A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from Nura Ali, a former resident electoral commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ali was REC for Sokoto state during the 2023 general election.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, gave the order on Monday after Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), moved an ex-parte motion for the temporary forfeiture of the money.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is the applicant, while Ali was the sole respondent in the motion ex-parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024.

The motion, dated December 20 and filed on December 24, was jointly submitted by the ICPC and the Department of State Service (DSS).

The motion sought an order of the court temporarily forfeiting $49,700.00, “recovered from one Dr. Nura Ali during a search operation by the federal government of Nigeria as property suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities”.

The motion also requested an order directing the applicant, through the ICPC and the DSS, to jointly conduct a thorough preliminary investigation into Ali’s alleged unlawful activities concerning the movable property and submit a report to the court within 90 days.

It also sought an order directing the applicant to deposit the $49,700.00 in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and to publish a notice in a national newspaper inviting persons, whether human, juristic, or artificial, with an interest in the money to show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The applicant stated that the victims of the alleged crime were the federal government of Nigeria and taxpayers, including judges across the country.

“The alleged movable property of $49,700.00 was bribe money received by Dr. Nura Ali when he was the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Sokoto state,” the motion reads.

“The alleged movable property is not the legitimate earning of Dr. Ali as INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner.

“The alleged movable property is suspected to be proceeds of crime.”

The applicant argued that INEC does not pay its staff salaries in US dollars, noting that the purpose of the application was to preserve the property from dissipation.

The applicant added that interested persons, including the alleged owner, would have the opportunity to provide a legitimate explanation for the property.

“Where cogent and verifiable explanations exist as to how the property was acquired, devoid of crime, the alleged owner or any other person with a proprietary interest in the property will be allowed unrestricted possession of the property,” the application stated.

E.O. Akponimisingha, who appeared for the applicant, told the court that the motion ex-parte sought four orders.

He prayed the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.

He said a search was conducted at Ali’s residence in Kano, where $49,700 was retrieved.

He alleged that Ali had disclosed in an extra-judicial statement to the DSS that $150,000 was gifted to him by the former governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, and Aliyu Wamakko, a serving senator.

The lawyer stated that Ali had written a letter to the DSS seeking the return of the money.

An affidavit supporting the motion ex-parte, deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, said the secret service acted on intelligence reports about alleged bribes received by Ali from stakeholders, including politicians, during his tenure as INEC REC in Sokoto.

He confirmed that the residence was searched pursuant to a warrant, during which $49,700 was recovered.

“A copy of the search warrant is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit DSS 1,” he said.

The affidavit stated that Ali failed to report the alleged $49,700 gift to law enforcement, as required by law, and that he had previously written letters requesting the return of the money.

“Copies of the said letters are hereby attached and marked as Exhibits DSS 3 and 4, respectively,” the affidavit reads.

Markus noted that the investigation is ongoing, necessitating the 90-day application.

Nwite deemed the application meritorious and consequently granted the prayers.

The judge adjourned the matter until January 30 for a compliance report on the publication in the media and until March 31 for a further hearing.

[TheCable]

People’s journey in life differs for fundamental reasons. First, every individual has specific God-given responsibilities to fulfill in the land of the living, and for that reason, they are imbued with fitting characteristics with which they would navigate the jungle of life where they exist. Second, humans have a body of history of which they are usually unaware but become players in the sustenance or resistance of the same history. For illustration, people come to life from a family with a special history, and ahead of them is a permanent mandate to make their mark in building or destroying such history so that people who would come from them would not face unwarranted complications that can endanger them.

Such is the complexity of the human world in which everyone would shape their own life. Professor Badejo falls within the category of individuals who boldly face the reality of their world and decide henceforth that rather than be mere observers in the unraveling of their existence, and they would become an active determinant that shapes, write, and inscribe their names on the sand of time. The activity of struggling to acquire education during the youthful time is mostly undertaken by courageous individuals, not because it was actually a hard thing to enroll for academic work but because on the shoulders of every schoolgoer is the responsibility to channel their energies to change the tides of their people and become a compass of their collective aspirations. In essence, it was not enough to attend school as everyone would want; you needed to make something critical out of it.

Badejo’s acquisition of political and legal education was the foundation of his intellectual evolution, becoming the basis of his cognitive development while simultaneously exposing him to the rubrics and universal ideals of the human world. The sage became conscious of his responsibility to operationalize his initiatives that would transform society, and that was the turning point of his sagacious disposition to everything.

The first indicator of his awareness lies in his decision to become a teacher. It is not an exaggeration to argue that teachers are the shapers of human society, literally because they are given the responsibility to develop the collective cognition of their environment to trigger the minds of their students to become useful and helpful. This professor became a teacher, and his quality intellect during that exercise can be measured by the number of people he has nurtured. Many people today are a testament to his exemplary teaching qualities and how his skillful delivery of educational insights has become a constant source of energy renewal. But this does not tell the whole of his story.

Unbeknownst to many, Badejo started his early work as a productive researcher. He has been able to gather important data that are used in a number of educational departments, and I cannot emphasize enough how this has inspired some level of changes in the human world. No wonder that his intellectual significance stretches further to the conflict management arena. It was during his time as a learner of law that he added this feather to his cap.

When you examine the aggressiveness of his intellectual production, especially one that can be accessed in his writing and publications, one cannot but concede that he remains an outstanding individual in whatever he does. I have the honor to inform the public that no one can overemphasize Badejo’s contributions to decoloniality and decolonization. I need to remind you that this intellectual engagement is a dedication to the course of cognitive remodeling and freedom away from the shackles of ideological contraption that Africans have found themselves in for ages.

Badejo thus understands that the first duty towards the reclamation of lost African values is to re-engineer their cognition, which has become a trans-generational victim of self-defeatist teachings that have altogether weakened their ability to progress in whatever form. In one beautiful piece of work, this talented professor emphasizes how deeply ingrained the contamination of African knowledge content has spread across different domains of their existence. For example, political ideologies that are projected in Africa have no particular co-referentiality with their social and cultural systems, and it is important that when such contradictions occur, it would be very difficult for the attainment of progress. Therefore, it is just a logical decision that such irreconcilable political ideologies be dumped entirely, and where that is impossible, perhaps because people are deeply immersed in it, it should be radically recalibrated to accommodate the things that are peculiar to the people. This is a testament to his extraordinary intelligence.

No wonder, in his work, “Situating Democracy…,” Badejo explains the rubrics of the term, revealing that democracy is only “beautiful” when it reflects the nuances of a people. He insists that democratic governments could be dangerous to themselves and the people over which they govern on the occasion that they do not contain and internalize ideals in the local community. If a people collectively decide that this is the form of democratic policy and governance that they wanted, it would be an affront to their human rights to negate their position if they are not self-destructive or immolative. After all, the fundamental definition of democracy is that it comes from the people, and it is meant for them, too. In that case, one cannot but situate democracy within the context of a society so that they can achieve greatness and accomplish their desires as and when due. Although such debates and topics are controversial, one cannot accept that the message in them is golden. I can confidently say this because I am aware that this intellectual has used every available opportunity he grabs to educate people about the affairs of their society and how they can become models and an icon of transformation that the world would look up to. Of course, he has always acknowledged that people’s desire for change and progress is universal, and for that reason, there should be some universal traits to a democratic system. The fact remains, however, that he prioritizes the safety of the people over whom democracy would be used, and this remains a valid argument.

Meanwhile, Badejo has never compromised his callings, serving as the conscience and the consciousness of the masses, for he understands the basic reasons for the perpetual decline of Nigeria’s political and economic value. Badejo has never failed to educate anyone who cares to listen that Nigeria’s democracy’s inability to challenge its contemporaries across the globe is that its custodians are enmeshed in corruption controversies that ordinarily make things difficult to improve in their ordinary national life.

Badejo has educated everyone that corruption thrives in Nigeria because there is a deliberate incarceration of the legal frameworks that would have been the right checks and balances to the system available. He laments the pervasiveness of corruption and how it continually threatens the possibility of genuine transformation in the country.

When Badejo preaches through his work, one cannot particularly conclude who his intended audience is, even when he spells it out. The reason for this is that it is always common that he uses his message in ways that would reveal ideas in his determination to capture everything or everyone that is found wanting in a particular allegation. Africa, for example, has been consistently described in very negative terms, especially in relation to its courtship with corruption, and it is no surprise that Badejo addresses the issue in his works.

Despite his dedication to his professional responsibilities to social and political affairs, Professor Badejo has never failed to contribute to human and community development. He has become so instrumental to the growth of the human world that he is recognized for being relentless in helping people regardless of personal cost. In his capacity as a lawyer, he has offered his skills to save people who are wrongly persecuted and used his capacity to bring light to their world. It is particularly enticing that he has offered many of these services pro bono. Apart from offering professional advice and services to people, Badejo has also been very effective in helping to shed light on international issues for people who cannot afford his services and need them.

There is hardly any aspect of life to which he has not had his tentacle of influence spread. As a matter of fact, he has seen the avoidance of conflicts in many African countries by being a mediator, using his experience and expertise to convince parties of the need to embrace dialogue and inclusivity. His ideas have been able to foster peace in many places where he gets to. A man of peace deserves peace.

PS: This is a preliminary piece to celebrate Badejo’s forthcoming 70^th birthday in March 2025.

December in Nigeria is typically associated with end-of-year festivities: corporate parties, funfairs, family gatherings, concerts, and musical performances. Its celebratory nature has become so prominent that Gen-Zs and Millennials coined the term ‘Detty December’ to capture the excitement.

However, this December has not only been “Detty” but tragically unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. For me, this period is heart-wrenching as the year ends on a grim note with the loss of at least 70 lives—many of them children—due to stampedes during poorly organized food and palliative distribution events.

It is deeply unsettling to know that innocent lives, through no fault of their own, were lost in Ibadan (Southwest), Abuja (North Central), and Okija (Southeast). These tragedies stemmed from the failure to properly plan and manage the distribution of aid. Instead of celebrating the season, affected families are left mourning their loved ones.

As someone who has experienced personal loss, detailed in my book “Beyond Loss and Grief: The Story of Kikaose Ebiye-Onyibe”, I empathize with the grieving families. My book, written after the untimely death of my 18 years-old daughter Kikaose in 2017, serves as a guide to coping with loss. I would like to gift a copy to each family affected by these recent tragedies.

The events leading to this tragic December began in Ibadan, where approximately 35 children died while attempting to claim a N5,000 palliative offered by a faith-based organization. This catastrophe, arising from a stampede attributed to inadequate crowd control, marked the beginning of a sorrowful chain of events on 18 december.

Before the nation could process this tragedy, another incident occurred on same day in Abuja, where 10 people lost their lives during a similar scramble for aid organized by another faith-based group. As Nigerians were still reeling from these events, on 21 december, (barely 3 days after the first two) a third disaster unfolded in Okija, Anambra State, where 22 individuals died while trying to receive food from a philanthropic individual.

These heartbreaking incidents highlight a glaring issue: palliative distribution can—and should—be conducted in ways that do not result in tragedy. Instead, what should have been acts of kindness and goodwill ended in sorrow, tears, and blood—a phrase immortalized in the protest song by Fela Kuti condemning military brutality in the 1990s. It is a cruel irony that these recent tragedies echo the sentiment of that song, even though the events were meant to celebrate humanity and compassion.

The reality is disheartening: this December will be remembered not for its festivities but for the needless loss of lives—70 Nigerians whose potential contributions to the nation were cut short. Among them were children who could have grown into the likes of Albert Einstein, but instead, their lives were prematurely ended in a bid to receive aid.

 Philanthropy is as old as human civilization. 

From ancient Athens to the modern day, acts of kindness have been a cornerstone of society. Interestingly, one of the earliest recorded philanthropists was the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, who founded the Pythagorean Society in Croton, Italy, around 530 BC. His organization provided food, shelter, and education to the poor, setting an example of structured and impactful giving. Perhaps, his fame for his mathematical prowess overshadowed his philantropy.

Nigerians have been known to be philantropy as they have always been their brother’s keeper. So, the acts of giving that turned deadly are not the only occasions that the rich has reached out to poor. The Covid-19 pandemic and consequential lockdown and economic meltdown period are typical examples when public spirited Nigerians and organizations showed acts of kindness to the vulnerable by setting up food kitchens to serve the poor. Typically Nigerians even mark their birthdays by opting to share food to the less priviledged in orphanages and public places such as motor parks which are habitats to those living rough.

So, acts of kindness come naturally to most Nigerians. But the snag appear to be the unstructured ways in which the commendable arts of kindness are being displayed resulting in fatalities to the beneficiaries. Remarkably, large corporations such as Dangote Group has been engaging in benevolent activities in Nigeria on grand scales without recording any catastrophe.

This raises an important question: Why can’t Nigeria adopt better-organized methods of distributing palliatives, such as the Dangote Way?

It is perhaps appropriate at this juncture to dwell a bit on philantropy and its effect on society.

The Role of Structured Philanthropy in Preventing Tragedy

Historically, philanthropy has been an integral part of society, especially in aiding the less privileged. Over time, it has also become a way for wealthy individuals and organizations to enhance their public image through the establishment of charitable foundations.

Today, it is not uncommon for ethical investors to prioritize firms or individuals with a demonstrated commitment to societal good. Examples include globally recognized organizations like the Carnegie Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, all of which have established themselves as forces for good worldwide.

In Africa, prominent figures have followed suit. Aliko Dangote, the continent’s richest man and founder of Dangote Refinery, established the Dangote Foundation. Similarly, Tony Elumelu, a successful entrepreneur in the banking and energy sectors, launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation that has Africa wide coverage. These foundations adopt structured and impactful philanthropic models inspired by practices in the industrialized world.

Other Nigerian billionaires, such as Chief Mike Adenuga, owner of Globacom, and Femi Otedola, founder of Geregu Power, are also known for their generosity. While their philanthropic contributions run into billions, their efforts are often less structured. Nonetheless, both Adenuga and Otedola are widely celebrated for their exceptional charity, with Adenuga gaining continental recognition due to Globacom’s footprint across Africa. In fact that is why Mike Adenuga is popularly referred to as the spirit of Africa.

This historical overview underscores that philanthropy, as a concept, is as old as civilization itself. It thrives globally because it is structured and draws on lessons from past experiences. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the lack of organized and professionalized philanthropic efforts often turns acts of goodwill into sources of tragedy rather than joy.

Invariably, the solution lies in adopting proven strategies for planning and execution, as exemplified by organizations like the Dangote Foundation. Recently, the foundation successfully implemented its National Rice Relief Programme, distributing over one million 10kg bags of rice across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria from March to early April 2024. This initiative, valued at N15 billion, was well-organized and garnered widespread praise from Nigerians.

 Comparing this effort to the chaotic and tragic distribution of N5,000 in Ibadan, food sharing in Abuja, and palliatives in Okija highlights the critical role of organization in philanthropy. While Dangote’s large-scale distribution involved meticulous planning and professional execution, the poorly managed events in these other locations led to preventable fatalities.

The success of the Dangote Foundation’s initiative demonstrates that planning and professionalism are non-negotiable in philanthropy. As such, this discourse aims to advocate for legislative action to establish guidelines for philanthropic activities in Nigeria, ensuring that future acts of charity are executed safely and efficiently. It boggles the mind that wedding parties planners/organizers in Nigeria make provision for drivers of the dignitaries by providing vouchers for them to pick up their food to avoid the scramble that could lead to stampede, yet pallitiatves distributors do not deem it to spread their milk of human kindness in any other way than gathering humans together in tight spaces and without taking into account the potential numbers of responders viz-a-viz the items available to give away.

Be that as it may, it is worth noting that stampedes resulting from poorly planned food distribution events are not unique to Nigeria. Similar tragedies have occurred globally:

• Tanzania (2015): A stampede in Dar es Salaam during food distribution led to five deaths.

• South Africa (2013): Two people died in Johannesburg during a stampede at a food center.

• Kenya (2017): A food distribution event in Nairobi resulted in one fatality.

These incidents emphasize the universal need for proper planning and crowd management during such events. By learning from global best practices and enforcing regulations, Nigeria can prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Tragic Lessons from Philanthropy:

The Need for Organized 

Frameworks in Nigeria

Similar to Africa, Asia has also witnessed tragic outcomes during palliative distributions. For instance:

• India (2013): A stampede during a food distribution event in New Delhi resulted in two deaths.

• Pakistan (2014): During Ramadan, a stampede in Karachi claimed two lives.

• Bangladesh (2018): A food distribution event in Dhaka led to one fatality.

In the Middle East, similar incidents have occurred:

• Saudi Arabia (2015): A stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, involving

food and water distribution, resulted in over 2,400 deaths.

• Yemen (2016): A food distribution event in Sana’a left two dead.

Even South America has not been spared:

• Brazil (2013): A stampede during food distribution in Rio de Janeiro led to one

death.

While food distribution stampedes are a global phenomenon, Nigeria’s disproportionate death toll stands out alarmingly. In just three days—December 18 to 21, 2024—three separate stampedes in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja led to the tragic loss of approximately 70 lives, a stark contrast to the single-digit fatalities seen in other countries.

This glaring disparity points to a lack of organizational planning, risk assessment, and safety measures, rather than poverty alone. For instance, the Dangote Foundation’s National Rice Relief Programme nationwide back in february and Tony Elumelu’s distribution of 1,800 bags of rice in Delta State during the current festive period were conducted safely. Similarly, President Tinubu has distributed palliatives during this festive season and for over 25 years without any loss of life. These examples underscore the importance of meticulous planning and professional execution in avoiding such disasters.

Experts identify common factors leading to stampedes as Overcrowding,Poor crowd control, Insufficient safety measures, and Lack of planning and coordination as well as 

Desperation due to limited resources.

Unfortunately, all these factors were prevalent in the recent Nigerian tragedies. For example, in February 2024, a stampede during rice distribution by the Nigerian Customs Service claimed seven lives after supplies ran out. These incidents highlight the urgent need for better planning and regulations in definitive manner to prevent future tragedies.

Lessons from Global Practices

Globally, permits are often required for events involving large crowds to ensure public safety and order. In the United States, such requirements are rooted in lessons from tragic events like the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Permits serve several purposes:

1. Public Safety: Authorities assess risks and implement measures to prevent accidents.

2. Accountability: Event organizers are held responsible for mishaps.

3. Regulation of Public Spaces: Permits help manage disruptions to normal

activities.

4. Emergency Response: Authorities can prepare for medical, fire, and security needs.

5. Community Input: Residents and businesses are notified and allowed to provide feedback.

6. Legal Framework: Regulations ensure freedom of assembly is exercised responsibly.

Adopting similar frameworks in Nigeria could help prevent the kind of tragedies seen in December 2024. Arising from the above lawmakers must urgently enact laws governing the organization of palliative and food distribution events, mandating professional planning, crowd control measures, and risk assessments.

 A Call to Action

It is unsurprising that the organizers of the recent tragic events in Nigeria did not violate any existing laws, as no regulations currently govern such activities. As such, this lack of oversight highlights the need for urgent legislative intervention to ensure the safety and dignity of future philanthropic efforts.

Therefore, each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory must develop and codify regulations that reflect local dynamics, ensuring that no charity event becomes a source of mourning. As Napoleon Hill wisely said, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”

The benefit from these tragic events must be a collective resolve to prevent future occurrences. May 2025 be a year of safety, progress, and lessons learned.

Magnus Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a former commissioner in the Delta State government (2003–2007),sent this piece from Lagos.

To continue with the dialogue on the matter under reference and more: pls visit www.magnum.ng.

Popular activist and political commentator based in Kaduna, Mahdi Shehu, has been reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following allegations related to a misleading video that poses potential risks to national security.

According to a renowned counterinsurgency expert concentrating on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, Shehu was arrested over the weekend after the said video circulated widely on social media, raising alarms regarding its sensitive content.

Naija News reported earlier that the presidency slammed Shehu and accused him of attempting to cause anarchy in Northern Nigeria.

Shehu had recently made several allegations against the federal government about establishing a French military base in Nigeria’s northeast.

He also shared a series of videos claiming to show Nigerian and French troops offloading supplies in a coordinated operation.

Although Shehu promptly removed the video, it had already gone viral across social media platforms.

In a post via X on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, stated that Mahdi Shehu is hell-bent on burning Northern Nigeria with the use of old videos to pass off his allegation.

Dada warned Nigerians to beware of fake news merchants like Shehu.

Mahdi Shehu Is DSS Custody

In a publication, however, on Monday, Makama said Shehu is currently being held in custody in Kaduna and may soon face legal proceedings.

Makama quoted sources to have suggested that the charges pertain to the dissemination of outdated footage that inaccurately implied the Nigerian government was planning to establish a French military base in the North-West region.

He noted that authorities are said to have issued instructions for Shehu’s arraignment while ensuring that his rights are respected during his detention.

Furthermore, it has been highlighted that Shehu has a history of legal troubles, including a previous arrest for attempted extortion, as noted by former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami.

Shehu’s legal representative argued that the arrest was politically motivated and linked to demands for an investigation into former President Muhammadu Buhari and his associates.

In contrast, Malami’s firm maintained that Shehu was detained for extortion and related offences.

[NaijaNews]

Kinsmen of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, have appealed to the former governor of the state, Peter Odili, to forgive their brother (Wike) over his recent statement against him (Odili).

DAILY POST recalls that Wike had stated that he restored life to Odili and his family, noting that Odili has no justification to speak against him.

The former governor, Odili, had earlier said that Governor Siminialayi Fubara, has successfully prevented one man from converting the state into his private estate.

Responding to the statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, a group of Wike’s kinsmen, Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, frowned at the attack by Wike on Odili, stating that it was unnecessary.

President General of the body, Chizy Enyi, who is a kinsman of the Minister of FCT, said it was wrong for Wike to say many unprintable things against Odili.

Enyi expressed concerns that Wike was referring to the same man whom he had declared was responsible for his success in politics.

“Our worry is that this is the same Nyesom Wike, who publicly in a live television said that if not for Sir Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, he could not have made it to be the governor of Rivers State.

“He swore that any day, he would say anything that would make the family of Dr. Odili to cry, that God should not allow him to grow. However, we have come to a realisation that his stock in trade is to say one thing and do another. In the same way, he bragged that he could never be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria again, and today, what is he?

“It is an obvious fact that the only Rivers man, living and dead, who has wanted to personalise Rivers State as his personal structure, is Nyesom Wike. We are all aware of the issues with the governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara, and Nyesom Wike is on who is to control the resources and structure of the state,” he said.

Enyi pointed out that Wike has become a showman because despite his duty as a minister, he returns to the state to cause issues, adding that the showmanship is affecting the development of the state.

He, therefore, pleaded with Odili to forgive the minister, stressing that it is Wike that wants to personalize the state.

“Wike’s showmanship is not good for Rivers development. Wike should always know what to say and how to say it. We hold Odili to a high esteem. Wike cannot reduce the golden governor to nothing.

“The showmanship of Nyesom Wike, in trying to be noticed always, has done more harm than good to him. Yet, he does not want to learn his lessons.

“On behalf of Rivers people, Nyesom Wike, inclusive, we apologise to Sir Dr. Peter Odili, the former Golden Governor of Rivers State and his family, as we plead with him to forgive Nyesom Wike, who does not have respect and regard for humanity,” he added.

In 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration introduced bold reforms to address Nigeria’s long-standing economic and social challenges. 

Key initiatives include approving an increase in the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 and signing the Student Loan Bill into law, among others. 

Here is a list of the administration’s major policies and actions in 2024: 

1. Minimum Wage Bill: President Tinubu, on 29 July, approved a minimum wage increase from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, ending months of deliberations between government authorities, labour unions, and the private sector. Following Tinubu’s signing of the bill, several governors have vowed to pay more than ₦70,000 to workers in their states. 

2. Student Loan Bill: President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, 3 April 2024, signed into law the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2024. The Act seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skills development for all Nigerian students and youths. The Act also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial aid to students pursuing higher education in tertiary institutions. 

3. National Anthem Act 2024: On 29 May, President Tinubu signed the National Anthem Act 2024, reinstating “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the country’s national anthem. This anthem was originally in use until 1978. 

4. Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Bill: On 13 August, President Tinubu signed a bill to increase the salaries and allowances of judges by 300 per cent. There have been calls for judges’ salaries to be raised. 

5. Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2024: Signed into law on 9 February, this bill introduces several reforms to the Nigerian electricity sector. These reforms include: 

Host Community Development: 5% of power-generating companies’ annual operating expenditures will be set aside for infrastructure projects in host communities. 

Transmission System Operator: A new entity responsible for operating, maintaining, and expanding the national grid. 

Open Market Platform: A platform allowing competitive electricity trading among market participants. 

6. Crude-for-naira deal: The Federal Government commenced the sale of crude oil and other refined products in naira on 1 October 2024. The Technical Sub-Committee on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil in Local Currency announced earlier in September that the Federal Executive Council, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, approved the sale of crude to local refineries in naira, along with the corresponding purchase of petroleum products in naira. 

7. LG financial autonomy: On 11 July 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils. The seven-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, unanimously upheld a suit brought by the federal government aimed at reinforcing the independence of local governments across the country. 

8. Port Harcourt Refinery: The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Tuesday, 26 November, announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced operations. After shutting down for five years, the Port Harcourt Refinery has resumed production of petroleum products.

[TheNation]

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has presented N1.188 trillion as a budgetary estimate for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

This figure is an increase from the 2024 budget of N800 billion that was presented in 2023 to the Assembly.

Fubara presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill shortly after delivering his address to lawmakers at the Assembly Auditorium, Administrative Block of Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He said the 2025 budget, christened “Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development,” will be implemented to achieve sustainable economic growth and accelerate the development of the state while improving the living standards of all residents.

Fubara explained that with the set-out objectives, the 2025 budget will strengthen the capacity of the state to weather possible external shocks from the volatility of the national economy while building a resilient economy that will advance the collective development and prosperity of the people.

He said, “The total projected revenue for Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year is N1,188,962,739,932.36.

“Two components of the budget are constituted as follows: Recurrent Expenditure of N462,254,153,418.98; Capital Expenditure of N678,088,433,692.03; Planning Reserve of N35,688,864,931.16; and a closing balance of N12,931,287,890.1935.

“This gives a Recurrent/Capital Expenditure ratio of 44:56%, indicating the sincere commitment of our administration to both infrastructural and human capital development of our people and state.”

The governor said nearly N31 billion has been allocated to support interventions in agricultural development to ease the implementation of a comprehensive agriculture transformation and support programme for Rivers youths in order to significantly resolve issues of youth unemployment and poverty.

He emphasised that the commitment is also to address food insecurity in Rivers State, and provide land preparation, farm inputs, and extension services, including training, tractors, and access to improved seedlings and fertilisers to farmers to enhance their productivity and farm yields.

In education, Governor Fubara assured that his administration will continue to provide access to quality education at all levels, enabling Rivers children to have the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers and contribute to the development of the state.

The governor said, “Consequently, we have proposed to spend over N63 billion, representing 9.3% of the budget on education in fiscal year 2025.

“With this, we shall access all outstanding matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission to rehabilitate, equip and furnish dilapidated public primary and junior secondary schools, and continue to provide free basic education to our children.

“We will also rehabilitate, equip and furnish as many senior secondary schools as possible across the State, including the provision of new classrooms, perimeter fencing, water and electricity, to provide a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.

“We shall work with the school-based management boards, administrators, parents and teachers to fix our broken school system, improve enrollments, keep learners in school, promote effective teaching, and improve learning outcomes.”

Fubara said with the proposed N97.750 billion for the health sector, representing 14.4% of the budget, all zonal hospitals, the upgraded neuropsychiatric hospital, and the new general hospital at Rumuigbo under reconstruction will be completed to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to the people of the State.

He also assured of rehabilitating more general hospitals and health centres across the state,  ensuring the procurement of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment for effective and efficient healthcare delivery, while also providing more infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for quality, effective, and efficient tertiary healthcare services.

On Road and Transport Infrastructure, Governor Fubara said over N195 billion has been earmarked to complete all ongoing road projects and initiate new ones, support and facilitate the modernisation of the public transport system through necessary incentives to improve the quality of public transportation services in the State.

Fubara assured that all ongoing electrification projects, including delivering transformers and replacing the generator-powered streetlights with solar energy-powered streetlights across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, will be concluded and restated the determination to ensure the passage of the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill to regulate and open the State’s energy sector for private sector investments in order to achieve energy security and accelerate the industrialization of Rivers State.

He said, “In Social Development and Investments, Mr Speaker, we have proposed to spend N15.4 billion for the social development subsector of our economy to advance youth and gender empowerment, jobs and wealth creation, sports development, and social inclusion.

“We will collaborate with Local Government Councils to establish youth resource and digital transformation centres to enable access to digital tools, Internet services and training programmes for our youths to become economically successful and sufficiently self-reliant.

“We will also continue to support and strengthen the capacity of state-owned sporting teams, especially Rivers United, Rivers Angels, and the Hoopers, to enable them to excel and win more laurels in both national, regional and international contests.”

Fubara, who said the 2025 will be funded from FAAC, Internally Generated Revenue, Statutory Allocations, Mineral Funds, Valued Added Tax, Refunds/Escrow/ECA and others, explained that the 2014 budget performed excellently with the IGR figure hitting N100billion increase over the 2023 figure.

In his speech, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, applauded Fubara for recording over N100 billion increase in IGR, which he said shows a high level of transparency and accountability in governance, with the plugging of financial leakage, adding that it is also a testament to how attractive Rivers investment climate has become.

Oko-Jumbo pledged the continual support of the Legislature to the executive to ensure that the governor remains focused, sustains financial prudence, delivers democratic dividends, and to make life better for the people.

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As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you lived your life and get ready for a fresh start to create a purposeful and fulfilling year.

Here are five essential things to consider before stepping into the New Year:

1. Prioritise your self-care

As you start the New Year, taking care of yourself should be your first priority. Examine your present self-care routines, noting what worked and what didn’t, and make plans for improvement. This could entail establishing a consistent exercise schedule, engaging in mindfulness or meditation, eating a healthy diet, or just finding more time for leisure and hobbies. Making your health a top priority lays a solid basis for confronting the upcoming year.

2. Financial planning

Your general well-being is greatly influenced by your financial situation. Review your present financial status, taking into account your debt, savings, and spending. Establish attainable financial objectives, such as budgeting, emergency savings, or investment planning. Careful financial planning offers security for the upcoming months and lessens stress.

3. Organise and clean your space

A neat and tidy environment enhances clarity of thought. Make use of this opportunity to tidy and arrange your house, office, and even digital documents. Get rid of things you don’t need, clear out your inbox, and organize your living space. A neat and orderly workspace not only increases output but also fosters a successful, peaceful environment.

4. Set goals for the New Year

The New Year provides a fresh start for making plans and objectives. Make sure your objectives are clear, measurable, and achievable, whether they are artistic, professional, or personal. To make them easier to achieve, break them down into smaller steps (short and long-term goals). Establishing specific goals gives you focus and inspiration to keep going all year long.

5. Evaluate relationships

The basis of happiness and pleasure is relationships. Think about the relationships you have in your life, both personal and professional. Determine which relationships make you happy and supportive, and then consider how you may strengthen them. On the other hand, think about removing yourself from relationships that are exhausting or harmful. Make an effort to develop meaningful relationships that improve your life.

Organising your home, prioritizing self-care, creating goals, budgeting your finances, and assessing your relationships are five factors that can help you start the New Year with clarity, purpose, and positivity.

Make sure the upcoming year is one of success, balance, and progress by taking the time to think things through and get ready. Make next year the best for yourself.

Vanguard News