BREAKING:Reps pass bill seeking to raise 2024 budget by N6.2trn

The House of representatives has passed a bill seeking to increase the 2024 budget by N6.2 trillion.  The bill passed third reading during plenary on Tuesday after Abubakar Bichi, chair of the committee on appropriations, moved a motion for consideration of the report at the “committee on supply”. The bill was introduced on July 17 following President Bola Tinubu’s request. This increases the 2024 budget to N35 trillion from an initial N28.7 trillion budget Tinubu signed into law on January 1. In December, the national assembly passed the 2024 appropriation bill, increasing its size from the N27.5 trillion proposed by Tinubu to N28.7 trillion. Out of the N6.3 trillion, N3.2 trillion is for infrastructure projects and N3 trillion is proposed for recurrent expenditure. Defending the president’s request before the house of representatives committee on appropriations on Monday, Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, said the N3 trillion is intended to cover the new national minimum wage. Bagudu said the proposed N3.2 trillion “renewed hope infrastructural fund” is “intended to provide equity contributions or counterpart contributions of the federal government projects designated as priority projects, as well as critical projects that needed more appropriation so that they would not suffer neglect”. The minister said the N3.2 trillion proposed for infrastructure projects will cover several road and rail projects, including the one linking Port Harcourt-Maiduguri, traversing Rivers, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and terminating in Borno state. The house also passed the 2023 Finance Act to impose a one-time windfall tax on banks’ foreign exchange (FX) gains. A windfall tax is a higher tax imposed by the government on sectors or businesses that have benefitted disproportionately due to favourable market conditions.

They Want To Burn The Country Down – Presidency Raises Fresh Alarm over Alleged Plots

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Nigerian Presidency has raised a fresh alarm over alleged plots to destabilize the country, warning of “forces of evil” bent on causing chaos and destruction. In a statement on social media, Dada Olusegun, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, accused those behind the plots of spreading falsehoods and attempting to discredit government officials. Olusegun cited the example of Governor Zulum’s son, who was falsely accused of murder, and later criticized for his English fluency when he denied the allegations. “They want to burn the country down,” Olusegun warned. “Our fiduciary responsibility is to stop them!” This latest alarm follows a previous warning by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, who alleged that supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, are behind planned protests across the country. Onanuga claimed that the same individuals who instigated the destructive ENDSARS protest in 2020 are now planning to stage nationwide protests under the guise of “EndBadGovernance” and “Tinubu Must Go”. The Presidency has described the protesters as “anarchists” and “bad losers” who cannot wait for the next election in 2027. Onanuga warned that their actions amount to high treason and called on security agents to interrogate those involved. Politics Nigeria reports that a 10-day protest is planned to begin on August 1st, with Nigerians expected to take to the streets to demand better living conditions and an end to economic hardship

Cholera Vaccines To Arrive In Nigeria Soon

The Chief Executive Officer of the Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, Dr. Sania Nishtar, has disclosed that cholera vaccines are on the way to Nigeria and aim to mitigate the severe and persistent disease outbreak. Earlier on June 27, 2024, Nishatar expressed concern over the cholera outbreak in Nigeria and the readiness of the organization to assist the country in its response efforts, including providing emergency vaccine doses as necessary. Cholera, a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated water and food, is caused by ingesting the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The primary factors contributing to the outbreak include the consumption of contaminated water and poor sanitation, further intensified by the rainy season, leading to an increase in cholera cases due to flooding and the contamination of water sources. As of July 15, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has documented 3,623 suspected cholera cases and 103 fatalities across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The outbreak has expanded to 187 Local Government Areas, with a case fatality rate of 2.8 per cent since the start of the year. Dr Jide Idris, the Director-General of the NCDC, noted that the most affected age group is five years old, with males representing 52 per cent of the cases and females representing 48 per cent. He also mentioned a 5.6 per cent decrease in the number of cases reported in the current week (July 8 – 14) compared to the previous week. However, in a post via her official X handle on Thursday, Nishtar wrote: “Encouraged to learn that #Cholera vaccines from the #Gavi-funded global vaccine stockpile will soon arrive in Nigeria to help curb the country’s deadly and ongoing outbreak. We stand ready to work with our partners #UNICEF and #WHO to support Minister #muhammadpate, #Fmohnigeria, and #NCDCgov’s timely efforts to contain this outbreak and protect those at the highest risk. “Despite the large number of cholera outbreaks this year, our stockpile is now fully replenished, and production continues at maximum capacity. We hope to keep supporting cholera-affected countries with their control plans. #stopcholera.”

Damning Report Reveals Nigerians Paid N721 Billion in Bribes in 2023

A new report from the National Bureau of Statistics, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, has revealed that Nigerians paid a staggering N721 billion ($1.26 billion) in cash bribes to public officials in 2023. The report, titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” highlights the widespread nature of bribery in the country. On average, each cash bribe amounted to N8,284, up from N5,754 in 2019. Judges topped the list of bribe recipients, with an average bribe of N31,000. Customs and Immigration officials followed with N17,800, while members of the armed forces received N16,600 per bribe. Land registry officials and police officers received N11,700 and N10,400, respectively. The findings also showed that 46% of public officials admitted to offering bribes to secure their employment. This figure is 1.5 times higher than that reported in 2019. Additionally, six out of ten successful candidates in the public sector confessed to using nepotism or bribery to enhance their recruitment chances. The police were identified as the most prevalent in requesting bribes, with 9% of individuals who interacted with police officials reporting such demands. Nurses and doctors followed at 4%, teachers and lecturers at 3%, and public utility officials at 6%. Contact with Federal Road Safety Corps officials and vehicle inspection officers also resulted in bribe requests at rates of 4% and 2%, respectively. The report also noted that individuals with higher education levels were more likely to pay bribes than those with no formal education.

Police release prankster, Zfancy on bail

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the release of a skit maker and prankster, Zion Ubani, better known as Zfancy. Recall that the NPF-National Cybercrime Centre had on Thursday, July 4, arrested Zfancy in Abuja over prank videos accusing him of heinous crimes, including rape. However, the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in an update on Wednesday, said the skit maker was released on bail. In a statement, Adejobi said the young man was released to the executives of the Practitioners of Content Creation, Skit-Making and Influencers Guild of Nigeria, PCCSIGN. According to him, the delegation was led to the Force Headquarters by Tokoni Peter Igoin, Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation. “The videos were later found to be scripted. “He has been warned to avoid pranks that could cause public unrest. “While encouraging positive creativity amongst the youthful populace, the NPF urges content creators to responsibly use social media and avoid spreading misinformation that may incite public disorder,” Adejobi said.

EndSARS Protest: ECOWAS Court finds FG guilty of human rights violations

The Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) has found the Federal Government guilty of violating the fundamental human rights of youths that participated in the October 2020, EndSARS protest. A three-man panel of Justices, had in a unanimous decision, held that there was merit in a suit brought before it by three participants in the protest – Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka. Specifically, the court held that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through its security agencies, violated Articles 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ACPHR, pertaining to the right to life, security of person, freedom of expression, assembly and association, prohibition of torture, duty of the state to investigate, and the right to effective remedy. The Applicants had, in their suit, alleged that these violations occurred during peaceful protests they held at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on October 20 and 21, 2020. In the judgement delivered by the lead Judge Rapporteur, Justice Koroma Mohamed Sengu, the regional court dismissed the Applicants’ allegation that their right to life as guaranteed under Article 4 of the ACPHR, was violated. However, it ordered FG to pay each of the Applicants the sum of N2million as compensation for violations of their security of person, prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, duty to investigate human rights violations, and right to effective remedy. Additionally, it held that FG must adhere to its obligations under the ACPHR by investigating and prosecuting its agents responsible for the violations. The court ordered FG to, within the next six months, report to it, measures it has taken to implement the judgment. The Applicants had alleged that during the peaceful protests against the SARS Unit of the Nigerian Police Force at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State, on October 20 and 21, 2020, the Respondent, committed several human rights violations. Triggered by the alleged killing of one Daniel Chibuike, the protests were aimed to address police harassment and brutality. In the suit, the 1st Applicant, among other things, told the court that soldiers shot life ammunitions at protesters, resulting in deaths and injuries, which she live-streamed. She told the court that subsequently, she started receiving threatening phone calls that forced her not only to go into hiding but also to seek asylum. Likewise, the 2nd Applicant, who said she was responsible for the welfare of the protesters, described how soldiers began shooting after a power cut, leading to her hospitalisation due to excessive tear gas she inhaled. On her part, the 3rd Applicant narrated how she narrowly escaped being shot and how soldiers refused to allow an ambulance to enter the protest ground to help the injured participants. She further told the court that she later witnessed how the victims were neglected without the provision of adequate healthcare for them at the hospital. She further submitted that with the help of her colleagues, she eventually took over and started taking care of the victims. She alleged that she faced numerous threats and was placed on surveillance by security agents. Consequently, all the Applicants prayed the court to issue declaratory reliefs against FG and award compensation to them for the gross violations of their fundamental human rights. Meanwhile, in processes it filed before the court, FG, through its team of lawyers, denied all the allegations and claims that were made up by the Applicants. It told the court that the protesters unlawfully assembled at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, under the guise of protesting against SARS. FG also maintained that its agents followed strict rules of engagement and did not shoot or kill protesters. It argued that the 1st Applicant incited the crowd by playing music and using her Instagram page to stir disaffection against law enforcement agents who were targeting escapee members of Boko Haram and bandits. FG further contended that the 2nd Applicant’s provision of logistics and welfare packages indicated her support for the violent protest. It claimed that soldiers were present to restore peace until the police arrived, denying any harm inflicted on protesters and the alleged refusal to access the ambulance. More so, FG denied that the 3rd Applicant’s presence was peaceful, asserting it was meant to escalate violence. It argued that the treatment and care of the injured were managed by the Lagos State government, insisting that the Applicants failed to provide credible evidence to support their claims and the reliefs they sought from the court. In its judgment on Wednesday, the court held that it could not establish that there was a violation of the right to life as the Applicants failed to adduce any evidence to that effect. Nevertheless, it held that several articles of the ACHPR were breached by the Respondent (FG), which occasioned fundamental breaches of human rights. Furthermore, the Court said it was satisfied that the Applicants were denied the right to an effective remedy. It ordered FG to make reparations to the Applicants for the violation of their fundamental human rights. Other members of the panel that concurred with the lead judgement were Justice Dupe Atoki, who presided, and Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves

Who is gagging Dr. Abati?

The cat was let out of the bag mid-air on Arise TV this Thursday morning as a lead anchor person of the Morning Show, Dr. Ruben Abati screamed, “dont gag me on air.” Dr. Abati had started making his commentary on leading news stories when he called out the senate minority leader, Sen Ali Ndume, declaring, “Senator Ndume lied when he alleged that President Tinubu was being insulated from the Nigerian public.” Dr. Abati sounded like someone in a foul mood as he made very incendiary and unsubstantiated on the live breakfast show as he accused some prominent leaders from the northern part of the country whom he said were blackmailing President Tinubu. At some point, after ranting ceaselessly, he began to stutter, paused and then exploded, “please don’t gag me on air.” At this point, his co-anchors, Ayo Mairo-Esse and Rufai Oseni gazed at each other and turned their gaze to Dr. Ruben in awe. In their comments online, viewers of the popular breakfast show had expressed their frusteration and angst about what some referred to as Dr. Abati’s patronising commentary on the Presidency of Bola Tinubu even in the face of the cost of living crisis that the majority of Nigerians are passing through.

AGN introduces new laws on welfare, safety of actors

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has introduced new bylaws for the Nigerian film industry as it presented as the final report on the 10 April boat mishap that claimed the lives of actor John Odonwodo popularly known as Junior Pope and four other crew members while returning from set of Adanma Luke’s “Other Side of Life’ movie The boat crash raised concerns over safety issues on movie sets, prompting calls for thorough scrutiny and higher standards in the industry. The president of AGN, Emeka Rollas, made this known via his Instagram account on Tuesday, July 9. According to Rollas, actor, Emeka Ike, led the bylaws committee, with Jude Orhorha serving as the secretary. Other members of the committee includes Bimbo Manuel, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Joke Silva, Francis Duru, Patience Ozokwor, Hilda Dokubo, Abubakar Yakubu, Gideon Okeke, Anthony Ogbetere, and Femi Branch. He wrote: “Earlier this morning 9th of July 2024 I received two important reports from two special Committees set up for the following: 1. AGN BY-LAWS 2. ⁠BOAT MISHAP OF 10TH APRIL 2024 “The AGN bylaws committee led by its Chairman Amb Emeka Ike was set to draw up professional guidelines, standards work ethics, safety rules etc for members. “While the Boat mishap committee led by Mr Kevin Uvo was set to find out the immediate and remote causes of the boat accident which claimed the lives of 5 Nollywood practitioners including actor JNR Pope on the 10th April, 2024. “I commend members of the two commitees for the sleepless nights put into the committee work. I promised to speedily implement the recommendations of the committees. The reports were submitted by AMB. Emeka Ike, Chairman of the Bylaws committee and Kelvin Uvo Chairman of the Boat Mishap Committee, “The presentations were made in presence of the the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Emmanuel Ogugua and the following members of the Bylaws committee and National Executive Council such as, Patience Ozokwor, Bimbo Manuel, Tony Ogbetere, The National Secretary of AGN, Abubakar Yakubu, Fin. Sec. Emeka Duru”

CJN inaugurated 22 Appeal, 12 FCT courts justices .. Charges them to be upright

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Wednesday, charged the newly inaugurated 22 Appeal Court and 12 FCT high court justices to be upright in the discharge of thier duties in the temple of Justice. The CJN reminded the justices that they have taken the oath of allegiance to the dictates of the Almighty God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, therefore, should deliver justice to Nigerians without fear or favour. “It is a solemn pledge and commitment to good conduct in the course of your adjudication, especially as senior judicial officers in the appellate court. ‘The number of Justices that we have just sworn-in today is quite unprecedented in the recent history of the Court of Appeal. The last time we had a large number like this was on Monday, 28 June, 2021, when 18 Justices were sworn-in. That was preceded by that of Monday, 5th November,2012 when 12 Justices were inaugurated. “Today’s ceremony is an indication of the perilous times that we are currently in, which has resulted in an upsurge in litigation. “Several unfathomable crimes are being committed in the country, aside from the usual political matters that have made litigations to go on alarming rise. “No Court in the land is spared of this litigation deluge, as it were. We are constantly on our toes and the dockets are ever increasing in response tO the challenges of the time. “This underscores the tact that Nigeria is fast emerging as a frontline crime-infested country that we all have to urgently curtail. “The enormous task of cleaning the Augean stable rests squarely on Your Lordships. So, you must hastily fasten your belt and roll up your sleeves to face the challenges head-on. In other words, you should hit the ground speeding at a supersonic velocity; and not just running. “You must redouble your pace to catch up with the expectations of the sprawling community of litigants. As judicial officers, you have a divine mandate on earth that you must discharge with unveiled honesty and sincerity. You must give good account of yourselves to justify your elevation to the Court ot Appeal. “In the next couple of months, we shall be having two governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, respectively. As usual, the Courts will be besieged with Plethora of petitions. It is our statutory duty to hear all matters that come before us and adjudicate according to the laws of the land. “We must not falter; and we must not tread the path of infamy. Yes, it is true that we cannot please everyone through our actions and work, but with the right application of the law and the Constitution of the land, which we all have collectively pledged to uphold, we can go a long way to do those things that our conscience will be very proud ot; and the generality of the Nigerian citizens will equally be happy about. “Every position we attain in life always avails us that unique opportunity to do something novel and impactful, especially if there was any previous act of wrongdoing or misapplication of discretion. “With Your Lordships’ elevation to the higher Bench today, you have to be very mindful of the enormous confidence the public is now reposing in you vis-a-vis their expectations. “Like we often say, to whom much Is given, much is expected. Your Lordships must not rest on your oars, as the onus now lies more heavily on you to discharge your judicial duties more dispassionately and transparently. “So, you must, individually and collectively, guide your loins to do more to earn lasting trust and integrity. Your conduct and disposition must tally with the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of the citizenry. “I have made it known at different fora that we have been treated to an unpalatable cocktail ot misleading and conflicting judgments as well as trivolous interlocutory orders emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdictions, which have literally attempted to make a mockery of our judicial system and flagrantly desecrate the revered Temple of Justice. “Several cases of such abound across the length and breadth of the country. This is, largely, an embarrassment to our jurisprudence, and we win never handle it with levity. Punitive measures must detinitely be meted out to such erring Judges. “We have already activated the process of reining-in such errant Judges with a view to making them face the consequence of their despicable and odious conduct. “As Judicial Officers, we have to continually remind Ourselves the fact that we are not occupying our respective positions to serve ourselves, but the Nigerian masses; and the best way we can serve them is by doing what will make them feel safe in our hands and also trust us to always deliver the right judgments that will not be tainted by sentiments, emotions or other clandestine considerations. congratulate “Your Lordships for making the list and wish you the best that you can achieve in this strategic position you now occupy”, the CJN said. Those inaugurated into the bench of the appellate court by the CJN, are: Abdullahi Muhammad Liman from Nasarawa State; Abiodun Azeem Akinyemi from Ogun State; Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi from Oyo State; Zainab Bage Abubakar from Kebbi State; Isaq Mohammed Sani from Kaduna State; Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo from Lagos State; and Ngozika U. Okaisabor from Imo State respectively. Others are: Donatus Nwaezuoke Okorowo from Enugu State; Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola from Kogi State; Polycarp Terna Kwahar from Benue State; Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike from Rivers State; Fadawa Umaru from Borno State; Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola from Oyo State; Ntong Festus Ntong from Akwa Ibom State; Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi from Edo State; and Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba from Abia State. The rest are Abdu Dogo from Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Abdulazeez M. Anka from Zamfara State; Owibunkeonye Onwosi from Ebonyi State; Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf from Kwara State; Victoria Toochukwu Nwoye from Anambra State; and Enenche Eleojo from Kogi State.

Minimum Wage struggle not dead – TUC President, Osifo

  President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo has written off criticisms that the struggle for a new national minimum wage may have waned. While reacting to the insinuations, Osifo said the Federal Government is still having conversations with all relevant stakeholders cutting across the Nigerian Governors Forum, Local Government Administrators as well as the Organised Private Sector and Labour Unions. Osifo noted that both Unions still insist on the N250,000 demand it made to the government which was part of the recommendations submitted to the President by the Presidential Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage. He made reference to the existing minimum wage of N30,000 which took two years to be negotiated, assuring that the Tripartite Committee has made appreciable progress since January 2024 when negotiations started. His words, “minimum wage negotiations cannot be dead, you know when we started this conversation you asked us that in 2017 if you remember we started the minimum wage that was signed in 2019, it took about two years to see the light of day. We promised you when we started in January that we will ensure this one is fast-tracked for us not to be in the conundrum that we were as at 2019 which took two years. “So where we are today, we submitted the divergent position in June, when we did that you know clearly that Mr President came out to say that he wanted to consult across board which is the governors, local government chairmen, organised private sector and labour, so we are doing some level of reach out and conversations. “So that what will be submitted to the National Assembly will actually be a minimum wage that will cater for the poorest of the poor, so for the fact that in the media we are not shouting, we are doing some level of internal work so that this bill will be submitted in earnest soon. Of course, we still insist on the N250,000 benchmark as the ideal minimum wage”.