NEWS
Obaigbena to Military: Stop Arresting Protesters, Protecting Election Riggers
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Publisher of Thisday newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena on Thursday told the Nigerian military to stop getting involved in arresting peaceful protesters.
He equally called on the military to stop protecting election riggers but to go after kidnappers and other criminal elements in the country, saying only free and fair elections can guarantee accountability and minimise protests.
Obaigbena spoke on Thursday in Makurdi, Benue State where he was the special guest of honour at the 2024 third quarter of the Nigerian Army civil- military cooperation media chat.
He praised the Nigerian military for defending democracy, unlike their counterparts in some African countries like Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and others where the military had toppled democratically elected governments.
Obaigbena said, “Peace is very necessary for development. Our soldiers sacrifice their lives everyday to give us peace. We should not take it for granted. We should work with them. But the military needs to do more.
“The military should stop getting involved in arresting protesters, they should arrest kidnappers. They should stop protecting election riggers so as to entrench good governance that will stop protests. They should arrest kidnappers and then face the wrath of the law. Stop getting involved in protecting election riggers. If you conduct proper elections, your government will be accountable.”
Obaigbena appealed to the Nigerian government to ensure proper funding of the Armed Forces, saying that at least, 25 percent of the national budget should be invested in technology driven security.
“We have national satellite companies and other agencies who have been working and if we integrate our national satellite capability with our war in the North East and the North West, we can monitor bandits in Kaduna and other places.
“We spend so much money on national security, we spend so much money on national satellite technologies and across the board, we have to look at national security as a whole government approach.
“We have the entire infrastructure combined with the army and the army has to provide enough weapons. We need to have a vibrant defence industry.
“Why are we still importing bullets, importing arms, AK-47 and the likes. So we have to integrate our whole defence infrastructure with technological infrastructure to keep us safe and protect Nigerians from the new world order.
“Nobody knows what is going to happen, there is a crisis in the Middle East, crisis in Ukraine, the possibility of Trump’s presidency, we should be ready to keep our peace and keep ourselves going.
“If I say 25 percent of our national budget should go to the armed forces, then 25 percent should also go to education, especially in the North so that we can get our people educated.
“Furthermore, another 25 percent should also go for health and poverty alleviation. We have to support vulnerable people in our society. Then we have to reduce taxes and allow people’s money in their hands so that they can grow their own food, their own transport and be able to sort themselves out”, Obaigbena said.
He urged Nigerians to continue to encourage civil-military engagements and to also involve the media to foster national development.
Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, said the Army was fostering collaborative partnerships across Nigeria, resulting in the present successes being recorded across multiple theatres in the country.
He said the cooperation being enjoyed by the military has led to the neutralisation of several terrorists and their leaders and the rescue of some abducted Nigerians in recent times.
General Lagbaja, who was represented at the occasion by the Commander, 4 Special Force Command, Major General Hilary Nzan, revealed that the military had assisted in the restoration of socio-economic activities in some crisis-ridden communities.
The Commander described the media as a crucial link between the military and the public, which he said has ensured accountability and fostered mutual trust. He however, noted that challenges persist despite the significant progress made in improving communication and media engagement. According to him, constant interaction with the media would help in addressing some of the challenges.
“Therefore, to foster effective collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media, it is vital to encourage open dialogue and mutual respect.
“We must establish regular communication channels to facilitate transparent reporting on military operations and timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence.”
The Army authorities appealed to media practitioners to uphold responsibility, accuracy, and fairness in reporting military activities and balancing national security interests with the public’s right to information.
On his part, the Benue State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Matthew Abo called for sustained harmonious collaboration between the media and the military to enhance unity, peace and development of the country.
Niger Government has established the state Price Control and Monitoring Board, approved by Gov. Umaru Bago to ensure fair pricing and consumer protection.
Alh. Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the Niger Government (SSG), inaugurated members of the board on Thursday in Minna.
The eight-member board has Alh.
Hussaini Ahmed, a former Permanent Secretary as the chairman.Usman noted that the inauguration of the board marked a significant step in the state’s commitment to ensuring fair pricing and consumer protection.
He said that the board was expected to control and stabilise prices of essential commodities and eradicate or reduce to the barest minimum, hoarding of essential commodities across the state.
He said that board would also handle issues that may arise as a result of enforcement and penalty for contravention of guidelines among several others.
“The board will be responsible for the distribution, monitoring and evaluation of essential commodities and keep price under continuous surveillance.
“They will also interpret price movement and relate them to other development in the State’s economy,” Usman said.
He said the board was expected to interface with relevant stakeholders such as local government chairmen, traditional institutions and councilors and well as market organisations to ensure the success of their mandate.
The SSG enjoined members of board to bring their wealth of experience and expertise in economics, consumer affairs and market dynamics to bear in their assignment.
He said that their appointment underscored the government’s dedication to maintaining economic stability and safeguarding the interests of both consumers and businesses in the state.
In his remarks, the board chairman, Ahmed, assured that the board would interface with relevant stakeholders within and outside the state in order to bring succour to the populace.
Other members of the board include Hamza Bello, Permanent Secretary, Investment, Aliyu Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Garba Abdullahi, from Ministry of Basic Education.
Also on the board are Adamu Maikasuwa, Ministry of Agriculture, DCP Aminu Garba, Nigeria Police, Niger Command, Aminu Ladan, Chairman, Chanchaga Local Government Area and Usman Liman, retired Statistician-General as Secretary of the Board. (NAN)
The Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N1.298 trillion among the Federal Government, states, and the Local Government Councils (LGCs) for September.
This is according to a communique issued at the end of FAAC meeting for October held on Thursday in Abuja.
The communiqué was made available to newsmen by Bawa Mokwa, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF).
According to the communiqué, N1.
298 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N124.716 billion, and distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N543.518 billion.It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N18.
445 billion, Exchange Difference revenue of N462.191 billion and Augmentation of N150.000 billion.It said that a total revenue of N2.258 trillion was available in the month of September.
“Total deduction for cost of collection was N80.993 billion, while total transfers, interventions and refunds was N878.946 billion,” it said.
According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N1.043 trillion was received in September 2024, which was lower than the sum of N1.221 trillion received in August by N177.426 billion.
It said that gross revenue of N583.675 billion was available from VAT in September, higher than the N573.341 billion available in the month of August by N10.334 billion.
“From the N1.298 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N424.867 billion, and the state governments received a total sum of N453.724 billion.
“The LGCs received a total sum of N329.864 billion and a total sum of N90.415 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue,” it said.
On the N124.716 billion statutory revenue, the communiqué said that the Federal Government received N43.037 billion and the state governments received N21.829 billion, while the LGCs received N16.829 billion.
It said that the sum of N43.021 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
“From the N543.518 billion VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N81.528 billion, the state governments received N271.759 billion and the LGCs received N190.231 billion,” it said.
It said that in September, Oil and Gas Royalty, Excise Duty, EMTL and CET Levies increased considerably while VAT and Import Duty increased marginally.
It added that Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and others recorded significant decreases. (NAN)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reiterated the importance of strict adherence to traffic laws, emphasising the prohibition of commercial motorcycles on highways and other restricted routes.
Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager, said this in a statement on Thursday, signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.
Bakare-Oki said that non-compliance with the regulations not only jeopardised the safety of the riders but also endangered the lives of other road users.
The statement came following the death of a motorcycle rider going against traffic on Carter Bridge, due to a collision with a fast-moving vehicle.
Bakare-Oki noted that the deceased, reportedly traveling from Ebute Ero, collided head-on with a fast-moving vehicle as it ascended Carter Bridge from Ilubirin.
“The forceful impact of the collision led to the immediate death of the motorcyclist while the vehicle driver ran away.
“Personnel from the LASTMA promptly arrived at the scene of the accident and swiftly alerted officers from the Central Police Station at Adeniji Adele and Shemo.
“Together, they coordinated efforts to retrieve the lifeless body of the rider, while LASTMA officials handed over the motorcycle to security authorities for further investigation,” he said.
The LASTMA boss extended his heartfelt sympathy to the family of the deceased.
“LASTMA remains committed to upholding public safety and is intensifying its efforts to minimise the occurrence of such tragic incidents on Lagos roads,” he said. (NAN)
Niger Govt. Establish Price Control and Monitoring Board
Share Niger Government has established the state Price Control and Monitoring Board, approved by Gov. Umaru Bago to ensure fair...
FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N1.298trn for September
ShareThe Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N1.298 trillion among the Federal Government, states, and the Local Government Councils...
Accident Claims 1, LASTMA Decries Non-compliance with Regulations
Share The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reiterated the importance of strict adherence to traffic laws, emphasising the...
Aradel, GTCO, others Drag Equity Market Down by N127bn
Share The equity market extended its losses on Thursday as the market capitalisation dropped by N127 billion, or 0.21 per...
Gov Fubara’s Judicial Panel a witch Hunt – Rivers APC Chair
Share Dr Tony Okocha, Acting Chairman of the All Progressive Congress(APC), in Rivers, has described the Judicial Commission of Inquiry...
Wike, 27 Rivers Lawmakers not APC – APC Chairman
ShareDr Tony Okocha, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress(APC), in Rivers, has said that FCT minister Nyesom Wike is not...
FG Targets $1trn Economy by 2030 Via Financial Inclusion
Share The Federal Government says it is putting sustainable mechanisms in place to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030...
3 Reportedly Injured as CNG Vehicle Explodes in Benin
Share Three persons have been reportedly injured on Thursday in Benin when a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicle exploded...
Customs Pivotal to AfCFTA Success in Africa – Coordinator
Share The Nigeria African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office says Customs operations play a critical role on the...
WHO Raises Alarm over 5.3 m Health Workers Shortages in Africa by 2030
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The World Health Organisation, WHO, on Thursday, raised alarm over 5.3 million shortages of health workers...