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Category: Governance

  • Edo killings: Gov. Okpebholo visits Kano, vows justice for victims

    Edo killings: Gov. Okpebholo visits Kano, vows justice for victims

    Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has condemned the brutal killing of 16 hunters in Udune, Uromi Local Government Area of the state.

    He described the attack as barbaric, unacceptable and promised to fish out the perpetrators.

    Governor Okpebholo, condemned the act at Government House, Kano during a condolence visit to Gov. Abba Yusuf on Monday.

    “I was deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. Upon my arrival, I met with my Hausa brothers, who had generously supported me during my election campaign,” Okpebholo said.

    He stated that President Bola Tinubu had directed the Police and other security agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure they faced justice.

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    “We have implemented robust security measures to hold all those involved accountable.

    “Security agencies have already launched investigations to bring the culprits to justice,” he added.

    Okpebholo described the attack as disturbing, emphasising that Nigeria valued the sanctity of human life.

    “This cowardly act contradicts the fundamental principles of our society, which are deeply rooted in both Islamic and Christian teachings.

    “So far, 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings. As Kano remains dear to my heart, we will continue to uphold the value of being our brother’s keeper,” he said.

    In response, Gov. Yusuf commended the Edo  governor for his swift action in addressing the security situation following the attack.

    “We have implemented strong security measures to prevent any reprisal attacks.

    “We also urge that those arrested be publicly paraded to bring relief to the victims’ families and to ensure accountability.

    “I call on Gov. Okpebholo to ensure that the families of the victims receive fair compensation for their loss.

    “I also commend President Tinubu for his prompt response and commitment to justice by directing security agencies to pursue the perpetrators,” Yusuf added.

  • Senate suspends democratic governance in Rivers State

    Senate suspends democratic governance in Rivers State

    Approves President Tinubu’s request for declaration of a state of emergency and 6-month suspension of the elected governor, deputy, state assembly

    The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

    Earlier this Thursday, the House of Representatives granted approval to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by the president.

    This move also includes the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy from office.

    With this approval, President Tinubu is now empowered to enforce emergency measures in the state, with provisions for a periodic review of the situation, not exceeding six months.

    The announcement came after a closed-door session of the Senate on Thursday, which lasted over an hour.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the decision, emphasizing that the approval grants the President the necessary authority to restore stability in Rivers State.

    Akpabio stated that the Senate relied on its Orders 133, 134, 135, and 136 to pass the resolution.

    Earlier, Akpabio disclosed that Tinubu had written the Senate a letter of proclamation on the six-month suspension he slammed on Fubara.

    The letter read aloud at plenary by Akpabio said, “In compliance with the provisions of Section 305, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I hereby forward, for the Constitution of the Senate, copies of the official Gazette of the State of Emergency Proclamation 2025.

    “The main features of the proclamation are as follows.

    • A declaration of a State of Emergency in one State of the Federation, namely, River State.
    • The suspension from office of the Governor, his Deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
    • An appointment of Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the Administrator to administer the State something to any instruction or regulation as made from time to time be issued by me.

    “While I look forward to the expeditious Constitution of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

    Akpabio, after reading the letter, added, “This letter is committed to the Committee of the entire Senate for Immediate passage.”

    Meanwhile, immediately after the letter, Senator Seriake Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa West raised a point of Order 133 that has to do with having a closed-door session.

    Meanwhile, political watchers and legal experts have called out the president for declaring a state of emergency in a situation where the preconditions stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the FRN do not hold sway.

    Most lawyers who spoke on the matter berated President Bola Tinubu who exercising a power he was never conferred with by the Constitution for suspending and elected governor of a state and the house of Assembly.

  • Corporate governance: NEITI boss demands equal representation for Women

    Corporate governance: NEITI boss demands equal representation for Women

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has called for equal representation of Women in all levels of governance and leadership in Nigeria.

    Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Secretary-General of the NEITI, made the call at the event marking and recognition of the 2025 International Women’s Day, by the office, on Friday in Abuja.

    Orji said that the theme of the women day tagged, “Accelerate Action”emphasised the urgent need to take decisive steps toward achieving gender equality.

    He said that the theme would also address the slow pace of progress and empowering women and girls worldwide.

    According to him, the theme underscores the urgency of making faster, more efficient strides, to bring together the quest and the desire for more inclusion of women in global and national affairs.

    “That is why a day like this is a day for reflection on the imbalance in terms of representation at the level of decision making and others.

    “There is always a benefit for women to have their own right at the table where decisions are being made.

     “If they are not there, no one else can speak for them better. So when we have more women at the centre of decision making, issues concerning women will be much more taken seriously.

    “Women go through a lot to bring up children, especially in Africa where mortality rates for women appear to be higher, because women are exposed to more risk than anyone can explain,” he said.

    Orji said that the women day was suppose to be March 8, but NEITI decided to celebrate the day ahead.

    The secretary general said that women remained underrepresented in key top positions, often facing barriers that hinder their participation and advancement.

    ”This disparity not only limits the potential of women in contributing to the world development, it also deprives of diverse perspectives essential for sustainable growth and innovation, ” he said.

     He noted that the top high-level management positions in the industry were predominantly occupied by men, adding that it highlighted a critical lack of gender balance in decision-making.

    He said that women representation at the federal level had also seen some remarkable progress, adding that more needs to be done to ensure its balance.

    The NEITI boss said that the aim of the meeting was to share insight on the legal and policy framework that would promote gender equality, workplace rights, and inclusive governance in Nigeria’s extractive sector.

    Mrs Ezinwa Okoroafor, International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), said that the meeting was one of the strategies to advance gender equality.

     According to her, as we engage ourselves, we are going to hear things, share different ideas that will bring more understanding and better knowledge of what we can do to advance gender equality.

    Speaking also, Mrs Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Programme Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute, said that women had consistently demonstrated competence, resilience and leadership in the oil, gas and mineral sectors.

    Geoge-Ikoli said through strong advocacy, more women would have access to opportunities for growth, leadership, and economic empowerment in a sector that had historically been male-dominated.

    “Today’s meeting will provide a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration.

    “It is my hope that today’s discussions will further inspire actionable steps towards building an inclusive industry,” she said. 

  • FG to prune number of prisons

    FG to prune number of prisons

    The Federal Government has revealed plans to reduce the number of correctional facilities across Nigeria, stating that the country does not need all 256 currently in operation. 

    This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a public hearing in Abuja on allegations of corruption and other violations in the Nigerian Correctional Service.

    He pointed out that some facilities operate at just 30 to 40 percent of their capacity, while others are overcrowded.

     To manage this, the government plans to assess inmates convicted of federal crimes and relocate them to less congested facilities. 

    Since every state has a Federal High Court, redistribution of inmates would help balance the population across different locations.

    The minister also spoke about the poor treatment of inmates, stressing that such practices would no longer be accepted.

     He stated that correctional officers should focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

     He also suggested that personnel undergo psychological evaluations to ensure they handle inmates properly.

    He criticized the idea of incarceration without efforts at rehabilitation, saying correctional centers should not be places of condemnation. 

    The government, he added, is committed to reforms that will improve both the conditions of the facilities and the mindset of those who oversee them.

  • Labour Calls for Nationwide Protest Over Telecom and Electricity Tariff Hikes

    Labour Calls for Nationwide Protest Over Telecom and Electricity Tariff Hikes

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government of a nationwide protest if it moves forward with the proposed telecommunications and electricity tariff increases that go against previous agreements.

    The NLC has instructed all its branches to prepare for action if the government proceeds with the telecom tariff hike, which was initially set at 50%. 

    Despite reports suggesting that a compromise was reached, reducing the hike to 35%, telecommunications companies say they have not received any official communication about the reduction. 

    They claimed that without a formal notification from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), they cannot act on the agreement.

    In addition to the telecom issue, the NLC has voiced strong opposition to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) plans to reclassify electricity consumers.

     The NLC accused NERC of unfairly shifting consumers from lower to higher tariff bands, which would lead to higher bills.

     The union has declared that any further increase in electricity tariffs would lead to massive protests.

    The NLC also criticized the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for overstepping his role and taking actions that should be handled by NERC. 

    The union has made it clear that they will not stand by while the government continues policies they consider harmful to the Nigerian public.

    The NLC’s recent decisions were made during a meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, where they also launched a new mass transit bus initiative for the North East Zone.

  • NYSC members yet to receive promised ₦77,000 allowance

    NYSC members yet to receive promised ₦77,000 allowance

    Corps members across Nigeria have expressed frustration after receiving their February stipend, which remained at ₦33,000 instead of the ₦77,000 they were expecting. 

    The delay contradicts earlier promises by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the federal government.

    In January, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, assured corps members that their allowance had been approved for an increase and that payments would reflect the adjustment once the 2025 budget was passed. 

    However, as February ended, the allowance remained unchanged, and no official statement has been issued to explain the delay.

    This situation has left corps members struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. 

    Many find it difficult to afford basic needs such as food, transportation, and housing due to the economic downturn.

     With inflation worsening and prices of essential goods soaring, the ₦33,000 stipend is no longer sufficient to cover daily expenses.

    Some corps members have voiced their disappointment, accusing the government of failing to keep its promises. 

    Many expected the increment to take effect immediately after the announcement but are now left in uncertainty.

    The continued delay has further fueled concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing economic challenges affecting young Nigerians.

     Corps members are now calling for urgent clarification and action to ensure they receive the promised allowance.

  • Discipline, dedication, benchmarks for implementing 2025 budget -Tinubu 

    Discipline, dedication, benchmarks for implementing 2025 budget -Tinubu 

    President Bola Tinubu lists discipline, dedication and diligence as attributes most required as benchmarks for implementing the 2025 Budget of Restoration.

    He said the N54.99 trillion budget, which he signed into law on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was based on projected revenues.

    Sen. Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, Mr Tajudeen Abbass, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Sen. Solomon Adeola, Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, witnessed the budget signing ceremony.

    “Today, we take another bold step in our nation’s journey of economic recovery, stability, and growth with the signing of the 2025 Budget of Restoration.

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    “We reaffirm our commitment to securing our future, rebuilding prosperity, and ensuring that every Nigerian shares in the dividends of governance.

    “The past year tested our resolve. But through economic discipline and strategic reforms, we achieved what many deemed impossible,” said the President.

    Tinubu noted that the uncertainty over the economy was gradually clearing as the reforms took shape, delivering a national GDP growth of 3.86 per cent in the last quarter of 2024, the fastest in three years.

    “Revenue increased to N21.6 trillion from N12.37 trillion, reflecting our drive for fiscal efficiency and the deficit reduced significantly – from 6.2 per cent in 2023 to 4.17 per cent in 2025.

    “Forex reforms restored investor confidence, stabilising our markets.

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    “The minimum wage was raised to ₦70,000, strengthening the purchasing power of workers, and infrastructure development advanced rapidly, with transformative projects such as the 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway,” the President added.

    He thanked the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their collaboration in giving the appropriation bill speedy attention and passage.

    The President highlighted some priority areas in the budget, including National Security, Infrastructure and energy, Human Capital Development, healthcare, education, and skills development.

    He said the increased allocation for agriculture and food security would boost local food production and ensure that no Nigerian goes hungry.

    Similarly, he said, the enhanced budget for social welfare would support youths, women, and vulnerable citizens.

    “This budget is bold, ambitious, and necessary. However, let me be clear: We cannot spend what we do not have.

    “While we have significantly reduced the deficit, we must ensure that we back every naira spent with actual revenue.

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    “We will not burden future generations with reckless borrowing. Instead, we will expand government revenues through efficiency reforms and enhanced earnings; accelerate public-private partnerships and foreign investments to finance key projects,” he said.

    Tinubu said every government agency would be held accountable for prudent spending and value-for-money initiatives.

    “To ensure smooth budget implementation, we will work with the National Assembly to redefine corrigenda within the Appropriations Act.

    “The redefinition will establish clear triggers for amendments, balancing executive needs with legislative oversight. A budget is not just numbers—it is a promise, and we must honour it with discipline,” the President added.

    Akpabio assured the President of the full support of the National Assembly in implementing the budget.

    He said the President inherited a “foaming economy” that needed urgent economic measures to recover.

    He affirmed that President Tinubu’s experience from Lagos and versatility in managing men and resources enabled the economy’s ongoing reforms and turnaround.

    Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the passing of the budget had been a collaborative effort based on consultation, negotiation and analysis.

    “The National Assembly has all along been partners in progress with you, Mr President,” he added.

  • Afenifere calls for tighter security for NAFDAC DG Adeyeye

    Afenifere calls for tighter security for NAFDAC DG Adeyeye

    The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has urged President Bola Tinubu to improve security measures around Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

     This appeal comes after alleged threats to her life and that of her staff.

    Afenifere’s Organizing Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, expressed concern over Adeyeye’s safety, stressing that her work in combating counterfeit drugs and harmful consumables exposes her to dangerous criminal networks.

     The group believes that any attack on her would not only endanger public health but also threaten national security.

    The organization also called for enhanced protection for other key officials, such as the heads of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). 

    They suggested providing these officials with armored vehicles, well-trained security personnel, and modern surveillance systems to ensure their safety.

    Afenifere warned that failing to act could embolden criminal groups, making it harder to fight the circulation of dangerous drugs. 

    The group urged the government to recognize Adeyeye’s contributions and ensure she and her team receive adequate protection.

  • FG plans smooth retirement for Civil Servants

    FG plans smooth retirement for Civil Servants

    Apparently worried by the tough times civil servants fall into, the Federal Government has promised to take steps to ensure civil servants have a smooth transition into retirement.

    This was revealed at a conference for prospective retirees, where officials outlined various programs to support them.

    The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, spoke at the event, stating that the government is committed to helping workers prepare for life after service.

    The conference, organized with JFK Abiona Consultancy Limited, targeted those on Salary Grade Levels 14–17 who are set to retire within two years.

    The event focused on helping civil servants understand their retirement benefits, financial planning, health, and ways to stay active.

    Programs such as agri-preneurship, business start-ups, and entrepreneurship training were introduced to help retirees find new opportunities after leaving public service.

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    Walson-Jack explained that these efforts align with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025, which aims to improve staff welfare. She also mentioned government-backed initiatives like affordable housing, health insurance, and cooperative societies to support retirees.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Oyekunle Patience Nwakuso, stated that the conference is part of a larger entrepreneurship program designed to give retirees the skills they need for life after service.

    Experts at the event covered topics like financial intelligence, blockchain technology, and strategic business planning.

    Dr. Comfort Adeosun, Director of Occupational Health and Safety, praised the government’s efforts to improve welfare for both active and retiring civil servants.

    The one-day workshop included discussions on retirement planning, adapting to new lifestyles, and avoiding common mistakes that retirees make.

    Notable speakers such as Fela Durotoye, Toobore Olumoye, Njideka Adaego Ononuju, and Alex Enebeli shared insights on how retirees can build a stable future.