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  • Fed Govt to spend N2.45tr on debt servicing in 2020

    The Federal Government plans to devote N2.45trillion (about 24.5 per cent) of its N10.002trillion 2020 budget estimates on debt servicing, according to the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) submitted to the National Assembly on Wednesday.

    In the MTEF/FSP document, the Federal Government has also adjusted the 2020 budget figures from N9.789 trillion to N10.002 trillion. The MTEF and FSP document was accompanied by a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate which was read during plenary by President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan.

    The  Federal Government plans to borrow N1.7 trillion. Of this amount, N850 billion will be domestic borrowing while the balance of N850 billion will be foreign. The Federal Government has projected a total fiscal deficit of N2.154 trillion with additional funding coming from: privatisation proceeds of N126,522,715,909; multi-lateral/Bi-lateral project-tied loans N328,128,150,000.

    Sale of government property and Non-Oil asset sales are expected to be nil in 2020. The total budget for 2020 is put at N10.002,285,764.998. For 2021, N10,198,623,174,614 and in 2022, N10,507,395,157,584.

    In a move designed to erase friction between the monetary and fiscal authorities, the government has restricted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to its core function of monetary policy issues, while the Federal Ministry of Finance would, henceforth, be saddled with fiscal matters. The development is seen as a proactive measure to prevent a clash and bad blood between the fiscal and monetary authorities.

    In line with the new order, the Federal Government has outlined priority areas, which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has to stick to in managing the economy while the Federal Ministry of Finance will concentrate on fiscal matters.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, states sign MoU on SDGs

    This is a clear departure from the practice over the years, when the CBN had increasingly played both monetary and fiscal roles in response to the exigency of the time designed to close a noticeable gap.

    To take back its control of fiscal matters, the Federal Government has outlined what the roles of the CBN will be in the near future. According to MTEF/FSP document, the priority areas, which the CBN must focus on, include:

    • Preserving domestic macroeconomic and financial stability
    • Fostering the development of a robust payments system infrastructure
    • Improving access to mortgage facilities and credit for small holder farmers, MSMEs.
    • Supporting the education sector and youth with entrepreneurship skills in the creative industry.
    • Boosting external reserves.
    • Accelerating economic growth and job creation.
    • Supporting economic diversification efforts through intervention programs in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
    • Promoting price and monetary stability, reducing inflation to single digit, and
    • Maintaining exchange rate stability.

    The letter reads: “It is with pleasure that I hereby submit the 2020=2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) to the Senate.

    ”Let me use this medium to express my gratitude for the much improved partnership between the legislative and executive arms of the Federal Government in our goal of making the budget process deliver better outcomes for the Nigerian people.

    “In particular, I note, with appreciation, the commitment and support the Distinguished Senators have continued to demonstrate.

    ”Pursuant to provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, the preparation towards submissions of the 2020 Budget to the National Assembly is progressing well.

    ”The MTEF/FSP was prepared, taking into account key developments  in the global and domestic environments.

    ”We have endeavoured to ensure that forecast revenues are realistic, but also reasonably challenging in the face of our significantly constrained fiscal space.

    ”Planned spending has been set at prudent and sustainable levels, consistent with government’s overall developmental objectives as set out in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    “Given our shared objectives to returning the budget to a predictable January- December fiscal year with effect from 2020, I hereby forward the 2020-2022 MTEF/FSP to the Distinguished Senate and trust that it would be expeditiously considered to facilitate the 2020 FGN Budget preparation.”

    The 2020 – 2022 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) outlines Federal Government’s fiscal policies/strategies and macroeconomic projections for 2020 – 2022 and provides the broad framework for the annual budget in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007.

    In 2020, the Federal Government plans to cut a whooping N1.16 trillion off capital expenditure from N2.92 trillion in 2019 to N1.877 trillion in the proposed 2020 budget.

    Details of the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) and fiscal strategy paper (FSP) 2020-2022 showed that capital expenditure will suffer successive cuts for the three-year period, despite increases in total expenditure during the same period.

    Key assumptions of the 2020 Budget Framework: Oil Production 2.18 mbpd; Oil Price $55/b; Exchange Rate N305/$; Inflation Rate 10.81%; Nominal Consumption N122.75 trn; N142.96 trn Nominal GDP; GDP Growth Rate of 2.93% and Debt Service for 2020 N2.45trillion

    A lower benchmark oil price of $55/b (against $60/b for 2019) is assumed, considering the expected oil glut in 2020, as well as the need to cushion against unexpected price shock.

    There are strong indications of an oversupplied market in 2020. The three major forecasters – Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), International Energy Association (IEA) and the U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) generally see non-OPEC production growing by around 2mbpd this year, and by even more next year.

    The Federal Government had last week warned Nigerians to brace up as the 2020 to 2022 fiscal years would be challenging.

    According to the MTEF/FSP document, the 2020 to 2022 fiscal years would be very challenging with respect to revenue generation and rapid growth in personnel costs.

    It attributed the growth in personnel cost to the creation of new ministries and appointment of additional ministers.

    The Federal Government is ready to take firm decisions to contain rising personnel cost, and that “any government staff not captured in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) by October 2019 should forget their salaries.”

    It further said that from 2020, the budgets of all MDAs and Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) would be contained and published in the nation’s annual budget.

     

  • Benue Police uncovers 9 corpses in secret graves

    The Police in Benue said they have uncovered hidden graves in Gbatse village with nine corpses of people suspected to have been killed by criminals in Ushongo Local Government Area of the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Catherine Anene, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Thursday in Makurdi.

    Anene said one suspect has been arrested, adding that ” as soon as we have concluded interrogating him, we will give out the full information”.

    She said, for now

    NAN gathered that the suspect, a gang leader of a kidnapped and armed robbery syndicate, was arrested following tip-off by members of the community.

    The suspect and his gang were alleged to be killing their victims and burrying them after collecting their motorcycles in order to conceal their crime and avoid arrest.

    A resident of Ushongo town, who pleaded anonymity, said they had already uncovered over 10 bodies from different graves at different times.(NAN)

  • You cannot waive your immunity for adjudication, Lawyer tells Osinbajo

    Dr Kayode Ajulo, a Constitutional Lawyer says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo cannot waive his constitutional immunity for adjudication of claims of libel and malicious falsehood against his person in the court

    Ajulo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja against the backdrop of an alleged falsehood peddled in a newspaper by Mr Timi Frank and Mr Katch Onanuju against Osinbajo.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that Osinbajo said he had instructed the commencement of a legal action against two individuals who put their names to the odious falsehood.

    Ajulo however said that the provisions of Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended frowns at it.

    According to him, the implication of the foregoing provision of the law is that the person holding the office does not have the right to waive the immunity.

    “Because any of such waivers is ineffective as the immunity is not that of the person holding the office but of that particular office he represents during the tenure of the office.

    Read Also: Yemi Osinbajo, ‘incestuous’ bullies and tumours

    The lawyer said that the position further found backing in the use of the word “shall” which was the operative word in the section which admitted no discretion whatsoever.

    He said that the immunity granted to Osinbaji prescribed an absolute prohibition on the courts from entertaining any proceedings and civil or criminal in respect of any claim or relief against him.

    According to him, no question of waiver of the relevant immunity by the incumbent of the office concerned or indeed by the courts may therefore arise.

    “The court has laid it down as a rule that the time a person spends in office will not be reckon with in the calculation of time for the purpose of statute of limitation,’’ he said.

    Ajulo said the immunity clause remained of great antiquity in Nigeria’s nascent constitutional law jurisprudence.

    He said that the vestige of the doctrine of immunity in favour of the occupier of offices had always been a consistent feature of each successive constitutions of Nigeria.

    Ajulo however said that the only option available to the vice president in his bid to waive his immunity was to resign, adding that “Nigeria is not yet tired of the services of Osinbajo’’.

    (NAN)

  • El-Rufai’s son’s public school enrolment deceptive, says Shehu Sani

    The lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the eight National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to the action of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who on Monday enrolled six-year-old son, Abubakar, in a public school.

    Sani said the governor’s intention was to deceive people outside the locality, who might not know the level of decay in public schools in the state.

    He said it was designed to score points ahead of 2023 political dispensation.

    Sani described the action as a badly written Kennywood or Nollywood script, designed for the media, preparatory to 2023.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Kaduna, he said the governor’s action “was simply a 2023 political stunt set up for the media and people who live outside Kaduna because those who reside here know what public primary schools look like.”

    Sani said: “It is not because I have political difference with him, no. But whoever lives in Kaduna State knew that what the governor did with his son by enrolling him in a public school was just a comedy.

    Read Also: As El-Rufai’s son goes to public school

    “Although, it was a badly written Kennywood or Nolywood script, as far as I am concerned that was a bad and poorly written script for the media preparatory to 2023 and nothing else.

    “He would have done better by upgrading schools in Kaduna. You cannot spend N195million in a particular school and then take your son and the media to that school and think you have done anything different.

    “Let me tell you, we had a governor in this state, Balarabe Musa, who never lived in the Government House when he was in power. He lived in his private house. I know that the children of former Governor Ahmed Makarfi attended this same Capital School.

    “I also know that other public officials’ children go to that school too. So if you are not being cunning, deceptive and comical, you would have allowed all your children to enrol in public schools. Public school doesn’t mean primary schools alone, there are public secondary schools and public universities.

    “He is not new in this kind of drama. It was the same person who was moving around Kaduna-Abuja road with cameras, saying he was chasing kidnappers. So, this is a new script, but as far as I am concerned, that is comedy since we are in an era in this state of using public utilities, public hospitals and now public schools.

    “So it is also in order that public officials, both elected and appointed, should patronise public toilets in Kaduna. That is the highest form of patriotism and selfless service. You should use what the masses are using, which is public toilets.”

  • Osinbajo threatens accusers with litigation

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is ready to surrender his constitutional immunity so that allegations against him can be freely investigated.

    He said waiving the immunity will permit “the most robust adjudication of baseless allegations, insinuation and falsehoods” against his person and office.

    Under the 1999 Constitution, the President, Vice President, governors and their deputies are insulated from criminal investigation.

    But, in a tweet, Prof. Osinbajo said he would give up the privilege until the claims against him are resolved.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also yesterday clarified that it was not probing the vice president and the National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP).

    N-SIP said contrary to rumours, Prof. Osinbajo was not involved in financial transactions or disbursement of funds under its programmes.

    Taking an exception to what he described as defamatory remarks about him, the vice president said he had instituted a suit against those behind the “misleading assertions”.

    He said: “In the past few days, a spate of reckless and malicious falsehoods has been peddled in the media against me by a group of malicious individuals.

    ”The defamatory and misleading assertions invented by this clique had mostly been making the social media rounds anonymously.

    ”I have today instructed the commencement of legal action against two individuals, one Timi Frank and another Katch Ononuju, who have put their names to these odious falsehoods.

    “I will waive my constitutional immunity to enable the most robust adjudication of these claims of libel and malicious falsehood.”

    Disclaiming the purported probe, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, said he never  made any reference to N-SIP as a programme or accused those who superintend it of corruption.

    The agency cautioned against reports, which could project a false indictment and incite the vice president against the person of its chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    Uwujaren said Magu appreciated how N-SIP has lifted many Nigerians out of poverty.

    He said: “The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a report captioned, “There is corruption in N-SIP programme- Magu”, which appeared in a newspaper on Wednesday September 25,  2019 and a few other newspapers, in which the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu was quoted as saying that there is corruption in the National Social Investment Programme and the Anchor Borrower’s Programme.

    “The papers claim that Magu, who spoke through the Spokesperson of the agency, Wilson Uwujaren, at the 15th Anti- Corruption Situation Room organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in Kaduna on Tuesday September 24, 2019, asked the civil society organisations “to investigate the N-SIP”.

    “The commission wishes to disclaim the reports as false and a mischievous twist of the goodwill message presented by Mr. Uwujaren, on corruption and peace building in conflict communities.

    “In the presentation, the EFCC spokesperson observed that the agency had received complaints in some zones regarding the social investment programmes, citing an example in Gombe where the Commission investigated a case in the Anchor Borrower’s Scheme in which sand was bagged and passed off as fertilizer.

    “He, therefore, warned that for the crises in these conflict zones not to degenerate, civil society organisations should play more active roles in monitoring the programmes to ensure that their benefits get to the people for which they are intended.

    “At no time in the presentation did Mr Uwujaren mention the N-SIP as a programme nor did he accuse those who superintend it of corruption. The specific case mentioned, the Anchor Borrower’s scheme, is not part of the N-SIP being supervised by the office of the Vice President.

    “This clarification becomes necessary to correct the wrong impression of a verdict of corruption on N-SIP by the EFCC which the purveyors of the false reports obviously want to create.

    It added: “All over the world, one of the core competences of civil society organizations is project monitoring. Calling on Nigerian civil societies to monitor social intervention programmes, was not a call to ”investigation” as no one had been indicted.  Investigation itself is not the job of civil society organisations.

    Read Also: Nigeria bound to succeed, says Osinbajo

    “The EFCC chairman recognizes the unprecedented impact of of the N-SIP intervention in not only lifting the poor out of poverty but also its potential for reconciling feuding communities across the country.

    “It is, therefore, shocking to read the unfounded insinuation of the reporters, aimed only at fanning the embers of disaffection that only exist in their imagination.

    “The sensational attempt to project a false indictment, and incite the Vice President against the person of the Chairman of the EFCC, is therefore condemnable.”

    According to the NSIO, the office of Vice President was not involved in financial transactions or the disbursement of funds for N-SIPs.

    A statement by the NSIO Communications Manager, Justice Bibiye, said that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning is in charge of all matters regarding financing, budgeting, procurement and disbursement of funds allocated and released for the N-SIPs.

    According to the statement, the N-SIPs, which involves four broad programmes (N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfers, National Home-Grown School Feeding and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programmes), are uniquely targeted towards different subgroups of Nigerians for empowerment.

    Bibiye said: “The Steering Committee for the NSIO, chaired by the Vice President, supervises the implementation of the SIPs, The Steering Committee comprises nine Ministers, including that of Finance; Education; Health; Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Youth and Sports, Women Affairs; Labour and Productivity; Information; with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as the Secretariat. The Steering Committee meets regularly for updates, to review, advise, guide and approve the processes of the N-SIPs,” it said.

    “Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) beneficiaries are identified by members of the communities themselves, through a tripartite method, which includes technology, for objectively and scale. At commencement, the World Bank community-based targeting process was adopted to assure of community ownership of the process.

    “The Bank of Industry (BOI) manages the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) which provides collateral and interest-free financial support to businesses at the bottom of the financial pyramid, through its MarketMoni, FarmerMoni and TraderMoni schemes. The payment process is also transparent”.

    Bibiye explained that Osinbajo only went round markets in the states where the TraderMoni scheme was launched to engage with beneficiaries, adding that he was not involved in the disbursement of loans, whether in cash or through cash transfers.

    The Coalition of Northern Nigerian Youth urged President Muhammadu Buhari to halt any attempt that can lead to maltreatment or embarrassment of the vice-president.

    Speaking with reporters in Kano, its Chairman, Mallam Yusuf Abdulmalik, said any attempt to whittle down Osinbajo’s influence will label Buhari, and by extension, the North, as ungrateful people, thereby creating a bad image for the region.

    He said Osinbajo, who has displayed maximum loyalty to the President, is the face of the Church and strength of the Yoruba as well as the South in Buhari administration.

     

  • PDP will struggle to get 25 per cent of Kogi votes, says APC DG Adeyemi

    THE Director General of the Governorship Campaign Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Kogi State, Senator Smart Adeyemi, on Wednesday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will struggle to get 25 per cent of total votes in the November poll.

    He said PDP has no candidate yet since its governorship primaries is still being disputed in court.

    The APC chieftain also said more than 15,000 defectors from the opposition and other parties will be received by the ruling party in the next few days.

    Adeyemi, who gave insights into the preparation for the poll, said even if PDP’s candidate, Musa Wada, survives the court hurdles, he cannot defeat the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello.

    He said: “The PDP cannot defeat APC in the forthcoming governorship poll in Kogi State. The main opposition in the state will strive to secure 25 per cent  of the votes.

    “In any case, PDP has no candidate because about 35 leaders of the party are in court to seek the nullification of the results of their party’s governorship primaries. Even ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris, who should be the backbone of the party’s campaign, has rejected any offer from the party.

    “The PDP is in disarray in Kogi State; it is too weak to win the governorship poll. But we are interested in PDP resolving its dispute to enable Governor Bello win in a free and fair poll.

    “APC wants a candidate to compete with at the poll. We are fully on the ground. It will be difficult for PDP to defeat Governor Bello.

    Read Also: Kogi poll: INEC trains 210 security personnel

    Adeyemi  noted that although more than 15,000 defectors from the PDP and other parties will defect to APC in the next few days, the party will not make any commitment to anybody.

    “As the election is fast approaching, APC is receiving more defectors on daily basis. We are not going to make personal commitment to any defector. We will not promise anyone slots of being a commissioner or Special Adviser or other personal gains.

    “We will accept people to join our party on the basis of vision, needs and aspirations of the masses. We want those who are committed to the ideals of  the APC,” he said.

    Also, the APC has appointed three deputy directors general for its campaign committee.

    They are:  Haruna Isa (Kogi West District); Abubakar S. Adagu Danguruma (Kogi Central District) and Idoko Musa Haruna (Kogi East District).

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Kogi governorship poll for November 16.

    Although 22 candidates are jostling for the governorship seat, the battle appears to be between APC candidate and his opponent in the PDP.

  • BREAKING: $9.6b award: UK court orders stay of execution, demands $200m security deposit

    The English Commercial and Arbitration has ordered a stay of execution of the $9.6billion damages secured against Nigeria by Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) pending the determination of an appeal by the Federal Government.

    It however asked the government to make a security payment of $200million to the court.

    The court also granted Nigeria’s leave to file an appeal against the award.

    P&ID secured the damages against Nigeria following a failed Gas Supply Project Agreement (GSPA) contract between it and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    A brief by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) from London said: “Stay of execution granted subject to payment of $200m  security payment to court pending the determination of the appeal the leave for which has been granted by the commercial court

    Read Also: Firms linked to P&ID ‘withdraw $700,000 in cash’

    “Application for leave to appeal against the award and enforcement of the award is granted.”

    The Nation had exclusively reported that the Federal Government had opted for a fight-to-the-finish legal battle against the Irish firm.

    The first leg of the war is applying for a stay of execution of the judgment when the court resumes later this month.

    It was also reported that applying for a stay of execution, the Federal Government will file an appeal against the judgment.

    Further findings by THE NATION revealed that the Act bars UK courts from attaching assets of a foreign state without the consent of the state.

    In an article, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP (the largest law firm in the world devoted solely to business litigation and arbitration) said the Act allows a written consent of a foreign state before the enforcement of a judgment which could lead to seizure of assets or freezing of accounts.

    The March 20, 2019 article was titled “Sovereign Immunity in the United Kingdom—Lexology”

    The firm  said in part: “Section 13(2) of the Act provides that:(a) relief shall not be given against a State by way of injunction or order for specific performance or for the recovery of land or other property; and (b) the property of a State shall not be subject to any process for the enforcement of a judgment or arbitration award or, in an action in rem, for its arrest, detention or sale.

    “Pursuant to section 13 of the Act, state assets ‘shall not be subject to any process for the enforcement of a judgment or arbitration award or, in an action in rem, for [their] arrest, detention or sale’ unless the state has provided its written consent (see, for example, Gold Reserve Inc v Venezuela [2016] EWHC 153 (Comm), finding that Venezuela had submitted to arbitration in writing by entering into a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with Canada) or the assets in question are ‘in use or intended for use for commercial purposes’ (section 13(2)-(4)). These provisions apply in respect to states alone as defined in section 14 of the Act, and do not therefore extend to separate entities (see question 8).

    “See Hazel Fox and Philippa Webb, The Law of State Immunity (Oxford University Press, Oxford 2015), pp. 504-5.

    “This provision is subject to sections 13(3) and 13(4) of the Act. Pursuant to section 13(3), a state may provide written consent to the grant of any relief against it. It follows that a state may consent to the grant of interim or injunctive relief against it; however, the mere submission to the jurisdiction of the UK courts does not constitute such consent.”

    Details shortly…

  • Senate to pass Petroleum Industry Bill in 2020

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday said the Senate will pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the end of 2020.

    The Bill is meant to overhaul the petroleum industry, entrench efficiency and transparency in the upstream and downstream sectors, bring operations in line with international standards.

    It also seeks to increase government revenue from oil and lay down a strengthened legal and regulatory framework for the Nigerian oil industry.

    But efforts to reform the nation’s petroleum industry in the last two decades have not yielded result.

    Lawan spoke about the bill while inaugurating the 70 Standing Committees of the Senate at plenary in Abuja.

    The Senate President urged security-related committees of the Senate to ensure the overall review of the nation’s security in “architecture and structure” to curb the rising security challenges in the land.

    He also urged the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to cooperate with committees of the National Assembly to accomplish their tasks.

    Lawan said: “Our petroleum industry is almost stagnant; it has for long be in need of profound reform. Our oil and gas-related committees are, therefore, expected to work hard to take the lead in our determination to reform this vital sector.

    “It is the desire, indeed the design of this Senate, that the PIB is passed before the end of 2020.”

    The Senate President regretted that the nation’s security agencies had continued to perform below desired standards in providing tight security for all citizens.

    He said: “As security is a fundamental responsibility of government, no amount of investment is too much.”

    Lawan stressed that senators expected total cooperation of the Executive arm of government to enable them discharge their legislative duties.

    “The Senate expects the honourable ministers and heads of agencies of government to be forthcoming and responsive to the engagement requests of our committees.

    “Our committees will undertake regular oversights with a view to ensuring that government programmes and projects are properly executed for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.

    Lawan explained that as standing committees are the engine rooms of the legislature so are the MDAs to the Executive.

    “This is why there is need for cooperation, consultation, partnership and synergy between the two arms of government.

    “The MDAs are hereby called upon to harness the opportunity of the existence of the committees in the execution of their mandates. We must have a unity of purpose,” he said.

    Read Also: Saudi attack threat to global oil industry

    Lawan said the inauguration of Senate’s standing committees yesterday was to make the senators fully ready to perform their functions.

    Also yesterday, the Senate directed its committees on National Planning, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Diaspora to come up with a legal framework to regulate the inflow of aids into the country.

    It regretted that 60 per cent of foreign aids were usually lost to transaction costs, wastage and capital flight to the donor countries through the implementing contractors.

    The resolution followed the adoption of the prayers of a motion, titled: “The need to make development aids more effective to work for Nigerians,” sponsored by Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe.

    The Senate also directed the National Planning Commission to develop a policy framework that would create mechanisms for the development, cooperation and aid effectiveness in Nigeria.

    It also mandated all its relevant standing committees – that oversee Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) – who are beneficiaries of development aids/grants to request for, analyze and consider such aid/grants in the appropriation of funds for the MDAs’ activities.

    The Senate advised State Planning Commissions and Houses of Assembly to domesticate and implement Federal policies and laws that would enable the states to achieve aids effectiveness.

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan thanked his colleagues for their interventions.

    The Senate President described the issue of aids as an important item that would be part of the legislative agenda of the Ninth Senate.

    He said: “Let me say this is one of those very important items to form our legislative agenda because aids to Nigeria, particularly, should not be treated like it is treated elsewhere in other countries that are less than Nigeria.

    “We must be able to know exactly what the aids are coming for, and then streamline them with our national developmental objectives.

    “So, the Chairman of Diaspora and NGOs, you have the task of engaging the National Planning Commission together, of course, with the Chairman of the Committee on National Planning to ensure that we know what the processes and procedures are and the regulations and guidelines.

    “If we are not satisfied, then we have to come up with a legal framework that will ensure that if there is any aids to us as a country, our people benefit from the aids.”

    In his lead debate, Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, who represents Kwara Central, urged the Senate to know that Nigeria, a developing country, receives aids from bilateral developed countries and multilateral organisations.

    The senator noted that the aids cover health, education and water, among others.

    He urged the Senate to note that Nigeria is not an aid-dependent country “as the donor support to the country is about five per cent of the national budget. However, in real monetary terms, this is a large amount”.

    Most senators supported the motion.

    The four prayers in the motion were unanimously approved when Lawan put them to voice vote.

    Also, the Senate received report of its ad hoc committee on the Ninth Senate Legislative Agenda.

    Committee Chairman Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) presented the report.

    The consideration and adoption of the report will take place today.

    “This is to enable Senators time to read and digest the report for effective contributions during its debate,” said Lawan.

    The Senate President, on assumption of office, pledged to design a legislative agenda that would ensure effective performance of senators.

    Aliero listed many areas that would ensure youth empowerment, reduce youth unemployment, boost poverty alleviation to ensure that 100 million Nigerians are lifted out of poverty in the next four years, as part of the plank of the agenda, among others.

    The senator representing Kebbi Central said the Senate would also work to further block revenue leakages, back anti-corruption agenda of the Federal Government and make procurement processes less cumbersome.

    He said the Open National Assembly policy would ensure that its budget always remains in the public glare.

    “By throwing open the budget of the National Assembly, Nigerians will know that we have nothing to hide,” Aliero said.

  • Rohr picks Azeez, Olayinka for Brazil game, as Omeruo, Abdullahi, Awaziem return

    Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited midfielder Ramon Azeez and forward Peter Olayinka into Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the Oct. 13 friendly with five-times world champions Brazil in Singapore on Sunday.

    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), disclosed in a statement on Thursday that Rohr is also having defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem back from injury.

    “Otherwise, the squad is largely unchanged from the side that was forced to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine in Dnipro on Sept. 10,’’ he said.

    Olajire said goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Maduka Okoye were also retained in the squad.

    “But England-based Leon Balogun and Russia-based Bryan Idowu are however left out of those called up for the defence.’’

    The NFF spokesman said Azeez, a former under-20 national team captain now with Spanish La Liga side Granada was called up just as English side Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho was left out.

    “Girondins Bordeaux’s Joshua Maja will sit this one out, with his place taken by another new boy, Olayinka,’’ he said.

    Olajire disclosed further that England-based midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also returns after missing the Ukraine encounter with injury.

    “Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Scotland-based Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, who scored on his debut against Ukraine, are all back in midfield, with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu and Emmanuel Dennis all back in the frontline.

    “Substantive captain Ahmed Musa is still down with injury,’’ he added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all invited players are expected to arrive in Singapore on Oct. 9.

    Read Also: Brazil good test for Super Eagles, says Rohr

     

    Nigeria and Brazil will face each other at the Singapore National Stadium at Kallang in Singapore on Oct. 13.

    The clash is coming 23 years after Nigeria, on their way to winning Africa’s first Olympic football gold medal, spanked Brazil 4-3 after extra time in the Atlanta Games’ semi-finals.

    The match was played at the Athens Stadium in the State of Georgia, U.S.

    THE INVITED PLAYERS

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Emil Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)

    Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Anderson Esiti (PAOK Salonica, Greece); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

    Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic).

    (NAN)

  • France pays tribute to former president Jacques Chirac

    France’s National Assembly and Senate stood in silence on Thursday to mark the death of former president Jacques Chirac.

    Chirac, who ruled France from 1995 to 2007, “is now part of France’s history,” National Assembly president Richard Ferrand said in an official statement.

    The conservative Chirac was best known abroad for his staunch opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

    At home, perhaps his greatest legacy was his acknowledgement, for the first time, of the French state’s role in the wartime round-up and arrest of Jewish people to Nazi death camps.

    But he also knew many political setbacks, including the 2005 rejection by French voters of a proposed constitution for the EU.

    Later the same year, he suffered a minor stroke, and in the closing months of the year the country saw severe rioting by frustrated youths from minority backgrounds.

    In 2011, he received a two-year suspended sentence over allegations that, as mayor of Paris in the 1990s, he put party members on the city payroll without them actually working.

    Tributes to the former president came from left and right, with Ferrand also recalling his commitment to arts and the environment.

    Read Also: France’s inhumanity to Africans

    “Personally, I cannot forget the last message he addressed to us when he left power, in which he exhorted the French people never to compromise with extremism, racism, anti-
    Semitism, or the rejection of others,” Ferrand wrote.

    Interior Minister Christophe Castaner spoke of “the strong emotion that touches, at this moment, the French people.”

    European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was “devastated” to hear of the death of Chirac, whom he counted as a great friend, a spokeswoman said.

    The leader of the EU executive has “no words to express his grief,” according to commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva.

    Chirac, who suffered from severe memory problems, had disappeared from public life in recent years. His wife Bernadette, who survives him, has also faded from public view.

     

    (dpa/NAN)