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Samoa Agreement Had Nothing to Do with LGBTQ Rights – FG
Samoa Agreement Had Nothing to Do with LGBTQ Rights – FG
The Federal Government has dismissed a newspaper report claiming that the Samoa partnership agreement signed on June 28 endorses the rights of LGBTQ people in Nigeria. The government also refuted the claim that Nigeria would receive $150 billion for entering into the deal.
Minister of Budget and Planning Atiku Bagudu clarified at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday. He was joined by his counterpart from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to address the Daily Trust Newspapers report.
The report alleged that the Federal Government signed an agreement containing clauses that required Nigeria to endorse the rights of LGBTQI people, and claimed that the country would receive $150 billion for signing the deal. This report has sparked social, religious, and cultural tensions, becoming the subject of sermons in mosques and churches.
Bagudu recalled that the agreement, commonly called the Samoa Agreement, was signed at the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, on June 28. The partnership is between the European Union and its member states on one side, and members of the OACPS on the other. Negotiations for the agreement began in 2018, and it was signed on November 15, 2018, by all 27 EU member states and 47 of the 79 OACPS states.
The African Regional Protocol on the deal consists of two parts: a framework for cooperation and areas of cooperation, including sustainable economic growth, environment, and human rights protection.
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Reacting to the report, Bagudu stated it was untrue. He emphasized that the agreement did not mention $150 billion or LGBTQ rights. He assured President Bola Tinubu, a proud Nigerian, that he would never sign any document that could harm Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
Bagudu clarified that the agreement aims to foster cooperation between the EU’s 27 members and the OACPS’s 79 nations, focusing on trade agreements, human rights, and environmental promotion. Nigeria signed the agreement after extensive reviews and consultations by an interministerial committee involving the Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, Foreign Affairs, and Justice.
He reiterated that any provision inconsistent with Nigerian laws would be null and void, emphasizing that the government had clarified this. He referenced the existing law against same-sex marriage since 2014 and assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration would not enter into any international agreement detrimental to the country’s interests.
Bagudu highlighted the benefits of other international agreements Nigeria had entered into, including water, sanitation, education, and agriculture improvements. He reiterated that the Samoa Agreement focuses on economic development, security, environment, migration, mobility, climate change, investment opportunities, sustainable development, and mutually beneficial cooperation. He stressed that no article in the agreement supported LGBTQ rights and that everything signed was in line with Nigerian laws.
Bagudu assured President Tinubu that he respects Nigeria’s diversity and will not authorize any agreement that undermines the constitution or laws. He urged the media to be truthful and patriotic in their reporting to protect national interests and avoid discouraging international investors.
He reminded the media of the importance of supporting Nigerians working to secure foreign investments and cooperation and urged them not to undermine these efforts through inaccurate reporting.
Samoa Agreement Had Nothing to Do with LGBTQ Rights – FG
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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