BudgIT, on Tuesday in Abuja urged states in the country to strengthen areas of revenue generation and collaborate on exploiting their economic potentials. Mr Gabriel Okeowo, Chief Executive Officer, BudgIT, gave the advice at the presentation of the organisation’s 2021 report on “State of States”. He said the states should diversify their economies by promoting agriculture, tourism and solid minerals. Okeowo further recommended that states should focus more on capital rather than recurrent expenditure. “We advise states to build structures that will outlive whatever current government each state has. “Beyond internally generated revenue that is mostly driven by taxes, we…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday said that 112 UN Member States have expressed political commitment to ensure the general protection of education from attack. Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, NHRC stated this in his welcome address at a multi-stakeholders forum on safe schools declaration in Abuja. The theme of the forum is: “Making Commitments a Reality: Towards the Abuja Conference”. Ojukwu further stated that the forum was taking place in preparation for the upcoming Fourth International Conference on Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) which would focus on “Ensuring Safe Education For All: From Commitment to Practice. President Muhammadu…
The European Union (EU) on Tuesday approves a five billion euro fund designed to help member states cushion the negative impact of Brexit. “The fund will support the hardest-hit regions, sectors, and communities to cover extra costs compensate for losses. “The counter other adverse economic and social effects resulting directly from Britain’s withdrawal from the EU. EU said that the fund will be used to support public and private businesses facing disruption of trade flows, including new costs for custom checks and administrative procedures. “The UK’s withdrawal from EU created an unprecedented situation, member of states will have the flexibility…
President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval to 159 companies, communities and institutions of higher learning to operate radio and television stations. Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Balarabe Ilelah made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday. “Following the approval granted by the president, NBC has released the list of 159 licenses granted to companies, communities and institutions of higher learning. “The commission was established by the NBC ACT, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation 2004 with the mandate to regulate and control broadcasting in Nigeria. “Today, there are a total of 625 functional broadcast stations in Nigeria,”…
The Senate on Tuesday at plenary passed for second reading, a Bill for an Act to repeal the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005. Presenting the lead debate on general principles of the bill, its sponsor Sen. Gabriel Suswan (PDP-Benue) said that the bill seeks among other reasons to repeal the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005. He said that the bill also seeks to consolidate all legislations in Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and enact an omnibus electricity act for the industry to provide the ideal legal and institutional framework that would guide the post-privatisation phase of the industry…
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday expressed concern about attitudes of some media houses that owe journalists backlog of salary. The union also canvassed for enhanced enabling environment and improved welfare packages for its members nationwide. Mr Rotimi Ojomoyela, Chairman of NUJ in Ekiti raised the concern in Ado-Ekiti, while featuring on a media programme coordinated by Fresh FM, a popular radio station in the state. He alleged that many journalists in both radio and newspapers houses “are currently being owed between five months to more than one year salary. “Owing journalists’ salary without plans to pay up,…
The House of Representatives has set up a seven- member Conference Committee on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives announced this during the plenary on Tuesday in Abuja. He said that the conference Committee would work with that of the Senate on the electoral Act to achieve concurrence. The members are; Akeem Adeyemi as the Chairman, James Faleke, Chris Azubogu, Abdullahi Kalambaina, Blessing Onuh, Aisha Dukku and Unyime Idem. Meanwhile, Rep. Godday Odagboyi, who was elected on the platform of Labour Party from Benue has officially defected to the All Progressives…
It is time to allow the esteemed readers of this Column air their views. There were verities of views on almost every topic I presented in this Column. It is really difficult to share all the views expressed but it is important to select few ones that critiqued my opinion to give the readers a wide view, pros, and cons of each topic. However, some of the views are edited for clarity and space limitation. Happy reading School System in Nigeria: Education without Character? Prof. Othman, the above title was well written. It is unfortunate that Education is now in…
A non governmental organisation, Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), has called on governments and other stakeholders to support women farmers in rural areas. The organisation’s Chairperson, Mrs Janet Olaleye, said on Tuesday that the support would help to increase food production and economic development. Olaleye spoke to newsmen on the sidelines of SWOFON’s one-day awareness programme tagged, “Small -Scale Women Farmers Retiring Hoes to the Museum”. The women visited the National Museum, Ile-Ife, as part of the awareness programme aimed at attracting gender-friendly machines and support to rural women farmers. The support includes grants, subsidies, fertlisers and non-interest…
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the southwest on Tuesday challenged governors in the zone to ensure the protection of its social, economic and political interests. It said in a communique issued in Ibadan at the end of its third quarter meeting that the governors should pursue the realisation of true federalism to create a more just and equitable federation. These, the association demanded should be done in a secure and united Nigeria. The association noted the on-going legal tussle and political debates on the potentially volatile issue of VAT collection either by states or by the federal government.…