AFOLABI
Police Arrest Woman With AK-47 Hidden In Garri Sack
Operatives of the Special Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a 30-year-old woman, identified as Hauwa Yusuf, for concealing an AK-47 rifle and four AK magazines inside a sack of garri.
Naija News understands that the suspect was arrested on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway during a routine stop-and-search operation.
During a press conference at the Special Tactical Squad Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that Yusuf admitted to receiving instructions from a notorious bandit, Aminu Basullube, who has been terrorizing Katsina State, to carry out the arms delivery at the Danum Madam Camp, a location within the state.
Adejobi said, “On August 14, 2024, just recently, acting on intelligence, operatives of STS intercepted one Hauwa Yusuf ‘F’ 30 years of Dutsin-Ma LGA of Katsina state. The suspect was arrested while in transit from Lafia Nasarawa State to Katsina State, inside a Sienna Bus along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
“A search was conducted and One AK-47 Rifle without breach Number and Four AK magazines concealed inside a white Sack of Garri were recovered from the suspect. “During the interrogation, the Suspect confessed that it was One Aminu Basullube, a notorious Bandit terrorizing Katsina State general axis who sent her to take delivery of the arms in Danum Madam Camp, Katsina State.”
The suspect, however, while responding to questions from journalists, claimed she didn’t know a gun was concealed in the sack of garri.
She said, “I never knew that it was an arm that was inside. They asked me to go and bring millet. And unfortunately, they did not bring Gari for me. Even when I saw the thing, I was apprehensive.
“I was given 130,000 to take the garri to Katsina. My transport fare is ₦15,000. I made a mistake by not asking questions.”
Adejobi further disclosed that a group of operatives affiliated with the FID-STS departed for Igbowo in Oyo State on April 29 to investigate the activities of Musa Saidu.
Adejobi further stated that a group of operatives from the FID-STS departed for Igbowo in Oyo State to examine the actions of Musa Saidu on April 29. He noted that the investigations indicated the suspect had been absent from his community for five years.
Following his return to Kigakwu in Kaduna State after this prolonged absence, further inquiries were conducted, and it was discovered that “He started spending money extravagantly, buying different brands of new motorcycles (BAJAJ) and twelve (12) cows in a day amounting to the sum of N5,000,000.00.
“Upon interrogation, he confessed to the above-mentioned crimes, he further confessed that he is operating under the leadership of one Haruna ‘m’ in Birnin Gwari forest of Kaduna State. Throughout his operations under the gang Commander Haruna ‘m’ he was using AK 47 rifles.”
“That twenty-five (25) cows were given to him as his proceed of his above mentioned criminal activities, that he sold the cows in Kaduna State, all at the rate of N4,700,000.00, that’s the money he used in purchasing the Bajaj motorcycles and twelve cows, ten female, two male in Igboho Oyo State,” Adejobi stated.
He clarified that his involvement in cattle rustling began after he was a victim of such acts.
The individual further stated that he was apprehended upon returning home to indulge in the gains from his illicit activities.
He said, “I went to Oyo because there were too many problems in Kaduna. I had my cattle but they were rustled. I know cattle rustling is a crime but I did it because of what was done to me. After I made money, I stopped and went back to the village to spend my money.”
Seized Presidential Jets: Policemen Detained, Brutalised Our Top Officers – Chinese Firm, Zhongshan Alleges
Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited, the Chinese firm involved in a high-profile contract dispute with the Ogun State Government, has accused Nigerian authorities of unlawfully detaining and brutalising its top officials.
The firm claims that these incidents played a significant role in its decision to pursue the seizure of Nigerian assets overseas.
The controversy took a new turn on Thursday when news broke that a French court had ordered the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets.
The jets, including a Dassault Falcon 7X and a Boeing 737, were part of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, with one additional aircraft, an Airbus 330, purchased by Nigeria but not yet delivered.
The aircraft were seized following ex parte orders issued by the Judicial Court of Paris on March 7 and August 12, 2024.
Zhongshan initiated legal action after the Ogun State Government terminated its export processing zone management contract with the company.
An arbitral tribunal later awarded Zhongshan approximately $74.5 million in compensation, but the state government failed to comply with the ruling.
In response, Zhongshan sought enforcement through international legal channels, leading to the French court’s order to seize Nigeria’s assets.
In its statement of claim to the French court, Zhongshan detailed the alleged mistreatment of its management team in Nigeria.
The company claimed that the Ogun State Government, through the Nigerian police, assaulted, threatened, and unlawfully detained its personnel, including the Chief Financial Officer of Zhongfu Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of Zhongshan.
The company stated that these actions contributed to its decision to pursue international litigation.
Zhongshan also alleged that it suffered significant financial losses, estimated at $1.078 billion, due to the termination of the contract.
According to the company, the harsh treatment of its officials prevented it from engaging in meaningful settlement discussions with the Ogun State Government.
The company stated, “The draconian actions of the Nigerian authorities included the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (Taiwo Adeoluwa) directly threatening Zhongfu Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jianxin Han, to leave peacefully when there is an opportunity to do so, and avoid forceful removal, complications, and possible prosecution.
“As if this treatment were not appalling enough, the Nigerian authorities followed through on their threats of physical harm to the claimant’s management team in Nigeria. The police arrested the Chief Financial Officer of Zhongfu Nigeria, Mr Wenxiao Zhao, detained him without basis or explanation in terrible conditions, and physically beat him on two occasions before releasing him—without any charge—after a week in two jails.”
Recounting his ordeal in police custody, Zhao said, “One police officer in uniform came over to me and slapped me twice on the face. Then the police officers who brought me there took me to a room where they asked me to sign a piece of paper.
“They did not say or explain what this paper was or what it said. I refused to sign the piece of paper. The police officers then took my flip-flops and placed me in a courtyard with a number of cells surrounding it. It was dark and cold, and I was standing at the gate to one of the cells.
“Another prisoner came out of that cell and asked why I was taken. I did not speak. There were also some other people who had been brought to the courtyard, and the prisoner told us to stand side by side and asked whether we had money and why we were there. If someone had no money, he would slap them.
“Then the prisoner took me aside and asked me to speak. He said that if I did not speak, he would beat me with a club. Later, a second prisoner took me aside and told me not to be afraid. However, the first prisoner came back and threatened me with a club and asked me to speak, which I did not do.
“On what I think was the third day in the Abuja police station, a lot of people were brought into the office. The police officers moved me to another office. The police officer then approached me asking what happened. I did not respond, and he hit me twice, first on the neck and the second time on the head with a fist. It was painful, and I felt numb.
“Fearing for their safety, Zhongfu Nigeria’s management team was forced to leave Nigeria. Zhongfu Nigeria tried to take preventive legal steps in the Nigerian courts to preserve their rights, but the Ogun State Government, NEPZA, and the police orchestrated the complete evisceration of the claimant’s investment in Nigeria.”
The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, while speaking with Punch, said the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun knew nothing about the claims of the Chinese firm and could not respond to them.
Akinmade said, “The incident happened over three years before the present administration came on board. I can’t speak on something we know nothing about. We don’t know what happened at that time. But we will ensure our people are not shortchanged or defrauded through fraudulent judgment.”
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Office, Omolola Odutola, said the police were not involved in the matter.
She said, “It is not a police issue; we are not involved. It doesn’t have anything to do with us.”
I’m Unbothered Even If My Followers Drop To Zero Over Support For Tinubu – Seyi Law
Nigerian comedian, Oluwaseyitan Lawrence, popularly known as Seyi Law, has reiterated his support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Naija News reports that Seyi Law, during an interview with Punch, said despite being constantly trolled online, he is at peace with himself and unbothered about his followers dropping to zero over support for Tinubu.
He said, “Every entertainer needs people, but some people want to determine the lives of others and one must not give them that chance. I want to live the way I please, as long as I have not caused any harm to anyone. I am at peace, knowing that I support someone (President Bola Tinubu) who I believe can make the nation better. Even if my followers drop to zero, it doesn’t bother me.”
Speaking on his new position as the Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment and Tourism to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Seyi Law stated that he aims to drive the governor’s vision, which is to transform the entertainment and tourism sector of the state.
The comedian also insisted that he did not get the appointment due to his support for Tinubu, who belongs to the same All Progressives Congress (APC) as Aiyedatiwa.
He added, “I am only a vehicle for the governor to do that, and I am hoping to support the governor by providing ideas that are useful to the entertainment and tourism industry. We aim to bring in more private participation and leverage the proximity of the state along the coastal line to Lagos. We also want to revamp a lot of our tourist sites, and organise more events that will bring people to the state, among other initiatives.”
Fulham Coach Explains Why They Lost EPL Opener To Man United
Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, has argued that his team deserved to beat Manchester United in their Premier League opener on Thursday, August 16, as he blamed a lack of emotional control for the defeat.
Fulham started their 2024-2025 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford after putting up a brilliant display, especially in the first half of the encounter.
New Manchester United signing Joshua Zirkzee came from the bench and scored the match-winner for the Premier League giants in the 87th minute.
After the game, Fulham coach Marco Silva explained that his team made adjustments at half-time, improving performance in the second half.
He, however, expressed disappointment that they lost their composure in crucial moments, allowing Manchester United to score.
Silva said: “We started well and had good counter-attacks to score. We adjusted things at half-time and the second half was much better.
“We had good moments, two against one, we should have done better.
“The main thing for us was to keep the emotional control. When the game becomes open we should have kept the balance and kept compact. But in those moments, we lost emotional control, and that allowed them to score.
“The game was open and broken, we tried to rush our decisions. Many times we started to lose the ball too quickly. We let the game go too emotional and we didn’t want that.”
On the other hand, Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, explained why Jadon Sancho was not included in the squad to face Fulham.
Ten Hag emphasized the necessity for squad depth in a demanding season and clarified that Sancho was not fully fit due to an ear infection.
“First of all, we need squad depth. There will be a long season, and it will be survival of the fittest, but I can only put 20 players in the squad, and Jadon in the week had an ear infection. He was not 100 percent fit,” Ten Hag said.
Labour Party Rejects N2 Million Levy for Kaduna LG Polls
The Labour Party has strongly opposed the N2 million levy imposed by the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KAD-SIECOM) on chairmanship candidates for the upcoming local government elections. The commission also set a fee of N500,000 for councillorship candidates.
In response, the Labour Party has threatened legal action against KAD-SIECOM if the fees are not reduced to the original amounts of N200,000 for chairmanship candidates and N50,000 for councillorship candidates.
Speaking to the press at the party’s state office in Kaduna, LP Chairman Alhaji Awwal Tafoki expressed the party’s dissatisfaction with the new fees. He suggested that the higher fees could be an attempt to discourage opposition parties from participating in the elections.
“Labour Party rejects the fees for the forms. We cannot afford N2 million for Chairmen and N500,000 for Councilors. This is unacceptable, and we call on KAD-SIECOM to revert to the previous fees or face legal action,” Tafoki stated.
He also raised concerns that the ruling party might use the sudden fee increase to prevent other parties from contesting in the elections. Tafoki called on Governor Uba Sani to intervene and ensure that KAD-SIECOM does not appear complicit in such actions.
Tafoki further doubts about KAD-SIECOM’s ability to conduct free and fair elections, noting that the Labour Party only gives the commission the benefit of the doubt. He also urged the federal government to allow the national electoral body, INEC, to oversee local government elections nationwide.
FIFA Ranking: Super Falcons Maintains Lead in African Women's Football Despite Olympic Disappointment
Nigeria continues to lead African women’s football, according to the latest FIFA rankings released on Friday. The Super Falcons have retained their position as the top team in Africa and are ranked 36th globally.
This ranking comes despite a disappointing performance at the recent Women’s Summer Olympics in Paris. The Super Falcons failed to advance past the group stage, suffering three consecutive defeats.
Since March of this year, the Super Falcons have held their current position, despite dropping from 34th place in December 2023 to 36th.
In Africa, South Africa’s Bayana Bayana holds the second spot and is ranked 50th globally, up from their previous 51st position in June. Morocco ranks third in Africa and 59th in the world, while Zambia, which participated in the Paris 2024 Olympics, has moved up to 62nd globally and fourth in Africa. Ghana ranks out the top five African teams, though they are 66th worldwide.
The latest FIFA ranking of the top 10 female football teams globally includes the United States, England, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Korea DPR, and France.
The next FIFA Women’s World Ranking is set to be published on December 20, 2024.
N21m Jumbo Allowances: Our federal lawmakers should be prosecuted — Nigerians
Say, their allowances ‘re scandalous, unacceptable
They ‘re insensitive to the hardship in Nigeria
No positive impact of their laws on people’s living standard
Want their allowances cut down
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last Friday stirred fresh controversy concerning the outrageous take-home pay of our federal lawmakers when he chided them for fixing their own salaries and allowances which he described as immoral.
President Obasanjo made the accusation while receiving six members of the House of Representatives who are co-sponsors of bills on single term / rotational presidency led by Ugochinyere Ikenga representing Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo state.
At the meeting, Obasanjo said, “With all due respect, you’re not supposed to fix your salaries. But you decide what you pay yourself, the allowances that you give yourselves. You give yourselves all sorts of things, and you know it is not right.
It is immoral, yet you are doing it, the Senate is doing it, and you are beating your chests about it. In some cases, the executive gives you what you’re not entitled to. You all got N200 million each.”
The Senate in a statement last Sunday refuted the claims by Obasanjo stating that they were lies. Putting up a defence of the lawmakers however, Mohammed Shehu, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, the body responsible for fixing salaries and allowances of public servants, in a statement last Tuesday said that “each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06m as salary and allowances per month.”
A breakdown of their monthly earnings as prescribed by the Commission showed that each Senator collects a monthly salary and allowances of N1,063,860, consisting of a basic salary of N168,866:70; motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance, N126,650:00; and personal assistant, N42,216:66. Others include domestic staff,126,650:00; entertainment, N50,660:00; utilities, N50,660:00; newspapers/periodicals, N25,330:00; wardrobe, N42,216,66:00; house maintenance, N8,443.33:00; and constituency allowance, N422,166:66.
The Chairman of the Commission in the statement noted that “any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008 should be explained by the person who made the allegation”.
However, in a riposte to the claim by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission that senators are paid N1m as salary, serving senator, Sumaila Kawu, representing Kano South senatorial district on Wednesday disclosed a hitherto closely-guarded secret about the exact amount senators take home every month. Speaking on BBC Hausa Service, Senator Kawu said, his salary and allowances were about N1m and after deductions, it amounted to about N600,000 but his total take home package every month was N21m.
Recall that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt in the 8th Senate, Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central at the Senate had once publicly disclosed that each Senator then, collected a monthly running cost of N13.5m in addition to the monthly N750,000 prescribed by the commission which has now been reviewed upward.
Senator Kawu’s disclosure that each senator now earns N21m monthly has elicited sharp reactions from Nigerians who described it as scandalous in the midst of the country’s struggling economy and widespread poverty.
They decried a situation whereby 80% of the citizens cannot afford three square meals per day while a selected few are receiving humongous pay for doing next to nothing. Nigerians lamented that our representatives do not go into political office to serve Nigeria but to make money for themselves to the detriment of the general well being of the country.
They therefore want the relevant government agencies to prosecute members of the National Assembly for contravening the extant laws by fixing their own salaries and allowances.
Our lawmakers are there for themselves, not for the people — Abia monarch
Paramount traditional ruler of Abiriba ancient kingdom of Abia State, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Anachoken Abiriba), said that “Nigeria lawmakers are only after their personal welfare and not bothered about the needs of the masses.
It is regrettable that some of our public office holders had taken Nigeria as their personal estate where only making profits is all that matters to them. It is very sad. Nigerian youths should therefore keep asking questions and demanding that the right things be done for the good of all”.
Leaders should be thinking of how to fix the country — Archbishop Raphael Opoko
The Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia Ecclesiastical Diocese, Archbishop Raphael Opoko, said it called for concern if indeed senators go home with such a jumbo allowance every month especially at a time many Nigerians could not afford their daily meal.
According to him, “if it’s indeed true that a Senator collects a monthly allowance of N21 million, and minimum wage for workers is N70,000, then something is definitely wrong with the country.
Our hospitals are not working; the economy is collapsing. Leaders should be thinking of how to fix the country, and not how to collect jumbo allowances. This casts doubt on the quality of persons we have as leaders”.
Those fleecing the nation should be punished—Algoa Morris
Former chairman Civil Liberties Organisation, Bayelsa State, Algoa Morris, said: “Those who have been given the privilege to man public offices have turned such to their cocoa farms. Today Nigeria does not have a national carrier, after they milked and grounded the Nigerian Airways. The NNPCL too is wobbling.
Nigeria should do something about this fleecing of the nation by political office holders. Legislators can work on a part-time basis or their number can be reduced and allowances slashed drastically.
If these people in the National Assembly are patriotic, they should not even take N10m in the name of allowances. It is very sad, unfortunate and unacceptable.”
Our lawmakers are insensitive — Elder Joseph Ambakederimo
Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, Convener South South Reawakening Group said: “It is preposterous that the salary of public officers is being shrouded in secrecy. What are they hiding that is not an open secret already.
It is insensitive for a set of people to appropriate such humongous amount as allowances. These outrageous salaries and allowances drain our limited resources at a time when our finances are low. Therefore the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission should be bold and prosecute those who have gone out of their way to appropriate resources outside of the law to themselves.”
RMAFC are partners with National Assembly — Furoebi Akene
Furoebi Akene, chairman, Centre for Environmental Preservation and Development (CEPAD) said: “Nigeria is known to be notoriously and fantastically corrupt.
They assume every other person is a fool to believe them. They always say the Nigerian populace are toothless who can talk but cannot bite.
Can someone spend hundreds of millions of naira or even over a billion naira to contest elections just to go and earn a million naira a month for four years? The RMAFC cannot tell Nigerians the truth because they are partners in crime with the National Assembly and others”.
Our legislators should cut down their allowances — Mohammed Danlami
Speaker of Arewa Youth Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami said: “It is so sad today that our elected representatives have abused the trust we invested in them by their selfishness. It is quite disheartening to know that those we elected to represent us at the Senate and the House of Representatives and Houses of Assemblies across states, now represent only themselves and their families.
Our Senators and Rep Members should as a matter of urgency, show some solidarity by cutting down their bogus allowances so as to free funds for other human capital projects that can better the lives of the people they represent.
Compromises, corruption responsible for lawmakers’ recklessness — MBF
The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, blamed a governance system that thrives on compromises and corruption for the humongous allowances Nigerian lawmakers take home in relation to their performances and commitment to duty. The National President of the MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus who spoke on the issue in Makurdi, said, “nobody is ready to serve Nigeria, people look for offices just to make money and this is really unfortunate.
The problem we have is that we have a governance system that has only survived on compromises, corruption and bribery. The executive allows the legislators to do whatever they like, appropriating money for themselves because of the fear that the executive has for the legislature.
The Revenue Mobilization Commission is supposed to fix salaries, but the lawmakers ignore it and do whatever they feel like and nobody in the executive can do anything about it because the executive wants to survive and to survive it must allow the lawmakers to have their way.
The only way to tackle this problem is for us to go back to the parliamentary system where the Prime Minister is also a member of Parliament who doesn’t have to bribe his colleagues to allow him to be a Prime Minister or to do his job. Also, legislation doesn’t have to be a permanent job”.
The allowances are scandalous, they should be scrapped — Tope Temokun
Tope Temokun, human right activist and lawyer, said that “All the explosive allowances for public office holders and lawmakers should be scrapped. The first sincerity test for the government is to cut the running cost of governance.
Corruption won’t go as far as public office holders see public offices as business. The allowances of political office holders drain the country of blood and oxygen for survival. Politicians break the banks to bankroll elections because they see politics as business. The first thing to do is to cut the earnings of political office holders to make it more of selfless service than business.
The citizens groan under the yoke of hunger because the country’s resources are used to subsidize the extravagant lifestyle of those in government through fraudulent allowances being paid to both elected and appointed public office holders. The allowances are scandalous, they should be scrapped. It’s not just the allowances that eat deep into our Commonwealth, but the luxuries of elected public office holders that we fund.
RMAFC acting criminally in defiance of court orders – Ogwuche
A Constitutional Lawyer, Chief Festus Ogwuche, submitted that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMFAC, should be blamed for the confusion in the remuneration of the federal lawmakers, by acting in defiance of 2021 court order.
According to Ogwuche, “there is a subsisting judgment of a Federal High Court, Lagos division presided by Obiozor J in 2021 which compelled the RMAFC to regularly review downward the salaries and allowances of the legislators and bring it in conformity with the economic realities of the day.
That order of court only re-echoed the Constitutional provisions alongside the Commission’s mandate under its establishment. Justice Obiozor had rightly stated in the judgment that given the level of extreme poverty ravaging the land, the failure of the Commission to review the salaries and allowances of the legislators is a gross violation of the Constitution.
As at the date of the judgment, the commission had failed to make any such review for more than ten years. Even upon that well thought out decision, the Commission remained indifferent to the clear orders of the court.
That’s where the crux of the matter lies. Having failed to abide by the decision of the court in the direction of the downward review of the emoluments we now have a situation where the total take home package for the average lawmaker could get to as high as N21m monthly aside the N1m salary”.
We’re tired of a system that prioritizes wealth over welfare — Abiodun Bamgboye
The Acting National Chairman of the Socialist Party of Nigeria, Abiodun Bamgboye said , “It is a grave injustice for lawmakers to thrive in luxury while the majority of Nigerians struggle to survive.
A government that fails to address the needs of its people is a government that has lost its way. We demand accountability now! Reform is not just necessary, it is imperative. We need a legislative system that reflects the values and struggles of the people.
The growing outrage among Nigerians is a powerful signal. The people are tired of a system that prioritizes wealth over welfare.”
Lawmakers’ allowances not in the best interest of Nigerian workers —Lanre Ogunsuyi
Public analyst, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, described the bloated remuneration of lawmakers in the National Assembly as the height of insensitivity to the plights of Nigerians. Ogunsuyi, said that the ‘bloated salary’ is a shame to the nation, as it is not in the best interest of Nigerian workers.
According to him, “it is a shame of a nation for a group of national workers employed by Nigerians to fix their salaries and allowances in contravention of extant laws which mandated the relevant body to fix. These allowances and benefits are not inclusive of other perks like free medical care, housing, and security details. Their total package should be reviewed to reflect the country’s economic realities”.
Similarly, another public affairs analyst, Mr Debo Ajayi stressed the need for lawmakers to carry their constituents along by interfacing with them through regular communication.
He said, “it’s the height of insensitivity for our leaders not to carry the people along in their legislative duties. The citizens are not foreigners, they are their brothers and sisters. When leaders don’t carry their people along, they are telling them that they don’t care”.
Lawmakers’ allowances not commensurate with their performances — Moruff Balogun
Former Vice Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ijebu Ode branch, Moruff Balogun, said,”The allowances of the lawmakers cannot be matched with their performances. The Nigerian leaders must lead by example for meaningful developments to happen in Nigeria.
They must match their words with actions, and stop throwing dust into the peoples’ eyes. They cannot be living extravagantly and expect those who are led to fold their arms without raising an eyebrow. After the just conducted nationwide protest against hunger, one would expect the leaders to urgently find lasting solutions to the problems associated with the theme of the protest.
No amount of rules and regulations coupled with sanctions can calm a hungry man. It is high time we started the advocacy for the unicameral legislature. The cost of governance is too high, the Constitution should be amended to create room for a unicameral system. The crowd in the National Assembly is not needed”.
Elder Statesman and former Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani said: “Why should our lawmakers earn jumbo pay whereas the laws which they make have never helped the nation socioeconomically, and they are going through hunger and hardship.
Public servants’ salaries, allowances shouldn’t be shrouded in secrecy — Ogunbiyi Olajunwo
Legal practitioner and social justice advocate, Ogunbiyi Olajunwo contended that, “Salaries and allowances of public servants should not be shrouded in secrecy.
The RMAFC needs to be more transparent and come clean to the public. It is unfortunate for our senators to be earning N21m in a month in a country where over 80% of the citizens cannot afford three square meals per day. We, the citizens, need to rise up and demand the truth from RMAFC.”
The real pain is what is looted beyond official entitlements — Zik Gbemre
Zik Gbemre, Coordinator, Niger Delta Peace Coalition, said “the most critical factor inducing the extreme hardship in the country is the greater chunk of the commonwealth that these lawmakers steal through corrupt budget padding, underground and ghost contracts from government and her juicy agencies and departments, car acquisitions and numerous channels for looting that have grounded the country. Reducing the lawmakers’ official financial entitlement won’t change anything meaningful.
There is so much being looted to corruption beyond bogus salaries. And this is not just about lawmakers in the National Assembly. It cuts across the spectrum of government at all tiers.
There is a need to overhaul every sector and make the government functional. There is no functional system in Nigeria, the entire system has collapsed. Until we have radical leaders with zero tolerance for corruption, nepotism and tribalism, Nigeria will continue to decline and poverty and unemployment will remain unrestrained.”
They are just sharing the national cake among themselves — Emmanuel Kuejubola
A public affairs commentator, Mr Emmanuel Kuejubola said: “It is so unfortunate that the persons we elected to represent us have decided to corner our resources for themselves. The N1 million pay is their salary and that is what is taxable while the remaining N20m is not taxable. Apart from this, there are also the constituency projects.
They are just sharing the national cake among themselves. The National Assembly is an opportunity for some people to make money for themselves. When you pay such huge amounts of money to some persons in an economy that is not productive, it will surely have a negative impact on the country”.
Our legislators should be paid based on the minimum wage — Ogidi
The president of theNetwork of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (NOCSON), Comrade Emmanuel Ogidi described our Senators and members of the House of Representatives as anti-people and advocated that they should be paid based on the national minimum wage.
According to him, “these legislators are defrauding the people in a country where the minimum wage cannot buy a bag of rice, where citizens cannot access good medical facilities and where the children of the poor cannot afford basic and proper education, as our higher institutions are now for the children of the rich. Many of the legislators we have today, enjoyed free education during their time owing to good leadership and the resources of this country.
All the money voted for our Senators and members of the House of Representatives which are tagged constituency allowances should be made available for our local governments that engage in grassroot projects. It is not those who are making laws that should be building roads, sinking boreholes or engage in empowerment”.
Nigerians need to know the truth — Chief Oladipo Oyewole
Chief Oladipo Oyewole, Secretary General of the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE,, said, “we believe that this is the moment of truth when our leaders must come clean for us to know the exact situation particularly as the youths are restive and tirelessly asking for reduction in the cost of governance. It is expedient for Nigerians to be told the truth if only to save us any national embarrassment”.
Politicians who breach the laws of RMAFC should be penalized — Adeola Fehintola
An Ibadan based legal practitioner, Mr Adeola Fehintola, said, “it is the height of arbitrariness and reckless lawlessness in a constitutional democracy for parliamentarians to breach the laws they enacted for the people through the 1999 constitution as amended,y.
Excesses like this have drained the purse of the commonwealth and turned our lawmakers to demigods as they are now richer than the state. What they embark on are laws that suit their elitist cravings and luxuries at the expense of the majority of Nigerians who wallow in penury and abject impoverishment.
There is an institution that is given the mandate to determine what should be salaries and allowances of our lawmakers and amendments should be made to check uncontrolled and abuse of awards of what constitutes salaries, allowance and severance allowance by our lawmakers and executive officers as provided by the law.
Now, to evaluate the relationship between the quality and functionality of the representation of these lawmakers can be seen in the fruits of dividends of their laws and oversight functions that have not had positive impacts on the quality of standard of living and state of infrastructure in the country.
It is imperative to make the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission penalize politicians who breach its laws using the anti corruption agencies and Code of Conduct Tribunal.”
Lawmakers’ offices should be identified for micro protest — Esele
Former President of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Peter Esele said, “lawmakers’ allowances have been increasing right from the time of Obasanjo as President.
People merely have an increased appetite for aggrandizement. This is not just happening in the National Assembly alone. It is there in the executive and other institutions, it has become a way of life.
As a people, we have to identify the offices of our lawmakers and vent our anger by way of micro-zoning our protest in their offices. That way, we won’t disturb the peace of the society.
There must be respect for our value system and the law. Nigerians must hold the leadership of the National Assembly accountable for what they are earning which does not have a commensurate positive impact on the citizens and the media must stay on this development until the NASS does something about it”.
Role of RMAFC needs re-evaluation — Suleiman Abdul-Azeez
Spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Suleiman Abdul-Azeez, said, “the fiscal irresponsibility and opacity surrounding the fixing of these allowances are indicative of corruption and misapplication of national resources that could be better utilized for public welfare.
The role of the RMAFC in regulating legislative compensation also needs a re-evaluation to ensure transparency, accountability, and genuine public service.”
Seized aircraft: FG working to resolve dispute with Chinese firm - Minister
Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign affairs, says the federal government is working to resolve its dispute with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment, a Chinese firm.
A French court recently ordered the seizure of three presidential jets belonging to Nigeria over a contract dispute between the Chinese firm and Ogun state government.
The court ruled that the firm should use Nigeria’s jets at the Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse international airports as “security for its claim of EUR 74,459,221”.
A US appeal court also ruled that Nigeria’s claim to sovereign immunity cannot stand in a commercial venture.
The court rejected Nigeria’s sovereign immunity defence to the enforcement of a $70 million investment treaty award won by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd. in a free trade zone.
The Chinese company said it would release one of Nigeria’s seized presidential jets.
Speaking with reporters in Malabo, the capital city of Equatorial Guinea, on Friday, Tuggar said he and Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, are on top of the situation.
“This is part of the problem when sub-national actors like state governments take it upon themselves to go into agreements, go into international arrangements, without recourse to the ministry of foreign affairs, without recourse to the federal government, and then when it goes awry, we are left with the problem to deal with,” he said.
“That is why it is always important that such arrangements should be registered with the mission there, with the embassy, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the federal government.
“This is something that Ogun state, under a different administration, not this governor, entered into that we’re not aware of. All we know is that they’re going after Nigerian assets.
“That’s why, really, foreign or international negotiations are not the purview of sub-national actors.
“You should always have those that are experienced in such an area that have the necessary skills and the necessary training to negotiate these sorts of agreements.”
The minister said updates would be provided on the matter.
EFCC Fumes Over Trend Of Repackaging, Rebranding And Resale Of Govt Palliatives
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has strongly berated the trend of the repackaging, rebranding, and resale of government palliatives meant for the general populace.
Olukoyede pointed out that such actions compromise the government’s initiatives aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by vulnerable groups.
Naija News reports that the EFCC chairman made these comments during a meeting with Olatunji Bello, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, in Abuja.
In a statement released on Friday, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, conveyed that Olukoyede called upon the FCCPC to collaborate with the EFCC by sharing intelligence to improve operational effectiveness.
The EFCC Chairman acknowledged that the FCCPC had uncovered various issues concerning the misappropriation of palliatives and stressed that a partnership with the anti-graft agency would be instrumental in preventing such misconduct.
Olukoyede said, “Sometimes when the government releases palliatives, they do not reach the intended recipients.
“Instead, some individuals repackage, rebrand, and sell them. There are all sorts of shenanigans in our systems. It is, therefore, crucial that you share your intelligence with us to support your compliance or surveillance departments and overall operations.
“When you have such intelligence, please do not hesitate to inform us. You have been effective in identifying these issues, but sanctions are also necessary.
“The only thing that deters people is sanctions. We are committed to strengthening our collaboration and taking it to new heights to ensure that people feel the impact of your work.”
In his remark, Bello disclosed that the purpose of his visit was to seek greater collaboration with the EFCC to improve the delivery of the FCCPC’s mandate.
He said, “We believe in a collaborative effort. We need to leverage the strengths of your work, particularly in areas related to surveillance and investigation involving consumers. Our duty is to protect the interests of consumers in Nigeria.”
‘I Made Obaseki Governor, He Was Not A Politician, ’ – Shaibu Boasts
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has berated Governor Godwin Obaseki for failing to recognise the court judgment on his reinstatement to office.
Naija News recalls that the duo have been at loggerheads over issues regarding the governorship election in the state.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Shaibu said he was asked to be Obaseki’s deputy to add political value to the party’s ticket because the Governor was not a politician.
Shaibu also stated that it took former governor, Adams Oshiomhole, three months to convince him to support Obaseki to become governor.
He said, “Obaseki was not a politician, even financially, Obaseki was not financially strong to even contest the election. Oshiomhole brought him and when Oshiomhole brought him, some of us argued that he could not be him. It took Oshiomhole three months to convince me and some of our supporters to support Obaseki.
“And when we decided because of the respect for Oshiomhole to support him, he did not bring money – we brought our resources and our friends to bring money and we brought our political capital to make him governor. So, when you are talking about deputy governors and governors, he is not the one that made me, I made him.”