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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to extend the period for the implementation of the capital component of the 2023 appropriation bill from March 31, 2024, to June 30, 2024.

In a letter read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, said the president also asked the House to extend the implementation of the supplementary appropriation act from March 31, 2024, to June 30, 2024.

He said the extension became necessary to ensure that the provisions of the two acts were fully implemented.

Details shortly…

The Nigeria Air Force, NAF, has announced the successful destruction of an arms storage facility belonging to one of the most wanted terrorists operating in Niger State.

The operation was carried out by military operatives as part of Operation WHIRL PUNCH, aimed at rooting out terrorists in the Northwest and North Central regions of Nigeria.

Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, spokesperson for the Airforce, disclosed in a statement, informing that credible intelligence led to the discovery of the terrorists’ storage facility.

He stated, “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft under Operation WHIRL PUNCH (OPWP) has continued to decimate terrorists and their logistics, especially in the Northwest and North Central regions of Nigeria.

“One such success was recorded on March 15, 2024, when strikes by NAF aircraft successfully targeted and destroyed terrorists’ logistics storage situated in Palele near Shiroro in Niger State,” Gabkwet stated.

According to Gabkwet, authorisation was obtained before the operatives struck at the target, and a secondary explosion confirmed the destruction of the arms and ammunition.

“The operation, which was executed with speed and precision, resulted in significant damage to the target area, including a secondary explosion confirming the destruction of arms and ammunition.

“The weapons are believed to be affiliated to a particular terrorist’s kingpin who is on the most wanted list of terrorists,” he stated.

Another controversy is brewing in the presidency as a letter addressed to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, by the Chairman of the Special Investigative Committee, Jim Obazee, has surfaced.

In the letter dated December 22, 2023, Obazee requested over N2 billion for surveillance, vetting, security, addressing black spots, monitoring hotels, and acquiring vehicles.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Obazee, a former chief executive officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, in July 2023 as the special investigator to investigate the CBN and related entities.

Obazee, who was fired by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, investigated the CBN under the tenure of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

In his appointment letter dated July 28, 2023, President Tinubu said Obazee would also work on a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments.

Part of his job schedule is to strengthen key Government Business Entities (GBEs), block leakages in CBN and related GBEs and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments.

Meanwhile, Obazee’s letter to Cardoso reads in part: “Please refer to our meeting with Mr President (with the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice in attendance) on December 20 2023, wherein Mr President directed that I forward my invoice, so far, to you on the ongoing investigation that I am leading.”

Obazee asked for N750,000,000 for “information sourcing, facts finding, synthesis and vetting.”

The Special Investigator asked for N800,000,000 for “surveillance, black sites, private security and prying eyes.”

For “logistics, outstation and team funding,” Obazee demanded N550,000,000.

He also demanded N35,000,000 for “consumables, etc”. The total amount of money requested by the Special Investigator was N2,135,000,000, to be paid into a Premium Trust account number – 0010080287.

Concerned CBN officials shared a copy of the letter with SaharaReporters and questioned the rationale behind the request when the apex bank had already provided for such activities.

One official said, “The duplication of efforts raises concerns about potential redundancy and misallocation of resources.”

“Moreover, there is uncertainty regarding Jim Obazee’s authority to conduct surveillance and investigations, particularly if he needs the credentials of a spy or professional investigator.

“The lack of clarity on the approval process for these tasks and fund allocation is already causing confusion, raising questions about who authorized these activities and why.”

Paradigm Initiative (PI) has demanded immediate action from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to respond to severe privacy breach involving unauthorised access to citizens’ data via XpressVerify.com.

Paradigm initiative in a statement made available to Leading Reporters on Wednesday stated that the breach violates both the National Data Protection Act (NDPA) and citizens’ constitutional right to privacy, is a flagrant disregard for the law and a betrayal of public trust.

Paradigm Initiative emphasizes the urgency of NIMC and Nigerian data protection commission’s (NDPC’s) intervention to address this egregious violation of citizens’ privacy rights adding that NDPC must swiftly investigate this matter, holding accountable all parties involved in compromising the security of the National Identity Database.

“Every Nigerian has the right to trust that their personal information is secure and protected. We further demand NIMC outlines steps to rectify this breach and prevent future occurrences.”

They thereby urge NDPC to act decisively in upholding the principles of data protection and safeguarding citizens’ privacy rights as enshrined in the NDPA and the constitution.

Press Release: Paradigm Initiative Demands Urgent Response from NIMC Regarding Privacy Breach

Paradigm Initiative demands immediate action from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in response to a severe privacy breach involving unauthorised access to citizens’ data via XpressVerify.com.

The breach violates both the National Data Protection Act (NDPA) and citizens’ constitutional right to privacy, is a flagrant disregard for the law and a betrayal of public trust.

Paradigm Initiative emphasizes the urgency of NIMC and Nigerian data protection commission’s (NDPC’s) intervention to address this egregious violation of citizens’ privacy rights. The NDPC must swiftly investigate this matter, holding accountable all parties involved in compromising the security of the National Identity Database.

Every Nigerian has the right to trust that their personal information is secure and protected. We further demand NIMC outlines steps to rectify this breach and prevent future occurrences.

We urge NDPC to act decisively in upholding the principles of data protection and safeguarding citizens’ privacy rights as enshrined in the NDPA and the constitution.

All these demands are outlined in the freedom of information request sent by Paradigm Initiative and we remain committed to collaborating with all involved agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure the privacy rights of all are protected.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday stormed the secretariat of the Labour Party to protest the party’s national convention planned for end of this month.
The Congress also demanded sack of the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure.

The NLC leadership accused Abure of planning to hold a “secret” convention without the inputs of major stakeholders.

Thr planned convention has pitched Abure against the NLC and the House of Representatives caucus.

The workers accused Abure of planning to destroy the Labour Party.

The protesting workers have been refused entry into the party Secretariat by the Nigeria Police Force.

Details Shortly…

A devastating fire has swept through a major section of Idumota Market in Lagos, causing extensive damage to shops and stalls. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Local authorities and emergency services are on the scene, providing assistance to affected individuals. Updates to follow.

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President Bola Tinubu’s government has commenced the distribution of grains to states in order to cushion the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal and other economic policies.

The minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this on Tuesday while appearing before lawmakers at the National Assembly.

The minister was invited by the lawmakers, led by Senator Saliu Mustapha to brief Nigerians on Federal Government’s plan to curb rising food costs and plans to make it available to the poor and vulnerable in the country.

The minister told the lawmakers that the Federal Government had kicked-off the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains to some focal points in state capitals across the country.

He said: “We have received directive and approval from Mr. President to distribute for immediate impact 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains free of charge to the Nigerian population.

“This was received in mid-February, as we are speaking we have a record of the distribution being carried out, but I will want to plead with the Honorable House members and Distinguished senators that some of the movements can’t be made public but a lot of states have started receiving their grains.

“We are distributing to state capitals in the first instance as you all are aware the risk involved in the vandalism of foodstuff; so, we are working with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other national security agencies.

“Furthermore, 58,500 metric tons of milled rice from mega rice millers will also be released into the market for stabilisation,” he said.

The minister said that the action of the government became important in order to cushion the hardship on Nigerians which he said, will soon become a thing of the past.

He told the lawmakers that his ministry was working with the ONSA and other national security outfits to address issues on vandalism of food warehouses.

Senator Mustapha told reporters after the session that he was satisfied with the steps being taken by the Federal Government to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.

“From our interactive session, we are fully in the picture of what is happening. We are convinced that the steps being taken by the Federal Government is in the right direction,” the senator said.

“All we did again is to further emphasise the need for certain things to be done on time. I think from this collaborative approach by the grace of God, Nigerians will have a better feel of the government policy on food security.”

Abia State House of Assembly has passed a bill to stop the payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies in the state.

It is entitled, “A Bill (H.A.B 11:) for a Law to Revoke The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001 and for other Matters connected therewith.”

It was sponsored by Uchanna Okoro, the Majority Leader and member Representing Arochukwu State Constituency.

The Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, announced the passage of the bill after its first, second reading, consideration at the committee of the whole and its third reading during Tuesday’s plenary.

Emeruwa, while congratulating members, said the bill would reduce the state’s governance expenses and redirect resources toward development.

He said the bill once assented to by the governor, would be referred to as “Abia State Governors and Deputy Governor’s (Repeal) Law 2024.”

With the bill, former governors and their deputies will no longer enjoy pension benefits after their tenures have expired.

There had been a lot of controversies over the years concerning the outrageous life pension and other enviable benefits being paid to the governors and their deputies.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 19, passed the N1.28 trillion budget of the Federal Capital Territory Administration presented to the National Assembly by the president last week.

Out of the total amount approved by the House, N l140.915 billion is for Personnel Costs; anf N373.027,373 billion is for Overhead Costs, while the balance of (N768.328 billion is for Capital Projects.

The passage of the budget followed a report submitted to the House by the Chairman of three House Committee on FTC, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, following a budget defence by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking at the budget defence session, Betara asked the Minister to prioritize transparency, accountability, and adherence to budgetary guidelines in project execution in the territory.

The lawmaker, who underscored the committee’s commitment to ensuring efficient fund utilization for tangible benefits amid FCT’s developmental challenges, stressed the need for robust monitoring mechanisms to track project progress and hold authorities accountable.

In passing the budget, the House said the Minister of FCT and the Director of Treasury shall furnish the National Assembly, on a quarterly basis, the status of the records of the Federal Capital Territory Statutory Accounts.

Days after the killing of at least 16 soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army in Okuoma community of Delta, the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, visited President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

Oborevwori told State House correspondents after the meeting that the situation is under control, assuring Nigerians that there will be no further attacks.

However, he declined to confirm alleged reprisal attacks by the military and the number of casualties, saying he is constrained to speak on such issues being an unfolding security matter.

Oborevwori said he met with the security heads in Bomadi on Monday but is yet to meet members of the community involved as they are currently dispersed and at large.

At least 16 Nigerian soldiers were killed while on a peace-keeping mission to douse clashes between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

A Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain, 12 soldiers, and one civilian lost their lives in the ambush on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Channels Television reported late on Saturday that 15 bodies of the soldiers were recovered by soldiers of the Joint Task Force under the supervision of General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam.

Responding to the development in a statement he signed on Sunday, Tinubu vowed retribution, saying, “The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.”

The response was titled ‘Statement on the killing of Nigerian soldiers on a peace mission to Okuoma community in Delta State.’

While noting that the military high command is already responding to the incident, Tinubu gave fresh marching orders for the manhunt and prosecution of the perpetrators, saying, “The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people.”

Details shortly…