‘You Are Not Caring But Insensitive To Suffering Nigerians For Budgeting For Presidential Yacht, Jets’ – Obi Hit Tinubu
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Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election has described President Bola Tinubu as insensitive to the plight of suffering Nigerians for allocating key funds for the purchase of presidential yacht and jets in the supplementary budget recently passed by the national assembly.
Obi stated this in a statement he signed shortly after Tinubu signed the N2.17 trillion Supplementary Budget for 2023 into law.
The budget was passed a week ago by the National Assembly after consideration within 24 hours.
Raising key issues concerning the budget, Obi observed that “a supplementary budget is a budget made for very important national welfare needs of the people which were not captured originally in the main budget or do not have adequate funding.
“Admittedly, some items in the current budget may not have taken into consideration the needs of a new administration, but it is expected that a supplementary budget this late in the financial year should reflect mostly urgent items of national welfare.
“Sadly, the most pressing national needs and emergencies have not featured in the supplementary budget that was just announced by the government.
“For example, the United Nations and World Food Programme have recently alerted that up to 6.5 million Nigerians will go hungry next year.”
He argued that “This number is largely from among citizens in Sokoto, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and Zamfara States.
“A caring Government in order to plan for the mitigation of such a pending catastrophe can request for supplementary budget provisions to cushion those under threat.
“No item of urgent social welfare has yet featured in the supplementary budget being orchestrated by this government.
“Instead, the items being made to dominate public discourse on the budget include a mysterious Presidential Yacht, Presidential Jets, the furnishing of already lavishly furnished presidential quarters and offices, fleets of luxury SUVs etc.
“This portrays a Government that is totally uncaring and insensitive to the suffering of the majority, and indifferent to the mood of the nation.”
He lamented that “The government’s overall attitude does not indicate that it is aware that the country is in a huge crisis, nor is the government in tune with the plight of the generality of our people.
“Even worse is the fact that most of the funding for these profligate expenditures will be largely borrowed.
“The least that Nigerians expect from the government at this difficult moment is empathy and realism, not lavish indulgence,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu has assented to the N2.18 trillion 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly last week.
The bill is aimed at providing additional funding for the government to meet its obligations and address critical infrastructure needs.
THE WHISTLER recalls that the bill’s passage was met with controversies, particularly over the allocation of funds for certain luxury items such as a N5 billion part payment for a presidential yacht.
The allocations include the renovation of the residential quarters of the Vice President (Abuja) – N2.5 billion; renovation of Dodan Barracks, Lagos, official residence of the President – N4 billion; renovation of official quarters of the VP (Lagos) – N3 billion; construction of office complex in the Presidential Villa – N4 billion; purchase of presidential yacht – N5 billion; purchase of vehicles for the Office of First Lady – N1.5 billion; purchase of SUVs for the Presidential Villa – N2.9 billion; and replacement of operational vehicles for the Presidency – N2.9 billion.
However, the government defended the expenditures, stating that they are necessary for the proper functioning of the presidency.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, particularly addressed concerns about the N5 billion allocation for the purchase of a presidential yacht.
“Following public reactions over the provision for what is termed presidential yacht and other line items in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation presented to the National Assembly, we consider it very imperative to clear any misconception and misunderstanding of the issues.
“What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialised security gadgets suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President.
“It is called a presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high-level security features.”
The presidential aide explained the naval boat was ordered by the navy under the previous Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Onanuga added that Tinubu is a leader who understands the economic challenges being faced by the masses, adding “his administration is working very hard to confront and surmount those challenges.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all of its branches to keep printing plenty of old and redesigned naira notes for deposit money banks.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Isa AbdulMumin, the Director of Corporate Communications at CBN, revealed this information.
The country’s top bank also denied reports that there was a cash shortage in certain of the nation’s cities.
CBN restated that Naira notes are adequately available at all of its locations around the country.
“Our attention has again been drawn to reports of a scarcity of cash across some major cities in the country despite assurances of sufficient cash stocks in all locations across the country.
“We wish to restate that all denominations of banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remain legal tender. In line with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007, no one should refuse to accept the Naira as a means of payment.
“Public members are advised to accept all CBN-issued banknotes currently in circulation and guard against panic withdrawals.
“We reaffirm that sufficient stock of currency notes facilitates normal economic activities. Furthermore, to reduce the pressure on the use of physical cash, members of the public are again advised to continue to embrace alternative modes of payment”, CBN stated.
Members of the public are getting apprehensive as the 31st December deadline for the validity of N200, N500 and N1000 naira notes draws near.
Recall that in March, the Supreme Court affirmed the validity of the old notes amid the controversy which clouded the Naira redesign policy.
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated a former Presidential Spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, on the auspicious occasion of his 58th birthday, celebrating his remarkable impact in the field of journalism.
Governor notes his admiration for Dr. Abati's style of journalism, which is anchored on truth and genuinely informing the public, eulogizing the Arise TV lead presenter as a fearless voice in the charge for a better society.
The Governor acknowledges Dr. Abati's frank and objective analysis of topical issues, pointing out that his indepth contributions has shone light on important issues, canvases actions, and provided a feasible direction.
"I join friends, family and well-wisher in celebrating one of the greatest minds in the field of journalism, Dr. Reuben Abati, as he turns 58 years today. Dr. Abati has not only made an indelible mark on the field of journalism but has also through remarkable career, carved a niche for himself and serve as a source of inspiration for countless individuals," the Governor was quoted as saying in the congratulatory message.
"As Presidential Spokesperson, Dr. Abati showed class, admirably spotlighting his principal and the country in acceptable manner. And as a presenter on Arise TV, he continues to make meaningful contributions that not just deepened our democracy, but also have profound impact on our society."
Governor Adeleke wishes him a momentous celebration while praying to Almighty God to bless him with good health and sound mind to continue to contribute to the country, particularly, the journalism field.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor
Osun governor Ademola Adeleke has hailed Arise Television lead anchor and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, for his style of journalism, which, according to him, is anchored on truth and genuinely informing the public
Adeleke said this while eulogizing Abati ‘as a fearless voice in search of a better society’ in a 58th birthday to the former presidential spokesperson on Tuesday.
The Governor hailed the newspaper columnist for his remarkable impact in the field of journalism in the birthday message issued on his behalf by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
According to the statement, Adeleke acknowledges Abati’s “frank and objective analysis of topical issues, pointing out that his in-depth contributions have shone a light on important issues, canvased actions, and provided a feasible direction.
“I join friends, family, and well-wishers in celebrating one of the greatest minds in the field of journalism, Dr. Reuben Abati, as he turns 58 years old today. Dr. Abati has not only made an indelible mark on the field of journalism but has also through a remarkable career, carved a niche for himself and served as a source of inspiration for countless individuals,” the Governor was quoted as saying in the congratulatory message.
“As Presidential Spokesperson, Dr. Abati showed class, admirably spotlighting his principal and the country in an acceptable manner. And as a presenter on Arise TV, he continues to make meaningful contributions that not just deepened our democracy, but also have a profound impact on our society.”
“Governor Adeleke wishes him a momentous celebration while praying to Almighty God to bless him with good health and a sound mind to continue to contribute to the country, particularly, in the journalism field.”
[PM News]
The approved 65-year retirement age and 40 years of service for teachers is paying off as senior civil servants, especially education officers, who have attained the age of retirement are now hiding under the cloak of the new law to grab teaching jobs across the country.
LEADERSHIP checks revealed that some directors and other senior staff due for retirement in the Federal Ministry of Education and some of its agencies have been working out their redeployment to secondary schools in order to benefit from the new teachers’ retirement age.
It was also gathered that some of the senior civil servants, after attaining 60 years of retirement recently, worked their way out to some federal government colleges as teachers.
Our investigation further revealed that one of the senior staff (servants (names withheld) has also been deployed to a federal government college located in Abuja.
According to sources, the manipulation came from the zeal to benefit from the 65 years retirement age approved under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
It would be recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari had during the 2020 World Teachers Day promised that teachers in Nigeria would enjoy a new retirement age.
After the federal executive council (FEC) approved the bill in January 2021, Buhari transmitted the bill to the National Assembly in June of that year.
The bill, which has now become law, increased the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years.
The legislation also extended the duration of service for teachers in the country from 35 to 40 years.
Section 1 of the Act clearly stipulates that teachers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on the attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.
Section 3 of the Act provides that the Public Service Rule or any Legislation that requires a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of Service shall not apply to teachers in Nigeria.
The new retirement age for teachers is a law which mandates that once one is engaged as a teacher under the government, whether federal, state or local, his/her retirement age is 65 unless otherwise he/she decides to retire earlier than that.
It was also gathered that their retirement was necessitated by the fact that they had attained the mandatory age of retirement and also the required active years in service.
The mandatory retirement age for all grades in the service is 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.
But credible sources in the federal ministry of Education and National Senior Secondary Education Commission confirmed that some senior staff have already worked out their redeployment.
When contacted, spokesperson for the Education Ministry, Ben Bem Goong, did not respond to calls or messages by our reporter.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of three new Executive Commissioners to serve in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the redeployment of one current Executive Commissioner, pending their confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
According to a statement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, they are; Bashir Indabawa, representing North West is the Executive Commissioner, Exploration and acreage Management. Dr. Kelechi Ofoegbu, representing South East is the Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services & Administration (Redeployed) while Enorense Amadasu, representing South-south is the Executive Commissioner, Development & Production. Babajide Fasina, representing South-west is the Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulation & Strategic Planning.
Ngelale said the President approved this reshuffling and replacement based on his deeply informed assessment of all factors concerning the sector with a view to establishing a regulatory framework and culture that comprehensively disincentivizes errant behaviour and incentivizes diligence and rules-based business practice across the industry.
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said President Bola Tinubu is capable of fixing the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said this while speaking with newsmen in Osogbo.
He said all the president needs from Nigerians in fixing the economy is a little patience, perseverance, endurance and support from all the citizens.
The APC chieftain urged Nigerians, both home and abroad, to have faith in the ability of the president to provide practical steps in solving the challenges confronting the country.
Oyintiloye, who noted that Tinubu had the interest of Nigerians at heart, said the president knew the challenges confronting the country before he decided to be the president and was adequately prepared for it.
He said while the various economic policies by the president put the country’s economy on the right path even though they seem painful.
He said at the end, the outcome of the policies will put smiles on the faces of the people.
Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker said the hardship Nigerians were presently facing would soon be a thing of the past.
“It is true that the economy is not in good shape and Nigerians are going through a lot, finding it difficult to live a decent life.
“I believe the President knew this before he offered himself to govern the country and he is well prepared to tackle all these challenges.
“All we need to do is to continue to pray for the president, support him and be patient. There is no doubt that he is capable of fixing the economy.
“President Tinubu is a man with a private sector background. He worked in the banking and oil sector and believes he will use his wealth of experience to fix things.
“The removal of fuel subsidy and the monetary policy of the president will soon put the country on the right part.
“There will be improved electricity, job opportunities, improved security, infrastructure development, housing provision and food security,” he said.
Oyintiloye, who was also the Osun Chairman of the defunct Directorate of Civic Engagement (PCC), while congratulating the President on his victory at the supreme court, said that Tinubu will now have enough time to contrate on governance.
He commended the Judiciary for the landmark judgement, adding that the Judiciary has once again proved itself as the last hope for the common man.
He also commended the president for appointing the best hands in his team to move the nation forward.
Oyintiloye also said that the president should be commended on the mission of Renewed Hope Agenda” for Nigerians.
He said the president genuinely expressed is committed to the renewed hope, when he expressly asked all his cabinet member during a retreat last week to signed a performance bond.
“This show that this government is taking the bull by the horn and putting individual on their toes which will enhance effective performance and delivering of good governance.
“This will further reaffirm confidence of our people in the present democratic process”, he said.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has urged Imo residents to shun sleep, defend their votes, and make sure they vote for Senator Athan Achonu, the party’s governorship candidate in the November 11 governorship poll in Imo State.
Obi spoke at the Kanu Nwankwo Sports Complex in Owerri while addressing supporters of the party candidate, Senator Achonu.
Obi, who was at the venue alongside the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, and Imo LP governorship candidate, Achonu, bemoaned the current hardship, inflation and insecurity in the country, saying Nigerians and Imo residents deserve better governance.
Obi restated that Labour party has the capacity to reposition the state for the better. He urged the citizenry to support the Labour Party, Senator Athan Achonu in the upcoming election.
The former governor of Anambra State said the President Bola Tinubu administration had done very little to ameliorate the sufferings of the Nigerian masses, urging the people of the state to show the APC administration the way out on Saturday by voting the LP candidate and protecting their votes.
Speaking, Otti said Imo residents should not only cast their votes for Senator Achonu but should also protect them.
Otti also enlightened the people on the need to defend their votes at the polling units.
“You are expected to stay awake, cast and protect your votes in the upcoming election,” he stated.
Speaking, Achonu stated that, if elected governor, he would address insecurity, create jobs for the unemployed young people, and promote local government autonomy.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders against manipulating Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States.
The national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said the party will not stand by and watch the elections manipulated.
Ologunagba further warned that it will not accept results that are not consistent with the will of the people.
He decried that less than four days to the election, the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has not redeployed Prof. Sylvia Agu, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), despite the widespread outcry.
The party had charged the INEC chairman to emulate the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who redeployed the Imo state Commissioner of Police after public outcry.
The party said: “Information available to us indicates that INEC had held several meetings on the Imo election and that preponderance of opinion in INEC was that it was imperative that Prof. Sylvia Agu should be redeployed in order to maintain the integrity and neutrality of INEC.
“The INEC Chairman should not succumb to the alleged pressure from the APC, especially from an APC national officer said to be related to Prof. Sylvia Agu.
“It is in the interest of Prof. Agu to recuse herself from participating, supervising or superintending the Saturday, November 11, election in Imo State
“The PDP is aware of Prof. Agu’s mission which is to compromise and manipulate the election in favour of the APC, having regards to her antecedent in previous elections.
“The PDP wants to state that our party and candidate are winning the Imo election and we and the people of Imo State will never fold our hands and watch the election manipulated by anybody whatsoever.
“The PDP believe that the INEC Chairman knows the implication of any attempt to compromise election in a State like Imo. He should heed the voice of reason and redeploy Prof Agu immediately.”
“We are set to win overwhelmingly in Imo State because of the acceptability of our candidate and party among the people. He is accessible, grassroot politician, humane, understands and connects to the suffering of the people.”
Speaking on Kogi, the party said that Governor Yahaya Bello is also overwhelmed with fear and has technically accepted defeat.
PDP said: “Governor Yayaha Bello is already overwhelmed and he has technically accepted defeat, especially with the triumph of Senator Hadiza Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the Kogi Central Senatoral District which is an affirmation of the popularity and acceptability of our Party in the State.
“The APC has lost its voice, that is why they are no longer campaigning in Kogi State.
“The APC is now jittery and in mortal fear of the PDP. Only this morning, the APC-led Kogi State Government denied our Party the use of the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja for our Campaign grand-finale scheduled for Thursday.
“This panic mode of the APC cannot stop our Party and the people of Kogi State. We will hold our Rally and go ahead to win the Governorship election in Kogi State on Saturday.”
On Bayelsa, the PDP said that the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, has no fighting chance in the face of the more popular candidate of the PDP, Governor Douye Diri.
The party said: “The APC Candidate, Timipre Sylva has no fighting chance in the face of the more popular candidate of the PDP. He has no message; the APC is practically dead in Bayelsa and cannot win in any Local Government of the State.”
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities have strongly criticised the FG’s 40% IGR deduction plan, labelling it detrimental to the university system.
In a letter dated October 17, 2023, titled ‘Implementation of 40% automatic deduction from internally generated revenue of partially-funded Federal Government institutions,’ the FG informed that the deduction would commence from November 2023.
This decision aligns with a Finance Circular dated December 20, 2021, referencing FMFBNP/OTHERS/IGR/CRF/12/2021.
However, ASUU’s National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed disappointment, arguing that universities do not generate revenue from user charges and service fees collected from students.
He found it perplexing that the government sought to deduct funds from subsidised charges, such as ID cards, hostel accommodation, lab coats, and more.
He said, “This is what we saw when we were fighting that the government should fund universities, and Nigerians think ASUU is the problem.
“Universities are not revenue-generating agencies, so the 40 per cent of the subsidised money students pay for a hostel, medicals, ID cards, lab coat, chemicals in the laboratory should still be shared with the government?
“This is an extreme that such is happening in Nigeria. Will the Presidency ask the NASS, NNPC, to give a return of 40 per cent?”
Osodeke called on parents, students and Nigerians to rise against what he described as an attack against the universities, adding that ASUU would also meet with the Federal Government agencies in charge of the policy to take the next line of action.
He said, “Parents, students, Nigerians need to rise up to this. This is an attack on universities. Universities are already paying taxes. They pay withholding taxes, and it goes to the government. There is nothing like IGR in universities. What we have are charges.
“We need to know the 40 per cent of what they want to collect from universities. They are even saying lecturers should pay them accommodation fees, too.
“They want 100 per cent of what they pay as accommodation. It is sad. Give us some time to interact with the government.”
On his part, the Secretary-General Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, revealed that the amount deducted by the FG from universities was 25 per cent but was increased to 40 per cent recently.
He called on the AGF to specify what it meant by IGR, saying universities only get user charges from students and not profits or revenues.
He added that universities were being run in deficit already, arguing that a deduction of 40 per cent would completely run the universities down.
Ochefu said, “The Federal Government, through the Accountant General of the Federation, is citing the Finance Act of 2021 as the basis for the decision.
“We also have to look at the provision of the law. It says that it is when you have a surplus in terms of your Internally Generated Revenue that is when you can make a return to the government. But many universities don’t have IGR, because most universities charge students’ fees as user charges.
“Paying N2,000 for an ID card, which the university has already subsidised; they pay health insurance, sports, ICT, and accommodation. These are all the charges that come together, and universities must provide all these for their students.
“If a user charge is considered as IGR, then we have a problem with the nomenclature. The accountant general should specify what he was referring to as IGR.
“If it is all these subsidised charges that the government wants to collect 40 per cent, then the universities will lead towards financial catastrophe.
“We will open our books to the world to let them know that this is how much we get in terms of user charges. Universities are being run in deficit, and FG still wants to collect 40 per cent; that means you want the universities to run down.”
Meanwhile, he insisted that if the Federal Government wished to collect 40 per cent of what universities generate, they should fund the universities fully.
“If this happens, the financial challenges of the universities will get worse because the university is not a profit-making institution; it is not a revenue-generating entity. It is a service-providing entity.”
He also said the committee of VCs would consult with the Ministry of Education, accountant general and others.
The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 11, 2023 election in the Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka, has reacted to the attack on the residence of the Director-General of the SDP Campaign Council, Ibrahim Jibrin.
Ajaka, on Tuesday, claimed that he was the target of the attack which happened in Anyigba, Kogi State.
Naija News had earlier reported that the thugs that attacked the house killed a policeman and four other persons.
The SDP governorship candidate alleged that the thugs who invaded Jibrin’s house had plans to assassinate him.
Speaking on Channels TV, Ajaka said, “They thought I was there; their target was to get me assassinated.
“They came between 3 am and 4 am and started shooting.”
He further stated that the incumbent Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello wants to force a successor on the people of the North Central state.
Ajaka said, “He (Bello) wants to force a successor on the people of Kogi State.”
He noted that the people of the state want change, adding that “it is not for me to disclose my winning formula. 11/11 shall tell. If Yahaya Bello and his people know they are strong, they should stop attacking the people of Kogi State.”
Some of the top contenders in the November 11, 2023 poll in Kogi include SDP’s Ajaka; Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Party (APC); Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is an ex-Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi under Bello.
Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party has been re-instated by the Appeal Court as the lawfully elected member of the House of Representatives for the Eti Osa Federal Constituency.
Atta’s election victory was declared void by the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal’s prior ruling, which was made in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos state.
However, the tribunal’s order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold a supplementary election at particular polling places within 90 days was overturned by the Appeal Court’s recent ruling that the elections were definitive.
This legal battle involved Nigerian singer and actor Bankole Wellington, known as Banky W of the Peoples Democratic Party, who was declared the runner-up in the February 2023 election, and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro.
Both Banky W and Obanikoro had filed petitions contesting the election results.
The Appeal Court’s decision, reinstating Thaddeus Atta as the rightful House of Representatives member for Eti Osa Federal Constituency, altered the previous outcome and validated Atta’s initial victory.
The Nigerian Senate has raised concerns about the recruitment and deployment practices of the Federal Civil Service Commission within the federal civil service.
This was expressed via a motion titled “Urgent need to ensure Federal Character Principle, curb lopsidedness and Emerging Infractions in the recruitment and deployment of officers by the Federal Civil Service Commission and Related Agencies”, sponsored by Senator Zak Titus Tartenger, who represents Benue West senatorial district.
Senator Tartenger noted that the Federal Civil Service Commission was established with the responsibility of recruitment and deployment of officers with requisite qualifications into the federal civil service through advertisement of vacancies, but the commission was allegedly using illegal methods of employment.
“The counter-productive malady to favour certain groups and not consistent with the commission’s vision seems to have recently crept into the commission, as allegations of illegal recruitment or employment into the service are being reported,” he said.
“This debilitating syndrome has so permeated the Ministries, Departments and Agencies that virtually no ministry seems to be insulated from this ugly trend.
“The introduction of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) meant to curtail and ultimately eliminate illegalities in the civil/public service, in terms of human resource and payroll and human factor in its application, seems to be jeopardizing this noble objective of the government.
“In December 2021, a particular ministry of the federal government alone weeded out a total of 1,020 of such illegally employed staff with over 300 employment letters further sent to be authenticated by the Federal Civil Service Commission,” Senator Tartenger submitted.