Nelson Ugwuagbo

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has said that the appointments of new permanent secretaries in the state were done fairly and without any political undertone.

Speaking while swearing in 21 new permanent secretaries and 14 special advisers, Governor Yusuf said on Tuesday that the choice of the new appointees was done after careful consideration.

Addressing them, he said: “We selected the best in competence, experience, dedication to duty, and proven fear of God. That is why we are expecting you to perform to the optimal high point for a better Kano.

“You should consider your appointment a valued one that is desirable in the new dispensation of the NNPP, and as such, you should maintain decorum and professionalism in your duties.”

He assured that his government is ushering in a new era of renewed commitment to making Kano a state of hope and development, adding that the appointed permanent secretaries would help him in that direction.

He also reminded them that his government has zero tolerance for incompetence and abuse of office, and as such, they should dedicate themselves to the service of humanity and the state.

“Although I know that, as humans, you are bound to make mistakes, you have to be extra careful with the oath you have taken.

“Politics should not be a yardstick for carrying out your duties. You should be free and do away with hypocrisy and gossiping; if you accurately discharge your duties, the sky would be your limit in life,” Governor Yusuf advised the appointees.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has officially scheduled the bye-election for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in Taraba State on February 3, 2024.

The bye-election as noticed by Leading Reporters, is necessitated by the passing away of the elected member for the constituency shortly after the 2023 general election Isma’ila Yushau Maihanci.

At the time of filing this report, six, out of the eight aspirants jostling for the position from the various political parties are from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Although the leadership of INEC in the state were not available at the time of filing this report to speak on the level of preparation, some staff of the commission who confided in the reporter said preparation is on top gear.

The staff who said they are waiting for the parties to conduct their primaries said they would provide a level playground for the candidates that eventually emerge from the primaries.

Urging the parties to conduct free, fair and credible primaries, the commission, according to our sources from INEC, will not condone any political parties that violate the electoral law.

“As far as we are concerned, we are going to create a level playground for all the candidates and their political parties.

”It is our prayers and hopes that they will also reciprocate by following the rules of the game as laid down by the commission so that no candidate will be disqualified from participating in the forthcoming bye-election.” The commission’s staff stated.

Some of the aspirants, especially those from the PDP who bared their minds to our reporter, urged the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas and the party’s leadership to allow the people of the constituency to make their choice of candidacy.

He asked the leadership of the state not to interfere in the primary and that anointing a particular candidate would be inimical to the growth of the party.

The party, through its spokesperson, Andetarang Iramae assured the aspirants of the party’s readiness to conduct a free and transparent primary for all of them

A motor accident involving a truck and an 18-passenger bus along the Jebba-Ilorin Expressway in Kwara State on Tuesday resulted in the loss of 11 lives.

Leading Reporters gathered that seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries from the accident, which occurred around 4:50 am.

The accident happened when the passenger bus, originating from Gombe, attempted to overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with a truck travelling in the opposite direction on the road.

Sources confirmed to news correspondant that those injured in the crash have been taken to Ife Oluwa Hospital in Bode-Saadu, the headquarters of Moro local government area in the state, for medical treatment.

Basambo Busari, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Kwara State Command, confirmed the incident and the casualty figures in a statement on Tuesday.

He stated, “On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, a fatal road traffic crash involving two vehicles, a DAF Truck, and a Toyota Hiace Bus occurred at Aiyere along the Bode-Saadu-Ilorin route. The crash happened around 4:50 am due to wrongful overtaking and speed violation.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Toyota Hiace bus, travelling from Gombe to Lagos, wrongfully overtake another vehicle, resulting in a head-on collision with an oncoming DAF Truck.

“A total of 18 people were involved, tragically resulting in 11 fatalities, while the remaining 7 individuals sustained varying degrees of injury. They have been rescued and taken to Ifeoluwa Hospital Bode-Saadu, where they are currently undergoing treatment.”

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Safiyanu Isa-Andaha, Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area of the state, by gunmen.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lafia.

The police spokesperson said they got information that the chairman and one other person were abducted around 8:30 pm in Ningo village of Akwanga LGA.

He also said Umar Nadada, Commissioner of Police in the state, had mobilised personnel to go after the hoodlums and rescue the chairman and one other person who were kidnapped unhurt.

“The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are currently on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure the release of the council chairman and the other victim,” he said.

Nansel, therefore, urged members of the public, especially people from villages in the area, to provide the police with useful information that would lead to the rescue of those abducted and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Mr Haruna Kassimu, Special Adviser (SA) to Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and close associates of the LG boss, also confirmed the incident.

The SA said the LG boss and one Adamu Custom were kidnapped at Ningo village of Akwanga around 8:30 pm on Monday.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State yesterday  granted pardon to 12 inmates in Correctional Centre in the state, as part of the New Year celebrations.

The release of the inmates was based on the recommendation of the Benue State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy headed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Fidelis Mnyim.

The action of the governor was in line with the powers granted him by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He explained that the aim was to decongest the facility housing 525 of  those convicted and awaiting trials.

The governor directed the Commissioner, Mr Fidelis Mnyim to increase the number of members of the advisory council, to hasten processes for effective administration of Justice.

While admonishing the released inmates to be of good behaviour as they step out of prison to integrate with the society, the governor charged them to make use of the skills acquired while in custody to better their lives.

“Give your society the very best. And as for the gentleman whose dismissal has been converted to termination of appointment, don’t take any elements of life for granted. Demonstrate your newness into your society,” he said.

Alia added that the act of mercy was premised on his administration’s desire to offer the best to people of the state even as he worried that most of the inmates were quite young persons who ordinarily shouldn’t be anywhere near the prison.

“I will make provision for better welfare for you here but this shouldn’t be home for you, I am quite shocked to see the faces of many young people here where there are a total of 525 inmates including 25 females – one with a baby, others who came in with pregnancy,” the governor said.

Earlier, the Commissioner, Mnyim intimated the governor that the 8-man committee did a thorough scrutiny of the inmates before making the recommendation.

He pledged to do his best in changing the narrative in the judicial system of the state.

Mnyim further disclosed that the released inmates were from Makurdi, Otukpo and Gboko correctional facilities.

The State Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Mrs. Mary Oche acknowledged the efforts of the government in ensuring that the inmates do not stay in the Correctional centre more than necessary.

She stated that the governor has graciously given transportation fares to the inmates to get to their respective destinations and enjoy the New Year with their loved ones.

President Bola Tinubu has once again assured Nigerians that the economic hardships occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy will soon be over.

Tinubu noted that every one of his steps and decisions taken since his assumption of office on May 29 have been in the interest of the country.

Leading Reporters gathered that the President, during his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, shortly after he was sworn in as the 16th President of Nigeria, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, saying “Subsidy is gone.”

Justifying his decision, he maintained that the fuel subsidy had to end because the country could not maintain it.

He added that the trillions of naira spent yearly to sustain the subsidy were meant to better the healthcare and transportation sector, schools, housing, and national security, among others.

However, Nigerians bemoaned the effect of the removal of the subsidy as food prices and the cost of living skyrocketed.

But to relieve and ease the burden on the citizens, the President assured citizens that the framework for palliatives to remedy the effects of fuel subsidy removal was being worked out, noting that the decision was in the best interest of the country, especially in guaranteeing future prosperity.

While acknowledging the hardships presently faced by the citizens, Tunubu, in his 63rd Independence Day Anniversary speech, urged Nigerians to endure the present difficult times as it is needed for a better future.

In his New Year message on Monday, the President urged the citizens to remain unbowed as tough times never last.

He said, “Though the past year was a very challenging one, it was eventful in so many ways. For our country, it was a transition year that saw a peaceful, orderly and successful transfer of power from one administration to another, marking yet another remarkable step in our 24 years of unbroken democracy.

“Everything I have done in the office, every decision I have taken and every trip I have undertaken outside the shores of our land, since I assumed office on 29 May 2023, has been done in the best interest of our country.

“Over the past seven months of our administration, I have taken some difficult and yet necessary decisions to save our country from fiscal catastrophe. One of those decisions was the removal of fuel subsidy which had become an unsustainable financial burden on our country for more than four decades.

“Another was the removal of the chokehold of a few people on our foreign exchange system that benefited only the rich and the most powerful among us. Without a doubt, these two decisions brought some discomfort to individuals, families and businesses.

“I am well aware that for some time now the conversations and debates have centred on the rising cost of living, high inflation which is now above 28% and the unacceptable high under-employment rate.

“From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families.

“I am not oblivious to the expressed and sometimes unexpressed frustrations of my fellow citizens. I know for a fact that some of our compatriots are even asking if this is how our administration wants to renew their hope.

“Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energise and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria. Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and every one of us will commit to being better citizens.”

Tinubu disclosed that for seven months now, there have been ongoing measures to revive the economy, noting that it only needs to be accelerated to be delivered across the nation for relief.

On power supply, he added that during COP28 in Dubai, he and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, reached an agreement to hasten the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project which will ensure constant supply to homes and businesses.

“Having laid the groundwork of our economic recovery plans within the last seven months of 2023, we are now poised to accelerate the pace of our service delivery across sectors.

“Just this past December during COP28 in Dubai, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and I agreed and committed to a new deal to speed up the delivery of the Siemens Energy power project that will ultimately deliver a reliable supply of electricity to our homes and businesses under the Presidential Power Initiative which began in 2018.

“Other power installation projects to strengthen the reliability of our transmission lines and optimise the integrity of our National grid are ongoing across the country.

“My administration recognises that no meaningful economic transformation can happen without a steady electricity supply. In 2024, we are moving a step further in our quest to restart local refining of petroleum products with Port Harcourt Refinery, and the Dangote Refinery which shall fully come on stream.”

To ensure constant food supply, security and affordability, he said, “We will step up our plan to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmlands across the country to grow maize, rice, wheat, millet and other staple crops. We launched dry season farming with 120,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State last November under our National Wheat Development Programme.

“In this new year, we will race against time to ensure all the fiscal and tax policies reforms we need to put in place are codified and simplified to ensure the business environment does not destroy value. On every foreign trip I have embarked on, my message to investors and other business people has been the same. Nigeria is ready and open for business.

“I will fight every obstacle that impedes business competitiveness in Nigeria and I will not hesitate to remove any clog hindering our path to making Nigeria a destination of choice for local and foreign investments.

“In my 2024 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, I listed my administration’s 8 priority areas to include national defence and internal security, job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction and social security. Because we take our development agenda very seriously, our 2024 budget reflects the premium we placed on achieving our governance objectives.

“We will work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of their government. The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected. It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this new year. It is not only good economics to do this, it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.”

Orba Market, located at Orba community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, was gutted by fire on New Year’s eve.

The affected area, according to a resident Chigbo Odegba, are stores where foams, gallons, drinks, provisions and other materials are being sold.

“It started around midnight,” says Chinyere Eze, a resident. “Millions of naira lost. It is a pity because the shop owners were not around. All the goods in the affected shops were destroyed. It is a sad New Year for us. The incident occurred along Obollo road.”

The Chief Fire Officer of the state, Engr Daniel Ohaa, confirmed the incident. He said the state Fire Service operatives deployed two trucks that quenched the fire.

He said, “It was a midnight fire incident. We got the information, and our office in Udenu responded swiftly, and extinguished the fire from destroying more property. Much was destroyed, and much saved.

“It’s fortunate that we have an office close to Orba. It was significant for the rescue operations. We thank residents that contacted us, and I commend our operatives that responded swiftly.”

Property worth N34.6m was on Saturday destroyed by a fire outbreak in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The incident which involved a diesel-carrying tanker occurred at Magaji Aare quarters, Idi- Ape area of Ilorin metropolis.

Leading Reporters gathered that the valve of the tanker carrying 22,000 litres of diesel had opened, causing diesel to gush out forcefully and consequently ignited fire.

The spokesman of Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle confirmed the incident in a statement.

He said: “On December 30, 2023, at approximately 10:47 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly responded to a fire emergency at Magaji Aare quarters, Ajegunle, in the Idi-Ape area of Ilorin East local government. The firefighters, equipped with their fire appliances, arrived promptly to face a blazing diesel tanker containing 22,000 litres and with registration number MUS 916 YF.
“The situation escalated as the tanker’s valve opened, causing diesel to gush out forcefully. Undeterred, the firemen, demonstrating their exceptional firefighting skills, called for additional support, and another fire appliance quickly joined the effort. After a relentless hour of collective effort, the dedicated team successfully extinguished the raging fire.

“Upon investigation, the tanker driver revealed to the Fire Service media team that the fire originated from the pumping machine used to syphon diesel for the ‘Collo site’ mast, which serves all networks.

“The community’s cooperation played a crucial role in enabling the firemen to work efficiently and effectively in overcoming the challenging situation. Unfortunately, the ensuing fire resulted in damage to two shops and a football viewing centre.

“Total estimated property saved is N145.2m and total estimated property lost is N34.6m.”

The Senate increased the budget from N27.5 trillion presented by President Bola Tinubu in November to N28. 7 trillion.

The Senate on Saturday passed the 2024 budget with an increase of about N1.2 trillion.

It increased the budget from N27.5 trillion presented by President Bola Tinubu in November to N28. 7 trillion.

The upper legislative chamber also pegged the benchmark of oil price at $77.96 per barrel of crude oil to reflect the current market values of the product in the international market.

The federal lawmakers approved the oil production rate of 1.78 million barrels per day and the exchange rate of N800 to a US dollar.

The GDP growth rate was pegged at 3.88 per cent and the budget deficit was approved at N9.18 trillion.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the budget after the majority of the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote.

The budget was passed after considering a report presented by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West).

Mr Olamilekan, while presenting the report, recommended that N1.7 trillion be approved for Statutory Transfers and N8 2 trillion be approved for Debt service.

The committee chairman also recommended that N8.7 trillion be approved as recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N9.9 trillion be approved as capital expenditure.

The lawmaker explained that the increase in the appropriation was as a result of a request for additional funding of items which were not listed in the Appropriation Bill as submitted by President Tinubu.

He said the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation observed inadequate funding in the budgetary allocation of some Ministeries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government

Breakdown

The breakdown of budget as approved by the Senate is as follows;

Aggregate Expenditure -N28,777,404,073,861

Statutory Transfers -N1,742,786,788,150

Recurrent Expenditure – N8,768,513,380,852

Capital Expenditure – N9,995,143,298,028

GDP – 3.88 %

After presenting the report, the Senate dissolved into the Committee of Supply, which considered and passed the budget

Goods and other properties valued at about N70 million were destroyed in a fire incident at No. 2C, Aba road, opposite Penco Plaza in Umuahia, Abia State, on Thursday night.

Several mails containing international passports were also burnt during the inferno.

Although the cause of the fire outbreak was not established at the time of the incident, some sympathizers said preliminary investigations pointed at a spark from a faulty electrical wall socket in one of the shops upstairs.

One of the victims, Rev Temple Uzodinma, said he received a distress phone call at about 7pm on Thursday from someone telling him that the buildings were on fire.

Uzodinma, who said he immediately contacted the men of Abia State Fire Service, added that the fire had spread to other shops and other corporate offices before the arrival of the fire fighters.

He said the firefighters were able to control the inferno from gutting more shops.

He cried out that the incident was a devastating blow to the victims, while appealing to the Abia State Government and other able individuals to come to their aid.

Among the property destroyed were cash, electronic appliances, sewing machines, rolls of clothes, international mails etc.

An employee of United Parcel Service, UPS, identified as Wisdom, told news correspondents that parcels of mails containing international passports and other important documents were destroyed in his office, lamenting that the situation may affect travel plans of the owners of the burnt mails.

The Federal Fire Service and Abia State Ministry of Environment had been running campaigns warning Abia residents on dangers of fire disaster.