system in support of the originating application in the suit.

“An order granting leave to the application to amend the originating motion to reflect the parties joined.

There was no opposition to the application for a joinder from the respondents.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to October 23 for hearing.

The respondents in the suit are the President, the Attorney -General of the Federation, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the West African Examination Council, (WAEC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB).

Others are the National Examination Council, (NECO), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, Council of Legal Education and the Ministry of Education.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, said the electoral body deliberately opted to remain silent in the face of various allegations of election manipulation levied against it following the declaration of results for the 2023 election.

The INEC Chairman shed light on the commission’s decision not to engage in public commentaries regarding the accusations of election manipulation. According to him, there were four compelling reasons behind the commission’s decision.

Drama on February 27 ensued at the International Conference Centre in Abuja where INEC was announcing the results of the 2023 presidential election when Senator Dino Melaye briefly distrusted the process, alleging fraud in the results declared from Ekiti State.

But speaking during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) as the commission commences review of the elections, Yakubu listed four reasons behind the commission’s decision to keep mute in the face of allegations from political parties, candidates, and their supporters, among others.

“Since the conclusion of the election, diverse opinions have been expressed by political parties, candidates, observers, analysts and the general public on aspects of the elections that took place in February and March,” the INEC chairman said, noting that such diverse opinions should normally be expected.

“The Commission has consciously not joined in these commentaries in the immediate aftermath of the election for several reasons.

“First, our preference is to listen more and draw lessons rather than join in the heated and often emotive public discussion on the election.

“Second, since we plan to conduct our own review of the election, we see no need to pre-empt the process.

“Third, the Commission would not want to be seen as defensive or justificatory in joining the ongoing discussions.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, several issues around the election are sub-judice and it is not the intention of the Commission to either undermine or promote the chances of litigants in the various election petition courts beyond what is required of us by the legal process. Indeed, practically anything coming from the Commission could be cited by litigants as either justifying their claims or an indication of bias against them,” he said.

Professor Yakubu further stated that the commission would conduct a comprehensive review of the 2023 general election, encompassing all stages of the electoral process.

He emphasized the need to assess the events before, during, and after the election to gain a complete understanding of the election’s conduct and outcomes and to “learn the full lessons of the election going forward”.

“Compared to some previous elections, we believe that the 2023 General Election was one of the most meticulously prepared for in recent times, “ Yakubu added.

“Learning from previous experiences, we started preparations immediately after the 2019 General Election, carefully ticking the necessary boxes over a four-year period. It is the need to learn from both the positives and the shortcomings that makes the stocktaking that we are embarking on today essential.

“Among the positive stories is that the security challenge which threatened to derail the elections did not materialise. Concerns that the polls will be disrupted by the perennial insecurity across the country fizzled out on Election Day as the elections were largely peaceful.

“Despite currency and fuel challenges and widespread attacks on our personnel and facilities nationwide, the Commission proceeded with the election as scheduled. The first set of elections, the Presidential and National Assembly, held as planned for the first time in the last four General Elections conducted in the country.

“Accreditation of voters using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has generally been scored very high by voters. Our records show that the success rate for BVAS accreditation stands at 98% compared to the Smart Card Reader’s 29.2% during the 2019 General Election. Above all, despite the divergent opinions about the outcome of the election, the overall outlook suggests that it is a fair reflection of a complex multi-party democracy.”

Yakubu acknowledged the challenges faced by INEC, which he said were “structural, infrastructural and human in nature” but assured that the post-election review would afford the commission an opportunity to “address the challenges as we prepare for future elections”.

The art of effective communication lies in the use of phraseology or soundbites that leave a lasting impact on citizens. It is commendable how leaders can convey their message in a crisp and resonating manner. President Franklin Roosevelt set the precedent with the New Deal during the collapse of the American economy in the 1930s. Subsequently, other US presidents followed suit with Reaganomics and Bidenomics under President Joe Biden.

As President Tinubu assembles his full economic team, it is advised that he establishes his own economic policy mantra, known as TINUBUNOMICS. This comprehensive policy will encompass fiscal, monetary, and all aspects of government economic strategies. By owning this unique approach, President Tinubu can leave a lasting impression on the Nigerian people.

Furthermore, it is crucial to align the economic policy with foreign affairs. This synergy can be achieved through the implementation of ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY. This approach will prioritize Nigeria's existing ties with Africa, recognizing the continent as the center of our diplomatic efforts. However, we must not limit ourselves to this region alone.

While South Africa holds the position of the second-largest economy in terms of GDP and is a member of BRICS, Nigeria should remain non-aligned. We should not be confined to a bloc with Russia, especially at this time. Instead, we should maintain open relations with the USA, UK, Europe, and Asia. As the leading economic power in Africa, we have a larger market to export our products to these continents.

It is important to note that the majority of our diaspora, whose remittances surpass revenue from oil, reside in the USA, UK, and Europe, rather than within the BRICS union. Therefore, joining BRICS should not be contemplated, at least not now. Our economic and foreign policies must be intertwined to ensure the prosperity of our nation.

In conclusion, TINUBUNOMICS offers a fresh approach to economic policy and diplomacy. By establishing our own unique economic strategy and maintaining open relations with key global players, we can solidify Nigeria's position as a leading economic power in Africa. Let us not be overshadowed by South Africa and instead forge our own path towards success.

Sonny Iroche, is an Investment Banker and a 2022-2023 Senior Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre of University of Oxford. UK