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The Federal Government has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the airstrike that claimed the lives of 10 people in Gidan Bisa and Runtuwa villages, located in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, gave this assurance during a condolence visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu in Sokoto on Friday.
In a statement released on Saturday, the governor’s spokesman, Abubakar Bawa, quoted Matawalle as saying that justice would be served and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives of all Nigerians.
Matawalle expressed sorrow over the actions of terrorists who continue to disrupt the peace but assured that the Federal Government would deal with them decisively.
He also commended Governor Aliyu for his proactive efforts in addressing banditry and other criminal activities in the state, noting that Aliyu is the only governor who has requested a military base for enhanced security.
“We will continue to provide Sokoto State with all the necessary equipment and resources,” Matawalle stated.
He conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s condolences over the incident, emphasizing the President’s deep concern. Matawalle attributed the airstrike to faulty intelligence available to the military at the time but clarified that security reports indicated the area was a stronghold for the Lakurawa bandits.
Governor Aliyu, in response, urged the military to enhance its intelligence and surveillance operations to prevent future mistakes. He acknowledged the efforts of the military and other security agencies in maintaining security across the state and thanked President Tinubu for his concern and Matawalle for his support in combating banditry.
Aliyu described the incident as unfortunate but said it was an event that could happen in such operations. He prayed for Allah’s intervention to prevent a recurrence and assured that a comprehensive investigation would be carried out to uncover the facts surrounding the tragedy.
People Democratic party (PDP) Stakeholders in Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency has harped on the need for unity of purpose in the area in order to ensure total victory for Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2026 Governorship Election in the state.
The stakeholders also promised to ostracize any party member that will not work in harmony with the Governor.
Speaking at a solidarity rally and a visitation to mark second year Anniversary of the state Governor Ademola Adeleke at the party Secretariat in Osogbo, the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, also stressed the need for all party stakeholders to work on remaining All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the area, in an effort to bring them to the PDP fold.
Adejoorin, who appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his Infrastructural Development projects within two years in office, noted that the people of Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency would fight All APC as a common enemy in a bid to vote massively for the party in 2026. He stressed that they would not allow individual to divide the party in the federal constituency.
Also in his remarks at the occasion, Commissioner for Cooperatives Empowerment, Bayo Ogungbangbe, noted that for the Constituency to achieve the needed victory, members must work with love in order to ensure the need feat.
He posited that the party did not want to lose anybody in the party, therefore, assured Ijesha North federal Constituency that the government is solidly behind the people of the area.
Contrary to the opinion expressed by an individual over the weekend, the Governor has been fair to the federal constituency in terms of appointment, projects and new projects, which will start early next year.
According to other party stalwarts; the list of completed and ongoing projects in the two local governments speaks volumes:
In Oriade Local Government:
- Schools: Repair and renovation works have been carried out at Apoti Community Grammar School, Apoti; All Saints’ Primary School, Dagbaja, and Ere Ijesa High School, Ere. New blocks of classrooms were constructed at Surajudeen Primary School, Owena Ijesa, and Community Primary School, Kajola Adedeji.
- Healthcare: PHCs in Erin Ijesha, Erin Oke, Ere Ijesa, and Ira Ikeji have been upgraded and renovated to enhance access to quality healthcare.
- Roads: The Itamerin Junction-Oke Agunla-Bishop’s Court Road in Ipetu Ijesa has been rehabilitated to improve connectivity.
In Obokun Local Government:
- Schools: New blocks of classrooms were constructed at Methodist Primary School, Hare, while motorized deep wells were installed at St. Paul Primary School, Ilase, and Methodist Primary School, Iregun.
- Healthcare: PHCs in Ajedun, Imesi Ile, and Ilare have undergone significant upgrades and renovations.
- Roads: Major road projects include the construction of Odowo-Ayetoro Junction-Oja Tuntun-Igbajo/Imesi Ile Road and Oke Oye-Oke Ita Road with spurs to Ogodogbo and Temidire Road in Ibokun
They also pledged loyalty to the Governor, saying the people of Ijesha North federal Constituency would not betray the trust reposed in them.
Meanwhile, responding to the solidarity rally by the Oriade/Obokun party members, the Chairman of the party, Hon. Sunday Bisi, appreciated them and pledged the support of the party to all the stakeholders.
He assured that the government of the day would not let them down in all ramifications.
However, the solitary rally by all the party faithfuls may not be unconnected to the statement issued by the Honourable Wole Oke representing the federal constituency. Obviously,the majority of the party stalwarts are not in sync with the representative.
For a better society
The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has been commended for its efforts in ensuring the attainment of food security in Nigeria.
The commendation from the Africa Development Bank (ADP) and farmers who are mostly beneficiaries of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One, codenamed ATASP-1.
ADP and the benefiting farmers from Enugu and Anambra states, as well as officials of the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Finance and Water Resources toured some project sites executed by the programme in Anambra and Enugu.
The rural farmers who were on the delegation praised ATASP-1, saying that with its drive, the realization of Tinubu’s agenda on food for all will be achievable in no distant time.
In a remark, the Zonal Coordinator of ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, Dr. Romanus Egba, said the aim of the project was to give the farmers a sure means of survival by empowering them with capacity building and inputs, as well as creating enabling environment for increased food production with economic and social/ancillary infrastructures also provided to enhance their living standard.
The National Program Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Arabi, also added that ATASP-1 has proven to be a game-changer in the quest by Federal Government to address food Insecurity in the country.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, says the apex bank will ensure a steady supply of cash to tackle shortages across the country.
Cardoso gave this assurance on Tuesday at a press briefing after the 298th monetary policy committee, MPC, meeting in Abuja.
He said that the CBN was adopting multifaceted measures to address the ongoing cash shortages across the country.
The CBN boss stated that the regulator was ensuring that all Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, receive the necessary cash supplies to meet the growing demand of the public.
“There is a lot that is going on, it is not a single area. It is multifaceted. With respect to cash specifically, we are ensuring that all the deposit money banks are getting all the cash that they require.
“We are ensuring that is happening. We are having regular dialogue between the central bank branches and the cash money banks all over the place to ensure that it is also happening and that there are no gaps” Cardoso said.
He, however, reiterated the apex bank’s commitment to addressing distortions in the cash supply system and ensuring that citizens do not suffer unduly.
Recall that on November 15, the CBN directed banks to prioritise cash disbursement through automated teller machines, ATMs.
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has tasked the Nigerian government to improve its commitment to ensuring that children across the country do not lack polio vaccination.
The Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Rahama Farah made the call at the commemoration of World Polio Day.
He said the event is to raise awareness of the importance of immunization of children to ensure their well-being, explaining that immunization remains the most cost-effective intervention to confront vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in children under 5 years of age.
He said despite the progress made in improving immunization coverage, Nigeria continues to face challenges in getting all eligible children vaccinated.
According to him ” For instance, across Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, we have a total of over half million, 556,750, Zero Dose children: Kano -280,281; Katsina – 171,491; and Jigawa -104,978″
“These are children who should be vaccinated but have never received Penta 3 or one single dose of vaccination”
“Nationally, Nigeria has an estimated two million zero-dose children. Unfortunately, Zero-dose children are at substantial risk of many diseases, including polio”
He noted that the move required strong commitment and leadership from everyone, the Government, traditional, religious and community leaders; health workers, influencers, actors and the media to achieve the desired objectives.
Farah, however, added that there is a need to adequately fund the health sector,
especially before and during polio vaccination campaigns.
He urged local government chairmen to get actively engaged and support immunization activities including their supervision of polio eradication efforts and their participation in review meetings during vaccination campaigns to ensure every child is vaccinated in their respective LGA.
The sitting of the Edo State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) joint transition committee on Tuesday suffered a setback as the APC accused the government of not providing the necessary documents.
DAILY POST reports that Hon Patrick Ikhariale, a member of the APC committee, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City.
Ikhariale, however, added that both parties had agreed to meet once the required information or documents were made available.
He said the APC Transition Committee members had held a series of discussions with the Transition Committee representing the outgoing government.
According to him, the nature of materials that the government team provided did not address any of the issues on the table.
“We have interfaced with the relevant officers of the government, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Joseph Eboigbe, and they agreed with us in October 2024 to provide exactly what we asked for.
“Because what they have supplied us so far has not addressed the issues in any substantial way, and we had expected that this would be resolved by this morning.
“We also had a meaningful and strong discussion. We need a set of documents that will address the issues we have raised, and that is where we are.
“We also agreed that today (Tuesday) Eboigbe has to discuss with His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and get back to us.
“And in any case, the information or documents we are asking for are in line with global best practices; we are not asking for anything out of the ordinary. So, it is on record that we have done the needful.
“As we speak, a letter has been sent to them, and we do hope that what we have discussed and agreed upon as of Monday will be executed so that we can progress and hold the joint meetings we are supposed to have,” he said.
He added that the governor-elect’s transition team is waiting for the Secretary to the State Government, Eboigbe, to reach out to the governor.
He stated that the SSG knows the next line of action to take regarding how and when they would provide the APC team with the necessary documents.
Ikhariale explained that the incoming governor-elect’s committee also urged the outgoing government’s team to provide whatever document or information they have at least 24 hours before their meeting.
He opined that this would enable them to review the documents, peruse them, and have an informed position on what to discuss, so they wouldn’t go to the meeting and discuss irrelevant matters.
He added that these demands were what the parties had agreed upon.
“Hopefully, if today or tomorrow we get the required information and documents, we will reconvene and do the needful,” he added.
DAILY POST recalls that last Friday, during the inauguration of the joint committee, Dr. Pius Odubu, the former Deputy Governor of the State and chairman of the APC committee, called on the outgoing government not to hide any documents from them.
Odubu emphasised that the documents would enable the incoming government to hit the ground running.
Speaking with journalists in Benin City, Secretary of the APC Transition Committee, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, confirmed that both parties had agreed to meet when the required information or documents were provided.
Meanwhile, the Governor Obaseki transition committee alleged that the APC team shunned Tuesday’s (October 22, 2024) joint sitting.
“At 8:00 am on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024, members of the Obaseki-led State Government team started arriving at the venue for the meeting alongside the Committee Chairman, Secretary to Edo State Government, Mr Joseph Eboigbe.
“The government team and journalists waited patiently for the arrival of members of the APC’s transition committee, who never showed up. Even after 1:00 pm, they had not arrived, and the government team left the venue,” they stated.
Last week, both the country’s aviation sector and the public space were enmeshed in an unpalatable news contained in a viral video where a woman purported to be a passenger was seen accusing some staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of extortion before she can be allowed to clear her Luggage.
In the video, the woman who claimed to be a passenger and queried why she was asked to pay N5,000 to clear her bags in the process created scene as she went ahead to assault the officials.
Throughout the period the drama lasted, though the airport officials kept their cool, not quite long, the viral video elicited reactions on the social media with majority of commenters making negative remarks against the airport workers in support of the woman without confirming the authenticity of the allegation.
A reaction from FAAN, whose officials were at the centre of the drama has however changed the narrative of what actually transpired between the woman and the airport officials.
According to a statement issued by the airport authority in reaction to the video, FAAN through its director of public affairs and consumer protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, declared that contrary to the earlier claim by the woman in the video that she was a passenger, she was actually a cargo agent transacting illegal operations at the airport on the said day.
Orah in the statement said: “The individual involved was not a passenger but a cargo agent conducting illegal operations at the airport. She refused to pay the stipulated charges for the cargo and behaved in an unacceptable manner, damaging equipment and straining our resources. We would also like to clarify that there was no form of molestation by FAAN staff, neither was there any request for a bribe from our staff during the incident. This was simply an act of blackmail. Our staff was simply ensuring that the correct levy was paid.”
FAAN however, urged all cargo agents and members of the public to note that cargo operations should be restricted to designated cargo areas, “utilising proper vehicles, personnel and pay the levies. Our cargo policies are designed to ensure adherence to international best practices, prevent damage to airport facilities, and prioritising customer service and safety”.
To further put the record straight, the airport authority confirmed that it statutorily imposes a fine of N5,000 on non- compliant cargoes for various reasons ranging from failure to utilise designated cargo terminals, damage to carousels resulting from improper cargo. Handling.
FAAN equally admonished the public to adhere to the rules guiding airport operations to avoid similar incidents in the future.
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The consolidated bills seeking to provide for prudent management of the nation’s resources; ensure long term macro-economic stability of the economy and secure greater accountability and transparency in fiscal operations within the medium term fiscal policy framework passed through Second Reading on the floor of the House of Representatives, Wednesday.
The consolidated Bill seeks to repeal the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and re-enact a new Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2024 was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and six others, specifically seeks to enhance economic stability and strengthen the management of financial resources.
Leading the debate on its general principles on behalf of the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Marcus Onobun said the bill aims to address loopholes in the existing framework and equip the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) with the tools necessary for effective enforcement and revenue generation.
He stated that in the face of the present dire situation of the country’s revenue profile, it has become imperative, to reposition and strengthen the structure, functionality and effectiveness of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission through the repeal and re-enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 – which will ultimately increase the Commission’s capacity to, among other things, generate independent revenue into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CFR) of the Federal Government.
The lawmaker also stated that, in sections 22(1) & (2) of the Act, government corporations listed by the Commission are mandated to remit 80% of their operating surplus to the consolidated revenue fund and keep 20% in their general reserve fund.
He, however, lamented that many government-owned corporations fail to remit their operating surplus to the consolidated revenue fund at the end of a financial year as stipulated by section 22 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
He said, “I am honoured to lead the debate on the general principles of these important consolidated Bills which seek to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act, No. 31 of 2007 on one hand and also to repeal the Fiscal Responsibility Act, No. 31 of 2007 and to enact the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2024 to provide for prudent management of the nation’s resources; ensure long term macro-economic stability of the nation’s economy; secure greater accountability and transparency in fiscal operations within the medium term fiscal policy framework; and the establishment of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to ensure the promotion and enforcement of the nation’s economic objectives. These Bills were read the first time, in this hallowed chamber on different days.
“The Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, which has been in operation for over one and half decade now, has been observed and found to contain certain loopholes and weaknesses which have hampered its effective and efficient operation and the smooth achievement of its intendment. It is important to note that the extant Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 comprise 57 sections, structured into 14 Parts with one Schedule. The Act lists Corporations and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) directly covered by the Act. Between the time of enactment and now, many other agencies have been added to or removed from the list by pursuant to reviews undertaken by Ministers of Finance therefore bringing the total to 68 Corporations and GOEs. These additions have necessitated the review of over 47 sections of the extant Act.
”Again, the contemplated review of the extant Act, proposes a review of the powers of the Commission under section 2. This Bill seeks to expand the powers of the Commission, to among other proposed powers include conferring the Commission with direct prosecutorial powers. This will greatly enhance the powers of the Commission to effectively enforce the provisions of the Act, especially in collaboration with anti-corruption agencies. It is important to note that without the contemplated prosecutorial powers, the Commission remains a mere toothless bull dog. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, considering the severe setbacks being suffered by the Commission in carrying out its mandate due to paucity or dearth of funds and shortfalls in monthly allocations, section 4 of this Bill proposes provisions to improve the Commission’s funding for greater service delivery. Sections 50-52 of the Bill proposes elaborate provisions on offences and penalties for the infringements and contraventions of the provisions of the Bill when passed into law. The proposed punishments have been categorized into administrative and penal sanctions.”
The Bill was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the plenary session and it was supported by majority of the lawmakers and was referred to the Committee on Finance for further legislative action.
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The Plateau State Police Command has said it has designed an effective security template suitable for guaranteeing a hitch-free atmosphere for the upcoming local government elections.
The command also stated that it has carried out pre- and post-election threat evaluations and has commenced the deployment of personnel to identified flashpoints and vulnerable areas to preempt any potential threats to the smooth conduct of elections in the seventeen local government areas of the state.
This was disclosed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, in Jos, the State Capital, on Monday.
He said, “We are glad to inform you that Plateau State Command has concluded all arrangements, and we are well prepared for the forthcoming elections.
“The CP wishes to warn mischievous elements whose perception of democracy involves the application of violence to reconsider, as law enforcement under his watch is committed to dealing with such characters within the dictates of the law.
“In the same vein, all political actors and their supporters are advised to avoid actions or speeches that could inflame the political atmosphere. Above all, they should cooperate with the Police and other security agencies in our drive to guarantee a peaceful election process.
“Religious leaders meddling in the election process through unguarded utterances should also desist from such actions.”
The State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, held a meeting today with all critical stakeholders within the State to ensure that all hands are on deck for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections.
In attendance were heads of other security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, market organizations, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, political parties, and others.
Adesina assured all citizens of the State of the Command’s optimal commitment to ensuring a peaceful exercise in the State.
“We also wish to inform the public that quasi-security outfits/help groups such as the Neighborhood Watch, Vigilante, etc., are not part of the election security arrangement and are therefore advised to steer clear of election venues and cast their votes at their respective polling units.”
The CP further called on parents, guardians, traditional and religious leaders, youths, and the public to monitor and encourage their children, wards, and subjects to be law-abiding and resist the temptation to be used to cause disturbances of public peace or violate the law during and after the election.
“All electoral observers, both national and international, are advised to ensure that they carry appropriate identification tags issued by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) and cooperate with security agencies to ensure their safety during the process.
“We call on members of the media to note that they have a pivotal role to play in this historic moment in our lives.”
He added, “In the past, Plateau State has recorded a series of crises that have set the state back and hampered economic activities.
“Therefore, as partners and stakeholders in election security, our concerted efforts must be geared towards ensuring the peaceful conduct of the upcoming elections on the Plateau and providing unbiased reportage of the events as they unfold.”
He called on members of the fourth estate of the realm to work in partnership with the police, keeping in mind the security and peace of the citizens of the State.
“We also advise that members of the press and those on essential services carry a valid means of identification while on duty to avoid any form of embarrassment from our men on duty.”
“In a bid to ensure the safety and security of the election process, vehicular movement within the seventeen local government areas will be restricted from 12:00 am (midnight) to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, 09/10/2024.
“We, therefore, urge all residents of the State to go out and exercise their franchise without fear of molestation or intimidation of any kind and to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process,” he admonished.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has said the state needs continuity for progress and prosperity.
Speaking at the PDP campaign in Fugar, in Etsako Central Local Government Area and Agbede, in Etsako West Local Government Area, on Thursday, Ighodalo noted that poverty eradication, enthronement of good governance and wealth creation would be the major focus of his administration, among other programmes.
He commended the Godwin Obaseki-led administration for the improvement in the educational system, workers’ welfare, infrastructure, health and others and promised to build on what was already on the ground.
He promised to eradicate poverty, create wealth and enthrone good governance.
“What Edo needs is continuity for progress and prosperity. My running mate, Osarodion Ogie and I will never disappoint if voted into power.
“My charge to you all is to come out en masse on election day and vote for the PDP. I promise to eradicate poverty, create wealth and enthrone good governance,” he said.
Obaseki, who expressed satisfaction at the massive turnout, commended the people for coming out for the Continuous Voter Registration and assured the people that Ighodalo would take advantage of the gas pipeline that passed through the area for power generation.
“I have never seen this type of crowd in all the places we have visited. I want to thank you all for this massive turnout.
“They say Etsako Central is one of the smallest local governments in the state but you people still have this large crowd.
“I also commended you for coming out during the continuous voter registration exercise in the state, thereby increasing the voting strength of Etsako Central.
“There is a gas pipeline that passes through Etsako Central and Ighodalo has the plan to utilise the gas to generate electricity for the people. He is a ‘chief master planner’ and he has the best plans to take Edo State further into progress and prosperity,” the governor said.
A former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Mike Oghiadomhe, said the Obaseki-led administration had done well for the people and, particularly, the people of Etsako Central.
He thanked Obaseki for bringing Ighodalo to take over from him, describing the PDP candidate as a man with a proven track record.
“The people of Etsako Central Local Government are fully with Asue Ighodalo and they will massively vote for the party and defend their votes,” he said.
Another chieftain of the party, Pascal Ugbome, described the combination of Ighodalo and Ogie as a perfect match capable of taking Edo to greater heights.”
The Director General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and the state Chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi, charged the people to come out en masse and vote for PDP on September 21.
At the campaign, hundreds of APC faithful defected to the PDP, pledging their allegiance to their new party.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) says it will follow to the end and ensure justice for the 17-year-old girl allegedly defiled by a police officer at Ogudu Police Station.
The agency’s spokesperson, Mrs Joke Ladenegan- Oginni, stated this in a post shared on its X handle at @LSdsva on Wednesday.
“The agency was notified of a distressing incident involving a police officer who was alleged to have defiled a child in a police station.
“Upon receiving the report, the DSVA immediately facilitated the necessary referrals for comprehensive medical and psychosocial support, which were promptly provided to the survivor.
“This matter was immediately escalated to the Gender Desk Department of the Lagos State Police Command, ” she said.
Ladenegan-Oginni said that a painstaking investigation was ongoing into the matter.
“We wish to assure the public that a meticulous investigation is currently underway.
“We trust in the leadership of the Lagos State Police Command to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this incident.
“We believe that this is crucial in maintaining public trust.
“We reiterate the Lagos State Government’s Zero-Tolerance Policy for all forms of domestic and sexual violence and reaffirm our dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all survivors, ” she said.
Ladenegan- Oginni appealed to the public to report any case of domestic and sexual violence to its toll-free line on 08000-333-333 or via direct message on its social media platforms @lagosdsva.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had earlier reported that the senior officer allegedly defiled the teenager at the Area H Command, Ogudu.
The girl was sexually assaulted while trying to recover her phone which was stolen by some suspected criminals.
The officer, who offered to help the girl retrieve her phone, tricked her to the station on pretext that the phone had been recovered and the thief arrested.
It was reported that when she arrived at his office, he allegedly forcefully had sexual intercouse with her at gun point.
(NAN)