National Assembly urged to create more councils for Lagos

National Assembly has been urged to create more local governments for Lagos State, to meet its current population, social, economic and environmental challenges.

The Red Chamber is also advised to enact laws granting the state a special status for being the country’s commercial city and economic melting pot.

Renowned socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, made the demands in a statement in Lagos.

The activist recalled that in 1976 when the military government created states and local governments, Lagos and Kano states had 20 councils each.

“Later, Kano State councils increased to 44, while Lagos councils remained at 20. When the Abacha government carved out Jigawa State out of Kano State, Jigawa got 27 local governments, while Kano was still having 44 councils.

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“It is an injustice for Lagos State to remain with only 20 local governments till today, despite its gigantic social, security and economic problems,” Onitiri said.

He recalled that when the then Governor of Lagos State, now Nigeria’s  President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, created 37 additional councils in 1999, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, then President, seized Lagos State federal allocations for two years.

He said Lagos State through the then Attorney-General, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, sued the Federal Government, and the state government won the case against Federal Government at the Supreme Court.

He regretted that till now, National Assembly has not done the needful to enact a law to accommodate the 37 local governments created by Lagos State Government.

FG warns LG chairs misusing FAAC funds will face jail term

The Federal Government has threatened jail terms for Local Government Area chairmen who tamper with Federation Accounts Allocation Committee funds.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, made the announcement yesterday at the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria’s 17th annual lecture event in Abuja.

He stated that none of the chairmen have immunity and will be imprisoned if they tamper with funds designated for the development of their areas. Fagbemi stated, “We have a situation on our hands; I know that it is still there; the conduct of elections must be done by the states.”

“But the distinction is this: don’t forget, the governors have immunity, the local government council chairmen or councillors, they have no immunity, so they have to choose between dealing with the funds of the local government as they like and risking going to jail. The choice is theirs (LG chairmen).

“If they want to tamper with these funds and end up in jail, it is their choice. If they want to write their names in letters of gold, activities like construction or road upgrades must be returned to the local government. They don’t all have to come to Abuja.

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“If they stay at the local government, we will be able to reduce the level of insecurity that we have in Nigeria today. What obtains offshore is that the security agents are able to perform optimally because of information that comes to them from members of the public and usually it is from the grassroots.”

The minister said the federal government opted to use the supreme court to achieve local government autonomy due to the challenges it will face at state assemblies, stressing that any speaker who would have supported the cause will not survive the tenure or lose his reelection.

The Minister stated that for over two decades, local government administration in the country has been in comatose with state governments not remitting funds meant for the local governments.

Fagbemi, who urged security agents in the country to stop keeping suspects in detention beyond the period allowed by the constitution, added that detention without any court order will no longer be tolerated as appropriate sanctions will be applied to those found guilty of contravening the law of the land.

On his part, the National coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, urged the federal government to cut down on the cost of governance.

He blamed corruption for the insecurity and high unemployment rate in the country, which is responsible for impending protests in the country.

FG warns LG chairs misusing FAAC funds will face jail term

FG rolls out fresh plans to revive local manufacturing, create 4.4 million jobs

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create 4.4 million jobs by implementing Nigeria’s National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Material and Product Development.  

This announcement was made by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, during the National Consultative Committee on Global Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Product Development conference in Abuja on Thursday.  

According to a statement on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the strategy will generate employment and enhance local content in manufacturing. 

This boost in local content will ensure the global acceptance of Nigerian raw materials, products, and services, thereby improving the country’s global competitiveness, the statement also noted.  

“Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has said that the Federal Government will create 4.4 million jobs through the implementation of the National strategy for competitiveness in Raw Material and Products Development in Nigeria. 

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“Nnaji stated that the implementation of the National strategy will not only enhance the creation of employment, our quest for economic diversification but will also, boost local content in manufacturing to 50% and 80% respectively, for global acceptance of made-in-Nigeria raw materials, products and services which will ensure global competitiveness in the country,” the statement read in part. 

The Minister further stated that global competitiveness is essential for producing goods and services that meet international standards. Nnaji emphasized that Nigeria must leverage innovation, science, and technology to achieve this. 

The statement further noted that the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, represented by Mrs. Salamatu Mohammed, highlighted the Conference as a crucial forum for discussing the National Strategy on Global Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development. She emphasized the theme’s relevance to the current national development priorities. 

Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, Director-General of RMRDC, welcomed guests, stressing that the successful implementation of the home-grown strategy, driven by innovation, science, and technology, will significantly reduce raw material imports. He noted that the technical workshop would address key issues, ranging from competitiveness and advocacy to the commercialization of R&D breakthroughs. 

Dr. Henry Emejo from the Organized Private Sector urged stakeholders and Nigerians to collaborate for the country’s socio-economic development.  

Additionally, Sir Henry Eteama, Project Manager of SITU, emphasized the importance of clearly defined stakeholder roles in policy, legal frameworks, and R&D outputs. He called for collective efforts and commitment to ensure the project’s success and achieve the nation’s goals.

FG rolls out fresh plans to revive local manufacturing, create 4.4 million jobs