News
Stop inflicting pains, NSA tells IPOB, others
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), has warned members of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and others threatening to disrupt the Anambra State governorship election to have a rethink and stop inflicting pains on the people.
Monguno spoke at a special meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He said: “I want to offer a word of brotherly advice to our brothers and sisters in Anambra State who may want to use means, methods that are unorthodox and that are unusual to destabilise an already delicate situation to please think again.
“We are all eager to achieve results in this election that will be acceptable to everybody. I don’t think it will be helpful to anyone to go out and ignite something that might cause pains to the people of Anambra State, the good people of Anambra State the peace-loving people, under whatever disguised. Please, think again.”
Monguno added: “We are poised for another all-important national assignment and that is the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
“We all know how important this exercise is, not only to those of us who are supposed to ensure hitch-free exercise, but to the people who are expected to vote.
“This is what we know to be the greatest optimisation of what every citizen should aspire for. It is the number one legitimate expectation and right of every citizen. We must not deny anybody that right to exercise his civic duty; not just to exercise it but to exercise it in an atmosphere devoid of rancor, devoid of apprehension, tension, and all those factors that lead to suspicion and people ending up in courts or even in violence.
“This is what we need to avoid, just like the (INEC) chairman said about the two elections that were held in Edo and Ondo states. We need to do even better than those in order to really earn confidence in society.
“Now, for those of us in security, we have already done most of what we’re supposed to do. All the law enforcement agencies, security agencies, among others, have been charged to conduct themselves in a manner that will command the general widespread respect of all the people of Anambra State and, by extension, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“They have been asked, charged to exhibit the highest level of professionalism, patience, perseverance as well as self-restraint. We have been told to operate within the confines of the law and not to go out on and exhibit tendencies that would jeopardise this exercise.
“I want to reassure the general public that the security agencies are going to do everything within their powers to ensure that the people of Anambra State undergo this exercise without any incident.
“Finally, I want to encourage agents of the INEC. I know you’ve gone through a lot of pain, a lot of losses with your colleagues from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other agencies. Do not allow what has happened in the past to dampen your spirits; do not allow it to drive you into a state of lethargy. Please, continue to support the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and let us get this job done.”
The Name
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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