NEWS
BON Seeks Constitutional Amendment on Tv, Radio Licence Fee Collection
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) has called for initiation of a legislative process that will restore the collection of local radio and television licence fees to broadcasters instead of Local Government Councils.
The Chairman of BON, Mr John Ugbe, made the call on Tuesday in Kano at the launching of Digital Switch Over in the state.
Ugbe, who was represented by his Deputy and Director-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr Mansur Liman, urged the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, or the National Assembly to initiate the process.
He said the 1999 Constitution wrongfully confers the power to collect TV and Radio licence fees on the Local Government Councils.
“The constitution has wrongly empowered the Local Government to rob the broadcast industry in the collection of radio and TV licence fees. This is akin to making Peter to rob Paul.
“We cannot understand the synergy between the Local Government Council and the collection of radio and TV licence fee anywhere in the world.
“Collection of local radio and TV licence fee by broadcasters will provide necessary funding for content development and allow for proper public broadcasting.
“We believe that the minister and the national assembly have what it takes to return to the broadcaster what belongs to them as it is done in other countries,’’ he said.
Ugbe said the success of digital broadcast migration rested squarely on broadcasters who are channel owners and content providers.
He assured that the organisation, as a critical stakeholder in the broadcasting industry would continue to partner with National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in achieving the attainable digital migration that would be beneficial to Nigerians.
The chairman also solicited for more fund to the NBC to fast-track the coverage of DSO in the entire country before the end of the current administration. (NAN)
Abia House of Assembly has denied social media report that it mandated the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, to issue a public apology over a misunderstanding between him and its member.The Deputy Speaker and Spokesperson, Austin Meregini, who debunked such report while addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, said the House did not reach any resolution to that effect.
He admitted that there was a misunderstanding between the deputy governor and Mr Mba Nwoko, member representing Ohafia South State Constituency, but said the matter had been taken care of Report says that there have been publications by social media of the House mandating the deputy governor to apologise to Nwoko for disrespecting the lawmaker during the recent state-wide local government elections. It was alleged that Emetu, who is from the same constituency with Nwoko, had instructed the security operatives to arrest the lawmaker for asking about the election result sheet.Condemning the report, Meregini, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Media, said that it was the imagination and figment of the mischief makers.He said that the deputy governor and the lawmaker are brothers, hence there was no need for the Assembly to pass a resolution mandating such an apology.Meregini said: “I was present at the Tuesday sitting, both at the plenary and executive session; there was no time we reached such resolution.“We do not condone any kind of misunderstanding, but as long as we co-exist, there’s bound to be misunderstanding every now and then.“When there is need, we do offer constructive criticism and constructive oversight on the activities of the government and the Executive and we expect that it will continue.”He reaffirmed the robust relationship between the Legislature and the Executive, saying that it would continue to exist for the benefit of Abia people.The deputy speaker commended the Executive on the level of implementation, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of bills passed by the Assembly.(NAN)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has proposed the sum of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year for submission to the National Assembly on Monday.The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu disclosed this after the Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the Presidential Villa.
According to him, the Council pegged the price of crude oil at 75 dollar per barrel and proposed N1400 as exchange rate to a dollar with oil production put at 2. 06million barrels per day.Bagudu said that the budget proposal included new borrowings of N9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025.The minister added that with the growth rate of 3.19 per cent as at the second quarter of 2024, the Federal Government would continue to tackle Inflation, strengthen economic resilience and provide more support for the economy.He also said that government would continue to support high employment generation sectors, improve business environment and effective implementation of youths development and social investment programmes.Bagudu also disclosed that FEC reviewed the 2024 Budget implementation and acknowledged that the review revealed promising in revenue collection and expenditure management.” Despite lacks in prorated target, the overall trajectory shows that fiscal effort are on track with key non-oil streams performing better than anticipated.Similarly, the minister said FEC approved the medium term expenditure framework and the fiscal strategy paper to be submitted to the NASS.” This is in addition to the bills that are already at the National Assembly, the Economic Stabilisation Bill and Tax Reforms Bill , which we believe we will have a very strong growth in 2025,” he said. (NAN)
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has ordered immediate freezing of all the state bank accounts until further notice.Okpebholo gave the directive in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Fred Itua, on Thursday in Benin.He warned that non-compliance by commercial banks as well as heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would result in severe penalties.
“All bank accounts in all commercial banks are now frozen. Commercial banks must ensure strict adherence and prevent any withdrawal from government accounts until further notice,” the statement said. Okpebholo stated that necessary investigations and financial reconciliations would determine subsequent actions.He also ordered the reversal of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the old Ministry of Works with immediate effect.The governor cited what he called lack of completed bridges or significant road projects as a justification for changing the ministry of roads and bridges back to ministry of works.“It is ironic that despite its name, the ministry did not construct a single bridge, not even a pedestrian one,” he said.The governor directed immediate implementation and reflection of the new name across official documents and platforms. (NAN)
Abia Assembly Didn’t Mandate Deputy Gov. to Apologise – Deputy Speaker
Share Abia House of Assembly has denied social media report that it mandated the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, to issue...
3 in Police net for Allegedly Stealing Phones of Accident Victims
ShareThe Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Police Command in Lagos state has detained three suspected thieves for allegedly stealing...
FEC Proposes N47.9trn 2025 Budget
Share The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has proposed the sum of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year for submission...
Okpebholo Freezes Edo Accounts, Orders Reversal of Ministry’s Name
ShareGov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has ordered immediate freezing of all the state bank accounts until further notice.Okpebholo gave the...
Breaking…….NNPC Ltd. Records 1.8mbpd Crude Oil Production
ShareThe Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) says it has achieved 1.8 million barrels per day crude production following...
EFCC Admits Ex-Kogi Governor’s Alleged Co-defendants to Bail
Share The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has admitted the co-defendants in alleged money laundering charge filed against the...
Nigeria Records 15,000 AIDS-related Deaths Annually-NACA
Share The National Agency For the Control of Aids (NACA) says no fewer than 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occur each year...
Naira Bounces Back, Appreciates by 2.6% Against Dollar at Official Market
Share The Naira on Wednesday bounced back after consistent three days losses and appreciated at the official market trading at...
Ecobank Nigeria Bags Client Excellence Award
Share Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of Ecobank Group, has been conferred with the Client Excellence Award by the Deutsche Bank...
Foundation Unveils Project to Dismantle Barriers Against PWDs’ Access to Buildings
Share Cedar Seed Foundation (CSF), a disability inclusive organisation, has unveiled the Accessibility 365(A365) Hall of Fame and Shame project....