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New Sokoto law denies Sultan power to appoint district heads
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New Sokoto law denies Sultan power to appoint district heads
Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has signed into law six new bills, including amendments to the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law, which has stirred controversy within and beyond the state. One notable change in the amended law is the removal of the Sultan’s authority to appoint district and village heads.
During the signing ceremony held on Thursday, Governor Aliyu stressed that the amendments were not intended to target any individual or group but rather to enhance governance in the state.
“We have observed with concern the unnecessary tension caused by our proposal to amend these laws. Some reactions were politically motivated, while others stemmed from ignorance of the details and intentions behind the amendments,” Gov Aliyu said.
He said that the amendments were aimed at aligning state laws with current needs and the constitutional framework, stressing that previous administrations had also made legislative adjustments to foster peace and development.
Governor Aliyu urged religious leaders not to be swayed by “lazy politicians” using them for political gains, assuring citizens that his administration remains attentive to their concerns.
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“We are committed to replacing laws that do not serve the interests of our people,” he said.
Among the other laws signed were the Sokoto State Tenancy Law, Zakkat and Waqf Law, and a law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.
Recall that at the heat of the argument over the decision of the Sokoto Assembly to amend the laws relating to the powers of the Sultan, Vice-President Kashim Shettima told the government of Sokoto State that his eminence must be guarded jealously.
He said this at the North West Peace and Security Summit, in Katsina.
“Our father who is a permanent picture in all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as my point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.
“And to the Deputy Governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea. He is an institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the good of our nation.”
Shettima spoke after the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola, raised the alarm that the Sokoto government is allegedly plotting to depose the Sultan.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu had earlier deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.
New Sokoto law denies Sultan power to appoint district heads
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Tinubu’s aide Ajuri Ngelale quits, proceeds on indefinite leave over family health
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Tinubu’s aide Ajuri Ngelale quits proceeds on indefinite leave over family health
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has announced his resignation, saying he is stepping down to focus on medical matters affecting his nuclear family.
Ngelale said he had submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his decision to step down as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
He said in the statement that he was stepping down from the two roles to enable him to proceed on indefinite leave.
President Bola Tinubu had on 31 July, 2023 named Ajuri as his official spokesperson and special adviser on media and publicity.
On May 19 this year, the president gave him an additional responsibility in the administration by appointing him Nigeria’s special presidential envoy on climate action. He served in that role as part of a larger presidential committee chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Ngelale, 38, was at different times a broadcast journalist with African Independent Television and Channels Television.
He also worked as public affairs consultant at the Federal Ministry of Power and later as senior special assistant on public affairs in the office of then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
His Resignation Letter
On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson for the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.
I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.
I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
News
FG blocks Nigerian nurses from practising abroad, shuts certificate verification portal
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FG blocks Nigerian nurses from practising abroad, shuts certificate verification portal
Nigerian nurses in the United Kingdom, the United States and other places outside the country are currently in limbo following the decision of the Federal Government to close the certificate verification portal.
This has frustrated their efforts at completing the verification required by the host countries to admit them as registered nurses to practise.
Those already practising abroad are also unable to renew their operating licence since the deactivation of the verification portal by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in February this year.
Many of the affected nurses are said to have been forced to return to the country.
In a report published on Saturday, PUNCH quoted some of those affecting voicing their frustration over the development.
One of them who spoke on condition of anonymity said the UK Trust, bound by its policies, reportedly terminated his employment due to his inability to meet the certification criteria.
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He said, “The situation is not only saddening but also suicidal. My career is stagnated because the portal is closed. I’m in Nigeria now. I have gone to the nursing council on several occasions to tell them that even if they should write a letter of good standing and send it to them, they would be happy to acknowledge it. But my efforts were futile.”
Another nurse based in Saudi Arabia, Hannah, said she travelled to the country in 2023 to practise as a nurse, but her future had become uncertain.
Reacting, President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Michael Nnachi, said the group had engaged the government on the reopening of the portal.
He noted that a committee was recently formed to review the issue among others.
He said, “I would advise our affected members to remain patient.
“We are deeply concerned about the difficulties they are facing, and we are not comfortable with the situation. However, patience is necessary at this time.
“Finally, in many cases, even when agreements are reached with the government, they often fail to fulfil their promises. I remain hopeful and expect a positive response from the government. There is hope.”
FG blocks Nigerian nurses from practising abroad, shuts certificate verification portal
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Petrol price hike, hard economic growth decision – Tinubu
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Petrol price hike, hard economic growth decision – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the recent hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.
Daily Trust reports that the newest hike, implemented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s (NNPCL) Retail Management, range from N855 to N897 per litre, depending on the location, from the previous N568-N617.
Independent marketers have adjusted their prices to between N930 and N1,200 per litre of petrol.
Since the removal of subsidy by Tinubu in May 2023, prices of petrol tripled, compounding the woes of Nigerians who power their vehicles and generating sets with petrol.
But speaking Friday at a meeting with Nigerians in Beijing, China, after rounding off his official engagements in the country, Tinubu said the increase in petrol price is a “bold and unprecedented decision” necessary for Nigeria’s growth.
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A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, quoted him to have said the petrol price hike and other reforms by his administration are part of an overall strategy to set Nigeria on the path of economic growth.
President Tinubu said: “Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices.
“But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools. And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children?
“What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?
“So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin. It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people.
“The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development.’’
Petrol price hike, hard economic growth decision – Tinubu
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