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Nigerian students suspend planned nationwide protest
Nigerian students suspend planned nationwide protest
The leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and the National Association Nigerian of College of Education Students (NANCES) on Saturday suspended their planned protest.
The trio had earlier declared National Day of Protest for Nigerian Students starting from Monday, July 29th, 2024, over the failure of the Federal Government to address the hardships being faced by Nigerian students amidst the current economic crisis.
However, in a new swift, the students’ leadership have suspended and postponed the planned protest.
The latest decision was conveyed in a statement on Saturday and jointly signed by Comrade Obaji Marshal National President, NAUS; Amb. Shuaib Ishaka Yahaya, Senate President, NAUS; Comrade Ridwan Opeyemi Munirudeen, National President, NAPS; Comrade Adeniji Boluwaji Temitope, Senate President, NAPS; Amb. Comrade Eegunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun National President, NANCES; and Sen. Kur Isaac Ushahemba, Senate President, NANCES.
Citing reason for the postponement, the students’ body said the Joint national leadership have made consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians, adding that the consultations offered assurances of quick action to their demands.
Furthermore, the students’ body noted that due to the proposed national protest in August by several bodies and with the concerns expressed by security agencies from their consultations, it will be dangerous to embark on protest in such critical moment.
The statement reads partly: “You will recall that a few days ago, the Joint National leadership , informed the public of our decision to embark on an organised protest and peaceful demonstration, aimed at drawing the attention of the government to the economic hardship and high/rising cost of living in the country, which is most felt by Students and youths of the country.
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“We are aware of our rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended), and have chosen to proceed towards exercising them very shortly.
“The present economic quagmire occasioned by the rising cost of living, hike in cost of commodities , hike in petroleum price, hike in electricity tarriff, insecurity, poor funding of our institutions which presently affects more than 80% of the population in the country, is felt most by young Nigerians studying for various academic qualifications across tertiary institutions.”
“Furthermore, the inability of federal, state and local governments to provide adequate immediate and long-term palliatives, especially for Nigerian Students, to cushion the effect of the high cost of living, is rather disappointing and also raises the alarm of the student movement in the country, of a seeming lack of initiatives and ideas on the most effective approach to sustainable economic recovery and growth.”
“However, the Joint national leadership has been inundated with calls which have led to marathon consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians on the issue of our proposed protest action.
“It will also interest you to know that these consultations have offered assurances of quick action to the demands made:
“Similarly, the Joint Leadership takes into cognizance of the fact that there is a planned national protest in August, and with the concerns expressed by security agencies from consultations, it will be Dangerous Leading a Protest in a Critical Moment like this, as it can be hijacked and since the Joint Leadership is the only known body protesting all Damages might fall on us, the National Joint Leadership hereby postpones its planned protest.
“This postponement also comes with a dissociation of the Associations with the 10days Protest being organised, with a call for all the Tertiary To Stay Away From The Protest.
“For emphasis, the joint Leadership calls off its protest, and postpones it till further notice, while engagements and consultations would continue with the Government, Stakeholders and the Association.
Nigerian students suspend planned nationwide protest
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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