Connect with us

POLITICS

Ninth N’Assembly has Stabilized Polity, Economy – Lawan

Published

on

Nigeria President of the Senate Ahmed Lawan
Share

…Says Nigerians will Remember Assembly for its Achievements
By Jude Opara, Abuja
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, has boasted that the Ninth National Assembly has done so well to have Stabilized both the Polity as well as the nation’s economy.
This is also as he added that Nigerians will remember the Assembly under his leadership for its outstanding legislative achievements after the end of its tenure in 2023.


Lawan made the assertions yesterday when the members of the Senate Press Corps paid a visit to felicitate with him on the occasion of his 63rd birthday in Abuja.
 
He further stated that the upper chamber and indeed the National Assembly has been committed to serving the interest of Nigerians in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
 
According to Lawan, no amount of name-calling by critics would stop the lawmakers from considering and passing bills and legislations that are people friendly and in the overall benefit of the country.
The Senate President said; “We believe that there is a price to pay for anything, but we are patriotic. Let us be called any name, what we want to do and achieve is for our country to be better.
“Tomorrow, some of these people that are calling us all types of names will be writing very good commentaries about what we have been able to achieve in this Ninth National Assembly. 
“Majority of Nigerians are happy with what we are doing, we are not perfect, we make our errors and we will correct them. 
“We identify with our citizens but we will always do what is in the best interest of our country.” 
Speaking further, Lawan disclosed that in 2022, the National Assembly would focus on security through oversight of funds appropriated in this year’s budget to the armed forces and the entire security agencies. 
“That takes me to the challenge for the National Assembly, particularly the Senate in 2022.
“So far, we have done over 90% percent of what we set for ourselves in our legislative agenda, but because the country and people are dynamic, we have so many other things to do.
“Today, the security situation still begs for more attention. We will give a lot of attention to the security situation. 
“We have appropriated about a trillion for our security agencies and armed forces, now it is for members of the National Assembly to ensure that the procurement process by the armed forces are transparent and everybody there is accountable.
“We should do oversight as much as possible for the welfare of our soldiers and security personnel. They need to continuously be motivated.” 
The Senate President who was flanked by some principal officers of the upper chamber added that the Senate would in the first-quarter of the year address the challenges of revenue generation, collection and remittance to shore up earnings by the federal government.  
“We still have a huge responsibility, and, in fact, it is something that we wanted to do last year, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic we couldn’t do so.
“This year, by the grace of God, we are going to resuscitate that plan, and it is to keep and maintain focus on revenue generation, collection and remittance. 
“Our Revenue to GDP ratio is very low, and the economists will tell you Nigeria’s problem is not debt but revenue.
“So, if that is the case, it means those of us in government must focus on dealing with the challenges of revenue generation, revenue collection and remittance.
“This year, we are going to have engagements with the revenue generating agencies such as Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), Customs, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and so on, on a quarterly basis, to have their targets set for them, and we want them to come and brief us on their performance every quarter. 

“We hope to start the first meeting, which is an exploratory kind of meeting with them either this month or early February. 
“We want to see how we can make positive difference in the area of revenue generation. 
“Nobody likes taking loans, borrowing or accumulating debts, wether as an individual, a family, a community or as a country. 
“But what can you do when you’re not able to generate enough? We are as concerned as anybody else about our level of borrowing, even though we have not saturated, but if we can do better why not reduce, and the best way to reduce is to get more revenues from especially independent sources. 
“The government owned enterprises are supposed to give us more money. In 2022, we are expecting maybe about a trillion, I’m not an economist, but I believe that we should be expecting maybe double or triple from them.”
He also revealed that efforts would made to reduce the level of borrowing by the federal government by ensuring that the government revenue generating agencies lived up to the expectations.

POLITICS

I Didn’t Call for Ganduje’s Resignation – Alia

Published

on

Share


From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has denied calling for the resignation of Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Tersoo Kula.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CPS was reacting to some media reports that the governor has called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.

The Kula said the governor at no time called for the resignation of the APC national chairman.
He said the governor enjoyed a good relationship with the Ganduje-led leadership of APC.
“It is imperative to clarify that at no point did Governor Alia assembled, attended and sent a representative or participated in any meeting to discuss the removal or call for resignation of Alhaji.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
“The Benue State governor remains firm in his support and allegiance to the leadership of the National Working Committee of the APC, under the leadership of Alhaji Ganduje.
“Furthermore, at no point, whether publicly or privately, has the governor advocated or expressed any desire for the resignation of the National party chairman”, he said.
He said the governor was focused on positively changing the fortunes of the state.
“He is alive to his responsibilities as the leader of APC in Benue State and is doing everything legitimate to reposition the party for future victories.” Kula said.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Benue State said it has withdrawn the only case filed by the embattled state chairman of the party, comrade Austin Agada that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
It said the said case has been consequently struck out by Justice T.A. Kume.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Daniel Ihomun,  said this was done in compliance with the directive of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its 146th meeting held on the 20th March, 2024, wherein resolutions targeting peace were made directing all pending cases filed by members of the party in Benue State against the party or concerning the party and its members be withdrawn within 7 days.
Mr. Ihomun in a statement, made available to newsmen in Makurdi, said the State Legal Adviser of the APC, Alyebo Mathew Esq, at the instance of the state chairman, filed a Notice of Withdrawal on the 25th March, 2024, in the only case filed by the chairman that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi.
The party urged all members affected by the directive to withdraw all matters in court to clear the way for proper reconciliation that will ultimately pave the way for peace in the party.

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Mutfwang Meets PDP North Central Leadership Calls for Unity among Officials

Published

on

Share


From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has called for unity a purpose among officials of the North Central geopolitical political zone towards the growth of the party in the region.
He noted that the region has consistently remained a stronghold for the PDP since its inception, attributing it to the party’s ideologies and its developmental impact on the citizens at any given opportunity.


Governor Mutfwang made the commendation during a meeting on Wednesday with PDP officials from the North Central, led by the zonal National Vice Chairman, Hon.
Theophilus Dakas Shan, at Plateau House in Abuja the nation’s capital.

While applauding the dedication, patriotism, and steadfast support of the PDP officials in the region for their role in promoting unity and internal democracy in the party reiterated that such dedication will not be forgotten by the party.
Governor Mutfwang through his Director of Press and Public Affairs expressed his gratitude to the zonal officials for their commitment during the 2023 general elections, an effort he said aligned with the party’s principles.
He reiterated that the party’s mission is to govern not for personal gain but for the people’s liberation, voicing his expectation that the PDP will continue to be the people’s party, deserving of significant involvement in its administration.
As the opposition party, the Governor emphasized the need to strive for the governance Nigerians aspire to, stating, “We must offer constructive criticism to the government and ensure the Nigerian people are not shortchanged.”
The Governor announced plans to reform the party into a robust, dependable, and credible political platform that enables Nigerians to run for elections and fulfill the promise of democracy.
The National Vice Chairman of the PDP North Central Zone, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, congratulated Governor Mutfwang on his election and Supreme Court victories.
He pledged full support to his administration, noting that the Governor’s unique position as the sole PDP-elected Governor from the zone will not be taken for granted.
He acknowledged the North Central’s role in electing the National Chairman of the PDP by consensus before the 2023 elections. However, recent political events in Benue State, has set aside the Chairman from office adding that the zone needs to address the matter as a family.
Hon. Shan said plans are underway to hold congresses of the Party and called for unity to ensure that the process is reliable, credible, and universally accepted, thereby minimizing potential litigation.

Continue Reading

POLITICS

FG Seeks Swedish Govt Support on Technical Education

Published

on

Share

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government is seeking the support of the Swedish Government to help drive its ongoing efforts of integrating technology and skills into the education sector.The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman who made the appeal while hosting the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Annika Hahn-Englung, on a working visit to the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja, said it was important to leverage Sweden’s technical expertise.

The Minister also said the Federal government is seeking the support of the Swedish government in the development of indigenous languages to aid sound educational development in Nigeria.
He said: “The presence of (Swedish) tech companies in education and training is very important for us because one of the major things this ministry is focusing on now is to bring technology and skills into our education system right from the very early stage of education and we feel it is a very important mechanism tool for learning and teaching.
”And so we will be looking at your experiences to see how we can grow from that because what we want is right from primary school we want our students to be exposed to technology and skills so that at that stage they can grow with it and nurture critical thinking capabilities.“Right now education is not all about just providing training for jobs and skills of today, but preparing them to think about the skills of tomorrow and the best way to do that is by nurturing critical thinking capability right at the early stage.“So we will be leveraging your expertise and experience in order for us to develop our plans and integrate skills and technology into the curriculum at all the levels of our education system in Nigeria.”Mamman who noted that some agreements had been signed between Nigeria and Sweden in the past, however, stressed the need for both countries to deepen bilateral relationships by committing to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in several areas of partnerships.The Swedish envoy had earlier named some Swedish firms in Nigeria engaged in educational and entrepreneurship programmes.Hahn – Englung who expressed Sweden’s readiness to deepen existing relationships, especially in the area of education, noted Sweden’s desire to have more students study in the country’s institutions of higher learning.“We have quite a number of companies especially when it comes to EdTech but then also, we have ideas to see what we can do more together.“We have many Nigerian students going to Sweden every year. They are very competitive students we have noticed but we will like to see that expand more.”

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS26 mins ago

Board Sanctions 118 Immigration, Civil Defence Officers

ShareThe Board of NSCDC, Fire Service, Correctional, and Immigration Service, has approved the sanction of 118 personnel for various offences....

NEWS30 mins ago

NSCDC Inaugurates Female Strike Force to Secure FCT Schools

Share The FCT Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Olusola Odumosu, has inaugurated the corps Female...

NEWS34 mins ago

Tinubu Appoints Bello as new Chairman of CCB

Share President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau...

NEWS38 mins ago

170 Incidents of Electrical Installation Vandalism Reported in 2 years in S/East – EEDC

Share The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), says at least 170 incidents of electrical installation vandalism were reported within two...

NEWS42 mins ago

Diri Tasks New SSG on Performance

ShareFrom Mike Tayese, YenagoaGovernor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG),...

NEWS44 mins ago

Ogah tasks CAN chair, Nwokolo to account for N100m given by Nwifuru

ShareFrom Godwin Okeh, AbakalikiThe Factional chairman of the Christian Association of NIgeria CAN, Ebonyi state chapter, Alloy Ogah has urged...

NEWS47 mins ago

Adamawa Poly Admits 180 Non-Formal Students For Skill Qualifications Certificate

ShareBy Yagana Ali, YolaThe Adamawa State Polytechnic, Yola have admitted about 180 trainees from the informal sector into various skills...

OPINION51 mins ago

Politics as the Fourth Factor of Production

ShareBy Majeed Dahiru The advent of the industrial revolution in the 18th century in the United Kingdom, continental Europe and...

NEWS57 mins ago

Projects: Wike Thanks Tinubu for the Opportunity to Serve

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, AbujaThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Thursday commended  President Bola Tinubu...

NEWS59 mins ago

30,000 Tertiary, Primary /Secondary Students Benefit From Ogun Educash Scheme

ShareFrom Kunle Idowu, AbeokutaSo far, no fewer than twenty thousand Ogun State  students in tertiary institutions across the country have...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc