THE House of Representatives on Tuesday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Managing Director/CEO of Agip Petroleum Plc (now Oando Plc), Mr Wale Tinubu and the management team of Aiteo over perennial oil spillage in some oil-producing communities across the country. The Chairman, Committee on Environment, Julius Pondi, issued the ultimatum during the investigative hearing on the environmental impact of transporting crude oil by mega seagoing vessels from Nembe Creek Trunk to offshore crude oil storage in the Atlantic Ocean by Aiteo E&P. The committee is also investigating alleged oil spillage at the Olugboboro Community in the Southern Ijaw region,…
Author: Abdullahi Maitama Sani
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A PRINCE of Zazzau and son of the immediate past Emir has died in an auto crash. Alhaji Umar Shehu Idris, who is also the Dan Isan Zazzau, lost his life in the road accident along Kaduna-Abuja express way, on Tuesday afternoon. Untill his death, late Umar Shehu Idris was the Assistant Secretary to the Zazzau Emirate Council. He died at the age of 41, leaving behind two wives, two children. Confirming the death, Mallam Abdullahi Aliyu Kwarbai, Media and Publicity officer.of the emirate, said his remains would be buried in due time. Recall that his biological mother who was…
THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has stated that the federal government will not subsidise hajj payment for pilgrims in 2025. This newspaper reports that government subsidy is mostly in the form of concessionary rate which allows pilgrims to access dollars at a reduced rate from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). A statement by the spokesperson of the commission, Fatima Sanda Usara, said for the 2025 Hajj, “There will be no concessionary exchange rate from the government for Hajj fare payment for pilgrims whether under state or private Hajj operators.” This means that if the naira maintains its…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to protect local government secretariats in Rivers State against incursion by arsonists and vandals. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga made this known in a statement on Monday after rampaging hoodlums aggrieved with the outcome of Saturday LG poll burnt down some council secretariats in the oil-rich state. “In response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s local government council election, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state,” Onanuga said. The President urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in…
THE Nigerian government has officially launched its Naira-for-crude sale agreement with Dangote Refinery, effective October 1, 2024. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy announced that, in line with the Federal Executive Council (FEC) directive, the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira has officially commenced as of October 1, 2024. Edun emphasised that the initiative aligns with the directive from the Federal Executive Council (FEC). “The sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira has officially commenced as of October 1st, 2024,” he stated. “Following the launch, key stakeholders convened on…
STRONG indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu has completed the list containing the names and designations of those who will serve in his reshuffled cabinet. Multiple sources in the Presidency, who confided in this newspaper, said Tinubu had concluded the list of ministers to drop and those to retain and was expected to release it on Thursday night, a day after he arrived in the United Kingdom for his two-week annual leave. Following the biting economic hardship and the nationwide protests last August, President Tinubu has been facing increasing pressure from within and outside his party, the All Progressives…
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the nation’s second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. This follows a protest by members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly. In his 64th Independence Anniversary Speech on October 1, Tinubu had conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic( CFR) on the speaker and the deputy senate president. But this development led to a debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, calling on the President to confer a higher honour on the Speaker. In a…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu may bar revenue-generating agencies from collecting revenues on behalf of the Federal Government as he plans to introduce a single agency – Nigeria Revenue Service – to handle the task. This came as the Federal Government instituted a comprehensive set of fresh tax reforms aimed at significantly boosting revenue collection. The reforms, designed to enhance the efficiency of collecting direct taxes, along with various levies that are imposed on behalf of the government, will bar the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, and 60 other revenue collection agencies from participating in revenue collection activities, but will lead…
THE National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadau, on Thursday addressed Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano. Both Bayero and Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi are laying claim to the revered stool of the Emir of Kano. In March 2020, former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had dethroned Sanusi and named Bayero Emir. However, four years after, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf sacked Bayero and reinstated Sanusi. Bayero’s whose sack was announced when he was out of the state, had returned to Kano and moved into the mini palace at Nasarawa, where he has been holding court. Angered by his action, Yusuf had…
THE Senate has received President Bola Tinubu’s communication seeking consideration and passage of the proposed Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Bill to align with ongoing financial reforms of the Federal Government and enhance efficiency in tax compliance. The House of Representatives also received four bills were forwarded by the President. They include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Establishment Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. On October 1, 2024, during his speech on Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary, Tinubu said some Economic Stabilisation Bills would be transmitted to the National Assembly. “We are…
AHEAD of the submission of the report of the 10-member inter-ministerial committee on the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Areas autonomy next week, state governors have begun fresh lobbying against the enforcement of the verdict. The panel, headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has concluded its assignment and is expected to submit its report on or before October 13, according to PUNCH findings. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit issued a regulation, effective from June 1, 2019, banning transactions on State and Local Governments Joint Accounts.…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu is set to proceed to the United Kingdom on annual leave. Tinubu had headed for the UK after his trip to China in September. A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, said he will use the two weeks as a working vacation, and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms. He will return to the country after the leave expires. The president had celebrated Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary with a speech, where he said the Federal Government would introduce a 30-day confab aimed at including…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu says his administration is focused on restoring peace to the troubled parts of the North so that farmers displaced by bandits and kidnapping can return to their farmlands and increase food production. “We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this,” Tinubu said on Tuesday during his 2024 Anniversary Broadcast on the occassion of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Anniversary on October 1, 2024. According to the President, his “administration is winning the war on terror and banditry” with target to eliminate…
A FORMER Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has written to the National Assembly, requesting an amendment to the Constitution to allow for a six-year single term for the President and state governors. In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South. It is noteworthy that during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, he advocated for a six-year single term for the presidential seat. Following the 2023 general elections, Atiku has continued to support this tenure…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will make a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7 a.m. The broadcast, according to a release issued by the Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is part of activities to commemorate the 64th Independence Anniversary of the nation. Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast. See full statement below: STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE OCTOBER 1ST 2024 INDEPENDENCE DAY: PRESIDENT TINUBU ADDRESSES THE NATION President Bola…
PRESIDENT, Bola Tinubu has sworn in Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). The ceremony took place at the Council Chamber of the State House Abuja. The event had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Ministers of Information, Muhammed Idris, FCT, Nyesom Wike, Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and Special Duties, Mr Zephaniah. The swearing in of Kekere-Ekun as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria follows her confirmation by the Nigerian Senate last week. President Tinubu had in August sworn in the new CJN in acting capacity…
VICE President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the just concluded 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. Spokesman to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. During the session in New York, Shettima called on world leaders to recommit themselves to the reform of the United Nations Security Council. He canvassed permanent seats for Nigeria and other African countries, stressing that it has since become imperative for the UN to strengthen its relevance and credibility in a rapidly changing world. “Some…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership reached by the two countries during the President’s visit in early September. This is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. As the Coordinator and Adviser in achieving the strategic partnership, Tegbe will lead day-to-day operations, engage continuously with the Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all deliverables are met and synchronised with national development goals. He is expected to outline the specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area…
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the names of members of the inaugural Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) to the Senate for confirmation. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, the step follows President Tinubu’s signing of the NWDC Bill into law on 24 July, marking a crucial milestone in the commission’s establishment. The NWDC Governing Board nominees are, Chairman: Ambassador Haruna Ginsau (Jigawa), and MD/CEO: Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji (Kano). Members of the board include Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe (Sokoto), Hon. Aminu Suleiman (Kebbi),…
OPERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, over alleged N27bn fraud. It was learnt that Ishaku, who left the as governor of the State in 2023 after spending 8 years, was picked up at his Abuja residence in the early hours of Friday. Impeccable sources within the commission confided in our correspondent that the former governor was still in the anti-graft agency’s custody as at when filing this report Friday night. One of the sources revealed that at least 15-count charges have been filed against Ishaku and he…