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Acclaimed leader of Eastern Security Network (ESN), alleged armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, has been reportedly arrested in Finland.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Pidgin Service, Simon Ekpa was remanded in detention by Finland authority for alleged terrorist activities.
BBC reported that the District Court of Päijät-Häme, in Finland, sent Ekpa, who is a Lahti-Nigerian municipal politician, ‘to prison on probable cause and on suspicion of publicly inciting people to commit crime with terrorist intent“.
The court reportedly said Simon Ekpa allegedly spread separatist propaganda on social media.
It reported that Ekpa allegedly committed the reported crime on 23 August 2021, in Lahti.
In addition to Ekpa, BBC reported Finnish National Bureau of Investigation also arrested four other men on suspicion of terrorist offences.
Recall that Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, had called on the federal government to expedite action for the repatriation of Ekpa.
Governor Mbah accused Ekpa, who claimed to replace IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, of disrupting the security of the South East region through his Monday sit-at-home order.
On his social media handle, Ekpa consistently described Nigeria as a ‘zoo’. According to him, he wants a separate country for the people of South East.
However, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in press statements, condemned Ekpa’s sit-at-home order. Emma Power also emphasized that Ekpa was not a replacement for Nnamdi Kanu.
The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2 billion to partially finance the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year.
The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Aliyu Wamakko, during plenary.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau commended the committee for its swift action and thorough examination of the loan request.
In a letter read during the Senate and House of Representatives plenaries on Tuesday, Tinubu had explained that the loan was integral to his administration’s fiscal strategy for the coming year.
“The Presidential request for $2.2 billion, equivalent to ₦1.77 trillion, is already enshrined in the external borrowing plan for the 2024 fiscal year,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated while reading the letter.
He further directed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to expedite its review of the request and present a report within 24 hours.
“The Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans should, therefore, give the request expeditious consideration and report back within 24 hours,” Akpabio emphasised.
Although the deadline elapsed on Wednesday, the committee submitted its findings during Thursday’s plenary, leading to the loan’s approval.
Details later…
[Punch]
![[PRESS STATEMENT] Setting the Record Straight: The Truth About Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed](/media/k2/items/cache/59a02a91fcfa5e2db168a201f55ed2c5_M.jpg)
Dear Obidients and Members of the Public,
We are writing to address a pressing matter that has caught our attention. A malicious posting has been circulating on social media, spreading like wildfire and causing unwarranted harm to the reputation of Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed.
Let us set the record straight:
1. Senator Datti Baba Ahmed does not have any social media account, and therefore, any posts attributed to him are completely fabricated.
2. The Senator has unequivocally dissociated himself from these false posts during a recent press conference, making his stance crystal clear.
3. We are aware that this is a deliberate smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the Senator's image and credibility.
In light of this, we urge you all to be vigilant and proactive. Whenever and wherever you encounter this fake post, we implore you to
-Ignore it
-Counter it
-Report it
Your cooperation in quashing these malicious rumors is invaluable. Together, we can put an end to this vicious cycle of misinformation.
Thank you for your unwavering support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Yunusa Tanko
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has recommenced the purchase of crude oil from the United States in its ongoing efforts to ramp up oil production and enhance its refining capacity.
The new purchase comes after a three-month hiatus in purchasing crude from foreign countries, focusing instead on domestic supply.
A report by Bloomberg on Wednesday said the cargo conveying two million barrels of WTI Midland crude from Chevron Corp is due to be delivered to the refinery next month.
The latest development may be an indication that the naira-for-crude initiative by the Federal Government may have stalled or that the refinery is not getting enough crude supply from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
“Dangote refinery purchased its first shipment of US oil after a hiatus of three months as the site continues to ramp up production.
“The plant purchased about two million barrels of WTI Midland crude from Chevron Corp,” the report said.
Chevron booked the supertanker Azure Nova to load crude from the US Gulf around December 5 to Dangote, according to tanker fixtures seen by Bloomberg.
Earlier this year, Dangote was typically receiving one or two supertankers of US crude every month alongside domestic supplies.
However, these imports were reduced around August following an agreement with the federal government that the NNPCL would supply crude oil to the refinery in naira rather than dollars.
The agreement stated that the refinery would take up to 400,000 barrels a day of Nigerian crude paid for in local currency.
Dangote is taking a growing role in US and European oil markets, after gradually raising purchases of crude from Nigeria and the US.
The plant’s pull on those barrels increases the competition for the oil faced by traditional buyers in Europe.
The report added that reasons for the return to US imports remain unclear, though a report from Sparta Commodities earlier this week suggests lower shipping costs may have made US oil more affordable in Europe recently.
On Monday, The PUNCH reported the refinery was seeking to raise billions of dollars to import crude oil and increase production.
The report said the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was in concrete talks with commercial lenders, development banks, oil traders, and other industry participants to raise funds for crude supplies to turn into refined products.
According to the report, the refinery would need a minimum supply of 300,000 b/d to secure more crude to reach its refinery’s capacity.
On Tuesday, the plant began refined petroleum product shipping to West African countries, a sign to traders that the mega-refinery’s operations could soon potentially shake up regional fuel markets.
IOCs couldn’t build refineries
In another development on Wednesday, the Dangote Group said it had done what international oil companies could not do by building a refinery in Nigeria.
The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, stated this while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment at the refinery complex in Lekki, Lagos State.
During the visit led by the Chairman of the committee, Sadiq Umar, Edwin told the senators that the Dangote Group did what Shell, Chevron, or ExxonMobil has never done in any part of the world.
According to him, a Nigerian company took up the challenge to build the largest single-train refinery in the world.
He said about six companies in the world could do the same.
“Here, a Nigerian company took up the challenge which nobody like Shell or Chevron or ExxonMobil has ever done in any part of the world. So, the Nigerian company—Dangote Projects Limited—took up the challenge and built the refinery on time. And this is the world’s largest single-train refinery,” he said.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Umar, assured the refinery of the National Assembly’s support.
According to him, the $20bn project is a national asset that must be protected.
“For us as legislators, you can rest assured that we know what you have done here, we know what it means to the country. We will do anything within our power to see how we support you to succeed so that Nigeria can succeed.
“This investment we have seen here is an investment for the country and for the world, not necessarily for Dangote himself. It is our responsibility to see what we need to do to encourage him.
“I am sure you can see a lot of actions in what the president has done to support him so that the country will be better for it,” the senator said.
Located within the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, the 650,000-capacity began production in January this year, releasing diesel and aviation fuel into the local market while exporting to other countries.
In September, the facility started producing premium motor spirits. This is after weeks-long controversies with IOCs over crude supply.
The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, repeatedly accused the IOCs of refusing to sell crude to him, saying it was an attempt to sabotage the refinery.
After presidential interventions, the refinery started getting crude in naira to boost the local supply of petrol in naira.
It was learned that the refinery might export petrol to other West African countries soon.
Consular officers deployed to embassies in Spain, Malaysia, Brazil, others, concerns raised over state of country’s missions abroad
The Federal Government has begun deploying consular officers to diplomatic missions worldwide before the anticipated release of the ambassadorial list.
This move comes 14 months after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023. Following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, a reassessment of foreign policy led to the recall of the 83 ambassadors; both career and non-career from their posts in September 2023, but the subsequent appointment of replacements has yet to take place.
The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, marking a shift in diplomatic strategy and suggesting that the government was looking to realign its foreign engagements to better serve national interests.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, had said the ambassadors served at the President’s behest in their host nations and that it was the President’s “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”
Tuggar added that it was part of a strategy to realign Nigeria’s foreign engagements.
The recall was done but it left a diplomatic void as no replacements have been announced ever since.
However, the delay in appointing successors has raised concerns.
In April 2024, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to represent Nigeria in 14 countries, but these interim measures fell short of filling the leadership vacuum in key missions.
Consuls-general and chargés d’affaires can handle routine administrative duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of an embassy, but they do not possess the authority or diplomatic weight to engage at the highest levels, such as with heads of state or critical international negotiations.
On May 28, the foreign affairs minister acknowledged the situation, citing a lack of funds as the primary reason for the delay in appointing new ambassadors.
A few days later, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, said any new ambassadorial appointments would depend on budget allocations.
“I guess the funds may be included in the supplementary budget, but for now, there is no clear way forward without funds,” Abu-Ode stated.
The prolonged absence of ambassadors echoes similar delays during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, where ambassadorial appointments took up to 20 months.
Some diplomats fear Nigeria’s international partners may interpret this prolonged inaction as a sign of instability or disinterest in global affairs.
This perception, according to them, can be damaging, particularly for a country that relies on foreign investments and international partnerships to fuel its economic growth.
A senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, voiced concerns over the lack of communication and direction from the government.
“There is silence on the issue. Nobody knows what’s going on,” the official stated.
Diplomats and foreign policy experts also warned that Nigeria’s absence from the international stage could have long-term consequences for its reputation.
However, speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, a senior government official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ongoing deployment of consular officers to missions abroad.
“They are deploying them to our various missions and embassies abroad. Some are going to Malaysia and Spain while others will go to Brazil where the President participated in the G20 Summit,” the official said.
According to another source, some officers have already reported to their new posts, while others are scheduled to assume their roles later this month.
“Yes, some of us left last week. Others even left the last two weeks. But I’m going later this month. They have brought new hands from the Ministry (of Foreign Affairs) to replace us here [at the State House] because we are being posted out of the country,” the official revealed.
Another source from the Presidency said, “I was posted because I was due for posting.”
Many within Nigeria’s diplomatic community are calling for immediate reforms to address the country’s diplomatic challenges.
A retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, had voiced his concerns over the prolonged absence of ambassadors.
“That diplomatic missions are without substantive heads for a short period is widely acceptable. But their absence over a year leaves so much to be desired, especially against the backdrop of the Ministry’s funding challenges,” he said.
Similarly, a retired Consul to Cameroon and Delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Amb. Rasheed Akinkuolie, echoed the need for reform.
“It is not the best option not to have resident ambassadors at a post. Chargés d’affaires may not be able to relate with host governments at the highest level, which includes heads of state. A chargé d’affaires can generally only relate with foreign ministries and other officials,” Akinkuolie explained.
He also expressed concern that host governments might question why Nigeria has not replaced its recalled ambassadors, potentially seeing the prolonged absence as a sign of instability.
Akinkuolie noted that diplomatic missions should be funded from dedicated dollar accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure steady financial support for operations abroad.
He also stressed the need for a more streamlined process in deploying ambassadors, urging the government to prioritise ambassadorial appointments and ensure that the foreign missions are properly funded and staffed.
“Diplomatic missions should be funded from a dollar account, dedicated for the purpose at the CBN while running the ministry at home should be in the local currency,” the retired diplomat noted.
The People’s Democratic Party said the failure of President Tinubu to appoint ambassadors 13 months after the former envoys were recalled shows ‘’the ineptitude and indifference of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.’’
In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the situation as unfortunate and stressed that it should be a concern for all Nigerians.
He stated “Well, every time one has to comment on Tinubu’s performance as President or as Chief Administrator of this country, one is forced to do so with a melancholic feeling of despair.
‘’It is not about Tinubu anymore or about me criticizing him; it’s about the system that his ineffectiveness has created for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The truth is, a man who cannot even appoint a single spokesperson and needs three spokespersons—no one needs to tell you that the man is clueless and has nothing to offer Nigerians. That’s why he needs more than one, two, or three people to explain to Nigerians what he’s doing or what he’s about to do.
“That he cannot even appoint ambassadors speaks volumes. The current situation regarding the ambassadorial appointments tells you the level of ineptitude and indifference he has brought into government in this 21st century.
“It is critical, given the role that these ambassadors play in their respective countries, their importance to the lives of Nigerians abroad, and the diplomatic status of Nigeria globally.”
Osadolor alleged that those surrounding the President may have isolated him from reality.
The opposition party youth leader stated, “It is unfortunate, and it’s something that all Nigerians should be concerned about. This President has shown time and again that his trust is complicated, and he is not addressing the issues around him.
“I can tell you for free, the President may not even be aware that ambassadors have not yet been appointed to these embassies and foreign missions. I can tell you for free—he may not even know because he is clueless about what’s happening around him.
“The people around him have boxed him into a cocoon. The man lives in a world of his own, isolated from what’s happening around him. If his life were connected to the realities around him, I’m sure he would have made efforts to address it.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, lamented that the current administration came into power without a clear vision of its foreign policy.
Ifoh said this explained why the government has been unable to appoint envoys from the numerous qualified Nigerians.
He said, “The implication is that a consul or consul-general cannot meet with foreign ministers of any nation. It takes an ambassador to present the position of a country to his country of residence.
“To even think this government touts itself as one going around seeking foreign investments. In as much as we have not seen any, this is a big low for Nigeria.
“Now the question we want to ask is this: Is there a paucity of personalities, career diplomats or even politicians that this government can send to foreign nations?”
He added, “Everything about this government is politics. Nobody is even saying you should appoint a Labour Party member. Just go ahead and appoint your party members to man these foreign missions. We think that the President should wake up to his responsibilities.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated it is unaware of any plans by the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to visit its Abuja headquarters.
Yahaya Bello is currently facing charges of laundering N80 billion, with an additional 16 counts of money laundering offenses amounting to over N110 billion filed against him by the EFCC.
Reports had surfaced that Bello, who has been on the run since April when EFCC operatives attempted to arrest him at his Abuja residence, was planning to surrender to the agency.
However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, when contacted, denied any knowledge of such plans.
“I am not aware of that information,” Oyewale told The Whistler on Wednesday.
Despite multiple court orders and arraignment notices, Bello has failed to appear in court. In response, Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, ordered the service of a hearing notice to him. The Federal High Court, meanwhile, has adjourned the matter until January 21, 2025, to rule on a prosecution request to proceed with the trial in Bello’s absence.
During a hearing on October 30, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to allow the trial to proceed without Bello’s presence, citing Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Pinheiro argued that entering a plea on Bello’s behalf would not prejudice the defendant and would enable the prosecution to present its case. He criticized the delays caused by Bello’s refusal to cooperate and warned against setting a precedent that could undermine the justice system.
“This is someone who refused to write a statement when asked by the EFCC and failed to honor court summons on six occasions,” Pinheiro lamented. “The court cannot succumb to tactics designed to derail the trial, intimidate witnesses, or allow evidence to deteriorate over time.”
However, Bello’s counsel, Michael Adoyi, opposed the application, arguing that it contravened court rules requiring the defendant’s physical presence for arraignment. Adoyi maintained that the prosecution’s request was “a dangerous invitation” and urged the court to reject it.
Justice Emeka Nwite, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the case to January 21, 2025, for a ruling on the application or arraignment.
A total of ₦1.411 trillion, representing the October 2024 Federation Accounts Revenue, has been shared between the Federal Government, States, and Local Government Councils (LGAs).
In a statement released by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation on Wednesday, it was revealed that the funds were allocated during the November 2024 meeting of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in Bauchi State, chaired by the Accountant General, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein.
The meeting followed the 2024 National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED), hosted by the Bauchi State Government.
The total distributable revenue of ₦1.411 trillion included ₦206.319 billion in distributable statutory revenue, ₦622.312 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), ₦17.111 billion from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and ₦566.000 billion from Exchange Difference revenue.
According to a communiqué issued by FAAC, the gross revenue for October 2024 stood at ₦2.668 trillion, with deductions for collection costs amounting to ₦97.517 billion and transfers, interventions, and refunds totaling ₦1.159 trillion.
The communiqué also highlighted that the gross statutory revenue for October 2024 amounted to ₦1.336 trillion, which represents an increase of ₦293.009 billion from the ₦1.043 trillion recorded in September 2024.
For VAT, ₦668.291 billion was available in October 2024, marking an increase of ₦84.616 billion from the previous month’s ₦583.675 billion.
Of the ₦1.411 trillion distributable revenue, the Federal Government received ₦433.021 billion, while State Governments were allocated ₦490.696 billion.
Local Government Councils received ₦355.621 billion, and ₦132.404 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was distributed to benefiting states as derivation revenue.
From the ₦206.319 billion in statutory revenue, the Federal Government received ₦77.562 billion, the States got ₦39.341 billion, and the LGAs received ₦30.330 billion. Additionally, ₦59.086 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared among benefiting states.
The ₦622.312 billion VAT revenue was divided with the Federal Government receiving ₦93.347 billion, States getting ₦311.156 billion, and Local Government Councils receiving ₦217.809 billion.
From the ₦17.111 billion EMTL, the Federal Government received ₦2.567 billion, States received ₦8.555 billion, and LGAs were allocated ₦5.989 billion.
Regarding the ₦566.000 billion in Exchange Difference revenue, the Federal Government received ₦259.545 billion, States received ₦131.644 billion, and Local Government Councils received ₦101.493 billion. Derivation revenue for benefiting states amounted to ₦73.318 billion (13% of mineral revenue).
In October 2024, key revenue sources such as Oil and Gas Royalty, Excise Duty, VAT, Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), and Companies Income Tax (CIT) saw significant increases, while EMTL and CET Levies experienced notable decreases.
A court in the British Virgin Islands has authorized Chinese investors, Zhongshan, to seize £20 million ($25 million) from Nigeria’s foreign-denominated assets due to a failed Ogun trade zone agreement dating back to the early 2000s, during the tenure of then-Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
On November 8, Justice Paul Webster of the British Virgin Islands High Court ruled that Nigeria could not claim immunity from the enforcement of an arbitral award in favor of Zhongshan.
The decision was based on the bilateral investment treaty between China and Nigeria, which included a clause stipulating that both nations must enforce arbitration awards.
According to Peoples Gazette, the judge interpreted this clause as Nigeria’s written consent to enforcement under the treaty, thus enabling Zhongshan to pursue judgment debt collection.
Justice Webster cited Section 13(3) of the State Immunity Act 1978, mandating the British Virgin Islands to permit Zhongshan to recover the debt from Nigeria’s assets in the UK.
This judgment is part of a growing list of legal setbacks Nigeria has faced internationally. Courts in France, Belgium, Canada, the United States, and other jurisdictions have also dismissed Nigeria’s sovereign immunity arguments, consistently ruling in favor of Zhongshan.
Zhongshan’s legal team, led by King’s Counsel Timothy Otty and Lauren Peaty of Withers British Virgin Islands, claimed the Ogun trade zone deal was unilaterally terminated by Amosun’s administration.
They alleged that their representatives were detained and tortured under the former governor’s orders, prompting them to seek justice in foreign courts.
In a bid to enforce a $70 million arbitral award, Zhongshan targeted Nigeria’s dollar-denominated crude earnings held in JP Morgan accounts in the United States.
While U.S. courts rejected Nigeria’s sovereign immunity claims, the matter is now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, following Nigeria’s November 7 filing for a writ of certiorari. Until the Supreme Court makes a decision, Zhongshan’s access to these funds remains delayed.
Meanwhile, the Chinese investors have begun seizing Nigeria’s overseas assets, including two guest houses in Liverpool and aircraft in France and Canada, to recover the debt.
Mr. Amosun, who signed the controversial contract, has faced public criticism for his role in the debacle.
In August, he admitted to failing to verify Zhongshan’s claims before entering the agreement, describing their assertions as false.
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of the Governing Councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions, including Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
In the same vein, the governor has also approved the disengagement of the management staff of Edo Specialist Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, with immediate effect.
Both approvals were conveyed in a government special announcement dated November 20, 2024, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua.
The statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of the governing councils of all state-owned tertiary Institutions in Edo State with immediate effect.
“Accordingly, all affected members of the governing councils of all State-owned tertiary Institutions are to hand over all government properties in their possession to their respective heads of the institutions.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that Governor Okpebholo has approved the disengagement of the management Staff of Edo Specialist Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, with immediate effect.
“In view of the above, the management staff of the aforementioned hospitals are to hand over all government properties in their possession to the most senior officer in their various Institutions.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Adelami Olayide, marking the formal conclusion of the electoral process.
The certificates were handed over on Wednesday in Abuja by the Supervisory National Commissioner for Ondo State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, four days after INEC declared Aiyedatiwa the winner of the governorship election held last Saturday.
Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged victorious with 366,781 votes, decisively defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, who garnered 117,845 votes.
The APC candidate secured victory in all 18 local government areas of the state, reinforcing the party’s dominance in Ondo.
However, the election results have been rejected by the PDP and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, who alleged irregularities in the process. The opposition party has vowed to challenge the results in court, claiming its mandate was stolen.
Ajayi, a former Deputy Governor, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC of engaging in widespread electoral malpractice to manipulate the election outcome.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, Ajayi alleged that his investigation into the election process uncovered “contents of criminality prosecuted by both APC and the INEC.”
More...
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, sacked Danladi Usman as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The sack of Danladi follows the closed-door session of the lawmakers in which 84 out of the existing 107 serving Senators, signed for removal of the embattled CCT Chairman.
The Senate invoked section 157(1) of the 1999 constitution which stipulates that 2/3 of the membership of the Senate can remove the head of any statutory body alleged to have indulged in gross misconduct and misdemeanour in office.
Details later…
The United Kingdom’s consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.3 percent in October from 1.7 percent in September.
The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), attributed the increase to rising energy prices.
On a month-on-month basis, the CPI rose by 0.6 percent in October this year — up from 0.1 percent in October 2023, the ONS said.
The office also said the consumer prices index, including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH), rose by 3.2 percent in the 12 months to October — up from 2.6 percent in September.
“The largest upward contribution to the monthly change in both CPIH and CPI annual rates came from housing and household services, mainly because of electricity and gas prices; the largest offsetting downward contribution came from recreation and culture,” the statistics firm said.
“Monthly housing and household services prices rose by 1.3% in October 2024, having fallen by 0.3% last year.
“The annual rate rose to 5.5%, up from 3.8% in the year to September. The rise in the divisional annual rate is mainly because of electricity prices, with a sizeable contribution from gas too.
“This reflects the rise of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) energy price cap in October 2024, described on the Ofgem website. Ofgem estimates that for an average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel, this equates to £1,717, a rise of £149 on an annual bill.”
The ONS said food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 1.9 percent in October — slightly up from the 1.8 percent in September 2024.
Speaking on the inflationary movement in the country, Grant Fitzner, ONS’ chief economist said while higher energy costs contributed, the increase was offset by falls in live music and theatre ticket prices.
“The cost of raw materials for businesses continued to fall, once again driven by lower crude oil prices,” Fitzner added.
On November 7, the Bank of England (BoE) had predicted that inflation would rise from 1.7 percent in September to 2.5 percent by the end of the year and not return to its 2 percent target until mid 2027 — a year later than it previously thought.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, has introduced a digital platform designed to improve access to government circulars for civil servants across the country.
At the unveiling event in Abuja on Wednesday, Walson-Jack highlighted the significance of circulars as critical instruments for effective governance and administration within the civil service.
“Circulars provide direction, clarify policies, and ensure that decisions are communicated consistently across the Service. However, a recurring challenge has been the accessibility and retention of these critical documents, especially as time passes and administrations change. This has, at times, hindered institutional memory and disrupted seamless service delivery,” she explained.
The new portal, she emphasized, aims to address these challenges by promoting transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in the civil service.
“This online compendium of Civil and Public Service Circulars will significantly enhance the civil service’s efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness, directly supporting our goals of a more responsive Service.
“The compendium will improve access and reduce administrative bottlenecks, advancing the overarching goals of efficiency, accountability, and improved service delivery,” Walson-Jack stated.
She further underscored the initiative as a reflection of the government’s dedication to modernising public service operations.
“This compendium is more than a technological upgrade; it is a declaration of our determination to adapt, innovate, and lead. It reflects our belief that a modern Civil Service is not just about what we do but how we do it. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in governance,” Walson-Jack added.
A bill seeking to amend the Constitution and provide opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora to vote has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Sodeeq Abdullahi, aims to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to include provisions for diaspora voting, potentially enfranchising millions of Nigerians living abroad.
During Wednesday’s plenary, the lawmakers debated the importance of expanding voting rights to include Nigerians residing outside the country. Speaker Tajudeen described the initiative as a vital step toward inclusive democracy.
The bill, which previously passed its second reading in July, was referred to the Committee on Electoral Matters for detailed legislative review. Following further debate on Tuesday, it has now been forwarded to the Constitution Amendment Committee for additional scrutiny.
In other news, the Senate is expected to approve President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion (approximately N1.77 trillion) external loan request today (Wednesday).
The loan, part of the external borrowing plan, is aimed at financing the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget, specifically to address the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit.
President Tinubu’s request was conveyed in separate letters read during Tuesday’s plenary sessions in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The president justified the loan as necessary for partially financing the deficit while implementing key government programs.
In response to the letter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to review the request and submit its report within 24 hours.