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2024 budget: Hold your reps accountable for constituency allowance; I received N266m, says Senator Abaribe
2024 budget: Hold your reps accountable for constituency allowance; I received N266m, says Senator Abaribe
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South in the Senate, has clarified that he received N266 million from the 2024 budget as constituency allowance for his senatorial zone and not N500 million as claimed by one of his colleagues.
He also challenged Nigerians to demand from their senators and lawmakers representing their areas at the end of the year what they have done with the money allocated to them as constituency allowance.
He was responding to a statement by a senator representing Cross River North, Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe, during plenary on Tuesday that some senior senators had received N500 million each from the 2024 budget.
This came on the heel of an ongoing controversy over an allegation of budget padding made by Senator Abdul Ningi in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.
Ningi had earlier accused the Senate of padding the 2024 budget with N3.7 trillion.
Speaking during in an interview with ARISE TV, Senator Abaribe said despite him being a senior senator, he had not received the N500 million claimed by Jarigbe.
He said, “I never got N500 million. I think Jarigbe tried to clarify his statement. He came back subsequently to say, ‘Ningi told me I was given’, because he didn’t get. He’s also a ranking Senator.
“So, I think that at the end of the day, what you see really is that…well, I’m an APGA Senator–the only APGA Senator in the Senate. Maybe being a minority of the minority, they didn’t consider me worthy of being given. Nobody told me about that money.
“I wanted to say that, without equivocation, that both Jarigbe and the Senate leader tried to clarify this issue. Number one: nobody was given 500 million. Even a few of my colleagues called me to say, ‘Ahh you get N500 million we dey beg you for money but you no wan give us one naira out of it.’
“Can you imagine? So, of course I got N266 million for what’s called Zonal Intervention Fund which Nigerians call “constituency project” funds.”
Abaribe declared that it is the responsibility of the citizens to question their lawmakers at the end of a budget circle what was allocated to their area and the projects executed.
“This thing takes a budget circle which is 12 months. So if at the end of 12 months you don’t see what’s in the budget for your constituency, then you hold your representatives, whether in the Reps or Senate, culpable,” he said.
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Nigeria will stop fuel importation by June – Dangote
Nigeria will stop fuel importation by June – Dangote
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, has announced that Nigeria will cease importing petrol by June.
Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali, Dangote revealed that his refinery will commence production next month, meeting Nigeria’s petrol needs and eliminating the need for imports.
“Right now, Nigeria has no cause to import anything apart from gasoline and by sometime in June, within the next four or five weeks, Nigeria shouldn’t import anything like gasoline; not one drop of litre,” he said.
The refinery will also produce diesel, aviation fuel, and other essential products, making Africa self-sufficient in these commodities.
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With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery will meet the demands of West Africa and beyond.
Dangote emphasized that the refinery will not only focus on petroleum products but also produce polypropylene, polyethylene, base oil, and linear benzyl, raw materials essential for producing detergents and other products.
This will reduce Africa’s reliance on imports and make the continent self-sufficient in these critical products.
Dangote expressed his optimism that within three to four years, Africa will no longer need to import fertilizers, as his refinery will produce urea, potash, and phosphate, meeting the continent’s needs.
The refinery’s second phase is set to begin early next year, further expanding its operations and impact on Africa’s energy landscape.
Nigeria will stop fuel importation by June – Dangote
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Olanipekun, Yayale, Elechi, Yusuf Ali, others named higher institutions’ governing council chairmen
Olanipekun, Yayale, Elechi, Yusuf Ali, others named higher institutions’ governing council chairmen
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has unveiled a list of appointees to the governing councils of 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Notable figures among the appointees include former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega; Senior Advocates of Nigeria Wole Olanipekun, former Bauchi governor, Isa Yuguda, and Yusuf Alli.
Others are former National Universities Commission Executive Secretary, Peter Okebukola; and labour activist, Issa Aremu. The individuals have been selected to lead the councils of various academic institutions across the country.
The announcement follows a recent ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which demanded the Nigerian government address issues such as the alleged illegal dissolution of university governing councils and the continued use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for salary payments.
The Federal Ministry of Education responded by assuring that these concerns were being handled and that the list of council members would be released soon.
The appointments, signed by Permanent Secretary Didi Walson-Jack of the Federal Ministry of Education, include five representatives each for 50 universities, 37 polytechnics, and 24 colleges of education.
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Specifically, Attahiru Jega has been appointed Chairman of the Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto. Wole Olanipekun will chair the University of Lagos, while Yusuf Alli takes on the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
Peter Okebukola will lead the University of Port Harcourt, and Issa Aremu will head the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Keana, Nasarawa State while Yuguda will chair the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Furthermore, former Senator Joy Emordi will lead Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Owerri; and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, will head the council of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.
Adamu Rasheed, the immediate past Executive Secretary of the NUC, has been appointed to the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo in Benue State.
The new governing council members are scheduled for inauguration and a retreat on May 30 and 31 at the National Universities Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
In June 2023, President Tinubu dissolved the governing councils of several key government agencies and higher education institutions, a move that sparked criticism from various stakeholders. They argued that the University Miscellaneous Act grants universities and their councils autonomy to self-regulate.
Olanipekun, Yayale, Elechi, Yusuf Ali, others named higher institutions’ governing council chairmen
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UK lawmaker lauds EFCC, says Africa underestimates its strength
UK lawmaker lauds EFCC, says Africa underestimates its strength
In a significant boost to Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received international recognition for its tireless work in tackling corruption.
Baroness Verma Sandy of Leicester, a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, has commended the EFCC for its dedication to fighting corruption and promoting good governance in Nigeria.
During a visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Baroness Verma Sandy praised the Commission’s new leadership under Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, for repositioning the organization on the path of professionalism and effectiveness.
She expressed confidence that the EFCC’s efforts would help change the global perception of Africa and build new confidence in the continent.
The Baroness, who led a six-man delegation of the UK-based African Leadership Organisation, acknowledged the EFCC’s efforts in shaping better narratives for Nigeria and praised the Commission’s innovative approaches to tackling corruption.
She emphasized the importance of international collaboration in the fight against corruption and encouraged the EFCC to continue its good work.
Sandy said: “We are so glad to be here. It is important having this organization led by somebody who has brought incredible positive changes to the country. And I want to thank all of your colleagues here for engaging with us today. I believe passionately on the strength of the African Continent. I am not connected at all to Africa, but I have been a champion for a continent that has under-estimated its own strength but has got so much to offer the world. And I think your organization will help change the perceptions and build new confidence. So, I am so pleased and honoured to be here.”
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EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olukoyede, thanked the Baroness and her delegation for identifying with the Commission and acknowledging its efforts.
He reiterated the EFCC’s commitment to tackling corruption and promoting good governance, emphasizing that corruption is a major obstacle to Africa’s development.
He highlighted the Commission’s new focus on prevention and addressing systemic issues that enable corruption, as well as its efforts to stimulate economic growth and prevent foreign exchange sharp practices.
Nigeria will stop fuel importation by June – Dangote
Rainstorms kill seven, many others injured
Olanipekun, Yayale, Elechi, Yusuf Ali, others named higher institutions’ governing council chairmen
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