Headlines

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reiterated that his administration will continue to rely on data, science and logic to arrive at the best decisions that will positively affect the people of the state.

The governor spoke at the 2nd bi-annual meeting of the National Consultative Committee on Statistics (NCCS), which was held in Ibadan to review statistical activities and harmonise methodology for data production in the National Statistical System (NSS).

Makinde said the state government realised this fact and responded positively by implementing projects and programmes to address challenges in the state.

 Represented by his deputy, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo, at the NCCS bi-annual meeting themed: “Data Accessibility and Dissemination at Sub-national Level”, the governor stated that one could not rely on science unless you have data and you could not rely on logic unless you have the data.

He stressed that the state government recognises the fact that good statistical information was essential to achieving the 2040 State Development Plan (SDP) and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“At the inception of this administration, a Roadmap for Accelerated Development 2019-2023 tagged, “Omituntun 1.0” was instituted, which marks government unflinching commitment to positively transform the socio-economic system in the state in a manner that would lead to improved quality of education, increased access to healthcare services, reduction in poverty level, improved security, enhanced revenue generation and provision of basic infrastructure that will place the State in a better pedestal among other states of the federation.

“Permit me to recall that the performance of this administration is borne out of the genuine intention and commitment to the development and growth of the state, particularly in the area of education, health, security and economy sectors. 

“In this connection, the state government has executed projects and programmes resulting in the following outcomes among others based on the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Reports of 2016/17 and 2021 released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The Cross River State government says it will establish a establish a Disability Commission aimed at addressing issues affecting persons living with disabilities.

The state governor, at an event organised in Calabar by his wife, Eyoanwan Bassey Otu said he was excited that the people do not see their disability as a challenge , adding that his administration has set aside three appointments for PWDs.

Stressing his “People First” Mantra, governor Otu said his administration will touch all segments of the society.
For the proposed Disability Commission, governor Otu said three persons with disabilities will be appointed together with other persons to run the affairs of the commission.

On her part, the First Lady of Cross River State, Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, urged persons with disabilities to be ready to acquire skills that will enable them contribute meaningfully to society.

She also presented wheelchairs, crutches, cash and other essential commodities to persons with disabilities present.

The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, says the N27.5trn 2024 budget estimates awaiting approval at the National Assembly is “way too small” to meet Nigeria’s needs but the government has to cut its coat according to its cloth.

“I’m always first to acknowledge that the budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria is way too small relative to our needs and our requirements but it is now a case of cutting out coat according to our cloth rather than our size,” Akabueze said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

“The reason this budget is this small is because our public revenues are also too small. We also need to keep the focus on that.”

Akabueze spoke on the economic projections of the President Bola Tinubu government for 2024.

The Budget Office director general insisted that despite the criticisms against the 2024 budget estimates, the appropriation bill caters for the poor in terms of healthcare, security, education and the economy.

On November 29, 2023, the President presented his maiden budget estimates of N27.5trn for the year 2024 to the National Assembly.

Giving a breakdown of the budget estimates, the President fixed recurrent non-debit expenditure at N9.92trn, capital expenditure at N8.73trn, debt service at N8.25trn, revenue at N18.32trn, new borrowings at N7.83trn and deficit at N9.18trn.

According to the President, the economy is expected to grow by 3.76%, while “inflation is expected to moderate to 21.4 percent in 2024”.

The State House has earmarked N9.5bn for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles, operational vehicles, plain cars and the construction of an office complex for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants.

Out of the sum, N2bn was earmarked for the replacement of SUV vehicles, N4 bn for the purchase of State House operational vehicles, N351m for the purchase of tyres for bulletproof vehicles, plain cars, jeeps, ambulances and N3.5bn for the construction of office complex for SAs and SSAs.

The details are contained in the 2024 Appropriation Bill released by the Budget Office of the Federation on Wednesday.

The PUNCH reports that the budget was presented by President Bola Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly on November 29.

Tinubu had christened the appropriation bill the ‘Budget of Renewed Hope.’

The PUNCH reports that the Tinubu-led administration has continued to come under fire following what experts have tagged as “frivolous spending” by the political class amidst the hardship currently being experienced by Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the proposed 2024 Appropriation Bill under review by the National Assembly has an allocation of N15.961 billion for international and domestic travel expenses for Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and their aides.

Tinubu’s travel budget amounts to N7.630bn, predominantly earmarked for foreign trips with N6.992bn designated for international travels and N638.535m set aside for domestic travel.

Shettima’s travel allowance is proposed at N1.847bn, split between N1.229bn for foreign trips and N618.399m for local travels.

Protesters have stormed the National Assembly in Abuja, demanding justice for the victims of a drone strike that killed over 90 villagers in Kaduna State on Sunday.

The protesters, led by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) North West Zone and the Arewa Youth Movement, besieged the entrance gate for over two hours, chanting slogans and demanding the resignation of the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru.

Recall that the drone attack on Sunday, which reportedly occurred during a Maulud celebration in Tudun Biri village, also left over 60 people injured.

The military also admitted responsibility for the incident.

Addressing the media, NYCN North West Zone leader Nasir Ishaku condemned the killing of innocent Nigerians and demanded a probe into the incident.

“We are here today to demand justice for the victims of this senseless attack,” Ishaku said. “The killing of innocent Nigerians, especially in the Northern part of the country, cannot be tolerated any more.”

Ishaku also criticised the Minister of Defence, accusing him of being incompetent and incapable of handling the security situation in the country.

“The security situation in Nigeria has been deteriorating ever since Mr. Badaru was appointed Minister of Defence,” Ishaku said. “We are calling on him to either wake up to his responsibilities or resign.”

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised concern over the growing prevalence of Nigerian youth involvement in cybercrime.

According to him, it is alarming that seven out of ten students in Nigeria are now engaging in cybercrime.

Speaking during a courtesy visit from Daar Communication PLC, Olukoyede called upon the media to play a crucial role in enlightening the youth about the detrimental consequences of such activities.

“We are looking towards Daar Communications to enlighten our youths on the evils of cyber crimes. It is worrisome that seven out of ten students today are involved in cyber crimes,” Olukoyede said.

“These are the youths we are preparing to be leaders of tomorrow. The media should not relent in enlightening them on the evils of such criminal practices,” he added.

While describing the practice as a menace and cankerworm in the society, Olukoyede called for a wider media enlightenment of the youth across the country on the effects of indulgence in internet fraud.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has announced the establishment of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation few months to the end of his tenure.

Bello, who was inaugurated on January May 27 for his second tenure, would hand over in less than two months.

In its 2022 report on the National Multidimensional Poverty Index, National Bureau of Statistics, NBS reported a sharp rise in Kogi’s poverty rate to 61 per cent highlighting a drastic increase in people living in poverty.

But the outgoing governor has announced the creation of the ministry during the flagging off the distribution of grants to vulnerable groups in Kogi State by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, headed by Betta Edu.

The scheme aims to provide a N20,000 cash grant to vulnerable groups in Kogi State.

Edu, during the launch of the grant distribution, emphasised that the funds are not a loan and will not require repayment.

Speaking at the event, Bello said, “We need to key in properly into this program and to be able to key in properly.

“We must have the Ministry and Agency that will be relating with the Mother agency properly.

“By the special grace of God, I hereby create the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Kogi State,” the governor who has spent almost eight years in power declared.

He therefore said a bill for the creation of the Kogi State Social Investment Agency will be submitted to the State House of Assembly, alongside the 2024 budget.

Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, has asked Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and his chief security officer to point out where the Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto, ordered the retrieval of 50 vehicles in its judgement.

This was contained in a statement by Matawalle’s spokesman, Ibrahim Dosara, to journalists on Wednesday.

Matawalle described the statement issued by Zamfara State Government as misleading, fraudulent and a pervasive lie against the court which is tantamount to contempt of court.

He said there was nowhere in the judgement where the court okayed the invasion of the residences of the former governor.

The statement reads in part: “There is nowhere in the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court Sokoto judicial Division on Friday in the suit filed by the immediate past governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle Maradun on the breach of his fundamental rights and that of his family by the present government of Zamfara State under Dauda Lawal Dare where the court ordered force breaking of his residences in Gusau and his home town Maradun, to take away his properties and those of his family, including 50 vehicles donated to him and the presidential candidate then, Bola Ahmed Tinubu by friends and well-wishers for campaign, being the Northwest coordinator for Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign.

“In view of the above, I am challenging the governor to release any of the court documents which stated the order to retrieve the vehicles in question.

“What the Federal High Court Sokoto Judicial Division did was dismissing the case filed by former Governor Bello Matawalle, following his decision to withdraw the case after series of advice and consultations with family, friends, political associates and supporters.”