News
Senate summons finance minister on N199bn anti-terror fund spending
– N’Assembly committee chairman berates Ahmed for shunning invitation
The Ministry of Finance told the Senate Committee on Army on Thursday that the Federal Government spent N198.84bn to fight terrorism from 2019 till date.
The Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, in the finance ministry, Aliyu Shinkafi, said all the funds appropriated for the war against insurgency had been released to the military authorities.
The Permanent Secretary told the committee that N75bn was appropriated and released in 2019, adding that 7bn was released in 2019.
Shinkafi said N2.5bn was released in 2019 and tagged as ‘administration.’
The Permanent Secretary also told the senators that N75bn was appropriated in 2020 but that N74.99bn was released.
He said, “In the current year, N100bn was appropriated and we have released N19.4bn for the first quarter.
“Just yesterday (Wednesday), we released N19.95bn for the second quarter,” he added.
Ndume however, brought out a letter from the Chief of Defence Staff where he said the military authorities complained that they had shortfall of N50bn as far as releases from the Finance Ministry was concerned.
Ndume expressed dissatisfaction with the non appearance of the Minister at the meeting.
He therefore asked the committee’s secretariat to summon her, alongside the Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze; and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru for Tuesday.
Ndume said, “Honestly, we are not happy that the Minister of Finance is not here today despite the fact that she was duly invited and she knew the importance of the issue we invited her to discuss with us.
“We were blaming the military but the soldiers are claiming that they have no equipment, arms and ammunition to work with because there was no money to buy them.
“We have invited the minister now to explain why her ministry was not funding the operations of the Army and she is not here. This is not acceptable.”
The committee also asked the ministry officials to come back next Tuesday with details of the releases made from 2019.
News
DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta
DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared eight persons wanted including a professor over the brutal killing of 17 soldiers and officers in Okuama community of Delta State.
Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur; a woman, Mrs Igoli Ebi; Reuben Baru; Akata Malawa David and four other persons
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, announced this on Thursday at a briefing in Abuja.
Buba urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders particularly in the Niger Delta to help in fishing out the wanted suspects.
News
Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise
Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise
The ongoing teacher recruitment exercise in Osun State was disrupted on Wednesday when hackers apparently compromised the server hosting the Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The event trapped thousands of applicants at the state’s 13 scheduled examination centres.
The cyber-attack happened in the early hours of Wednesday and affected the server operated by Osun State University (Uniosun), which organised the recruiting test.
The breach led to system glitches and technical failures, frustrating applicants who had gathered at the centres to take the crucial examination.
One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the gravity of the situation to our correspondent.
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“All the systems were down after hackers breached our server overnight. It was a terrible experience at all the centres. But we later resolved some centres, while the examination has been rescheduled for others,” said the official.
Ademola Adesoji, the Public Relations Officer of the university, attributed the incident to unknown criminals.
“The damage inflicted on the server required time to resolve, resulting in an undue delay in the start of exams and necessitating the rescheduling of tests at two out of thirteen centers.
“Over the last eight or so hours, it has been a tough battle in our efforts to ensure the success of Osun State government. Examinations have concluded at 11 out of the 13 locations today. However, the two problematic centres, Osogbo and Ikire, will be rescheduled based on the Ministry’s decision,” said Adesoji.
Commotion as hackers infiltrate server, disrupt Osun teachers’ recruitment exercise
News
Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention
Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected Wednesday’s Labour Party National Convention in Anambra State.
Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, stated this in Abuja on Thursday.
Oyekanmi said INEC did not oversee the convention’s conduct.
The LP on Tuesday shifted the convention from Umuahia in Abia State to Nnewi, Anambra State.
But speaking on the change in venue, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, told journalists that the party had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.
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“In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose. Benin City was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi.
“So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time,” Edun said.
Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.
This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates.
Drama as INEC disowns Anambra Labour Party convention
(NAN)
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