TheNewsGuru

Tag: President Bola Tinubu

  • Tinubu appoints Delu Bulus Yakubu as new National coordinator of NSIPA

    Tinubu appoints Delu Bulus Yakubu as new National coordinator of NSIPA

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Delu Bulus Yakubu as the pioneer National Coordinator / Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), pending Senate confirmation.

    This was made known by  Ajuri Ngelale the special adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.

    He noted that President Tinubu expects the new appointee to convey the highest level of efficiency, transparency, and qualitative service delivery at NSIPA, in his determination to actualize the Renewed Hope agenda of his administration.

    Mrs. Delu Bulus Yakubu is a recipient of a Masters degree in agronomy from the State University of Bio-Technology in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with over 15 years worth of working experience in Social Investment Programme management.

    The National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) (Establishment) Act, 2023, was signed into law on May 22, 2023.

  • Judgment commences: Nigeria awaits verdict on President Tinubu’s election win (Photos)

    Judgment commences: Nigeria awaits verdict on President Tinubu’s election win (Photos)

    Nigeria’s presidential election tribunal is poised to deliver a landmark judgment that could determine the fate of President Bola Tinubu’s presidency.

    This judgment comes after five political parties and their respective candidates, who were contenders in the February presidential election, submitted petitions challenging the legitimacy of his victory.

    The petitions have raised concerns about the integrity of the election and the authenticity of the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The tribunal, located in the capital city of Abuja, began hearing these petitions since on May 8.

    In the run-up to the election, President Tinubu made a surprising move by selecting Kashim Shettima, the former governor of Borno State, as his running mate.

    Earlier arrivals at the court

    This decision was considered unconventional, given that both Tinubu and Shettima are Muslims hailing from different regions, the southwest and northeast, respectively.

    Thenewsguru.com (TNG) notes that while there have been numerous legal challenges to the outcomes of previous Nigerian presidential elections, none have succeeded.

    Therefore, most political observers tend to expect the tribunal to uphold President Tinubu’s win.

    Atiku Abubakar, representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi, from the Labour Party, are the main petitioners who have asked the court to invalidate the election.

    Their claims revolve around allegations of irregularities and accusations of INEC breaching the law by failing to utilize electronic voting machines to upload polling station results, among other criticisms.

    The tribunal holds the power to cancel an election and order a fresh one if it deems this necessary, among other potential remedies.

    However, should the tribunal uphold President Tinubu’s win, Atiku and Obi still have the option to make a final appeal at Nigeria’s Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority in the country.

    However, this appeal process must be concluded within 60 days from the date of the tribunal’s judgment.

    In the lead-up to the tribunal’s ruling, the military had established checkpoints on major roads leading into Abuja, conducting random searches of commuters and vehicles to ensure security.

    Tight security on the road leading to the court

    Additionally, strict security measures have been put in place at the court premises. Two black vehicles are stationed to screen all individuals entering the courtroom, and security operatives are strategically positioned outside to maintain surveillance.

    Legal representatives of the political parties have been pruned to accommodate all interested parties and political dignitaries expected to be present for the judgment.

    Notably, several top government officials, including Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State, and Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, have already arrived at the Court in anticipation of the verdict.

    President Tinubu assumed office facing a multitude of daunting challenges, including anaemic economic growth, high unemployment, the highest inflation rate in two decades, record levels of debt, significant oil theft impacting government revenues, and widespread insecurity.

    Addressing these pressing issues requires broad public support. However, President Tinubu secured 8.79 million votes, the fewest ever garnered by a Nigerian president since the nation’s return to democracy in 1999.

    This limited level of electoral support places constraints on the goodwill he enjoys.

    His closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secured 6,984,520 votes to claim second place, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party who resonated with younger voters, garnered 6.1 million votes.

    Nigerian electoral law stipulates that a candidate can secure victory by amassing more votes than their rivals, provided they obtain 25 per cent of the vote in at least two-thirds of the 36 states and the federal capital, Abuja.

    However, opposition parties have contented that President Tinubu who was declared the winner, did not attain the required 25 per cent of the vote in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The 2023 presidential election judgment is being live-streamed, adding to the heightened anticipation among Nigerians eagerly awaiting the tribunal’s verdict.

    This live-streamed coverage allows citizens from all parts of the country to closely follow the proceedings and outcomes of this crucial judgment.

  • President Tinubu set to attend G-20 summit in India

    President Tinubu set to attend G-20 summit in India

    President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Monday to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, on the invitation of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

    This was disclosed by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.

    He stated that, on the sidelines of the Summit, the President will participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference.

    According to Ngelale, the CEO Roundtable will be attended by leading industrialists in the Indian private sector, Nigerian industrialists, as well as senior government officials from both countries.

    He pointed out that President Tinubu will use the platform to showcase Nigeria as an investment hub. “He will present his cross-sectoral reform plan, known as the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ngelale noted.

    According to Ngelale, leading industrialists have requested separate private meetings with President Tinubu at the Summit. “Given his track record in attracting investments to Lagos State, it’s understandable that key industry players want to engage with him,” he said.

    Ngelale further elaborated that the President’s itinerary includes bilateral meetings with a diverse set of world leaders. “These meetings involve countries from four different continents, both within and outside the G-20,” he stated. “The intention is to strengthen economic, trade, and investment partnerships for mutual benefit.”

    “At the G-20 Summit, President Tinubu will articulate Nigeria’s view on the theme ‘One Earth-One Family-One Future,’” Ngelale indicated. This theme aims to underscore the necessity for global unity in addressing challenges that humanity and the planet face.

    Regarding Nigeria’s potential membership in the G-20, Ngelale stated that the government is undergoing consultations to weigh the benefits and risks. “The participation of President Tinubu in the G-20 Summit aligns with the government’s objective to make an informed decision on whether or not to apply for G-20 membership,” he concluded.

    Accompanying the President will be key members of his cabinet including Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Wale Edun, Minister of Finance; Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; and Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

    President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria immediately following the conclusion of the Summit.

    President Tinubu will return to Nigeria immediately following the conclusion of the Summit.

  • Tinubu recalls Nigerian Ambassadors, exempts two

    Tinubu recalls Nigerian Ambassadors, exempts two

    President Bola Tinubu has recalled all Nigerian ambassadors, with the exception of two, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed this on Saturday.

    He said in a statement: “Sequel to the inquiries on the letter recalling the Nigerian ambassador to the UK, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has reaffirmed that all career ambassadors and noncareer ambassadors have been recalled on the instructions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    Abdulkadir said ambassadors, as representatives of the country, serve at the discretion of the president, making it his prerogative to summon them from any nation.

    However, in another statement, presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, said Nigeria’s United Nations Permanent Representatives in New York and Geneva be exempted from this total recall, in view of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, holding later this month.

    Ngelale added that by the directive of the President, the recall of the affected officers takes immediate effect.

    Earlier, Tinubu had recalled Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021.

    In a letter dated August 31, 2023, Tuggar stated that the decision signalled the end of Ishola’s tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom.

    “By this communication, you are now expected to commence the process of winding down your affairs, and take formal leave of your host government within sixty days and to return to Nigeria by 31st October 2023 at the latest,’ the document read.

  • BREAKING: Inauguration of 45 Ministers-designate underway

    BREAKING: Inauguration of 45 Ministers-designate underway

    The inauguration of 45 ministers-designate is currently underway at Aso Villa this Monday morning following the Senate’s confirmation of 45 out of 48 ministerial nominees presented by President Bola Tinubu.

    Just over a week ago, President Tinubu also revealed the portfolios assigned to each minister-designate, setting the stage for this inauguration.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that three out of the 48 candidates initially put forward by the President failed to get security clearance and consequently were not approved by the Senate.

    At the inauguration ceremony, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity Aguri Ngelale, read out the citations of the ministers in batches of five, which was followed by the administration of oaths and taking of photographs with President Tinubu.

    Inauguration of 45 Ministers-designate underway at Aso Villa

    Earlier on Sunday, the President approved the redeployment of some Ministers-designate, such as Abubakar Momoh from the Federal Ministry of Youth to now head the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development, which was not among portfolios previously listed, leading to speculations that the Ministry had been scrapped.

    Additionally, there were reshuffles in the ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy. while Adegboyega Oyetola was redeployed as the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo was reassigned as the Honourable Minister of Interior, and Sa’idu Alkali as the Honourable Minister of Transportation.

    President Tinubu also approved the renaming of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management to the Federal Ministry of Environment.

     

  • ANALYSIS: Understanding the dynamics of Tinubu’s Ministerial portfolio assignments

    ANALYSIS: Understanding the dynamics of Tinubu’s Ministerial portfolio assignments

    Ahead of a formal swearing-in ceremony for President Bola Tinubu’s team of ministers designate scheduled for next Monday, the much-anticipated allocation of portfolios was released Wednesday, revealing a tapestry of expertise, political calculations and national security considerations.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that over a week ago, a total of 48 Ministerial nominees, including nine females and 39 males, underwent successful screening by the Senate.

    Among these nominees, 45 received the approval of the legislators, while the remaining three are currently awaiting security clearance from the State Security Service.

    One of the individuals awaiting security clearance is the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who has officially withdrawn his interest in being a part of President Tinubu’s cabinet, but has expressed his commitment to continue contributing to the development of Nigeria, albeit as a private citizen.

    Strategic Allocation of Key Portfolios

    The designation of former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has captured the attention of Nigerians, particularly those who witnessed the infrastructural transformation of Rivers State during his administration, leading to high hopes that he will replicate his success at the national level.

    Similarly, Wale Edun’s appointment as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy has been hailed given his background in economics and finance, which positions him to navigate the complex challenges posed by Nigeria’s economic landscape.

    The naming of a former Governor of Jigawa state Mohammed Badaru, as the Minister of Defence has ignited a range of responses from various quarters.

    While some individuals have raised questions about President Tinubu’s decision to appoint a civilian to oversee the service chiefs, others have noted that similar appointments of civilians have occurred in the past.

    Sharing his thoughts on the development, a former senator from Kaduna state Shehu Sani, said: “In view of the security challenges faced by this country, I thought the Defence Minister should be a retired Military officer with experience and records of accomplishments. That office shouldn’t be just political especially at this time”.

    However, Retired Air Vice Marshall Gbolahan Adekunle, noted that Nigeria’s first Minister of Defence after independence in the person of Muhammadu Ribadu was a civilian with no military experience, adding that iw was too early to criticise the Tinubu administration.

    Badaru’s background as an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies may also suggest a shift in the administrative structure of the military and present a unique opportunity to streamline military operations and strategies.

    The appointment of a respected Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership Ali Pate, as Minister of Health and Social Welfare has been described as putting a round peg in a round hole, as his technocratic background aligns with the push for improved healthcare infrastructure and policies.

    Pate’s decade-long World Bank tenure saw him hold senior roles, including Senior Health Specialist and Human Development Sector Coordinator. He led significant health sector reforms across Africa and East Asia, notably initiating a groundbreaking Public-Private Partnership for a National Referral Hospital in Lesotho.

    Also, given the imperative to combat misinformation and promote government policies, the selection of Mohammed Idris, a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) with a multifaceted media background and an extensive track record as an entrepreneur, Publisher, and CEO of Blueprint newspaper, to head the Ministry of Information has been viewed as a robust choice.

    Mismatches and Absence of Petroleum Minister

    While more reactions from the public appear to commend the alignment of expertise with portfolios, concerns have been raised about certain appointments.

    Surprising many, the appointment of Abubakar Momoh to lead the Ministry of Youths has raised eyebrows due to expectations for a younger candidate.

    Momoh who is believed to be in his early sixties is a civil engineer and a former two-term House of Representatives member and some argue that his expertise seemingly does not align with his new role.

    Similarly, the sports community expressed shock over the appointment of former Senator John Enoh as Minister of Sports Development, citing his lack of sports-related experience.

    Ace sports broadcaster Frank Ilaboya, questioned the decision saying: “I want to believe that the immediate past sports minister Sunday Dare has set the template, even though there were also colossal mistakes… I think the minister has a lot ahead of him”.

    Meanwhile, the conspicuous absence of a Minister of Petroleum Resources in the newly assigned ministerial portfolios has ignited a wave of speculation amid calls mount for a comprehensive probe of the oil sector, especially as it remains a crucial aspect of Nigeria’s economy and citizens continue to grapple with soaring petrol prices.

    During the previous administration, former President Muhammadu Buhari had held the Minister of Petroleum portfolio, while the Minister of State for Petroleum was Timipre Sylva.

    However, Tinubu’s cabinet restructure sees the ministry having two ministers of state – Ekperikpe Ekpo has been designated as Minister of State for Gas Resources, while Heineken Lokpobiri assumes the role of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

    It remains uncertain whether President Tinubu will personally head the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, similar to his predecessor’s approach.

    Additionally, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is also conspicuously missing from the list and with no official confirmation, it remains uncertain whether its absence indicates that the ministry has been scrapped or a potential restructuring within the government’s administrative framework.

  • See reactions as survey reveals 62% optimism in President Tinubu’s administration

    See reactions as survey reveals 62% optimism in President Tinubu’s administration

    Recent findings from a survey conducted by a Lagos-based public perception consulting and strategic communication firm, CMC Connect LLP,  in partnership with Analysts Data Services and Resources (ADSR), indicate that 62 per cent of Nigerians believe the country is on a path of progress under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.

    The survey which was drawn from 1,714 participants across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, sought the opinions of citizens on the initial 60 days of President Tinubu’s administration, as well as expectations.

    According to the report, while 38 per cent of respondents expressed reservations about the country’s forward momentum under the current administration, a significant 62 per cent held the view that the nation would make strides under President Tinubu’s leadership.

    “By and large, respondents are less satisfied with the first 60 days of the current administration, but they are more optimistic about the country moving forward under the current administration,” part of the report stated.

    The survey delved into various aspects of the administration’s actions and decisions during its first 60 days and respondents were asked to state their degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction.

    One notable area of satisfaction was the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor and Abdulrasheed Bawa as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Respondents also expressed endorsement for both the incorporation of redesigned naira notes and the discontinuation of electricity subsidy, but were concerned about potential energy cost implications with the removal of the subsidy.

    The survey further revealed substantial dissatisfaction with the arrangement of the ministerial list, and mixed feelings about the unification of exchange rates.

    The survey also revealed substantial dissatisfaction with the arrangement of the ministerial list, emphasizing the importance of a diversified and representative cabinet.

    Favourable reception greeted the planned opening of more land borders and the distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households.

    Respondents showed support for the appointment of Service Chiefs, dissolution of governing boards of government agencies, introduction of the Nigerian education loan fund.

    “The suspension of the import tax change levy on certain vehicles, the introduced green tax on single-use plastics, and excise duty escalation on locally manufactured products,” received public approval, according to the survey report.

    However, many critics argue that the survey might not accurately represent the diverse opinions held by Nigerians, considering the multitude of socio-economic challenges facing the country.

    Some citizens believe that the survey might not have fully captured the complexities of Nigeria’s current state and the various concerns citizens hold.

    A digital entrepreneur Elvis Nosakhare, known as @nosakhare_elvis on Twitter, questioned the survey’s credibility and methodology.

    In a tweet posted under the handle iNexus, Nosakhare expressed skepticism and requested transparency regarding critical information related to the survey.

    He wrote, “Can we see the data, or at least let us know when this survey was done and the demographics that were covered? Important information like this should be clear for all to see. Can anyone corroborate when this survey was done or if they were a part of it? When was it done?”

    Additional online polls conducted independently have revealed contrasting viewpoints from those reflected in the CMC Connect LLP survey findings.

    In a country grappling with numerous socio-economic issues, including unemployment, inflation, security concerns, and infrastructure deficits, some Nigerians find it hard to reconcile the reported optimism with the daily challenges they experience.

    The survey’s findings led to conversations about the methodology employed, the selection of participants, and the overall credibility of such studies in accurately portraying public perception.

    Additionally, two other separate polls conducted online indicated that a significant number of Nigerians did not share the optimism reflected in the CMC Connect LLP survey findings.

  • FG, Labour Unions resume negotiations today

    FG, Labour Unions resume negotiations today

    The ongoing negotiation between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and the government is set to continue today, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of protests triggered by the fuel subsidy removal.

    The union leaders are scheduled to meet with Representatives of government Tuesday after President Bola Tinubu last week expressed commitment to address crucial issues affecting the workforce and the nation’s economy.

    Speaking during a television programme on Monday, the NLC President Joe Ajaero, said that the decision to suspend the protests came after the intervention of the National Assembly and President Tinubu.

    “The Senate promised to get back to us and resolve the matter within one week. Just this evening we got a notice from them inviting us for a meeting tomorrow (today).

    “We are yet to get the modality on the restructure initiative team, especially the government, and for those that will lead the government team,” Ajaero said.

    Thenewsguru.com (TNG) reports that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC, had taken action against the position of the government to file a contempt charge through the industrial court and Ministry of Justice.

    The NEC of the NLC gave government until 14th of August to withdraw the summon for contempt or face an industrial action.

    In a letter dated 7th August, signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs  B.E. Jeddy-Agb and addressed to the lead counsel to the NLC, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, the Federal government has withdrawn the charges.

    The letter reads in part: “kindly recall the exchange of correspondence between the ministry and your office on the need for compliance with the extant court orders, restraining industrial action of any kind on the part of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

    “The position of the ministry was informed by the need to safeguard the integrity of the court and prevent avoidable service disruption or damage to public facilities.

    “Inspite of these exchanges/interventions, the labour unions on Aug. 2, proceeded with the industrial action through public pretests.

    “It is trite that issuance of Form 48 is just the starting point in contempt proceedings which will only crystalize upon the issuance of Form 49 and the consequential committal order.

    “The ministry did not proceed further with the contempt proceedings, which would have required the issuance of Form 49 within two days of thc issuance of Form 48.

    “It is self-evident that the none-issuance of Form 49 as at Aug. 4, renders the contempt proceedings inchoate. You may therefore wish to advise or guide the labour unions on the practice and procedure of contempt proceedings, particularly to the effect that the issues or concerns raised by NLC in its communique on the proceedings, have been overtaken by events.”

    Recall that after meeting with Union leaders last Wednesday 4th August, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his government would take concrete steps to bring at least one of the moribund refineries in the country back to operation by December.

    Additionally, he pledged to expedite an agreement on the wage award for Nigerian workers and expressed intentions to unveil a comprehensive roadmap for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative, which offers a potential solution to the fuel crisis.

    Speaking on the President’s pledge, Ajaero added: “We have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation.

    “Once again, we thank Nigerians while we wait for the government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency; the President.”

    As negotiations resume and discussions continue, the hopes of Nigerians are pinned on the outcome of these talks, with expectations of a resolution that addresses the concerns brought about by the recent fuel subsidy removal and it’s attendant effects.

  • ANALYSIS: Tinubu’s ministerial list and female representation

    ANALYSIS: Tinubu’s ministerial list and female representation

    Nigeria, with an estimated population of over 200 million people, stands as the most populous nation in Africa.

    Women and girls make up approximately 49.32 per cent of the total population and as such, their presence and contributions are crucial to the social fabric and progress of the country.

    The election or appointment of women in successive Nigerian governments, therefore, has been a topic of discussion, and the recent ministerial nominations by President Bola Tinubu have once again, shed light on the ongoing gender disparity in political leadership.

    The appointment of ministers who make up the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is a crucial aspect of governance, and citizens expect it should reflect the government’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality.

    On Friday, the presidency announced the replacement of Maryam Shetty from Kano with Mairiga Mahmud, and the addition of former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo to the list of ministerial nominees.

    President Tinubu had previously transmitted 47 names of ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening.

    The names were submitted in two batches – the first list containing 28 nominees was transmitted on July 27, while a second list of 19 nominees was forwarded to the Senate on Wednesday, August 2nd.

    Friday’s Ministerial nomination adjustment brings the total number of ministerial candidates to 48, surpassing the 47 nominated by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 to set a new record.

    In one of his campaign promises and inaugural speech, President Tinubu had said he would ensure equity and fairness to women in all relevant aspects of the country’s social, economic and political life.

    “Working with the National Assembly, we will aim to pass legislation promoting female employment in all government offices, ministries, and agencies. The goal will be to increase women’s participation in government to at least 35 per cent of all governmental positions.

    A comparison with previous administrations reveals a recurring pattern of underrepresentation of women in ministerial appointments.

    “This legislation shall also mandate the federal executive (particularly the cabinet and core senior advisers) to reserve a minimum number of senior positions for women,” Tinubu’s campaign manifesto dubbed ‘Renewed Hope’ states.

    However, like previous ones, Tinubu’s nominations fall short of the desired gender balance, as only nine out of the 48 nominees are females, representing a mere 18. 75 per cent of the total.

    To achieve the 35 per cent representation for women at the FEC, the President ought to have nominated 17 female ministerial candidates.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s first term in 1999, nine out of 47 ministers were women, accounting for 19.1 per cent representation.

    However, this percentage decreased to 15.1 per cent in his second term when only five women were appointed out of 33 ministers.

    Under President Umaru Yar’Adua’s leadership in 2007, seven out of 39 ministers were women, representing 17.9 per cent of the FEC.

    The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 marked a significant advancement in women’s representation, with 13 female ministers out of a total of 41, reaching a milestone of 31.7 per cent.

    Subsequently, during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, the percentage of women in the FEC dropped to 16.6 per cent in his first term, with six women out of 36 ministers.

    In his second term, the representation slightly improved to 15.9 per cent, with seven female ministers out of 44.

    This disparity witnessed over successive administrations indicates the absence of measures to enhance gender representation at the highest levels of decision-making and raises concern about the government’s commitment towards achieving gender equality.

    Female Representation at 10th Assembly only 3.6%

    The underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly also remains a concerning setback for the goal of women’s political participation, as advocated in the Beijing Affirmative Action.

    With only 17 women elected out of 469 members – three in the Senate and 14 in the House of Representatives, their representation in the 10th National Assembly accounts for only 3.6% of the total members

    These successful 17 were among the 286 women who competed in the party primaries for the 360 House of Representative seats and the 92 who contested for the 109 Senate seats.

    In March 2022, the Assembly rejected a bill proposing affirmative action for women in political party administration.

    Additionally, lawmakers opposed a bill that would have designated specific seats for women in both national and state legislatures.

    A report obtained from the UN Statistics Division website revealed that the national average of women’s political participation in elective and appointive positions in Nigeria remains 6.7 per cent.

    The report states that this percentage is below the global average of 22.5 per cent and the West African average of 15 per cent.

     

  • Troops destroy 36 illegal refineries amid inoperative state-owned facilities

    Troops destroy 36 illegal refineries amid inoperative state-owned facilities

    The Nigerian Army in recent operations carried out by troops of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed 36 illegal refining sites, apprehended 22 suspected oil thieves and recovered significant quantities of crude oil and fuel products.

    Briefing newsmen on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said the military successfully recovered 310,700 litres of crude oil, 14,675 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and 49,000 litres of Dual Purpose kerosene during these operations.

    In addition to the seizure of illegal products, troops also destroyed various equipment and facilities used for illegal refining, including 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, three vehicles, 126 cooking ovens, three outboard engines, one speedboat, two motorcycles, one generator, and two pumping machines.

    On July 24th, the military intercepted and destroyed a wooden boat loaded with 1000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at the Wellhead Cluster Opukushi Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    Meanwhile, the country’s state-owned refineries remain grounded, contributing to the persistent challenges in the oil sector.

    In response to this, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday and after a constructive engagement, the Federal Government has projected oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery could commence by December.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the federal government failed to meet previous targets on the commencement of oil production in the refinery and the new timeline is contingent upon the successful completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.

    Furthermore, Buba said military troops conducted raids on camps and hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) gunmen in Abia and Anambra States in Nigeria’s Southeast.

    During these operations, the military arrested three suspected gunrunners and rescued nine kidnapped hostages. Several arms and ammunition were also recovered in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra.

    The seized items included: one AK47 rifle with 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, six pump-action guns, one locally made pistol, one dane gun, one locally made hand grenade, four vehicles, nine motorcycles, 925 machetes, and 151 machete sharpeners.

    Additionally, Buba said Nigerian Police uniforms and boots, IPOB/ESN uniforms, one speaker, raincoats, boots, and a chainsaw were also recovered.

    “In the conduct of the operations, troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 35 rounds of 7.62mm special, six pump action guns, one locally made pistol, one dane gun, one locally made hand grenade, four vehicles, nine motorcycles, 925 machetes and 151 machetes sharpeners.

    “Others are 1,080 sickles, Nigerian Police uniforms and boots, IPOB/ESN uniform, one speaker, rain coats and boots and a chain saw. Troops also apprehended three gunrunners and rescued nine kidnapped hostages.

    The Nigerian Army called for support from well-meaning Nigerians in the fight against criminal activities, in order to flush out the perpetrators of these heinous acts from society.