The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • ‘Presidential Yatch’ a naval security boat

    ‘Presidential Yatch’ a naval security boat

    The Presidency has cleared the air on controversy over the Presidential yatch provision in the 2023 Supplementary Budget passed yesterday by Federal lawmakers.

    Following the dust raised by the budgetary provision, the the House of Representatives struck it out of the budget and added the N10 billion vote to that of Student Loan.

    But Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said it was a budgetary request of the Nigerian Navy, through the Ministry of Defense.

    According to him, it was only tagged presidential because of the special security fittings on it.

    The statement said: “Following public reactions over the provision for what is termed presidential yacht and other line items in the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation presented to the National Assembly, it is important to provide some clarifications.

    “First, we need to make clear that President Bola Tinubu’s administration respects the views of Nigerians on all matters of public concern. We thus consider it very imperative to clear any misconception and misunderstanding of the issues. 

    “What was named as Presidential Yacht in the budget is an Operational Naval boat with specialized security gadgets, suitable for high profile operational inspection and not for the use of the President. It is called presidential yacht by way of nomenclature because of the high level security features. 

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    “The Naval boat was ordered by the navy under the previous administration. President Tinubu has consistently said that government is a continuum as he inherited both assets and liabilities of past administrations.

    “The payment request for the boat was part of the committed obligation submitted by the office of the Chief of Naval Staff to the Ministry of Defence. The total of the submitted requests was in excess of N200 billion, out which N62 billion was approved by the President.

    “President Tinubu is focused on securing our country and territorial waters. The Federal Government under his leadership is investing more resources to enhance greater economic output from our oil and gas, marine and blue economy.

    “In President Tinubu, we have a leader who understands the economic challenges being faced by the masses. His administration is working very hard to confront and surmount those challenges. Nigerians will soon get the benefits of the ongoing reforms that will certainly lead to a buoyant and improved quality of life for all citizens”.

  • Alaafin stool: Court strikes out case against Makinde, two others

    Alaafin stool: Court strikes out case against Makinde, two others

    • Claimants absent at proceeding

    An Oyo High Court 1 sitting in Oyo town, yesterday struck out a case instituted by Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola and four others against Governor Seyi Makinde and two others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the striking out of the case was sequel to its withdrawal by the claimants and filing of a fresh case.

    NAN recalls that the kingmakers, popularly known as Oyo Mesi, had filed a suit against the governor, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to stop them from aborting the process for the selection and appointment of the candidate for the vacant Alaafin stool.

    Other claimants in the suit No. HOY/38/2023, which was struck out, were: Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; the Akiniku, High Chief Amuda Yusuf; Areago Basorun, High Chief Waheed Oyetunji and the Alapo, who is also the Warrant Officer for Alaapini of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

    NAN reports that they were all absent during the court sitting yesterday.

    Lead counsel for the claimants, Kazeem Sobaloju (SAN), represented by I. B. Olayinka, said they filed a notice, dated October 31, to discontinue the suit, as a fresh one, with No. HOY/14/2023 had been instituted.

    NAN recalls that Sobaloju had, on Monday, requested the maintenance of status quo on the two motions pending before the court.

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    His prayers could, however, not be granted, as the defence counsel argued that they had yet to file a counter-affidavit on the ex parte motion.

    It was in view of this that the court adjourned the case till yesterday.

    However, counsel for the claimants, rather than progressing with the case as earlier sought, filed a motion for discontinuance of the previous case and substituted it with a new one.

    Sobaloju prayed the court for hearing of the new suit.

    The Presiding Judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, said the case file had to be looked into before the date for hearing would be fixed.

    Consequently, Akintola struck out the case and informed the lawyers that the date for the hearing of the fresh suit would be communicated to them.

    The Attorney-General, Abiodun Aikomo, who is the second defendant in the suit, appeared in person and equally for the first and third defendants, the governor and the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters.

    Other counsels in his team included: the Deputy Director, N.A. Abiola; Principal State Counsel, N.I. Shittu and Senior State Counsel, E.O. Ojebisi, while the Deputy Director, Chieftaincy Matters, Felicia Olawale, also appeared for the third defendant

  • Insurgents kill 24 mourners in Yobe

    Insurgents kill 24 mourners in Yobe

    • Govt holds emergency security meeting
    • Military confirms incident

    Insurgents in Yobe State have killed more than 24 villagers, who were on their way to bury victims of a previous Boko Haram attack.

    The attack, which occurred in Geidam Local Government, is believed to be a reprisal by the insurgent group.

    Initially, the insurgents targeted the village, setting it ablaze and killing four persons, including the village head of Nguro Kayayya. Subsequently, they planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), resulting in the deaths of over 20 villagers, who were travelling on an improvised tricycle called ‘Jega’ for a condolence visit the following day. Only two persons survived the IED attack and were taken to hospital.

    Police spokesman ASP Dungus Abdulkarim confirmed the incident, but did not provide further details.

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    Governor Mai Mala Buni yesterday held an emergency security meeting to address the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in certain parts of the state.

    Security Adviser to the Governor, Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd),  said the recent military operations in neighbouring Borno State had forced the insurgents to resort to targeting soft targets.

    The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, didn’t respond to the calls put across to his mobile line.

    However, a senior officer at the military headquarters confirmed to The Nation that the incident happened at Ngurukayaya in Geidam Local Government.

  • Tinubu seeks free, fair elections in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    Tinubu seeks free, fair elections in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    • Uzodimma denies owing 40 months’ salary
    • PDP backdoor tactics won’t work this time in Bayelsa, says Sylva
    • Ododo: Natasha’s victory can’t stop me

    President Bola Tinubu yesterday appealed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that the upcoming off-season governorship elections go smoothly in the three affected states.

    President Tinubu gave the charge while handing out the APC’s flags to the candidates of the party in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states. He also said he is confident the party will do well in the elections scheduled to be held next week Saturday (November 11).

    Tinubu handed the party’s flags to Governor Hope Uzodinma (Imo), who is running for a second term; Chief Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) and Alhaji Usman Ododo (Kogi).

    Addressing the candidates before handing out the flags, President Tinubu said: “I want to thank the governor of Kogi State, Yahya Bello, who is working hard to ensure the handover to our elected candidate, Usman Ododo.

    “We are happy to have Hope Uzodimma, the great hope of our party and the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. Thank you for the good job you are doing. Timipre Sylva congratulations on what you have achieved as a former governor and former minister.

    ‘’We are all facing the crusade for democracy, particularly in this time of elections. It is our hope and we have Hope Uzodimma as a candidate, that we will always come out victorious.

    ‘’I want to thank the active national leadership of our NWC and our hardworking Chairman. He is doing a good job and I thank him very much.”

    Tinubu added just before handing the flags out to each candidate: “All I am pleading is for free and fair elections. I believe we will do well.”

    The event, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the State House, was graced by the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and guests of the candidates.

    The trio of Governor Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa) and Usman Ododo (Kogi), spoke after receiving the party’s flags as candidates from President Tinubu. Uzodimma said the allegation that he owed 40 months’ arrears of salary was false.

    He said: “I think it is a very good opportunity for me to clear the air on the so-called allegations. When I came to Imo State as the governor on January 15, 2020, from 2020 January to date, there was no month we have not paid salary before the 30th.

    “The situation is that before this time, I thought that the trade union is a democratic entity that allowed the opinion of people. I don’t pay federal civil servants, I only pay Imo State civil servants and I challenged any Imo State civil servant who has not been receiving salary between January 15, 2020 and today to come out.

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    “In this ugly incident, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who is incidentally from Imo State was not able to demarcate the difference between being a national leader of an organisation and an interested party in local politics. But God will manage the situation.”

    Reminded that the workers were accusing him of reneging on the January 2021 agreement aside from the backlog of salaries and this might impact his re-election, Uzodimma said: “Well, I still repeat, there’s no worker in Imo State…recall I came in January 2020 and by March, I started paying the minimum wage of N30,000 that had been lying there, that previous leadership couldn’t pay. By December 2020 I paid the 13th month, the first time in the history of Imp State civil service and I have maintained continuously this 13th month payment as an incentive.

    “I automated the payment system. Salaries are now received in an automated manner in Imo State. I brought new innovations, I reformed the civil service. No wonder in the civil service the entire Labour Congress of Imo State chapter endorsed me and I am the only candidate they are supporting in the election. The Nigerian Union of Pensioners endorsed me, from 2007 to 2020, no civil servants in Imo State received gratuity. It is only my government that has now floated bonds to pay outstanding gratuities to civil servants.

    “So, I understand the sensitivity of this event but I want you people to be very careful because there’s an attempt to mix up partisan politics or an attempt to blackmail my government. But I can tell you that my people are already aware and that was why the Nigerian Labour Congress Imo State chapter, addressed a World Press Conference, that what their national leadership is saying is not correct. And that they are not coming to do any strikes or protests. In the process, they decided to resolve them to put in a caretaker.

    “Of course, I am the chief security officer and I have the responsibility to intervene. I encouraged the national leadership not to devolve the management team that their tenure have not expired and that was what they did.

    “I don’t interfere in Labour matters but I have convinced my workers in Imo State to believe in me and is that trust that the opposition parties are trying to fight. But I can assure you that the Imo people already have taken their decision. 11th November is by the corner…”.

  • Re: treatment of gunshot victims without police report

    Re: treatment of gunshot victims without police report

    “A hero is judged by his or her performance and by the positive impacts achieved” …Professor Ali Mazrui.

    he call made last week by the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force (IGP) Mr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun that all accident and gunshot victims should be provided with prompt compassionate treatment at hospitals without a Police report is commendable. This is especially given the fact that the IGP’s directive is in line with the enforcement of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 which stipulates that all healthcare practitioners should prioritize the immediate care and stabilization of such patients based on the criticality of the timeliness of medical intervention in saving lives.

     Enforcement of existing Law

    However, it is worthy of note that the above-mentioned Act does not cover accident victims. In addition, despite the existence of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, which was signed into law in 2017; hospitals and medical practitioners still turn their backs not just on gunshot victims but also on accident victims that need urgent medical attention. Interestingly, so far there have not been any consequences of refusal of hospitals or medical practitioners to comply with the provisions of that law, which would have sent the signals that compliance is key. Importantly also, is the fact that the majority of Nigerians are not even aware that such laws exist so that they can take legal action against hospitals or medical practitioners that refuse to comply with the law. This is so because the Act is succinct with regards to non-compliance, for example:

    Section 9 of the Act stipulates that “A person who commits an offense under this act, which leads to or causes substantial physical, mental and emotional damage to the victim, commits an offense and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not more than 15 years and not less than 5 years without the option of fine”.

    Section 11 of the Act also stipulates that “Any person or authority, including any police officer, other security agent or hospital who stands by and fails to perform his duty under this act which results in the unnecessary death of any person with gunshot wounds, commits an offense and is liable to a fine of N500,000.00 or imprisonment of a term of 5 years, or both”

     The above sections are germane with regard to the importance of the law, when and if not applied. Therefore, the IGP’s directive requires follow-up actions that will ensure the sensitization of the public about the existence of this law on one hand and the enforcement of the law on the other hand, otherwise the IGP’s directive will only be rhetoric.

     Essentially, therefore, I urge the IGP, Minister of Information and National Orientation, the Ministers of Health, other relevant agencies of Government, Civil Society Organisations, other critical stakeholders, and also importantly the mass media – the 4th Estate of the Realm for embark of massive sensitization of the public all over the Country to know about the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, its provisions and action process of ensuring that the law works for the people.

     Urgent need for legislation on protection of accident victims

    The gap in the Act, of non-inclusion of Accident victims or the non-enactment of a law to cover accident victims also needs to be addressed as a matter of national priority. I am of the option that the gap can be catered for in the interim by a Presidential intervention using an Executive Order. This very important and lingering matter can be laid to rest if it is taken seriously (as it should be) by immediately giving it legal backing, pending full legislation. This kind of intervention is practiced in other Countries where a high premium importance is placed on human lives (and even those of animals).  Therefore, they give full attention and care to their citizenry and other nationalities resident in those Countries. Mr. President, I advocate that there should be legislation and laws enacted that will bridge the gap in our medical practice

     As it is today in Nigeria, there are no prudential guidelines or laws that guide the action of medical practitioners and hospitals with regard to the treatment of accident victims without a Police report. Even when the Police report is presented (mostly after long and difficult processes), the hospitals either rightly or wrongly reluctantly treat such emergencies with the dispatch and respect they deserve. In some pathetic cases, the hospitals refuse to provide such interventions to Nigerians and indeed any other person who requires urgent medical attention which is against their professional oath and code of conduct. 

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    There are currently no laws that assist medical practitioners to treat such critical accident emergencies without fear of negative consequences or in the case of the bad/ wicked medical practitioners, there should be consequences for refusing to act in such accident emergencies.

    To the Doctors. nurses and other medical practitioners., I urge you to show compassion and empathy. The attitude of some of you should change. The majority of our medical practitioners have a high sense of empathy, compassion, duty, and professionalism.  I have come across great Doctors, Nurses, and medical practitioners who practice with a high sense of professionalism, humanity, and fear of God. Sadly, there are also some horrible Doctors, Nurses, and medical practitioners, and what is worrisome is that the number of these wicked practitioners is increasing daily. I hope that the Nigerian Medical Association and other professional organizations in the health sector will deal decisively with the bad ones amongst them in order to fully restore the respect of this noble profession.

     Full immunity and protection should be given to first responders, Hospitals, Doctors, and all medical practitioners who provide any form of intervention to save the lives of accident and gunshot victims. In other Countries, such people and/ or establishments are heroes, but in Nigeria, in many cases, kind and honorable people mostly end up being treated as criminals, or aiders and abettors of criminals, fugitives/ suspects and may even face prosecution simply because they followed their basic instincts of attempting to help and save lives. The situation is so bad that people simply drive by or walk by victims of accidents or gunshot wounds because of the fear of dire consequences. Those people who want to help but cannot out of fear of negative repercussions are also impacted because most of them become permanently psychologically scarred by the horror of the flashes of the bodies and faces of the victims they abandoned while in need of urgent help. Most of them live the rest of their lives struggling with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which manifests in so many horrible mental and physical ways. We should not allow this sordid situation to continue and therefore we should all act swiftly and properly. After all, nobody knows the situation he/ she or their loved ones may someday find themselves in.

     Therefore, all of us; Mr. President, The Honorable Ministers of Health, Police, Justice, Youth and Social Development, Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant agencies in the Executive Arm of Government at Federal and State; The Senate and House of Representatives of the National Assembly and the State houses of Assembly, the Judiciary, political parties, Civil Society Organizations and all well-meaning citizens that as a matter of national priority we should play our roles from sponsorship of relevant bills, supporting the bills, attending public hearing and making contributions, passing laws and ultimately signing into law the laws that will give more legal backing and effect to this critical need to save lives of accident victims to avoid avoidable loss of lives and livelihoods. 

      A humble request and advocacy for an Executive Order 

    Your Excellency, Mr. President, succor can come by way of an Executive Order, as a critical interim measure, pending a full process of legislation. Provisions could be embedded in the Executive Order, such that criminals, fugitives, or suspects will be provided for while ensuring that relevant agencies of Government move swiftly to ensure that justice is still done after the provision of the intervention. For example, in the case of accident victims who are not covered by the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017; as soon as victims are received, a prudential guideline should be activated to inform all the relevant law enforcement agencies, for example, the Nigerian Police Force secure the suspect or convict while medical intervention is being provided and they care over the person after discharge from the hospital or facility and continue with case of persecution. Other risk management mechanisms will be in the guidelines to ensure that criminals or terrorists are not given cover to go back into society. But if we allow the matter to continue without attention, in a Country of over 200million citizens and millions of other nationalities resident in the Country, with serious health challenges and other socio-economic dynamics; the physical, mental, emotional, and psychological impacts will have a ripple effect on the nation. Your Excellency, there is a need for quick action on the Executive Order and importantly to ensure that all agencies of Government that are concerned do the needful, especially the enforcement and sanctions for non-compliance.

    Mr. Your citizens and indeed any other person that needs such intervention within the boundaries of this Country.

  • CBN, DisCos to face Reps panel over $321m, N18.2b electricity project loans

    CBN, DisCos to face Reps panel over $321m, N18.2b electricity project loans

    The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria and the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) over $321 million and N18.2 billion loans for the accelerated transmission distribution interface, lines and substation projects.

    They are to appear before the Committee the Committee on November 8.

    Committee Chairman Bamidele Salam handed down the summon when the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Sule Abdulaziz, appeared before the committee on yesterday.

    Salam hinted that a petition was received on the lack of judicious use of the funds, which were paid to the DisCos by the CBN on the prompting of the TCN.

    Abdulaziz told the committee that the funds were paid directly to the DisCos by the CBN to embark on the various projects.

    He said the repayment of the loans was from the revenue of the TCN. The panel felt uncomfortable with the repayment arrangement.

    Salam asked TCN to provide details of disbursement of the loans, procurement process, how many DisCos were involved, the stage of the projects, and the structure of the repayment of the loans to the beneficiaries of the loan.

    He said: “Sometime in 2021, former President Muhammadu Buhari granted that certain funds be made available for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of our transmission and distribution lines to be able to have a more robust power sector intervention and these funds were made available for certain projects to the distribution companies.

    “It is the concern of the petitioner that the fund have not been judiciously used and that the project ought to have been delivered by now upon which we caused a letter to be written to the TCN, which also sent in a response stating the status report of the project as well as the procedure for the implementation of that loan disbursement and execution of the project by the distribution companies.

    “Our concern is to ensure that all our institutions work well in accordance with the law and in accordance with global best practices and to ensure money is judiciously utilised.”

    Abdulaziz said there was a gap in the electricity sector and the distribution companies were complaining that the TCN was not giving them supply.

    He said there was a need to invest in some projects so that the distribution companies would be able to distribute light.

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    He said: “But it was observed that TCN does not have that amount to do those projects, so the FG involved the CBN as the people to finance the projects. NERC being the regulator now is the one leading the exercise. TCN is just a beneficiary of the project. It is signed by the DISCOs. In TCN there is a Project Monitoring Office that was set up to do this procurement.”

    TCN Market Operator, Edmond Eje, said the NERC oversaw engagement between TCN and 11 DisCos to align on a list of critical interface projects that would significantly increase TCN’s capacity to unlock DisCos energy demand in critical load centres.

    He said a total of 125 projects were identified and agreed upon in the tripartite engagement.

    Eje said: “The Commission approved the project list of 125 projects as well as the securing of financing from the CBN for the same project to the tune of about N122.3 billion in loan.

    “The TCN and the 11 distribution companies set up a multi stakeholder project management office that was responsible for undertaking the procurement and eventual monitoring and evaluation of the project to implement the DisCo intervention.

    “DisCos are the beneficiaries and took it on behalf of TCN to execute projects. At the end of the day, it was scheduled that from TCN’s revenue, these loans would be amortiSed from source.

    “In order words on monthly basis, each of these monies sent to the contractors would be amortiSed though our revenue.”  

  • Abiodun promises to raise tempo of development

    Abiodun promises to raise tempo of development

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday appraised his administration since he came on board and traced the achievements to his “Building Our Future Together Agenda (BOFTA)” and the “ISEYA” mantra.

    He said the existing template will raise the tempo of development.

    The governor spoke at the Cultural Center, Kuto, Abeokuta, during the Egba Division Town Hall meeting, in preparation of the 2024–2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (M-TEF) and the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

    Represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor said the policies and programmes of his administration are in the best interests of the majority of the citizenry, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation or social status.

    Abiodun said: “What you see in our system is a strategic approach towards the formulation and implementation of our policies and programmes which are geared towards the welfare, wellness, and well-being of our people.”

    He said the degree of commitment to good governance and speedy development was a clear demonstration of his administration’s resolve to continue to be fair, just, accountable, transparent, equitable and dedicated to democratic ethos.

    Abiodun reiterated that his government would  continue to accord the people of the state an important position in the demonstration of the sincere commitment to good govenance, asking all critical stakeholders to join hands in the task of ‘building our future together.’

    Appreciating those present at the interaction, especially the royal fathers for their  impressive turnout, he opined that the Egba Division had again lived up to its reputation of political sophistication, applauding their consistency and unalloyed support for his administration.

    The Commissioner for Finance/Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, said the government was committed to adopting increased budgetary and inclusiveness in its drive to move the state forward.

    He noted that the meeting resulted from a sincere commitment of the administration to good governance, reiterating that it would continue to adhere to policy thrusts and formulate policies that will lead to direct benefit of citizens.

    Okubadejo assured that the Abiodun-led administration will continue to adopt transparency, inclusiveness and bottom-up engagement in the budget process, fiscal discipline, and discouraging extra budgetary expenditure, among others.

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    The commissioner said: “In a bid to achieve sustainable economic development in the state and institutionalise public sector reforms and governance, the present administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun enacted the Ogun State Fiscal Responsibility Law 2020, as amended, which highlights the roles and functions of all the stakeholders as well as spells out the expected fiscal activities in the state and this has assisted in the annual budget preparation process.”

    The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, restated government’s commitment to deliver good governance, complete all ongoing projects and implement new ones.

    According to him, 215 projects were completed within the last 12 months in the Egba Division.

    A former Ogun Central senator, Gbenga Obadara, called on the state government to rehabilitate the road leading to the train station at Laderin in Abeokuta, as well as Adatan road.

    The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, represented by the Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, thanked the state government for including royal fathers in all its programmes and policies.

    He urged the state government to take more proactive steps towards fixing the Lagos-Abeokuta Road.

    Those who spoke at the event included: the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, elder statemen – Kunle Adeshina and Chief Joju Fadairo,

    Chairman Ifo Local Government Area, Mrs Kikelomo Delano, who spoke on behalf of local government chairmen, pleaded with the state government to look into more rural roads and provide more infrastructural development in rural schools. 

    Representatives of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Stephen Adeyemi and his Muslim counterpart, Sheikh Iskeel Lawal, drew government’s attention to Saje, Mokola, Elega, Ilugun, Bode Olude and  Ajitadun axis of Abeokuta metropolis.

  • Lawmakers raise Student Loan allocation to N10.5b

    Lawmakers raise Student Loan allocation to N10.5b

    The National Assembly yesterday passed a supplementary budget of N2.176 trillion.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented it on Tuesday.

    The House of Representatives deleted the N5 billion proposed for the Presidential Yacht and added it to the N5 billion initially allocated for the students’ loan scheme.

    The Senate okayed the N5 billion proposal for the yacht.

    Both bills may be harmonised before being forwarded to the President for assent.

    The Ministry of Defence got the lion’s share of the allocations, receiving N476. 543 billion, followed by the Ministry of Works with N300 billion.

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security got N200 billion; the Ministry of Housing received N100 billion.

    The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) got N100 billion and Police Formations and Command got N50 billion.

    Service Wide Votes was allocated N615 billion; State House got N28 billion, while N210 billion was reserved for Capital Supplementation.

    Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Appropriation Chairmen, Senator Solomon Adeola and Abubakar Kabir Abubakar presented the report separately at both chambers.

    Adeola said the Supplementary Appropriation Bill seeks to provide additional palliative measures, including wage awards for public servants.

    Abubakar said the House Committee increased the budget for Defence from N456 billion to N546 billion.

    It also increased allocation to Police Formations to N50 billion from the initial N27 billion.

    He said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), got N100 billion, Agriculture and Food Security, N200 billion; State House, N28 billion.

    Ministry of Housing got N100 billion, while the allocation for Service Wide Vote was reduced from N615 billion to N515 billion.

    Abubakar said the House deleted the N5 billion earlier proposed for Presidential Yacht under the allocation to the Nigerian Navy and transfered it to the N5 billion initially allocated for the students’ loan scheme.

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    The Senate passed the allocation for the Presidential Yacht as proposed by the executive.

    The National Assembly allocated N210billion for wage awards to civil servants; N400billion for cash transfer to vulnerable households; N200billion for seed and agricultural input and equipment, and N100billion for projects in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    The Supplementary Budget also includes N300billion for the maintenance of bridges, N8billion for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and other new ministries, as well as N18billion for the conduct of off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states slated for November 11.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and his House counterpart, Julius Ihonvbare, moved separate motions for the bill to be read for the third time and passed.

    Ihonvbare said: “That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Appropriations on a Bill for an Act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N2,176,791,286,033 only, of which N18 billion only is for Statutory Transfers, N1,033,471,162,373 only is for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure while the sum of N1,125,320,123,660 only is for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending 31 December 2023.”

    The National Assembly also passed all the clauses in the appropriation bill without amendment.

    According to the clauses in the Supplementary Budget: “The Accountant-General of the Federation shall when authorised to do so by warrants signed by the minister charged with responsibility for Finance, pay out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation during the year ending on the 31st day of December 2023, the sums specified by the warrants, not exceeding in the aggregate N2,176,791,286,033 only for the year ending on the 31st day of December 2023;

    “The amount mentioned in sub-section (1) of this section shall be appropriated to heads of expenditure as indicated in the Schedule to this Bill;

    “No part of the amount aforesaid shall be released from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation after the end of the year mentioned in subsection (1) of this section.

    “All amounts appropriated under this Bill shall be released from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation only for the purpose specified in the Schedule to this Bill.

    “If the implementation of any of the projects intended to be undertaken under this Bill cannot be completed without virement, such virement shall only be effected with the prior approval of the National Assembly.”

  • Bayelsa’s poverty index, evidence of PDP’s failure, says LP candidate

    Bayelsa’s poverty index, evidence of PDP’s failure, says LP candidate

    The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the forthcoming election in Bayelsa, Udengs Eradiri has described as alarming and disastrous the ranking of the state as the second poorest in the country, after Sokoto State in the multidimensional poverty index.

    Eradiri, who spoke in Yenagoa yesterday, said Bayelsa’s poor rankings in all economic and developmental indices remained an eloquent testimony that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Douye Diri have failed the state.

    The LP candidate, an engineer, said the PDP and Diri had nothing to campaign with. He added that the governor could not wrap his head around the stinking poverty in the state despite the small population of Bayelsa and huge revenue allocations from various sources.

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    Eradiri attributed the woes of Bayelsa to many years of cluelessness, incompetence, avarice, profligacy and anti-people policies of the PDP insisting that the current administration had no idea of how to tackle the issues.

    He said: “Why is Governor Douye Diri and the PDP still campaigning for a second term? Data technology company, StatiSense, recently unveiled the Multidimensional Poverty Index of 2022 report of the National Bureau of Statistics.

    “That report exposed the number of people living in multidimensional poverty in the oil-rich Niger Delta states. That report is alarming, and distressing and goes to show the failure of the PDP leadership of Bayelsa since 1999. It shows that the PDP leadership and the current government of Douye Diri diverted and squandered all our commonwealth.

  • Nigeria, 27 others endorse global AI declaration

    Nigeria, 27 others endorse global AI declaration

    Nigeria and 27 countries have joined others to endorse the Bletchley Declaration.

    The declaration established a shared understanding of opportunities and risks posed by frontier artificial intelligence (AI) and need for governments to meet the most significant challenges.

     Leading AI nations yesterday convened for the first time by United Kingdom, with United States, China, and European Union, at Bletchley Park, UK, for the declaration.

    The Bletchley Declaration on AI safety sees 28 countries, including Africa, Middle East, and Asia, as well as EU, agreeing to collectively manage potential risks through  global effort to ensure AI is developed and deployed in a safe, responsible way.

     Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said: “Artificial Intelligence offers opportunity to appropriate knowledge quickly and seamlessly in addressing pressing socio-economic challenges.

    “As we accelerate our investment in AI, it is essential to partner allies to deepen capacity and knowledge.”

     Others that endorsed include Brazil, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.

     The declaration fulfills objectives in  shared agreement and responsibility on risks, opportunities and a process for collaboration on frontier AI safety and research.

    Talks today with leading frontier AI companies and experts from academia and civil society will see further discussions on understanding frontier AI risks and improving frontier AI safety.

     Countries agreed that substantial risks may arise from potential intentional misuse or unintended issues of control of frontier AI, with particular concern caused by cybersecurity, biotechnology and misinformation risks.

     The declaration sets out agreement that there is “potential for serious, even catastrophic, harm either deliberate or unintentional, stemming from the most significant capabilities of these AI models.” Countries also noted the risks beyond frontier AI, including bias and privacy.

    Recognising the need to deepen the understanding of risks and capabilities that are not fully understood, attendees also agreed to work together to support a network of scientific research on Frontier AI safety. This builds on the UK Prime Minister’s announcement last week for the UK to establish the world’s first AI Safety Institute and complements existing international efforts including at the G7, OECD, Council of Europe, United Nations and the Global Partnership on AI. This will ensure the best available scientific research can be used to create an evidence base for managing the risks whilst unlocking the benefits of the technology, including through the UK’s AI Safety Institute which will look at the range of risks posed by AI.

    The Declaration details that the risks are “best addressed through international cooperation”. As part of agreeing a forward process for international collaboration on frontier AI safety, The Republic of Korea has agreed to co-host a mini virtual summit on AI in the next six months. France will then host the next in-person Summit in a year from now. Further details on these events will be confirmed in due course.

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    This ensures an enduring legacy from the Summit and continued international action to tackle AI risks, including informing national and international risk-based policies across these countries.

    The Declaration, building upon last week’s announcement of the UK’s emerging processes for AI safety, also acknowledges that those developing these unusually powerful and potentially dangerous frontier AI capabilities have a particular responsibility for ensuring the safety of these systems, including by implementing systems to test them and other appropriate measures.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “This is a landmark achievement that sees the world’s greatest AI powers agree on the urgency behind understanding the risks of AI – helping ensure the long-term future of our children and grandchildren.

     “Under the UK’s leadership, more than twenty five countries at the AI Safety Summit have stated a shared responsibility to address AI risks and take forward vital international collaboration on frontier AI safety and research.

     “The UK is once again leading the world at the forefront of this new technological frontier by kickstarting this conversation, which will see us work together to make AI safe and realise all its benefits for generations to come.”

    Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, said: “Today’s agreement, signed by attendees from across the globe, offers an important first step as we begin two days of vitally important discussions here at Bletchley Park. 

     “We have always said that no single country can face down the challenges and risks posed by AI alone, and today’s landmark Declaration marks the start of a new global effort to build public trust by ensuring the technology’s safe development. 

     “Bletchley Park marks the start of a long road ahead, and the Summit will kickstart an enduring process to ensure every nation and every citizen can realise the boundless benefits of AI”. 

    Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said: “AI knows no borders, and its impact on the world will only deepen.

    “The UK is proud to have kickstarted the global discussion at Bletchley Park on how we ensure the transformational power of AI is used as a force for good by and for all of us.”

    A spokesperson for the French Presidency said: “The French authorities welcome the international and cooperative work cycle launched by the AI Safety Summit to analyse, understand and respond to the risks that certain Frontier AI models could cause. France is ready to participate in this long-term collective effort and will be happy to host the next in person Summit”.

    A spokesperson for the Republic of Korea Government said: “Minister Lee is delighted that Korea will be the co-hosts of the mini virtual summit. Korea is a world leader in technologies like AI and recognises the importance of multilateral cooperation to ensure AI technologies are designed, used and governed in safe ways.”

    To mark the opening of the Summit, His Majesty The King delivered a virtual address, via video to the AI Safety Summit yesterday morning as proceedings got underway. His Majesty pointed to AI being one of the ‘greatest technological leaps in the history of human endeavour’ and hailed the technology’s enormous potential to transform the lives of citizens across the world through better treatments for conditions like cancer and heart disease.

    The King also spoke of the ‘clear imperative to ensure that this rapidly evolving technology remains safe and secure’ and the need for ‘international coordination and collaboration’. The King’s address signed-off with thanks for the vital role attendees will play over the next two days, laying the foundations for a ‘lasting consensus’ on AI safety to cement its place as a force for good.