The Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara is alleged to have ordered the demolition of the State House of Assembly. Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that the demolition commenced in the early hours of today, December 13. The demolition is coming two days after 27 members of the House of Assembly defected from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC). There has also been serious misunderstanding between Governor Fubara and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike, who is serving under the APC federal government. Only yesterday, December 12, a High Court in Rivers State recognised the five lawmakers who refused to join the 27 others who defected to the APC, as the authentic members of the House.
Leaders, mainly women, from the Republic of Niger, have visited the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, pleading that he should use his good offices to intervene on the sanctions imposed on Niger Republic by the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS). It would be recalled that on July 26, 2023, the Presidential Guards in Niger Republic launched a coup and detained the civilian President, Mouhammadou Bazoum and his family, leading to the ECOWAS placing sanctions on the country. The delegation, during the visit to the Nigerian House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen today, December 12, said that the citizens of the country are in a difficult situation because of the ECOWAS sanctions. The leader of the delegation and former Minister of Labour and Productivity of Niger Republic, Madam Ibrahim Maryama Alhassan, said that members of the delegation, comprising mostly women, are working relentlessly by visiting key leaders in ECOWAS member states to plead for the lifting of the sanctions on Niger. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, promised to interface with President Bola Tinubu on the matter, saying however that the sanctions were not meant to put the citizens of that country into hardship. According to him, coups by nature hinder development and that Nigeria and Niger Republic have witnessed several coups in the past, which affected both countries negatively. The Speaker said that the surge of coups in several African countries, including Niger Republic, necessitated the imposition of sanctions on Niger Republic by the leaders of ECOWAS. He said that if no sanctions were imposed on military juntas that got to power through coups, the trend would pose serious threats to the future of Africa. He said that the Nigerian parliament would play a key role in ensuring that the disputes between Niger and ECOWAS are resolved amicably, adding that Nigeria and Niger Republic have much in common culturally and religiously. The Speaker said that nevertheless, he would meet with President Tinubu “and inform him about the developments you raised.”
There are indications that the most wanted commander of the terrorists, Ali Kawaje, alias Ali Kachalla, may have been killed after air strikes by aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force near Mangoro in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State. Information has it that Ali Kachalla had attacked a detachment of security operatives deployed at Mangoro Community in Munya LGA of Niger State. The military intelligence source said when alerted, NAF aircrafts under Operation Whirl Punch swiftly responded to support the troops in distress. The terrorist gang were said to have ambushed the security operatives who were on a patrol exercise around the in Niger State. Security sources said that in the heat of the gun battle, All Kachalla and his foot soldiers were sighted withdrawing from the location of security operatives on several motorcycles, “but unknown to them, they were being trailed to their hideout near Kopa Hills where they took cover under a thick tree covering. “It was at this point that the air strikes were authorized, which were decisive and swift, thereby ensuring effective and maximum damage on the terrorists.” It was further gathered that more than 50 terrorists were killed during the series of airstrikes, including Ali Kachalla. The fate of another terrorist leader, Dogo Gidei is unknown as he was sighted in the axis recently. When contacted, the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, refused to commit to any statement regarding the strike, saying that he was yet to receive any brief about the air strike. The air strike came barely 24 hours after the NAF confirmed the killing of another deadly terrorist commander, Yellow Jambros. Informed source said that if the tempo of the military onslaught on the terrorists is sustained, the reign of the terrorists and the foot soldiers may be soon be brought to an end. Source: PRNigeria.
A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai has visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State. The spokesman of the former president, Mallam Garba Shehu, made this known on his X handle today, December 11. Shehu said: “This afternoon, I had the privilege of being with the former President, Muhammadu Buhari as he received my old school mate, Nasir El-Rufa’i who came on a goodwill visit in Daura. “The former President had a joyous moment with the visiting former Governor.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made it clear that the Nigerian banking industry is sound, strong and resilient and that it has no problem of any kind with the banks.
In a statement today, December 11, the apex bank Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, stressed that banks are meeting up with the different regulatory requirements. She stressed: “CBN assures that Nigerian Banks remain resilient,” debunking some media reports which floated the story that some Nigerian banks had failed the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stress test for international authorisation should be ignored. “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to reports in some media outlets suggesting that some licensed commercial banks in the country had failed the CBN’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) for international authorisation. We wish to clarify that the Nigerian banking industry remains resilient as key financial soundness indicators were within the regulatory thresholds as captured in the CBN’s most recent Economic Report of 2023 Furthermore, the CBN is engaging with various critical stakeholders to sustain the level of confidence in the Nigerian financial sector. “We, therefore, appeal to Nigerians to disregard the media reports listing banks as failing the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stress test for international authorisation as the report did note emanate from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).” This came even as the apex bank issued a new directive to all banks, other financial institutions and non-bank financial institutions, suspending the processing charges previously imposed on large cash deposits. This change, referenced under the “Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial Institutions, and Non-Bank Financial Institutions” dated December 20, 2019 (FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/07/042), affects deposits over N500,000 for individual accounts and N3,000,000 for corporate accounts. Previously, these deposits attracted processing fees of 2% and 3%, respectively. Effective immediately, the CBN has put a hold on these charges. This suspension is a significant shift in policy and will remain in effect until the end of April 2024. The move is seen as a response to the evolving financial landscape and the needs of depositors across Nigeria. The directive mandates all financial institutions regulated by the CBN to comply by not imposing any charges on cash deposits that meet or exceed these thresholds. This development is expected to encourage more significant cash deposits, enhance liquidity, and possibly impact various sectors positively, including small and large businesses.
Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen has been named 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year. Osimhen beat Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah of Egypt to the award. He is the first Nigerian to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu Kanu claimed the prestigious gong in 1999. This is even as Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s Player of the Year for the sixth time running. Oshoala won ahead of South Africa’s Thembi Klagtlana and Zambia’s Barbara Banda. Oshoala’s Super Falcons teammate, Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. The Super Falcons won the National Team of the Year award. Source: Promotnews online.
The Kogi State Government has commenced the process of selecting the next Ohinoyi, first class King of Ebiraland, two days after the 40th day prayer (Fidau) of Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim who died at the age of 94 on October 29 this year. A statement today, December 11 by Enero Rufai Sule, spokesman to the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister S.M Ozigi Deedat, said that relevant government officials have met with stakeholders on the matter. According to the statement, the commissioner, with the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tijjani Habibat and the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Enimola Eniola interfaced with the Ebira Area Traditional Council at the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland today. It said that after reading out the edict that guides the Stool, the commissioner constituted and inaugurated the committee of King Makers to commence an immediate work of receiving and scrutinizing application letters from interested and eligible Sons of Ebiraland, as prescribed my the law. The committee, according to the commissioner, is expected to turn in its recommendations to his office for action before or on Friday, December 15, 2023.
Fresh facts have emerged on how a wanted terrorist and kidnapping kingpin, Yellow Jambros was eliminated by the Nigerian military last week Wednesday. The spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement that an airstrike undertaken by the Air Component of “Operation Whirl Punch” on December 6, 2023 in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killed scores of terrorists, including Jambros. Jambros was once quoted to have said that he would “deal with Almighty God” should He come down to the earth to question his heinous activities. Jambros and his group were believed to have been responsible for several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and in several communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara States. In October 2020, another kidnapping kingpin, Mohammed Sani, arrested by the police in Zamfara State for murdering over 50 of his victims due to their inability to mobilise ransom, claimed that he worked for Jambros, who supplied him with fake military and police uniforms, guns and other weapons needed to execute his operations. It was gathered that Jambros and other terrorists bombarded by a NAF jet in Niger State met their waterloo while attempting to cross Jikudna River in Galadima Kogo District. A defence intelligence source, with full knowledge of how the NAF raid said that before their strike, Jambros and his group were trailed from Zamfara State into Niger State. The military source said that the airstrike was authorised after observing precautionary measures and identifying the target’s precise location to avoid unnecessary collateral damages. “The Air Component successfully carried out the operation while the ground troops also succeeded in eliminating fleeing members from the other side of the river after the airstrike.” One of the survivors, who was forced to guide the bandits on a tour of the route, confirmed that the terrorists abducted members of their families as “insurance” to ensure safety while crossing the river. The survivor said: “They abducted some of our members as a guarantee that if anything happened to them (bandits) while crossing the river, they would be summarily executed. “While we don’t know their mission in the area, we were forced to convey them in batches, mostly between 40 to 50 armed men on each shuttle. “Though I could not recognise if Kachala or Dogon Gide were in the previous batches we ferried across the river, there were indeed big people in the boats because of how they were guarding and protecting them during the shuttle. “The last boat, which carried Jambros, had 56 passengers, which included foreigners from neighbouring countries due to their accent, but only nine survived the attacks with various degrees of injuries after the airstrike. “There were three bombs that were dropped. “One on the boat and the other on both sides of the river at Lokon Baganta in Zumba, a border area between Kaduna State and Niger State. “Surprisingly, two top leaders of the groups attended the burial the following day after the recovery of the bodies from the river.” The Nigerian military had confirmed that the terrorists rode on motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger States borders, precisely heading towards Kusasu in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. At Kusasu, other motorcycle-riding terrorists joined Jambros’s convoy, increasing the number of motorcycles which then headed to the bank of River Jikudna. At the river bank, the terrorists and their motorcycles boarded a large motor-powered canoe in an attempt to cross and link up with other terrorists across the river. At that point, the authorisation to undertake a strike was given. The precision strike was judged effective as it neutralised Jambros and his colleagues, destroyed their motorcycles and sank the boat. Source: PRNigeria.
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has presented a total budget estimate of N258.27 billion to the State House of Assembly with a pledge that the government will Mobilize private sector investments in the state. The governor described the budget as “The budget of consolidation and continuity for inclusive growth,” with the Recurrent Expenditure of N145,736,429,609:00 representing 56.43% and Capital Expenditure of N112,542,071,730:00 representing 43.57%. While presenting the 2024 draft Budget to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval at the hallow chamber of the Assembly in Lokoja, Governor Yahaya Bello said that the total Budget package for year 2024 is N258,278,501,339:00 with an increment of N60,678,826,427:00 which represented 30.71% when compared with the approved reviewed Budget for year 2023 which was N197,599,674,912:00. Speaking on the total estimated recurrent revenue for the 2024 Budget, the Governor said “The recurrent Revenue for the year 2024 stands at N168,406,138,861:00 consisting of N30,235,332,685:00 from internal sources while N85,650,179,027 will come from statutory allocation from the Federation Account among others. “The estimated Personnel Cost, Overhead Cost and Public Debt Charges for the same period stand at N65,071,493,479:00, N56,693,794,550:00, N8,871,141,580:00 and N15,100,000,000:00 respectively, putting the total recurrent expenditure for 2024 at N145,736,429,609:00.” Governor Yahaya Bello who presented his last budget as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, stated that the 2024 draft budget was drafted to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), aggressive pursuit of repayment of debt owed the state by the federal government. He said that the budget would also provide more conducive environment for the state’s development partners across the world to enable them contribute to the state economy. “The 2024 is also expected to mobilize private sector investments to the state, encourage Public – Private – Partnership (PPP) and also blocked all wastages and leakages in our revenue as well as completion of all ongoing projects/programmes while new ones will be provided in line with the priorities of the New Direction Administration. “The budget will focus on continued provision of physical infrastructure, human capital development, job creation, wealth creation and poverty reduction in Kogi State. These will be achieved through prudent use of resources and scaling up of our expenditures in the areas of health, education, agriculture, water resources, environment, housing and support for women and youth empowerment programmes.” The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, in his welcome address, applauded the effort of Governor Yahaya Bello for been able to developed a comprehensive blueprint for the new phase of the state’s development. He assured the people of the state that the executive would enjoy the necessary legislative support to ensure the strategic objectives of the new administration are achieved in the interest and benefits of the State. “The parliament, without any shred of doubt, plays critical roles in shaping the fiscal curve of the state and I want to further assure you that this Assembly is committed to supporting the executive arm to achieve improved economy for Kogi State in the years to come.”
Former veteran newscaster at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Aisha Bello Mustapha is dead. She died in the early hours of today, December 11, after a brief illness in Abuja. A friend of the bereaved family, Zainab Sabo, confirmed the news to BBC Pidgin today,. “It’s true that Mama (Aisha) has died and her funeral prayer will be held at 1:00 pm (December 11). We will really miss her and pray for God to bless her soul,” Sabo said. Aisha Bello Mustapha, born in the early 80’s, was a familiar face on NTA Network News in the 90’s and early 2000’s. During her 35-year period at NTA, Aisha Bello Mustapha rose from Assistant Director of News to General Manager of NTA Parliament. She retired from NTA in May 2022. Aisha Bello Mustapha earned a bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications/Media Studies from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria inKaduna State.
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