Two children have been confirmed dead while two others sustained various degrees of injuries in a boat mishap that occurred in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger.
The Overseeing Director-General of Niger Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Salihu Garba, disclosed this to NAN in Minna on Saturday.
He said the incident occurred on Friday at about 6 p.m when the boat engine caught fire due to a machanical failure and inflamed a gallon of petrol stored inside the boat.
He said that 145 passengers were in the boat, adding that they were from Danbo community in Kogi.
Garba disclosed that the passengers were on their way back from Katcha market when the incident occurred.
He said that the body of one of the deceased children had been recovered while the search for that of the second missing child was still ongoing.
[NewsGuru]
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has strongly condemned the recent armed bank robbery in Otukpo, Benue State, which resulted in the tragic loss of lives of both Police Officers and innocent civilians.
Naija News reports that daredevil armed robbers had attacked some banks in Otukpo, Benue State, on Friday, killing three police officers and some civilians.
In a statement on Saturday, Police Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the killing as an assault on the principles of peace, security, and justice that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies work tirelessly to uphold.
According to him, the IGP extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims affected by this senseless act of violence.
He noted that two of the suspects were gunned down by operatives while attempting to escape, adding that the assailants who orchestrated this brazen act of criminality have indeed “murdered sleep” as their actions have shaken the Otukpo community to its core.
IGP Egbetokun assured the public that every resource and effort will be dedicated to ensuring that these individuals are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
“In response to this grave incident, the Nigeria Police Force has initiated a comprehensive and coordinated effort to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. The IGP has ordered the deployment of additional operational and investigative assets and resources to Otukpo, the Benue State Command, and surrounding states to assist in the swift apprehension of the other fleeing criminals responsible for this atrocity, as a follow-up to the gunning down of two of the armed robbers after a hot chase on Friday.
“In the same vein, going by this incident, the IGP has put all Commands and Formations on red alert to avert any further deadly attacks on our institutions and innocent citizens of Nigeria, more so that the Otukpo attack was an early warning sign of the Ember Month challenges which is often characterized by bank robbery and other related crimes.
“We therefore call upon the public to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities by providing any information that may aid in the investigation and pursuit of the suspects. Your assistance is invaluable in our mission to restore safety and security in the affected area and across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“In the wake of this tragedy, the IGP reiterates the NPF’s commitment to the safety and security of the Nigerian people, standing united against acts of violence and criminality and vowing to work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for this reprehensible act are brought to justice,” the statement read.
[NaijaNews]
The federal government is targeting that corporate Nigeria will earn a combined gross operating profit of N9.3 trillion in 2024 and from there will be able to generate a company’s income tax revenue of N3 trillion in 2024 up from N1.9 trillion budgeted for 2023.
This was contained in the Medium Term Expenditure framework released by the federal government during the week.
The government also targeted a total of N20.69 trillion in the Net Federal Account revenue pool, which is money divided up between the FG, States, LGA, National Assembly, and Judiciary. (See image below)
Corporate Taxes
However, of note was the government’s N3 trillion plan for corporate taxes which is also expected to grow to N3.3 trillion by 2025 and N3.7 trillion by 2026.
The government claims it derived the N3 trillion by estimating a gross operating profit of N9.3 trillion in 2024 out of which it will tax 30% as company income tax.
- “The CIT projections are based on estimated nominal GDP, Companies’ Profitability Ratio, and a further improvement in collection efficiency.”
- “The Gross Operating Profits of firms for which CIT forecast was derived is assumed to average N9.3 trillion for 2024, 10.6 trillion for 2025 and 11.2 trillion for 2026, after adjusting for firms in the informal sector.”
- “Estimates were derived taking into consideration significant growth of domestic economic activities as well as the effective implementation of the National Development Plan 2021-2025.”
- “Other important assumptions include significant improvement in the Nigerian business and investment environment and successful broadening of the tax net. More importantly, the historical growth in the volume of online transactions is expected to be sustained.”
This assumes that the government expects corporate profits to keep growing despite harsh economic conditions that have threatened to impact profits from the real sector.
However, data from the first 7 months of the 2023 budget performance indicate the government earned an aggregate revenue of N1.1 trillion from corporate income tax compared to the N544.41 billion target. When annualized this translates to about N2.2 trillion.
It appears the government will be considering the increase in the tax net in addition to the expectation of higher profits.
VAT
The government is also projecting a VAT revenue of N3.6 trillion an increase from N2,7 trillion budgeted for 2023. This is based on an increase in consumption expenditure.
- Consumption expenditure on which VAT is charged is assumed to increase from an average of N35 trillion in 2024, to N40 trillion in 2025 and N45 trillion in 2026, after adjusting for exemptions, zero rated items and companies whose turnover fall below the N25 million threshold.
- Like the CIT, more VAT payers are expected to be brought
into the tax net with the effective implementation of the provisions of the various Finance Acts. The VAT projections over the medium-term are based on holding the rate at 7.5%. - Raising the VAT rate however remains a policy option for government to keep in view over the medium
Tax expectations
Meanwhile, the Chairman, of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele has revealed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would not impose higher tax rates on Nigerians.
Mr Taiwo said that the objective of the committee is to reduce the number of taxes and levies imposed on Nigerians. He said there is no plan to increase taxes, rather the committee would “harmonise revenue collection” to reduce the tax burden. He said:
- “We do not intend to introduce new taxes or impose higher tax rates. Rather, our mandate is to reduce the number of taxes and levies while harmonising revenue collection to reduce the burden on the people and businesses. The objective is to avoid taxing investment, capital, production or poverty. We plan to review and re-enact the major tax laws in a holistic manner thereby limiting the necessity for frequent changes through annual finance acts.”
President Tinubu during the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms which Mr. Taiwo Oyedele heads, had tasked the committee to enhance Nigeria’s revenue generation and business environment, as the FG aims to achieve an 18% Tax-to-GDP ratio within 3 years.
[Nairametrics]
The Police Command in Benue has confirmed that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Otukpo, Chief Superintendent, CSP, John Adikwu and three other police officers lost their lives in bloody Friday afternoon bank robbery in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
SP Sewuese Anene, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, confirmed the development to PM News on Saturday.
A gang of armed robbers in a coordinated operation on Friday attacked branches of five different banks in Otukpo town.
The affected banks are: Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Stanbic IBTC Bank.
Men of the Benue command engaged the suspects in a gun battle along Otukpo-Taraku road and neutralized two of the criminals in the process.
Giving update on the attack, Anene confirmed that other members of the criminal gang abandoned their vehicles and ran into the bush.
The PPRO said: “The Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, CSP John Adikwu and his team in the area engaged the suspected robbers in a gun duel but were unable to prevent them from attacking the banks.
“More police teams in collaboration with other security agents were later deployed to Otukpo to assist in stabilising the area and prevent these robbers from escaping.
“The robbers were later intercepted along Otukpo-Taraku road by our men and engaged them in a gun duel.
”Two of the robbers died in the process, but other members of the gang abandoned their vehicles and escaped into the forest.
”We are still going after them.
“Our DPO in Otukpo who sustained a gunshot injury on his stomach and three other police officers have been confirmed dead at the hospital.
“Other persons who sustained injuries during the operation are currently receiving treatment at the hospital. Investigation is still ongoing to unravel all those involved in the criminal act.”
The Israeli government has reportedly approved emergency regulations that grant the authority to close the office of Al Jazeera news channel in Israel.
These regulations, Naija News learnt, also allow for the confiscation of all equipment belonging to the news channel. Israeli public broadcaster, KAN, noted in a publication on Saturday that the Al Jazeera office is facing strict action due to concerns that its coverage poses a threat to Israel’s national security.
The Israeli i24 news website has also quoted an Israeli statement claiming that Al Jazeera broadcasts propaganda in support of Hamas in both Arabic and English, reaching audiences worldwide.
Though Al Jazeera has refuted these allegations, it has yet to respond to the latest decision made by the Israeli government as of the time of filing this report.
It is worth noting that Al Jazeera, based in Qatar, is recognized as one of the primary media networks providing comprehensive coverage of the situation in Gaza, Israel, and southern Lebanon.
The first batch of the beneficiaries of the Kano State Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship numbering 150 out of the 1001 departed Nigeria to India yesterday.
Addressing the beneficiaries at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, the State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, urged them to concentrate on their studies and make Nigeria and Kano proud.
He said the scholarship award was in fulfillment of campaign promises in building on Kwankwasiyya ideology to resume scholarship awards to the best students in the state.
“This singular effort by his administration has produced many professionals and Ph.D. holders, thousands of Masters, Degree holders, thousands of professionals in medical sciences, engineering, natural sciences, pilots, maritime specialists.”
The governor said apart from the foreign scholarship scheme, the Kano State Government is committed to improving state-owned tertiary institutions through the provision of increased funding and infrastructure development for effective learning, teaching, and research.
He implored the beneficiaries of the scholarship to make the best use of the golden opportunity to excel in their fields of study by remaining committed and respecting the laws of the land as well as norms, values, and cultures of their host communities.
Earlier in his speech, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the party in the February election, praised the effort of the state government for continuing along the same path.
He called on the beneficiaries to ensure that they live up to their expectations and become useful to their parents, relations, and the country at large.
Condemns alleged attempts to frustrate petitions at Lagos tribunal
The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has sent a petition to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over what it called alleged “acts of dishonour and infamy” being perpetrated by officials of the commission, acting on behalf of agents of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), to frustrate ongoing petitions at the tribunal in Lagos.
National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, addressing the press in Abuja yesterday, noted the alleged acts of INEC Legal department to frustrate on going court processes by legal department of the commission
Ifoh said that the face-off between two legal luminaries at Appeal Court in Lagos on Thursday, in a case involving a House of Representatives seat in Abia State is a plot to buy time and frustrate the legal proceedings.
Ifoh said, “Mr. Chairman sir, we therefore bring to your notice an ugly incident that happened yesterday, 19th day of October, 2023 at Lagos State, venue of the Appeal Court on the Appeal No. CA/OW/HR/AB/06/2023 between the Labour Party candidate, Hon. Amobi Ogah, who is the plaintiff and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who is the Respondent. INEC is also a Respondent in that matter.
“Hon. Ogah of the Labour Party contested and won with a large margin the Federal House of Representatives seat for Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, but his victory was annulled at the Election Tribunal, hence the resolve to approach the Appellate Court.
“Sir, what played out yesterday, 19th day of October, 2023, was unbelievable, hence we call on you to nip the development in the bud to avoid a messy situation. INEC had engaged a Senior Counsel, J.O. Asoluka (SAN), as its lawyers with a letter of authorisation to represent the commission.
“But at the commencement of the hearing at the Appeal Court, another lawyer surfaced with another letter of authority to take over the case of the self same INEC without prior notice to J.O Asoluka (SAN), that the new counsel had been engaged. They also did not see any need to inform the Plaintiff of the development as required by law. When the matter thus came up, a squabble ensued between the two counsels as to who had the authority of INEC to represent it in the case.
“Consequently, present at the venue of the Appeal Court were some expelled members of Labour Party under the headship of Lamidi Apapa. Also present were some leaders of the APC who openly fraternize with the Apapa cohorts and who were openly boasting that they will purchase judgement at all cost. They also attempted unsuccessfully to hijack the legal representation of the Labour Party.
“Chairman sir, it has now dawned on us that the change of legal guard without properly notifying the interested parties was carefully orchestrated by the Commission in alliance with our opponents with the intention to stall proceedings at the Court of Appeal and frustrate our candidate’s appeal that was due for hearing on Thursday.”
He further said, “We are raising this alarm because time is of essence, even though, the collaborators achieved their intentions as the appeal could not be heard and was adjourned by the court to enable INEC put its house in order and determine who of the two counsels, has her authority to represent her in the appeal.
“We are therefore using this platform to urge you to investigate the inglorious roles which the legal department of the commission is playing and sanction erring officials. The role of INEC in this matter is simply to defend the outcome of the election which it conducte
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth has described the current situation in Nigeria as “lamentable” saying the way forward is for the country to get a new constitution to salvage the situation.
Anyaoku made the assertion while delivering the 2023 Convocation Lecture of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, titled, “Management of diversity: A major challenge to governance in pluralistic countries” in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
According to him, under the Constitution, before military intervention, there was security of life and property, and there was a faster pace of economic development in the regions, adding that healthy competition among the regions facilitated rapid development across the country.
“In contrast, today if truth be told, the situation in our country is lamentable. There is an unprecedented level of divisiveness and a declining sense of national unity; the economy is in the doldrums, with 133 million of our population in multidimensional poverty.
“There is great insecurity throughout the land as we hear every day of killings and kidnappings by unknown gunmen and marauding bandits; all our infrastructure, including power supply, roads, and educational and health facilities, are in a poor state.
“Added to all this, there is a complete bastardisation of our society’s ethical values and an unfathomable level of corruption evident in the often reported massive looting and mismanagement of the country’s resources, including the continuing unbridled theft of our crude oil,” he lamented.
However, despite these, he said, “Nigeria is still salvageable” adding that “the country can still be restored to greater peace, greater security, a renewed sense of national unity, greater political stability, and a more assured pace of economic development”.
The former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle has denied allegations claiming that he embezzled billions of naira from the abandoned Cargo Airport in Zamfara State.
Naija News reports that the incumbent administration of Governor Dauda Lawal Dare had accused Matawalle’s administration of embezzling public funds.
However, speaking via a statement issued by Ibrahim Dosara, former Commissioner of information, the governor noted that the accusations against him were calculated mischief and diversionary tactics of his successor.
He insisted that the governor specialises in diverting people’s attention from his insensitivity, failure and inability to fulfil his campaign promises.
The statement read in part, ”The attention of the immediate past Government of Zamfara State under Hon (Dr) Bello Mohammed Matawllen Maradun MFR, has been drawn to a press statement issued by Governor Dauda Lawal Dare in which the Governor accuses the immediate past administration of former Gov Matawalle of embezzling public funds in billions.
“It is in response to this baseless and unfounded claim and allegation, and in order to put matters on record in their true perspective, that I wish to submit the following facts on the cargo Airport project contract:-The immediate past Government under Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawallen Maradun inherited the Cargo Airport Project from its predecessor. As the government is a continuous process, former Gov Matawalle saw the need to consider completing the project for its numerous benefits to the people of the state and beyond. I want to bring to the attention of the general public that it is only Zamfara State that has had no Airport of its own, up to the time of this press statement.
“After due deliberations in council, it was agreed that the project be continued. As a follow-up to the state Executive Council’s resolution and decision on the project, contractors were invited to bid for the contract to execute the Cargo Airport Project. After reaching an agreement and in consultation with the Federal Airport Authority the Matawalle government immediately mobilized the contractors to the site to handle the project to its timely completion.
“How can the former Gov being an honest and sincere great leader who saved the state government resources in this project, be accused of embezzlement of public funds in this project? This is indeed, nothing but a calculated mischief and diversionary tactics of Gov Dauda Lawal as he specialises in diverting people’s attention from his insensitivity, failure and inability to fulfil his campaign promises on tackling security concerns bedeviling the state immediately after his assumption of office.
“This campaign of calumny embarked upon by Gov Lawal Dare cannot save him from the slumber of his administration. We therefore condemned in its entirety, this criminal way of governance. It is a complete irresponsibility of the highest order by the Lawal Dare administration to divert people’s attention from his government incompetence, failure, lack of vision, mission and direction.”
“Rather than concentrating on massive drive and efforts towards finding lasting solutions to the lingering security concerns of the state, the Governor is now chasing wild goose in search of ways to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the former Governor and his government.”
Bayelsa Guber Poll: INEC’s Statement On Electronic Transmission Of Results Doubtful — PDP Youths
AdminThe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Network has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid subjecting Nigerians to another round of heartaches in the Bayelsa Governorship election scheduled for November 11, 2023.
The Coordinator of the group, Mr James Oputin said in a statement on Friday that the discordant tunes coming from INEC on the issue of the electronic transmission of results is generating so much doubts and tension.
Oputin said that while the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ofiong Efanga, jolted Bayelsans by saying that INEC would adopt manual transmission of election results, the Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu has come out to overrule him.
Yakubu had said penultimate Saturday that the results of the November 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states would be transmitted electronically.
Oputin said that the people are doubtful of INEC’s conflicting declarations from the state and the federal level on the sensitive issue of the electronic transmission of results which is expected to reduce drastically the disturbing incidence of electoral violence in the state.
He noted that Nigerians have not forgotten how the same INEC under Prof Yakubu abruptly opted to transmit the Presidential election result manually after weeks of intense media reassurances to Nigerians that the election would be transmitted electronically.
He urged Prof Yakubu to prepare the minds of the Bayelsa voters and stakeholders on what to expect as most people seem to have dismissed his statement as yet another ambush on Election Day.
Oputin also called on the Bayelsa REC, Efanga to address the press on the disturbing conflict on the issue of the planned deployment of electronic transmission of results.
He said that it is a difficult task to convince a person who has been a victim of trust-related disappointment to believe someone carrying an albatross of trust.
Oputin, who called on Nigerians especially the media to hold INEC accountable to its promises also urged the electoral umpire to be conscious of the corrosive effects of failed promises and dampened expectations on its image.
The PDP youth leader said that what the party and indeed Bayelsans expect from INEC is an impartial conduct of the forthcoming election.
He stressed that the overwhelming popularity of the Governor Douye Diri who has executed projects his opponents once considered impossible is what the party needs to retain the Creek Haven, Yenagoa, Government House.
Oputin said that Bayelsans are pleased with Diri who has ensured stability in the state apart from projects such as the Nembe- Brass Road, the Central Senatorial Road and continuation of many huge projects he inherited from his predecessor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
“The PDP Youth Network has observed with serious concern the conflicting remarks about the issue of the deployment of electronic transmission of results in the Bayelsa governorship elections scheduled for November 11.
“We note that the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu and Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state are not on the same page in this issue. If there is anything they know that seems to impede their preparation and the more efficient electronic transmission of result, they should speak out now.
“Bayela is a largely riverine state and we are of the view that electronic transmission of results would reduce or erase the ugly incident associated with results snatching witnessed in previous elections.
“We call on the Nigeria public to hold INEC accountable to its words. We also challenge Prof Mahmud and his team to ensure that promises made to Nigerians are not seen as attempts to lay ambush on Election Day.
“As a party, we only need the soaring popularity of Governor Douye Diri who has performed above expectations to retain political control in the state.”
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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, of attempting to undermine the implementation of their agreement with the government regarding the removal of fuel subsidy. However, a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s Director of Information, Olajide Oshundun, refutes the allegation.
According to the statement, the allegation made by the NLC is baseless.
“We firmly deny this allegation, and we want it to be known that it has no basis,” the statement reads.
The statement also asserts that Minister Lalong has consistently given proper attention to various disputes brought to his attention since assuming office, with the intention of resolving them in a fair manner.
The ministry further states that multiple meetings have been held to address the issue with representatives from the conflicting parties, and the efforts are still ongoing.
The ministry emphasizes that it is incorrect to assume that Lalong is favoring any particular group during the negotiations.
“Members of the NURTW, the NLC, and the entire Labour movement can rest assured that the minister, as the Chief Conciliator, will continue to collaborate with all parties involved to ensure reconciliation, harmony, and industrial peace,” the ministry assures.
The Federal Government is reviewing and expanding the National Social Register to accommodate pensioners and ex-servicemen under its Conditional Cash Transfer scheme.
It is also removing beneficiaries who have excited the poverty line.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the government was also taking out dead beneficiaries from the register and would disqualify those without National Identification Numbers and Bank Verification Numbers.
It was further gathered that payments would be made directly to the beneficiaries by the Central Bank of Nigeria and not through consultants, as the first batch of bulk payments would begin next week for five million households.
The Conditional Cash Transfer scheme is part of the National Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government, which is a project created to change the lives of millions of Nigerians living in extreme poverty, upgrade their standards of living and improve the economy.
In commemoration of the 2023 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Tuesday in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu launched the disbursement of N25,000 to 15 million households for three months as a social safety net intervention.
The aim is to mitigate the impact of the recent fuel subsidy removal and help eradicate poverty across the country.
Providing further details on the initiative in response to inquiries by Saturday PUNCH, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Rasheed Olanrewaju, stated that the cash transfer scheme had been reviewed and expanded.
Asked if the Federal Government would use the old register used by the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration to transfer the money, he stated, “We are using a verified expanded register that has pensioners and veterans, as well as other vulnerable persons who were not captured.”
Confirming the position of the minister’s media aide, the National Communications Manager, National Social Investment Programme Agency, Jamaldeen Kabir, stated that beneficiaries who had exited the poverty line were being removed from the register.
Kabir said, “What he (Olanrewaju) told you is very correct, because the register is being expanded. First of all, it has to be verified so that those who are out of the poverty line will be removed from the old register.
“Those in the register, are they still within the poverty line or have they exited the line? The expansion will also include the wives of fallen heroes and pensioners.”
On when the cash transfer would begin, Olanrewaju stated that though bulk payments would commence from next week, some of those who had been verified had already started receiving payment alerts.
“The cash transfer (scheme) has been launched and once a household is verified, they get paid. The batches begin this month, next week to be precise; however, verified people have started receiving alerts,” he stated.
Also commenting on when the cash transfer would begin, Kabir said, “Actually, when the programme was launched at the Presidential Villa three days ago, some beneficiaries were presented with some cheques.
“So, before this month ends, the beneficiaries in the first phase will receive theirs, and this phase caters to five million households. So, we are expecting those five million households to receive money in the months of October, November and December,” Olanrewaju added.
On how many ghost recipients had been discovered, the minister’s aide stated that a lot of measures had been put in place to make the scheme credible, such as the introduction of the NIN and BVN.
“They may not be ghosts, but we have put in place many controls to make the process credible and clean. First, we looked for the NIN and BVN to match with in-person verification and biometrics. The process is from the CBN to the beneficiaries; there are no middlemen,” Olanrewaju stated.
Asked to state the number of dead recipients, he replied, “We have struck off many names following the verification. The final figure will be out in weeks; it may run into millions.
“Some are dead; some are no longer in that category (of the poor) and some could not be identified at locations given, so wait till we get the compilation ready,” he added.
Asked to state those involved in identity theft, he said, “All these will be determined when the final report is out. For now, we will pay those fully verified and the names will be pasted in communities.
“Fifteen million households amount to about 62 million individuals, with an average of five persons per household.”
The humanitarian ministry stated that the determination of the Federal Government to eradicate poverty was in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has poverty eradication, food security, economic growth and job creation as priorities.
At the launch of the cash transfer scheme on Tuesday, Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, enumerated various steps his administration had taken to ameliorate poverty in the country.
These, according to the President, include providing the policy framework and road map for poverty alleviation, developing humanitarian response and expanding the National Social Register to capture Nigerians living below $1.95 per day.
Other steps include restructuring of the National Social Investment Programme and repositioning it for quick and efficient delivery that is transparent, as well as partnering with the World Bank Group and other development partners to implement conditional cash transfers and business grants, among others.
The ministry stated that the government was also investing N100bn in the purchase of 3,000 units of 20-seater Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses for cheaper transportation.
It further stated that there was an investment of N200bn to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland to improve food security.
Imo guber: Even If Uzodinma Offers Me $100 Million I Will Not Step Down – LP candidate, Achonu
Admin
The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Imo State, Athan Achonu has said that no amount of persuasion from the incumbent governor of the state, Hope Uzodinma would make him drop his gubernatorial ambition.
The LP flag bearer’s statement comes amidst speculations that he is a placeholder and will be bought off soon
However, Achonu has stated that he will be going all the way to the finish line.
Achonu said this during Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He argued that even if Uzodinma offers him $100 million he will still refuse to vacate his position as the party’s candidate.
According to him, “The people of Imo State already know the truth. They are following me. How can I be a placeholder for Hope Uzodimma? Give me $1 million? That’s not possible.
“I have been around in this country. I am very well known. I can say that for myself. So, I have a reputation in this country. I am a man of integrity. Hope Uzodimma can’t buy me even with $100 million. It is not possible. Nobody can buy me. Money can’t buy me.”
Speaking further, the former lawmaker explained that contesting the Imo governorship poll was not something he wanted to do.
He said that his supporters asked him not to retire from politics and the desire to change things for the better in Imo State made him give in to their demands.
“So, they said if I abandon them, they would not have any place to go. That’s why I really went into that race. I didn’t want to run for governor,” Senator Achonu added.
The LP candidate, who lamented the bottlenecks of doing business in the South-East, said the quest to rewrite history pushed him into the governorship contest.
“Igbos have been chased out of Igbo land. It is like an occupied territory. So, every half a kilometre, you see a Police checkpoint, you see a Customs checkpoint. So, people cannot trade freely,” he added.
Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of Benue State, has expressed his condemnation for the armed robbery attacks that took place in Otukpo town targeting commercial banks.
Reports from NewsNow state that a group of bloodthirsty gunmen raided at least four banks in the town and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.
During the operation, which lasted for several hours, the robbers mercilessly killed six customers and four policemen. It has been reported that many others sustained serious injuries.
Alia, in a statement issued on Saturday through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, described the robbery incident as a direct disrespect to the state.
The Governor revealed that these attacks were carried out precisely during the Security Council meeting at the Government House in Makurdi.
In his sympathies, Alia extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the gruesome robbery.
He stated, “It is truly unfortunate that individuals who were carrying out their duties were ruthlessly shot and killed by these heartless robbers.
“However, they will not escape justice. Security agencies are already on their trail and they will be apprehended and brought to justice.”
Alia urged the people of the State to stay vigilant and to always report any suspicious activities around them.