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RMAFC denies increasing salaries of President, VP, others

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2023

Mohammed Shehu, chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)

RMAFC denies increasing salaries of President, VP, others

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has denied media reports that it had approved increase in the salaries of political office holders, judicial and public office holders by 114 per cent.

The RMAFC Public Relations Officer, Christian Nwachukwu, gave the clarification in an interview with LEADERSHIP newspaper.

He said President Bola Tinubu had not given approval for the proposed increase in salaries of public servants.

Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, a Federal Commissioner in the Commission, had made the salary increment remark when she represented RMAFC Chairman, Mohammad Shehu, at the presentation of the reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, in Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.

Tanko-Ayuba reportedly said that implementation of the reviewed remuneration packages was effective from January 1, 2023, a claim that has been strongly denied by the Commission’s spokesman.

“Not my chairman. Not my chairman. My chairman has never made any statement on it. And I have not made any statement on it. No statement from chairman, no statement from me. So, I don’t know. I heard one of the Commissioners said it. I don’t want to be quoted,” the RMAFC spokesperson told our Correspondent while denying the Commissioner’s assertion.

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“No approval yet. There is no approval yet. I don’t know the source of that story. Everything is under the process. It has to come as a Bill for Mr President to assent.

“The President has not given assent. Until the President gives assent, you cannot take it as if it has taken effect. You know that. You are a journalist.

“I don’t want to be quoted wrongly. The President has not given assent to it. It is still under the process,” Nwachukwu said over a phone chat with this writer.

Asked if the National Assembly has begun work on the proposal, he said: “it will be sent to National Assembly. Whichever way, whether it has been sent or not, the President has not assented to it. All those legislative process has to be completed; finally, it will land on Mr President’s table for assent. That has not been completed.”

When our correspondent asked if that means that the story making the rounds on salary increment was not true, Nwachukwu said: “just take it the way you understand it so that you don’t quote me anyhow.”

Asked whether the RMAFC has sent the executive bill through FEC to the National Assembly for deliberation, Nwachukwu simply said: “everything is under the process.”

RMAFC denies increasing salaries of President, VP, others

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Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Published

34 mins ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Four people, including a soldier, were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday and Friday.

Local sources revealed that the victims, including two young men and a soldier, were attacked late Friday night.

Another individual, believed to be a cultist, was killed in his home on Thursday.

Chairman of the vigilance group Operation Shara, Nura Umar, stated, “The soldier and two boys were innocent victims attacked by suspected cultists. The incidents occurred near the BIPC area.”

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However, police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed only one civilian death, adding, “Operatives have been deployed to address the situation.”

The area has seen a surge in rival cult clashes in recent weeks, raising concerns over public safety.

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

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Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Published

50 mins ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Senator Ali Ndume and Daniel Bwala

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Daniel Bwala, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, to apologize to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement, Ndume attributed his plea to Bwala’s earlier criticism of Shettima’s selection as Tinubu’s running mate, a decision that led to Bwala’s exit from the APC over concerns about the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

It should be recalled that Bwala, previously a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, recently joined Tinubu’s team after being a vocal critic of the ruling party’s decision to present two Muslim candidates for the 2023 presidential election.

Bwala resigned from the APC in July 2022, condemning the party’s choice of Shettima as insensitive to Nigeria’s secular principles. At the time, he publicly opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket, sparking significant debate.

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In his statement, Ndume said, “I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Media. This gesture deserves serious applause, particularly in view of the roles played by Bwala in the recent past.”

Ndume praised Tinubu’s appointment as a move towards inclusivity and reconciliation, urging Bwala to work closely with Vice President Shettima. “You should work with the Vice President closely as your second principal to promote the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President,” Ndume advised.

He also encouraged Bwala to follow the example of key Tinubu allies such as Sunday Dare, Hadiza Bala Usman, and Bayo Onanuga, emphasizing the need for constructive advocacy. “These individuals defend and market Tinubu’s policies backed by facts and figures without being abusive or offensive. Bwala should adopt a similar approach,” Ndume stated.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots connection, Ndume added, “Charity begins at home. You must connect with the grassroots to ensure the administration’s message resonates with the people. I wish you success in your new assignment.”

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

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Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

Published

1 hour ago

November 17, 2024

Trends Admin

Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

The Supreme Court in Abuja has affirmed Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye’s removal from the throne, the Nloku of Iraye in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Apex court’s decision affirmed an earlier order of the Appeal Court asking Kalejaiye to stop parading himself as the Nloku of Iraye.

In the Supreme Court ruling delivered by Justice Uwani Musa Aba Aji, the Apex Court granted the application to strike out Kalejaiye’s appeal for lack of diligent prosecution, as prayed.

“Appeal number SC/CV11112022 is at this moment struck out for lack of diligent prosecution,”’ the Supreme Court ruled to end the embattled monarch’s troubled reign as Nloku of Iraye.

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Justices Habeeb Adewale Abiru, M.M. Saulawa, Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, and Obande Festus Ogbuinya were with Justice Musa on the case.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State had in September 2022, halted the reign of the deposed Nloku of Iraye, Oba Kalejaiye, while ruling on the case (Appeal No: CA/1B/255/2015 Suit No: HCS/65/2019, an appeal filed by Kalejaiye against his deposition in 2015 by a State High Court sitting in Sagamu.

The Justices of the Appeal Court, led by Hon. Justice Moore A. A. Adumein, ruled that “the appeal lacked merit and is hereby dismissed. The Judgment of Hon. Justice Olugbenga Ogunfowora is hereby affirmed.”

Speaking on the Supreme Court judgment, Pa Olu Salau, head of the Sugbada royal family appreciated the Justices for doing justice to the matter brought before them in a brilliant, comprehensive, and incisive manner. He urged all parties in the dispute to accept the judgment as the will of God and the wishes of the good people of Iraye.