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As the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to meet today, student leaders across the country have warned of dire consequences that would follow if the union embarks on a fresh strike. The decision of ASUU to declare an emergency meeting is due to the October 2022 salary cut received by members of the union, few weeks after suspending the prolonged industrial action. The emergency meeting, according to findings, is to decide whether to embark on another strike or not. A member of the union who does not want his name mentioned because he is not authorized to speak said, “I can confirm that, ASUU NEC will meet on Monday, November 7, to take a decision on strike or not. This is an aftermath of half-salary paid by the Nigerian government.” Recall that ASUU had on February 14, 2022, embarked on strike over previous agreements yet to be implemented by the government. The minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, after what he described as “failed negotiations” dragged the striking lecturers before the National Industrial Court. The court, on September 21, ordered ASUU to call off the strike and resume duty with immediate effect. ASUU had appealed the judgement but the Appeal Court also handed down a similar order, asking the striking lecturers to resume academic activities as declared in the earlier judgement and the strike was finally suspended on October 14, 2022. However, during the strike, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government vowed to sustain its No work, No-pay policy in a bid to force the union back to class. Meanwhile, following the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, it was reported that the FG had agreed to set the policy aside and pay the arrears. However, earlier last week, lecturers were paid half salaries for October, a development that may lead to another industrial crisis between the FG and the union. The minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige claimed the half pay was a pro-rata. But some students’ leaders in the country have expressed worry over the continued crisis in the nation’s tertiary institutions, which is shattering the future of students. In an interview with LEADERSHIP, the national president, Nigerian Association of Science Student (NASS), Agbatemiro Raphael Akintomide said the 8-month strike had already shattered the dreams of many students and a fresh strike would have dire consequence on the country. He said the Nigerian students will never accept any delay or any further ASUU strike to come on board again, while urging the government to stop going into agreements it cannot fulfil. “First, the eight months strike is something I wasn’t happy about. I have been part of the system and I was not happy at all and during that period, I was able to issue out statements and press releases, I was able to mobilise some of my students to protest and ensure that the ASUU strike was called off, even before now. “But it is so alarming that a country of ours that has a government that even the vice president is a professor and yet we can’t solve our educational crisis. It is something that is alarming and is condemnable by every student. “And the most annoying part is that we are hearing recently that they are about to embark on another strike and I’m using this medium to tell the public and the entire Nigerian students that we can’t take it, we can’t allow it. “Destinies have been delayed, destinies have been shattered. We have lost so many members during the strikes, many of our girls were impregnated during the strike, a lot of activities have taken place that shattered and battered the destinies of Nigerian students. “So, we won’t allow such to happen again and I want to call on the federal government, His Excellency, the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari that he should please do everything possible and even the red chamber, the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, they should do everything possible to ensure that they secure the destinies of Nigerian youths. “I remember history told us that in their own time they passed through this system free of charge, as a matter of fact, they were fed and paid. Now we are paying for it and they are depriving us. Is something that we can’t accept any longer. It has to stop.”
The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on Thursday in Abuja said that the construction of a second runway at Nnambdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) would be completed by November 2023.
Sirika made this known when he received the National Assembly joint committee (Senate and House of Representatives) on Aviation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja for oversight function.
According to him, the Federal Government is ready to speedily finance the project from the mobilisation stage to the final stage.
Sirika , who stated that the contract was supposed to be for a period of 12 months, added that the maintenance would be for another 12 months.
The minister affirmed that the project would be delivered before the end of the current government.
“The work has commenced in harness, and it is our intention to deliver the project as soon as possible.
It is practicable.
Government is committed to this project and to fund it.
“We are here with the two committees of National Assembly (NASS), the Senate and House Representative with their Chairmen on oversight and particularly on this spot.
“This is where the much awaited Second runway is coming.
As you can see the contractor has been mobilised to site, “ he said.
The Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, Mrs Abiodun Olujimi, commended Sirika for efforts made so far to kick start the project.
She promised that the NASS would keep supporting the project toward completion as scheduled.
“Just as the minister said, we came on an oversight visit to the site of the second runway.
It has been pending for a very long time.
“ You remember at a particular time, the airport had to be shut down because we had only one runway and it was bad.
So, it is the initiative of the minister to ensure that the second runway took effect.
“We are grateful that we are here and we have seen that the contractors are mobilised.
They are here and they are working.
The minister just said that the funding would be approved constantly, “ she said.
Speaking, Mr Nnolim Nnaji, Chairman House of Representative on Aviation, said the second runway was necessary as Abuja happened to be the Capital of Nigeria.
Nnaji expressed optimism that all relevant stakeholders would synergies and cooperate to ensure quick completion of the project.
“ We have been expecting this construction to take off, for some time now we have been funding a budget to accommodate for the second runway.
“ Abuja being the capital of Nigeria with an aggressive infrastructural development and economic base, we feel it is important to have another runway which is very important .
“This runway, when completed will be the longest runway possibly in west Africa, which is about 4.2 KM.
against the existing one that is about 3.7km,“ he said.
According to him, the second runway is coming with a control tower, taxi way and other facilities.
In the second phase of this project we will have a terminal building around this place.
He said the project that was at the mobilisation stage at present would cost 72 billion naira for the construction.
“As we are happy with the minister, we also congratulate ourselves to be part of this success story.
“We will be here to witness as the chairman of the committee and members of the Aviation committee the commissioning of this project, “he said.
Contributing, Sen. Smart Adeyemi, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, said he came to consider the level of compensation to be given to the indigenes and farmers, whose economic trees were affected.
He commended Sirika for the landmark achievement regarding the commencement of the project.
According to him, all relevant stakeholders under the current administration should be proud of it.
“My involvement here is to look at the length of the route and have an idea of the compensation that will arise from the economic trees, to be given to the indigenous people of this territory.
“The 20222023 budget of the FCT is still with us.
My coming here is to see how we can probably inject some funding to meet the needs of the indigenous people,“ he said.
“ This is to ensure peaceful construction of work and to secure the prayer and support of the indigenes for this project,“ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the new Cargo terminal and Nigeria Air headquarters buildings were also visited.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Journalists For Christ (JFC) International Outreach on Saturday in Abuja, unveiled a publication of a special media publication on the pains, hopes and aspirations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the publication: “Silent Cries”, is an initiative to advance the welfare of the displaced persons.
In his opening remarks, Mr Sanmi Falobi, Project Advisor, JFC, said that “Silent Cries” is a story of IDPs as told by themselves, using the instrumentality of media friends.
He said the publication was to bring the unheard voices of the IDPs to the front burner, to see how to further expand their voices to be heard by those that responsible for improving their welfares.
He said the welfares of the IDPs had to be put at the centre of issues.
Also Mr Seun Akioye, the publication reviewer, said the media should continue to highlight issues and bring to the fore; concerns of persons affected by hostilities and conflicts.
Akioye said this was especially on the provision of welfare amenities and basic facilities, adding that the media should see the task as part of their social obligations to the society
He said that the media should report IDPs with empathy by focusing on their stories with respect to individual experiences and productive activities.
He also called on governments especially the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to be proactive and strategic in responding to the needs of the IDPs.
“Also other agencies, special Committees by NASS or taskforce by the presidency or National Assembly and this will be within the context of providing succour to ameliorate their pains.
“Not only by distribution of relief materials, but in addition to providing healthcare, and educational skills capacity support,” he said.
He urged government to collaborate with civil society organisations to curtail cases of abuses, sexual violence, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other human rights abuses experienced by the IDPs.
He described the publication as a compendium of the experiences of fellow Nigerians, who few years ago were living normal lives like every other Nigerian, but today find themselves in unfavourable places, not bargained for.
“Anybody can become an IDP, so we need to fight now to make the situation of IDPs better,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ochiaka Ugwu, Secretary, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, in his remarks stressed the need for journalists to be compassionate when reporting about the down-trodden.
Ugwu said that compassionate journalism should be the in-thing and reporting the unreported and giving voice to the voiceless in the rural areas should be of utmost importance.
Mrs Deborah Coker of NAN was at the event presented with a Certificate of Recognition as IDPs Supportive Journalist by the JFC.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Association of Nigeria (ROMAN) in the FCT, says plans are ongoing to issue digital identification to its members.
According to the association, this will go a long way to check criminality among them.
The National President of the Union, Alhaji Olusola Razaq, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said this during a sensitisation meeting organised for or members at Karu, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Razaq, the move by the union is to avoid outright ban by the Federal and States governments owing to unregulated activities of commercial motorcyclists in the city centre.
He said his leadership had already engaged an ICT company that would carry out a digital image capturing of all members nationwide for proper Identification.
”The reason why we are here is to inaugurate the FCT executive ahead of the national reforms as ordered by the Federal Government.
”And like I said, we have gotten a company that will create a data base for our members to ensure proper Identification of all members since there are other existing unions across the country,” Razaq said.
The president said plans were also ongoing to seek the establishment of a National Regulation Act for the association from the National Assembly (NASS).
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According to him, the reason why the activities of commercial motorcyclists are despised is due to unregulated operations nationwide.
”Days are gone when Okada riders are used for political thuggry.
Of course we know that the new INEC electoral Act does not give room for such anymore.
”So our efforts now is to ensure that Okada riders are well sensitised like every other Nigerian who can also live their normal lives like good citizens of this country.
”We are also negotiating with the Federal Road Safety Commission and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) on the issue of members getting their number plates, to stop disobeying road rules, avoid road crashes and sudden deaths.
”We are also doing this to help millions of Nigerians get out of poverty because many families have waited for white collar jobs endlessly.
”So, what I am saying is that commercial motorcyclists have contributed and is still contributing in providing employment for youths.
“It will also interest you to know that we have set up National task force in each of the states we operate to ensure compliance.
”
The Chairman of ROMAN, FCT chapter, Comrade Maharazu Yahaya, said the exercise was in compliance to the strict order mandating every commercial motorcycle association in the FCT to ensure proper regulations for its members or face outright ban.
Yahaya said that the inauguration of a new executive would ensure speedy response to all cases involving its members.
Also speaking, the Nyanya Area Commander, Habila Maikeffi, advised motorcyclusts to always obey road rules, with special emphasis on plying one-way to beat traffic gridlocks.
Maikeffi, while reiterating police readiness to carry out order from the FCT Police Commissioner, also advised the riders on the need to check their mental health, saying it was a bi-product of banned substances.
Maikeffi, said, “I will like you all to carry out your daily commercial operations with clean health, not under the influence of hard drugs as such makes you to cause pandemonium at every little provocation.
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Chairman of Karu Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Dr Bathelomeo Agbo, urged the motorcyclists to always respect the law guiding their operations.
He appealed for proper understanding among the riders and the leaders to ensure efficacy of all regulations, as such would enable them enjoy the business of Commercial motorcycle to the benefit of their families.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Victor Chinemere, the Chairman of Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), says the reluctance of MDAs to publish their monthly financial transactions is stalling the commission’s drive to improve fiscal transparency and accountability.
Chinemere made this known in a paper he presented during the Lunch Time Reform Seminar organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), on Thursday in Abuja.
The paper is titled ‘Strengthening Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Prudence through the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.’
He said that the publication of audited financial statements were also routinely ignored or flouted by the federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Chinemere explained that the report was part of the provision of the Fiscal Responsibility Act which the MDAs were expected to comply with.
The FRC chairman said although, the publication of daily payment report by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has recorded significant compliance since
inception, the MDAs have not been forthcoming.
“It appears that most MDAs have not been forthcoming with up-to-date information on their daily financial transaction on the open treasury portal as required.
“And in a format that would enable ordinary citizens clearly understand what is being displayed.
“ Time limits which are imposed for the performance of obligations under the Act, especially for the disclosure of financial records or publication of audited financial statements are routinely ignored or flouted.
“This partly explains the inability of the government to take necessary and timely fiscal decisions and effectively communicate same to the citizenry,” he said.
The chairman added that Government Financial Transparency Policy Guidelines required all MDAs to publish monthly budget performance reports within seven days of the end of each month.
“ The publication which is a responsibility of both the OAGF and MDAs should detail performance of the budget by various dimensions including functions and economic activities performed by all federal government agencies.
This is largely being disobeyed.
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Chinemere also expressed concern about the failure of most states and local governments to fully adopt the the Financial Responsibility Act, 2007, even though they take more than 48% of national resources.
“This is a major drawback to the quest for transparency and accountability, bearing in mind that Nigeria operates one economy.
“ Less than 24 states are known to have passed their FRLSs with varying degrees of implementation,” he added.
” It is lamentable that some states are yet to operationalize the Treasury Single Accountant up-till now,” he added, saying that some states were yet to also commit to the Open Government Partnership.
Chinemere, however, said in spite of the challenges,
“there is great improvement in transparency in Federal government ’s fiscal and financial affairs.
These, he said, included “improvement in fullness and timeliness of disclosure and publication of transactions and decisions involving public revenues and expenditure and their implications for its finances.
“Regular publication of monthly financial disbursement to the three tires of government from the Federation Account after successive FAAC meetings.
“The introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which is a public accounting system whereby all the Federal government receipt, revenue and income are collected into one single account maintained and managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
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According to him, the TSA is meant to promote and enthrone an efficient, centralized, transparent and accountable revenue management system as well as facilitate effective cash management.
The FRC chairman urged the National Assembly to fast track the amendment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 to ensure effective performance of the commission.
“The commission’s funding must be increased significantly if it is to effectively deal with violations to the FRA 2007.
“Including those relating to failure to comply with transparency and accountability provisions and to undertake the prosecution of offenders as proposed in the amendment.
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He said that the commission wants the amendment to include sanction for violations, including prohibiting violators from contesting elections into public office for five years, and fines of up to 30% of annual salary and jail terms ranging from three months to four years.
“Where necessary, the commission will continue to,“name and shame” violators, not just in the media, but by reporting them to the NASS with the hope of curbing and reducing seeming impunity.
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The chairman added that citizen groups, NGOs, CSOs and other individuals should be sensitized to activate the civil enforcement mechanism set out in Section 51 of the Act.
He said that the section allowed them to seek prerogative orders of the Federal High Court in order to “compel” public officers to comply with transparency and accountability obligations of the Act.
“It is hoped and prayed that the NASS will speed up the FRA, 2007 amendment process in order to produce a more robust legislative instrument for ensuring and enforcing the improvement of fiscal hygiene in Nigeria,” he added.
Chinemere added that passage of the amendment was necessary, as the 2007 Act did not stipulate appropriate sanctions and punishments for offenders.
“This has made it difficult to compel compliance with its provisions and end the current impunity with which its provisions are flouted particularly in the area of transparency and accountability,” he said.
Earlier, the Director General of BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, described accountability as an acceptance of responsibility for honest and ethical conduct towards others.
“As public servants, we are accountable to our stakeholders, employees and the citizens at large; being accountable implies a willingness to be judged on performance.
“The public service is the machinery that hovernment uses to render services to the people and as such, public servants should think of how they can constantly and conveniently improve themselves to give better service.
“The process of rendering these services must conform to the prescribed code of conduct provided by the Constitution.
“Thus, a public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities,” he added.
According to him, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 aims to achieve fiscal stability and sustainability, improve fiscal transparency and increase the accountability of the government and the public servants.
“By this Act, it is expected that the public sector would have a definite regulatory structure to act as watch dog on the activities of the public office holders and as checks on financial encroachment between and among tiers of government.
“This is expected to bring sanity and responsiveness into the public sector and among the various tiers of government in Nigeria,” Arabi said.
He added that the aim was also to ensure good governance, macroeconomic stability, commitment to social and economic equity and the promotion of efficient public institutions.
“For economic development and growth to thrive in Nigeria, there must be prudence and accountability in handling public funds, there must be reduction in fraud and improving the transparency in the way public servants work,” he emphasised.
Arabi said that the Bureau’s vision of seeing a Nigeria with a well-functioning, effective and efficient socio-economic system is shared by the vision of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
He added that the vision “is to establish a transparent and accountable government management framework for Nigeria”.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Stakeholders and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River say the party is better organised to win elections, especially the 2023 general elections in the state.
Mr Idi Yakubu, an elder and chieftain of the party in Ogoja, stated this during a million-man solidarity walk in support of Sen. Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe in Ogoja on Saturday.
He said that even in opposition, the party remained united in the quest to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River
Yakubu, while addressing the crowd during the solidarity for the Cross River Northern Senatorial Candidate, said Agom-Jarigbe had been a shining star in the party and people of the district.
He particularly pointed out that the senator had proved to be a worthy representative for the district in the National Assembly (NASS).
“We, the elders and chieftain of the party are proud of him; he has demonstrated to be a leader who loves his people; he has shown this in different ways.
“We are committed to supporting him and to urge the people to vote Jarigbe during the poll as a reward for hardwork and loyalty to his people,” he stated.
Also speaking, Godwin Offiono, the PDP candidate for Federal Constituency, said the massive turnout for the solidarity walk was a demonstration of the acceptability of Agom-Jarigbe by the people.
He described Senator as the “Governor -General of Cross River North” who had done exceedingly well.
“This is a clear demonstration of Senator Jarigbe’s acceptance.
The ‘Governor general’ of the north has performed exceedingly well.
“This is an expression of solidarity, love and acceptance the people of Cross River North have for senator Jarigbe,” he said.
Meanwhile, Agom-Jarigbe has said the poor performance of Gov. Ben Ayade, who is the candidate of the APC for the Senatorial district, would make the election easier for him.
According to him, “The Ben Ayade administration in the state is a failed government.
He has failed his people.
I am going to face a non performing governor and I will defeat him.
”
He advised his supporters to stand firm with the PDP and all its candidates.
“I treat my people with empathy, input myself in their shoes and their support for me is actually unparalled, I owe them a lot.
“I’ve provided most of what the people need and have filled the gaps.
“Return all the PDP candidates and it will be better for all of us,” he stated.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
NASS lauds FG on improved budgetary releases to MDAs
NASS lauds FG on improved budgetary releases to MDAs
Budget
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 15,2021The National Assembly has commended the Federal Government for the improved releases of fund for capital and overhead expenditure of research and training establishments in the agricultural sector.
The Chairman,Senate Committee on Agriculture, Sen.Abdullahi Yahaya (APC-Kebbi ) said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.
Yahaya said the performance of the budget by the institutions has been impressive.
“The performance of the budget has been very impressive, in most aspect, disbursement has reached over 70 per cent in most areas about, 100 per cent has been disbursed for capital projects.
“This is different from what has been happening in the past, when budget implementation was hovering around 50 to 60 per cent, but from 2019 to date, inspite of the economic challenges that government has been facing.
“It has been able to finance its capital projects about 70 per cent and in most cases above and up to 100 per cent.
“It is an improvement over what has be happening in the past decades before this time.
“In spite of the revenue challenges,the government has done quite impresively in funding this institutions and getting their releases on.
” I will also use the opportunity to really extend our own appreciation to the fiscal authorities for the credibility and desterity they have shown in funding institutions from 2019 to date,” he said.
The former senate leader said that although the revenue accruing to the federal government was getting lower, the releases to the institutions have been very impressive.
He said the committee after conclusion of the 2023 appropriation would inspect some of the physical achievements that have been made by the institutions.
On the internal revenue revenue generated by the organisations, Yahaya said there were lots of issues that pertained to revenue generation, adding that some of the issues were legal in nature.
According to him, there are certain legal and procedures challenges that prevents some of the organisations from undertaking commercial activities.
He advised the agencies to develop their capacities to be at par with the private sector to invest in development activities.
“So unless, there is a new thinking to allow some of these institutions, particularly the research institutes to also engage in investing in development activities, apart from that, some of their revenue drive will be very abysmal,” he said.
He also advised the research institutions to develop technologies and partner with the private sector to turn their innovations into production.
“The most important thing is to develop technologies and partner with private sector, which is a better manager of investment resources than government institutions.
“So the major issue is to make sure that the scientific research institutions linked up with their industrial concerns either as developers of patents and technologies, bringing the innovations developed at research level and popularising them for adoption by farmers.
” Because some of these industrial goods that can be manufactured by some of these institutions, the major issue is to connect the research institute with the manufactures and industrialists, if we can establish this connection ,I think the sky is our limit,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the committee had in the week engaged the research and training agricultural institutions on the implementation of their 2019,2020 and 2021 budgets.
ABI
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Dr Sa’ad Abdullahi, the, Ag. Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has called for an increase in budgetary allocation for education and healthcare in line with best global goals. Abdullahi made the appeal on Thursday in Ilorin while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria on the 2023 Budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly (NASS) by President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari had presented N20.51 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year for consideration by the chambers of the NASS. He told the News Agency of Nigeria that the proposed Revenue and Expenditure estimates of N9.73 trillion and N20.51 trillion, respectively, are the largest (nominally) in Nigeria’s history. According to him, this results in the highest fiscal deficit (the difference between Revenue and Expenditure) of N10.78 trillion witnessed since 1999, when the country’s current democratic dispensation began. “It also represents 4.78 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Expenditure budgeted sum of N20.51 trillion is a 19.8 percent increase when compared to the N17.13 trillion of 2022 plus the supplementary budget,” he said. Abdullahi explained that out of the total revenue of N9.73 trillion set aside to fund the budget for the year, approximately the same amounts of N1.08 trillion and N1.09 trillion were budgeted for education and health, respectively, compared to N1.24 trillion that was budgeted for defense. “The N1.08 trillion earmarked for the education sector crossed the N1 trillion mark for the first time, but only accounted for 5.3 percent of the total budget allocation for the year. “This is significantly lower than the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s benchmark for the funding of the educational sector. “The international benchmarks recommend allocating 15 to 20 percent of public expenditure to education and 4-6 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “One out of five out-of-school children in the world is a Nigerian and both individuals and the country will benefit from investment in education. Unfortunately, the country’s education budget has been declining for years,” he noted. The don also observed that the most recent was a mere 5.6 percent of the 2021 budget, much below the recommended benchmark. He pointed out that at the Global Education Summit in London in July 2021, the president promised that he would increase the budget for education by 50 percent between 2022 to 14 percent and 2023 to 16.7 percent. “Mr. President also said education expenditure would be increased by up to 100 percent by 2024 (to 20%) and 2025 (to 22.5%) beyond the 20 percent global benchmark. “While it was agreed that the 2021 budget was the worse in 10 years after 2011, that of 2022 also recorded a sad recurring decimal,” he lamented. He asserted that in the face of a 50 percent increase, 8.4 percent was expected, which is an equivalent of N1.14 trillion. Besides, Ahmed observed that unfortunately, it was approximately N0.92 trillion out of the total budget of N17.13 trillion, which is 5.4 percent. He added that going by the 2023 budget for education, it seemed the president has forgotten he made a commitment in 2021 to increase education funding by 50 percent over the next two years. He observed also that compared with the second-largest African economy after Nigeria, shows that South Africa is to spend 20.4 percent of its total consolidated government expenditure on education, which is very commendable for a nation with a population of approximately 62 million people versus 200 million people in Nigeria. “Education is no doubt at the heart of the world’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “Not only is it a stand-alone goal (Goal 4), it is also a target contributing to other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health and well-being (Goal 3), decent work and economic growth (Goal 8), responsible consumption and production (Goal 12) and climate change mitigation. Dr. Sa’ad Abdullahi, Ag. Dean of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Ilorin. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the week extended the ongoing fight against corruption to nation’s education sector to demand for accountability in the administration of academic institutions.
This, he said, has become imperative to address corrupt practices in the institutions.
He said that corruption in education sector had continued to undermine investments.
The president stated this while declaring open the Fourth National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in the Public Sector at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The Summit was organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Office of Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Buhari expressed concern over the manifestation of various forms of corruption in the education sector.
He presided over the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday where the Council endorsed the 2023 budget proposal for onward presentation to the National Assembly.
Buhari also on Wednesday hosted Gov. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, where he pledged to address three major requests tabled by the governor with “promptness and immediacy.
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The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the president also met behind closed doors with former President Goodluck Jonathan, immediately after his engagement with Diri.
NAN reports that the agenda of the meeting between the president and Jonathan, also an indigene of Bayelsa, was unknown to newsmen as at the time of filing this report.
Also on Wednesday, the Presidency dismissed accusations on social media by presidential candidate of the Labour Party’s Peter Obi claims that some of his supporters, known as “Obidients”, have been “silently arrested” were unfounded.
A source in the State House, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said both the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have officially confirmed that no such arrests whatsoever had been effected.
According to the source, neither “silent arrests”, nor for that matter “open arrests” – have been made of any of Obi’s supporters.
On the same day, Buhari expressed his happiness and satisfaction, and that of the entire nation with the military as well as other security agencies on the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna train passengers.
The affected passengers were held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists over six months ago.
The president addressed the Passing out Parade and Commissioning Ceremony of Cadets of 69 Regular Course (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna on Thursday.
At the event, Buhari directed the Service Chiefs to replicate the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in the North East in other parts of the country.
The president listed comprehensive and systematic acquisitions by his administration within seven years, describing them as unprecedented in the past 38 years of the Nigerian military.
Buhari, who again commended the military for the safe release of the remaining 23 victims of the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack on Wednesday, met with the freed passengers at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) hospital in Kaduna.
The president made an impromptu visit to the hospital to see the victims of the train attack after inaugurating Cadets of 69 Regular Course (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the NDA, in Afaka, Kaduna State, on Thursday.
Before boarding NAF 001 back to Abuja from the Kaduna International Airport, Buhari detoured to the hospital, where he also thanked the Nigerian military for their brave services in securing the safe release of the hostages.
The president’s special write-up also featured in the Financial Times of London, where he expressed the happiness of Nigerians by the news this summer that 72 artefacts, known as the Benin Bronzes, held by the Horniman Museum in London were returning home, 125 years after being plundered by British troops.
”The clamour for repatriation of looted treasures is becoming irresistible.
”There was once a similar clamour for the return of Africa’s stolen assets, and I see both as part of the same struggle to bring back to Nigeria what is rightfully ours.
”Siphoned from the continent by corrupt former leaders, countless billions remain stashed in western bank accounts.
”Although Nigeria has inarguably been the most successful among African nations in securing the return of stolen money, it has recovered only a fraction of what remains in the west,” he said in the article also published by some local media outfits on Thursday.
On Oct. 7, Buhari met with the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum over the reported cases of flood across the country.
The president encouraged the governors to meet with the Minister of Water Resources to fashion out solutions to the problem.
The meeting was attended by the outgoing Chairman of NGF, Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, the incoming Interim Chairman, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, and the Interim Deputy Chairman, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi.
The governors had told the president that lives had been lost, homes and farmlands washed away in states like Kogi, Yobe, Jigawa, and many others.
Buhari hosted Mr Michael Lodge, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
Lodge was in Abuja to attend a workshop on Africa Deep Sea Resources in Abuja.
Also on Friday, President Buhari unveiled a budget of N20.51 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year at a joint session of the National Assembly (NASS).
According to the president, the 2023 budget will be his last budget to be laid before the NASS as the second tenure of his administration expires on May 29, 2023.
NAN reports that the budget will also be the last for the consideration and approval of the 9th NASS.
He described the 2023 appropriation bill as a budget of fiscal sustainability and transition.
The president said: “A total expenditure of N20.51 trillion is proposed for the Federal Government in 2023. This includes 2.42 trillion Naira spending by Government-Owned Enterprises.
“The proposed N20.51 trillion 2023 expenditure comprises: Statutory Transfers of N744.11 billion; Non-debt Recurrent Costs of N8.27 trillion; Personnel Costs of N4.99 trillion; Pensions, Gratuities and Retirees’ Benefits of N854.8 billion.
”It also includes Overheads of N1.11 trillion and Capital Expenditure of N5.35 trillion, including the capital component of Statutory Transfers; Debt Service of N6.31 trillion; and sinking Fund of N247.73 billion to retire certain maturing bonds.
“We expect total fiscal operations of the Federal Government to result in a deficit of 10.78 trillion Naira.
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Buhari ended the week with a goodwill message to Muslims on the occasion of Maulud to celebrate the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The president urged Muslims to “practice the noble and shining virtues of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
He explained, “the prophet became famous for his life of humility, justice and fairness,” saying that, “the best way to honour him is to follow his good examples.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has supported call by Chief Segun Runsewe for the National Assembly (NASS) to give the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) powers to go after BB Naija for the purpose of stopping nudity.
This is contained in a statement by Group Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola on Sunday in Abuja
“The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Segun Runsewe on Oct. 4 called on the National Assembly (NASS) to give his agency powers to go after BB Naija in order to stop nudity in the reality TV show.
“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) supports Runsewe’s call and we see no reason why the NASS will hesitate to give him all necessary backing.
Big Brother Naija’s reality TV show is the devil incarnate misleading Nigerian youth.
“MURIC has been consistent in its condemnation of BB Naija.
We can recall two separate statements issued on the reality TV show.
On July 12, 2019, we made a statement titled ‘Ban BB Naija,” Akintola said.
He added: “Again on Oct. 8, 2020, we issued another statement under the caption ‘MURIC Chides Ogun Governor Over BB Naija Gifts’.
“That was when the governor gave a bungalow and N5 million cash to the winner of the reality TV show.
We saw the governor’s action as idolising immorality and demonising discipline.
We described his action as ‘disappointing, disgusting, misplaced and myopic.
“We call on the NASS to listen to Runsewe.
It is the voice of reason.
BB Naija is forcibly dragging our youths to a world of nudity, debauchery and shamelessness.
BB Naija constitutes a potent threat to every home.
It is open rape on our cultures, values and norms.
BB Naija is luciferous.
“The NASS will have its name indelibly carved in letters of gold if it hearkens to the plea made by Runsewe.
His appeal has revealed the weakness in our legal system.
It has revealed that there are no extant laws powerful enough to stop romance and sex on our television channels.
The time to give the law the teeth to bite is now.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
