Tinubu Dismisses Budget Padding Narration

March 22, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed allegations of budget padding, particularly the claim that the 2024 budget was padded by N3.7 trillion, made by Senator Abdul Ningi.

Speaking during a Ramadan Fast-breaking event with the leadership of the Senate at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu criticized those making such claims, describing them as lacking an understanding of arithmetic.

He emphasized his administration’s commitment to fostering cooperation with the National Assembly for the country’s advancement, while also highlighting the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legislative body.

Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Senate for their collaboration since he assumed office, acknowledging their expeditious handling of the budget.

He urged for a focus on controlling expenditure and improving management practices to address challenges and emphasized that the country is on the brink of improvement, with revenue showing signs of improvement.

Additionally, Tinubu pledged to ensure that perpetrators of the recent killings of soldiers in Delta State face the full force of the law, affirming the government’s commitment to defending national sovereignty and eradicating poverty.

In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the significance of regular interactions to enhance understanding and promote good governance, assuring continuous collaboration between the executive and legislative branches of government.

FG, States, LGs Share N1.15 Trillion From February Allocation

Editorial staff

March 22, 2024

In the latest meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) announced the disbursement of a total of ₦1,152.756 billion as February 2024 Federation Account Revenue to the Federal Government, States, and Local Government Councils.

This amount includes distributable statutory revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue, and Exchange Difference revenue.

The FAAC revealed that there was an increase in gross statutory revenue compared to the previous month, with significant rises in revenue from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Import Duty, Excise Duty, VAT, and CET Levies.

However, there were decreases in Companies Income Tax (CIT) and EMTL. The meeting also noted that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) stood at $473,754.57.

Accolades For FCT Minister, Wike For Providing Scholarships To 13,964 Indigent Students

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2024

The mandate secretary for education in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Danlami Hayyo has praised the minister, Nyeson Wike for providing scholarship to
13,964 indigent students of various categories.
Dr. Hayyo, who spoke today, March when the minister launched the rehabilitations of some schools in the territory, said that the minister had since disbursed the sum of N280.3 million as scholarship to the fresh and existing indigent students across all levels of education.
According to him, the scholarships are parts of the efforts to leave no child behind in the quest for an educated society.
The mandate Secretary said that the rehabilitation of schools is aimed at revitalizing educational infrastructure in schools with a focus on rehabilitating and constructing various school facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, admirative blocks, toilets and water system.
“The goal is to enhance the learning environment, promote education excellence and ensure the students and teachers have access to quality facilities, conducive to their academic and teachers’ development.”
Flagging off the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 19 schools in the capital territory, at the School of the Gifted in Gwagwalada Area Council, minister Wike said that the schools to be rehabilitated cut across the six Area Councils.
He said that his government is determined to give the best to the education sector, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It is not only access to education. If you give access to education without quality, then you have not given education. While we are providing access, we must also provide quality and the quality entails that the environment must be conducive and habitable.
“So, be assured that we will give you the best. We are looking into the teachers too, how we are going to provide quality teachers to teach our children.”
The Minister also assured the contractors working on the rehabilitation and reconstruction project of timely payment.
He said that funding for the project has been provided in the 2023 supplementary budget, adding that provision has also been made in the 2024 statutory budget for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 20 additional schools.
“Let me assure you contractors that nobody will be owed. As I came in, there was a file I met in the office.
“I made sure that your mobilization has been sent to the bank so that you don’t need to worry yourself. That has been done.”

Ex Brazilian Football Star, Robinho, Jailed 9 Years Over Rape

Editorial staff

March 21, 2024

Former Brazilian football star, Robinho has been ordered to serve a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for his involvement in the gang rape of a 22-year-old woman in 2013.

Despite being found guilty by an Italian court in 2017, Robinho, who has been residing in Brazil, was not extradited due to the country’s policy of not extraditing its nationals.

However, judges in Brasilia ruled that he must serve his sentence in Brazil following a request from Italy. While he remains free pending a potential appeal, the ruling marks a significant development in the long-standing legal case.

Robinho, who has 100 caps for Brazil, has denied the allegations, claiming the encounter was consensual.

The former AC Milan and Manchester City player has faced legal battles since the initial verdict, including an unsuccessful appeal in 2020 and the upholding of his sentence by Italy’s highest court in 2022.

Federal Govt Establishes Mining Marshals To Combat Illegal Mining

Editorial staff

March 21, 2024

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, has enlisted the services of 2,220 security personnel to tackle illegal mining and enforce mining laws across the nation.

The newly formed Mining Marshal Corps received their mandate from Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake during a ceremony at the ministry headquarters in Abuja.

With a command structure spanning all 36 states and the FCT, the marshals aim to ensure security at mining sites, eliminate illegal activities, and safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources.

This initiative follows President Bola Tinubu’s establishment of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with developing a blueprint for securing the country’s natural resources.

Led by Chief Superintendent of Corps Attah John Onoja, the Mines Marshal Corps is poised to collaborate with other security agencies to combat illegal mining and protect national assets and infrastructure.

Presidency Advises Forex Speculators to Dump Dollars

Editorial staff

March 21, 2024

Amidst recent fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Nigerian naira against major currencies like the dollar, the presidency has expressed optimism about the naira’s forthcoming appreciation.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanug, has admonished currency speculators to divest their holdings of dollars to avoid potential losses.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently announced the clearance of the country’s foreign exchange backlog, amounting to $7 billion, with the assistance of an independent auditing firm.

This move is expected to bolster the naira and stabilize the forex market. Nigerian authorities have intensified efforts to strengthen the naira, including clamping down on forex speculators and Bureau de Change operators.

The CBN has implemented reforms, consolidating forex transactions into the Investors and Exporters window, thereby streamlining the forex market. President Tinubu’s administration has pledged comprehensive economic reforms to revitalize Nigeria’s economy, with forex stability being a key focus area.

16 Governors Embrace State Police – NEC

Editorial staff

March 21, 2024

In response to the escalating security challenges facing Nigeria, 16 state governors have rallied behind the establishment of state police forces.T

This development was disclosed during the 140th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

While 20 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are yet to submit their positions on the matter, the governors who endorsed state police also called for a review of the Nigerian Constitution.

The clamor for state police has gained momentum amidst increasing incidents of kidnapping and banditry across the nation.

Regional socio-political groups and governors from various geopolitical zones have advocated for localized security outfits, such as Amotekun in the South-West and Ebube Agu in the South-East.

However, the effectiveness of these state-established security outfits has been hindered by the lack of federal government backing.

Calls persist for these outfits to be equipped with assault rifles to effectively combat armed criminal elements.

I’ve Complained To Speaker, House Of Reps, To Let The Poor Breathe – Tinubu

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2024

“I have been watching various committees summoning ministers and heads of agencies. I have complained to the Speaker to let the poor breathe. Let these people do the job. We are not saying that you are not influential.
“We are not saying you cannot do your oversight. “But consider the primary duty of each agency, its personnel, or the responsibilities of the Governor of the Central Bank or the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to you and the entire nation.”
These were the complaints laid before the leadership of the Federal House of Representatives, by President Bola Tinubu, when he hosted them, including Speaker Abbas, to breaking of Ramadan Fast, at the presidential villa last night, March 20.
The President specifically appealed to members of the National Assembly to exercise restraint in summoning heads of ministries, departments and agencies before parliamentary committees for questioning.
The President acknowledged the oversight duties of the legislature which he said is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability in governance, saying however that excessive summoning of officials can disrupt operations and hinder service delivery to citizens.
”If they are distracted or disturbed, maybe we will shift parliamentary sitting all through the night. We must find a way to accommodate one another. This is an appeal to you.
“See if you can accept representatives in some instances or even documentations.”

Officers Killed In Delta Will Be Given Befitting Burial, National Honours – Tinubu

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has announced that military officers who were killed by civilian youths at Okuoma in Delta State recently would be given a befitting burial and national honours.
”In responding to distress calls, they met the end of their lives in a savage manner. Let us work to sympathize and symbolize the fact that they are worth the sacrifices they have made for Nigeria.
”We salute all our men and women in uniform, and we sympathize with them. I will soon make further pronouncements, but they must have a befitting burial and national honours.”
Tinubu spoke last night, March 20, at the breaking of Ramadan Fast in Abuja with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the House.
The President expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved and pledged that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be in vain.
President Tinubu lauded the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, saying that the harmonious working relationship had resulted in the expeditious passage of several bills to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
He asked the legislators not to forget their constituencies and to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to show compassion and support the less privileged in society.
”We are making sacrifices for the country, and we are assuring citizens that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.
”We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through.
”I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria.”
Responding, the Speaker of Reps emphasized the importance of forgiveness, generosity, and prayers during Ramadan and called for unity in the nation and support for President Tinubu.

”I want to urge us to use this month to increase our good deeds and minimize our bad deeds.”

Reflecting on the 10 months of this administration, the Speaker noted that the executive and the legislature have continued to work in synergy for the progress of the country.

”So far, so good, the House has been very supportive of the President and his policies, and we shall continue to ensure that we work together.”

NNPCL Vows To Use Gas To Trigger Nigeria’s Industrialisation, Economic Development

Greenbarge Reporters

March 21, 2024

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has stressed its commitment towards utilizing the abundant gas resources to trigger Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic development.
The Executive Vice President of the NNPCL, Upstream, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan made this known during a Panel Session at the ongoing 2024 CERAWeek Conference in Houston, the United States.
Eyesan, whose session addressed the theme: “What are the Choices for Upstream Strategies?” said that Nigeria is a predominantly gas-rich country which boasts of over 200TCF of gas that can be leveraged for the country’s industrialisation and economic development.
She noted that NNPC Ltd plans to deepen gas utilization domestically for industrialization and ensuring that the entire country feels and optimizes the use of the resource.
She said that the Company is vigorously opening avenues for infrastructural gas development through various gas projects spread across the country.
“Our focus is how do we move from predominantly oil player to gas player and not just for gas for the sake of gas but gas for power generation, and for industrialization.”
Eyesan said that the NNPC Ltd is also focused on emission reduction and gas flare-out.
“We want to capture all gas flared, utilize it and for domestic use and and ultimately, increase our energy transition footprints.
“NNPC is keying into the government agenda of using gas as a transition fuel and for us, we want to ensure not only the domestic gas market, but we also expand that to the region and internationally.”
She called on African countries to collaborate with one another in order to ensure even distribution of energy resources, adding that collaboration is key as not all countries within the sub-region are endowed with equal with equal proportion of energy resources.
“For us to ensure that we continue to subsist within the sub-region, we must be willing to work collaboratively and ensure that there is even distribution of energy resources we have across the sub-region.”
On energy transition, Eyesan said that the subject has evolved over the years and that for Sub-Saharan Africa, the narrative has been on how to address the energy poverty issue while for Nigeria, the NNPC Ltd. will continue to look at areas where it has competitive advantage to define the strategy.
Other energy experts on the panel are the Chief Upstream Strategist, Energy, S&P Global Commodity Insights, Bob Fryklund; President of Pathways Alliance, Kendall Dilling and the Executive Vice President, Exploration and Production International, Equinor, Philippe Mathieu.

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