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June 12: Movement to hold rally for MKO Abiola, others
June 12: Movement to hold rally for MKO Abiola, others
The Patriots, an eminent group of leaders of thought in collaboration with June 12 Pro Democracy Movement of Nigeria, will on June 12 in Lagos, host a national rally in honour of late Chief MKO Abiola.
Prof. Anthony Kila, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the June 12 Democracy Day Celebration 2024, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
Kila said that the rally, with the theme “Securing the Future of Nigeria through a Democratic People’s Constitution”, would also call for a people’s constitution in Nigeria.
According to him, the group’s National Democracy Day Rendezvous will hold at the Conference & Exhibition Centre of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, at 10.00am on Wednesday.
He said that the event would be chaired by a former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and the Chairman of the Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
Kila added that June 12 stakeholders and activists would be addressed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State at the national rally.
According to him, already invited to give goodwill messages at the event are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidates of the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Mr Peter Obi and, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso respectively, among others.
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He said that Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Prof. Attahiru Jega and Sen. Shehu Sanni were expected to lead the anniversary conversation on “securing the future of Nigeria through a democratic constitution reform process.”
“Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was earlier scheduled to provide the key note address at the occasion has now been replaced, due to very pressing engagements and his place taken by former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Former Military Governor of Kaduna State and June 12 Activist, Col. Umar Dangiwa.
“They are respectively billed to pioneer broad interventions on the anniversary.
According to him, leading pro democracy stakeholders and activists invited to x-ray and discuss the key note submissions at the event are Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr Femi Falana, (SAN), Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Prof Jibrin Ibrahim, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, among others.
“A roll call of Honours for nominated Heroes and Heroines of the present democratic rule in Nigeria will also be undertaken by the conveners at the historic event.
“This year’s anniversary will be rounded off with a colourful motorcade procession from the venue of the national democracy rally for a people’s constitution for Nigeria in Alausa.
“It will move to the residence of the martyr of the current Nigeria’s democracy, Chief MKO Abiola, off Toyin St. in Ikeja Lagos.
“Here prayers for the repose of the souls of departed heroes and heroines of democracy and tributes as well as the laying of the annual wreath of honour in their memories will be jointly carried out with members of the MKO Abiola family,” Kila said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that June 12 has been declared by the Federal Government as the Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election, Chief MKO Abiola.
June 12: Movement to hold rally for MKO Abiola, others
(NAN)
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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