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Category: Governance

  • Reps Vote to Remove CCT Chairman

    Reps Vote to Remove CCT Chairman

    The House of Representatives voted to remove Danladi Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) during a plenary session on Tuesday. 

    The motion cited specific sections of the 1999 Constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as grounds for his removal, which include issues such as misconduct or failure to properly perform his duties.

    However, the decision was met with controversy, as reports indicated that fewer than 150 lawmakers were present during the vote, far below the necessary two-thirds majority of the 360-member House required by the Constitution for such actions.

    This raises concerns over the legitimacy of the session.

    In a related development, the Nigerian Senate recently acknowledged an error in its motion to remove Umar. 

    Sponsored by Senate Leader Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, the motion referenced an incorrect section of the Constitution, which pertains to the Code of Conduct Bureau, not the CCT Chairman.

  • Nigeria, Brazil sign pact to Further Collaboration in Agricultural Transformation

    Nigeria, Brazil sign pact to Further Collaboration in Agricultural Transformation

    Nigeria deepens its economic ties with Brazil as she signs an MoU with the South American nation’s Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV).

    The new pact is aimed at stimulating private sector growth within Nigeria’s agricultural industry.

     The agreement, covers several key areas including fertilizer production, hybrid seed development, and agricultural finance.

    The agreement was signed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

    READ ALSO: MINIMUM WAGE: NO GOING BACK ON DEADLINES, SAYS NLC

    The MOU was signed by Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), and Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, President of FGV.

     This partnership marks a new phase in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil, which has already been in motion through the Green Imperative Project (GIP).

     This project, valued at $1.2 billion, is aimed at modernizing Nigerian agriculture with the help of Brazilian expertise in tropical farming.

    The Green Imperative Project, which was first initiated in 2018, represents a significant international cooperation effort.

     Over the course of the project’s ten-year duration, it will focus on transferring advanced agricultural technologies and best practices from Brazil to Nigeria. 

    The aim is to make Nigerian agriculture more efficient, sustainable, and capable of supporting the country’s growing population.

    The project is designed to support agribusinesses across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, providing them with both the financial and technical resources needed to thrive. 

    With an eye on sustainable economic growth, the initiative will focus on fostering businesses that can contribute to Nigeria’s food security and economic development.

    Moreover, the MOU aims to attract private-sector investments totaling $4.3 billion, directed toward vital sectors like fertilizer manufacturing, seed innovation, and agricultural finance. 

    By attracting such investment, the project hopes to create lasting improvements in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

    The signing ceremony, attended by Nigerian government officials and FGV leaders, signals the beginning of a strong partnership that is expected to bring meaningful change to Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

  • Livestock Sector Investment to Address Crises, Boost Nigeria’s Economy – Tinubu 

    Livestock Sector Investment to Address Crises, Boost Nigeria’s Economy – Tinubu 

    As policy analysts express the concern that beyond the buzzword, Nigerian Governments often lack the discipline of synchronising their plans to address policy pronouncements, President Bola Tinubu insists that his administration’s prioritizing investments in the livestock sector will address long-standing challenges like farmer-herder conflicts, hunger, and poverty, as well as fostering economic growth. 

    Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the signing of a collaboration agreement with JBS S.A., a leading global meat processing company, President Tinubu emphasized the potential of the $2.5 billion livestock investment opportunity in Nigeria.  

    The president noted that these investments will not only provide solutions to existing problems but also unlock vast economic potential. 

    By leveraging Nigeria’s large population and JBS S.A.’s expertise in food security, President Tinubu is confident that the country can transform its agricultural challenges into opportunities for growth and prosperity.  

    During his visit to Brazil, the president also dispatched a Nigerian delegation to explore livestock development and meat processing opportunities, which culminated in the partnership with JBS S.A., one of the world’s largest meat processors. 

    JBS S.A. processes up to 33,000 cattle and over 8 million birds daily, using advanced zero-waste technology.  

    Wesley Batista, the company’s president, expressed eagerness to collaborate with Nigeria to turn it into a key supplier of protein to Africa, stating that JBS’s global reach and operational capacity align with Nigeria’s agricultural ambitions.  

    The collaboration aims to create jobs, enhance food security, and build a thriving livestock industry that can benefit both local and international markets.

  • FG Monitors Ekpa’s Trial in Finland

    FG Monitors Ekpa’s Trial in Finland

    The Nigerian government is closely watching the legal proceedings against Simon Ekpa, the Nigerian-Finnish leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his arrest in Finland. 

    Ekpa was taken into custody on November 21, 2024, after Finnish authorities charged him with inciting terrorism and promoting violence through social media.

    The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ordered his detention based on the severity of the charges, which allege that Ekpa’s online activities have fueled violence in Nigeria’s South-East region. 

    PLEASE READ: HOW NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT PRESSURED FINNISH AUTHORITIES TO ARREST SIMON EKPA – Official

    In a statement, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the arrest and reiterated its commitment to tracking the case as it unfolds, noting the importance of addressing the actions of transnational groups like IPOB that pose a threat to Nigeria’s security.

    Previously, the Nigerian government had urged Finland to take action against Ekpa’s activities. 

    As the legal proceedings continue, officials have pledged to monitor the situation and ensure that the matter is dealt with in accordance with Finnish law.

  • Nigeria Air Force Strike in Katsina Community Causes Collateral Damage

    Nigeria Air Force Strike in Katsina Community Causes Collateral Damage

    A bombing exercise in Shawu village in Ruwan Godiya district of Faskari LGA, Katsina State, has led to multiple casualties. 

    The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, was initially believed to be an accidental strike by the Nigerian Air Force. 

    The operation was intended to target terrorists in the area but tragically struck the community.

    Local authorities have weighed in on the situation. 

    The state’s commissioner for internal security, Nasiru Mu’azu, has refuted claims of an accidental attack, stating the airstrike was deliberate and aimed at terrorists in the region. 

    He emphasized that the military conducts thorough surveillance before launching any operation to ensure the target is correct.

    The Faskari Local Government chairman, Musa Ado Faskari, called the event unfortunate, confirming the deaths of four individuals. 

    He further explained that Shawu has been known as a stronghold for bandits and other criminals, which made it a focal point for the airstrike. 

    Efforts to assess the extent of the injuries continue as local officials coordinate assistance for the wounded.

  • Kano Governor Returns Minors Arrested For Protesting to Parents

    Kano Governor Returns Minors Arrested For Protesting to Parents

    Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has returned 76 minors detained during the August #EndBadGovernance protests to their families. 

    The handover took place on Thursday at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, where the children had been cared for after being arrested for their involvement in the protests, which called attention to governance issues in Kano and Nigeria at large. 

    Governor Yusuf, represented by his Chief of Staff Shehu Sagagi, acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s role in securing the minors’ release. In his address, he urged parents to collaborate with the state government in providing quality education for their children, which he believes is key to the state’s growth.

     He also cautioned parents against using any associations to solicit funds, as such behavior would not be tolerated.

    Kano’s Education Commissioner, Haruna Doguwa, shared that steps had been taken to support the minors’ educational journeys, including providing school uniforms for 50 of them. 

    Additionally, a final-year student protester would be assisted in completing their studies, and another with a National Certificate in Education would be given a job.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Abubakar Yusuf confirmed that the minors had all received medical treatment during their stay at the hospital before being reunited with their families.

     The event also saw former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, donate N50,000 to each child for their education.

  • Senate Sacks CCT Chairman Over Misconduct  

    Senate Sacks CCT Chairman Over Misconduct  

    Many days for the a thief, it is said, the single day of reckoning shall dawn when the owner of the property will catch up with the burglar. This adage succinctly describes the turn of fortune for Mr. Danladi Umar, the recalcitrant Chairman of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) as he gets the boot.

    Danladi’s filled up this Wednesday as the Senate has dismissed him from his position as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) due to allegations of gross misconduct.

    This action was carried out under Section 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which permits the removal of public officials after due process.  

    The decision followed a lengthy closed-door session during which over 84 senators supported the motion. 

    The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, initiated the process, citing various allegations against Umar, including corruption, absenteeism, and public misconduct. 

    These accusations had prompted earlier investigations by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, where Umar’s attendance was inconsistent.  

    The dismissal also comes amid ongoing investigations by multiple anti-corruption agencies into Umar’s conduct, further raising concerns about his suitability for the role. 

    The Senate highlighted the need to uphold the Tribunal’s reputation and ensure its leadership reflects accountability and integrity.  

    Following Umar’s removal, Abdullahi Usman Bello has been confirmed as the new Chairman of the Tribunal, marking a significant administrative shift within the institution.

     This is the first time since 1999 that the Senate has invoked constitutional powers to remove a head of a federal agency.

    ALSO READ: PRESIDENT TINUBU’S MULTI-LAYERED COMMUNICATION TEAM: A GENIUS CONTRAPTION OR DISASTER IN THE MAKING.

  • FAAC Distributes ₦1.411 Trillion for October Revenue  

    FAAC Distributes ₦1.411 Trillion for October Revenue  

    The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared ₦1.411 trillion among the Federal, State, and Local Governments as revenue for October 2024.

     This allocation followed the committee’s November meeting in Bauchi State, which coincided with the 2024 National Council on Finance and Economic Development hosted by the Bauchi State Government.  

    The total distributable sum included revenues from statutory sources, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and Exchange Difference income.

     Statutory revenue accounted for ₦206.319 billion, VAT contributed ₦622.312 billion, EMTL added ₦17.111 billion, and Exchange Difference revenue made up ₦566.000 billion.  

    Out of the shared revenue, the Federal Government received ₦433.021 billion, while States got ₦490.696 billion. 

    Local Government Councils were allocated ₦355.621 billion, and ₦132.404 billion went to mineral revenue derivation for oil-producing states.  

    Revenue collections from Oil and Gas Royalty, VAT, Petroleum Profit Tax, and Companies Income Tax improved in October, while EMTL and CET Levies saw declines. 

    Gross revenue for the month stood at ₦2.668 trillion, with deductions for costs and other transfers reducing the distributable amount.  

    READ THIS: TINUBU RESCHUFFLES UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP OVER ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES

  • Edo Governor Takes Strong Stance Against Cultism

    Edo Governor Takes Strong Stance Against Cultism

    Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has directed the heads of security agencies to make the state hostile for criminal groups, particularly those involved in cultism. 

    This directive followed an inaugural security meeting at the Government House in Benin City, where Governor Okpebholo emphasized his administration’s commitment to prioritizing security.

    During the meeting, the Governor expressed his dissatisfaction with the increasing cases of cult-related violence in the state, especially in Benin City. 

    He made it clear that his government would not tolerate such activities and that urgent action would be taken to eradicate these groups. 

    Okpebholo called for cooperation among security agencies to eliminate these criminals and ensure a safer environment for residents.

    He reiterated that security was a central focus of his campaign and remains at the top of his agenda. 

    In his remarks, he stressed that no effort would be spared to make Edo State secure for its law-abiding citizens, while ensuring that criminals have no safe haven.

    The Commissioner of Police, Umoru Peter Ozigi, joined in the briefing, stating that security forces are actively working together to address ongoing concerns.

     He assured the public that the Governor has committed to providing all necessary support to achieve peace and stability in the state.

  • NURTW Presidency: Court upholds Baruwa, Sacks MC Oluomo

    NURTW Presidency: Court upholds Baruwa, Sacks MC Oluomo

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the rightful President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). 

    This ruling aligns with a previous decision by the National Industrial Court, which validated Baruwa’s leadership.  

    The appellate court dismissed the appeal brought by a faction led by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, both loyalists of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo. 

    The court concluded that the appeal lacked merit, upholding Baruwa’s presidency and awarding N100,000 in damages to the respondents.  

    Baruwa criticized MC Oluomo’s recent inauguration as NURTW President, describing it as a breach of judicial orders.

     He emphasized that the union operates under a legal framework, which outlines proper electoral processes.  

    Baruwa urged the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to enforce the court’s decision to maintain peace and uphold the rule of law within the union.