COVER
Paris Club Debts: FG Stops Deductions From 36 States’ Accounts
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja & Alfred Babs, Ilorin
Following years of servicing the Paris Club debt from the state account, the Federal Government (FG) through the Ministry of Finance has agreed to stop deductions from the state governments accounts.
In a Communique signed on Wednesday, at the end of the 7th Emergency meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on Tuesday, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal revealed that the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed has approved the refund of previous deductions from the respective states’ accounts.
The outgoing chairman NGF, Tambuwal disclosed this during the meeting while briefing governors across the 36 states of the country.
Recall that there had been controversy surrounding the accumulated sum of $418 million from the Paris Club refund.
Relating to the refund, Tambuwal said “the Minister of Finance has granted the request of our Forum to immediately stop further deductions from the accounts of States to meet Local Government Councils London Paris Club obligations and the monies so far deducted be paid back to the states.”
Also, at the meeting the outgoing chairman disclosed that the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is the new Chairman and the Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde is now the Vice-Chairman.
Tambuwal noted that the emergence of leadership was done through Consensus.
He also revealed that members of the NGF expressed satisfaction with the success of the just concluded induction for new and returning Governors that took place between the 14th and 19th of May, 2023.
The Governor added that members are committed to sustaining collaboration among the States through enhanced peer review, learning at the sub-national level, and deepening the relationship with the FG and other institutions.
Kwara Gov Pledges Cordial Relationship
The governor of Kwara State and new chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Mallam Abdulraman Abdulrazaq has said that the body will continue to maintain a cordial relationship with the President, the National Assembly and other Federal and state institutions in the country.
Abdulrazaq in a statement issued in Ilorin, Kwara state on Wednesday, promised to uphold the ideals and vision of NGF as a most credible institution for promoting peace and development of the country.
He said, “I want to thank Allah, exalted is He, for the historic event in which my brother Governors bestowed upon me the Chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). The significance and the huge responsibilities of this office are not lost on me.
“I hereby pledge to uphold the ideals and vision of the NGF whilst recognising and appreciating the eminent track record of the institution as a most credible, authoritative, influential and effective inter-party platform for consensus building and peaceful resolution and advancement of pan-Nigeria goals, interests and aspirations.
“l will ensure regular consultation with all members in order to arrive at consensus on all issues for the advancement and promotion of national interest, peace, progress, and stability of the nation.
“As a body, we will also continue our tradition of maintaining a close and cordial relationship with His Excellency the President, the National Assembly, all Federal and State institutions, the business community, the civil society, media, and development partners.
“Finally, l wish to thank my dear colleagues for the confidence reposed in me as the new Chairman of NGF”, Abdulrazaq said.
Kwara APC Hails NGF Chair
Meanwhile, Kwara State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state House of Assembly have congratulated governor Abdulrazaq on his new feat of appointment as the Chairman of NGF.
The chairman of APC, Prince Sunday Fagbemi in a statement said, “On behalf of the State, Local and Ward Executive Members of APC, Kwara State Chapter, and in extension, on behalf of all loyal members of our dear the party, I want to congratulate our amazing and number leader, HE AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on his emergence as the Chairman, Nigeria Governor’s Forum.
“Your clean and clear victory is a testimony of the confidence repose in you by your colleagues and you have a lot of work to do in the current national government which no doubt, you will make us proud.
“With you at the helms of affairs, I believe you will properly reposition the forum to contribute positively to national development.”
The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon.Yakubu Danladi-Salihu in a congratulatory message noted that the emergence of Mallam AbdulRazaq to lead his brother-governors across the 36 states in the country is a testament to his leadership skills, competence and experience as Governor of Kwara State.
“Hearty congratulations to Your Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on your emergence as the NGF Chairman, indeed this is a recognition of the trust and confidence that your colleagues have in you to lead and represent them at the national level”, the Speaker noted in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulkadir Yusuf.
He expressed confidence that Governor AbdulRazaq would lead and work with his colleagues to address common challenges facing the 36 states and ensure that the interests of all Nigerians are well represented.
“On behalf of my colleagues at the Ninth Assembly, I wish Governor AbdulRazaq all the best as he takes on this new responsibility, and I have no doubt that he will bring his wealth of experience, leadership skills, and commitment to the service of the people to bear in this new role.”
Both the state branches of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Gamji Members Association (GAMA) have also congratulated the governor on his emergence as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja Federal Government says it will consider using private sector funds through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a funding option for certain key projects in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.This was disclosed when the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Uche Nnaji.
The meeting which was at the instance of the ICRC DG, sought partnership between the two government bodies to harness PPPs to advance critical projects that can boost the economic and technological growth of the nation. Speaking during the meeting, Dr Ewalefoh said that science and technology, if properly deployed, can serve as a key driver of the economic growth and progress of Nigeria.“Many countries around the world have used Science and Technology to drive the economic growth and prosperity of their country and people.“We are here to brainstorm with you and find ways by which we can deepen the usage of science and technology for the advancement of our country.“Over the last two decades, countries and businesses have harnessed technology and innovation for upscaling their economy and improve the efficiency in their service delivery.“That is where we want our country to go, and we believe that is the vision you are championing under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.“It is, therefore, my aspiration that your ministry will partner with the ICRC to see areas where we can champion private sector funding through Public Private Partnership to develop some of the projects specific to the ministry,” he said.The DG informed the Minister that there was already a collaboration with an agency under its purview but stressed that there were other key areas where PPP could be harnessed to deliver laudable projects in the Ministry.He added that the commission has streamlined its processes to accelerate PPP project delivery and deliver important services to the Nigerian people, pointing out that some key private sector operators have already verbalised their desire to work with the Ministry in a PPP arrangement.In his remarks, the Minister expressed his excitement at the appointment of Dr Ewalefoh as the DG of ICRC, saying that the DG’s wealth of experience will revolutionise the PPP sphere in Nigeria, adding that, indeed, a square peg has been placed in a square hole.The Minister emphasised that the Ministry served as a key enabler of economic growth and has had the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu demonstrated through major approvals granted the Ministry.He said that the President had given approval for methanol production, saying that although the implementation process were still being finalised, foreign direct investments for the project has reached over $1.5 billion.“We want to go into beneficiation of raw materials and we have the presidential executive order number 5 to back it, such that we don’t have to export our raw materials, but process it to a level before exporting. We are looking at doing green hydrogen, too,” he said.He stressed that Nigeria could make a lot more from cassava export than it was currently making if the raw cassava was processed before export.“We believe that with ICRC, we will partner in doing things right and enabling us to forge a better outlook for most of these projects.“In methanol, we are going to involve ICRC more closely to see the way forward and how it can benefit the country better.“I am happy that you are here; coming here shows that you know what you are doing. You are taking services to those that need it,” he said.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani armed militia, on Wednesday night, reportedly invaded Anyiin town in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Multiple reports indicated that no fewer than 15 persons were killed in the attack, leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries while yet to be ascertained number were missing.
The attack, which was said to have been launched at about 6:30pm by the well-armed Fulani herders, caught the community unawares as the invaders reportedly emerged from different locations shooting at everyone in sight.
The attackers, who were said to be numbering about 200, were reported to be wielding AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, operated for about three hours.
An eyewitness and community leader in Anyiin town, Chief Joseph Anawah, said the armed herders overwhelmed security operatives stationed in the town because of their large numbers.
He said it was a coordinated operation, stating that the alleged Fulani terrorists took residents of the town unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically.
Anawah said some of the villagers who ran for their dear lives were caught in an ambush laid by the invaders.
He listed some of the victims to include: Mr Orihundu Ati, a retired primary school supervisor and the son of a kindred head.
Also killed was a son to a Chief of Staff to a former Logo council chairman, Tordoo Suswam and a relation of a late District head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah listed Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among neighbouring communities earlier displaced by the invaders and whose residents were taking refuge in Anyiin before the latest attack.
The community leaders appealed to the federal government and the Benue state government to revive an abandoned Mobile Police barracks project along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road to secure the lives and property in the communities.
They lamented that farmers in the affected communities could not harvest their crops because they were being killed and abducted on their farms by the armed invaders.
According to them, communities along the Benue-Taraba border are the worst hit by the marauders’ incessant attacks.”This is the second attack in one month by the Fulani terrorists. On Oct. 9, they attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward and killed scores of people. As I speak, people are deserting Anyiin town for fear of the unknown”, Chief Anawah said.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas yesterday described growing malnutrition and food insecurity as great threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and public health.
Inaugurating the Local Organizing Committee for the National Assembly summit on nutrition and food security in Abuja, the Speaker reiterated the urgent need for legislative action to restore the country’s productivity and public health.
Abbas who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Okezie Kalu noted that Nigeria’s rate of malnutrition is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that malnutrition, especially among children, stunts physical and cognitive development, impacting long-term educational and economic potential and contributing to broader societal challenges.
The Speaker assured the lawmakers’ full support for the committee’s initiatives, urging collaboration with State Houses of Assembly to create a unified approach to combating food insecurity.
He said, “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent.
“This organizing committee’s mission is to foster collaboration across ministries, engage both public and private sectors, and create a platform for lawmakers, experts, and community leaders to address the root causes of food security challenges.”
The chairman of the committee, Chike Okafor said there is malnutrition across Nigeria, particularly in the north spiking by 51 percent among children.
He described the situation as a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by recent floods in Adamawa, Maiduguri, and Jigawa, which have disrupted food supplies nationwide.
According to him, the summit will help to in the formulation of policies to tackle food insecurity.
Rivers APC Chair Proffers Solution to State Political Crisis
Share Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC in Rivers, Chief Tony Okocha, says unless Gov. Siminalayi Fubara abides by the law,...
Police Neutralise 6 Hoodlums, Recover Firearms in Bauchi
Share The Police Command in Bauchi State, says it has neutralised six hoodlums in a crackdown against criminal elements in...
Why Tax Reform Bills May not be Recalled – Tinubu
ShareProposed tax reform bills at the National Assembly will not be withdrawn, says President Bola Tinubu. The National Economic Council...
Minister, NMA Hail NSA, Security Forces over Rescue of Kaduna Doctor
Share Dr Tunji Alausa, former Minister of State for Health and Social Development, has commended the Office of the National...
TCN Restores Bulk Power Supply to Gombe-Damaturu-Maiduguri Line
Share The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored full power supply through the Gombe-Damaturu- Maiduguri 330 Kilo...
IDPs: Zamfara Gets $2.5m Humanitarian Aid from Saudi Arabia
Share Zamfara Government said it has received $2.5million from Saudi Arabian Donor Agency to support internally displaced persons with humanitarian...
HCI: Nigeria to Join 80 Top Countries – VP
Share Vice-President Kashim Shettima has pledged the Federal Government’s resolve to position Nigeria among the top 80 countries on the...
Nigeria Sets January 2025 for $5bn Africa Energy Bank Take Off
ShareThe Federal Government has set Jan. 28, 2025 as the deadline for the operationalisation of the five billion dollars Africa...
Abia Govt. Promises to Fix Failed Portions of Osisioma Flyover
Share Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says that plans are underway to rehabilitate the failed portions of the Osisioma flyover, near...
Funding Critical for Successful Amnesty Programme – Diri
Share Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called for better funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for it to...