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Tag: Tinubu

  • Just in: Tinubu appoints new CG for Correctional Service

    Just in: Tinubu appoints new CG for Correctional Service

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed Nwakuche Ndidi as the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

    His appointment follows the expiration of the tenure of the current CG, Haliru Nababa.

    Nababa was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on February 18, 2021.

    In a statement on Friday, the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Board, Ja’afaru Ahmed, said Ndidi’s appointment takes effect from December 15, 2024.

    Ahmed stated, “The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has graciously approved the appointment of Nwakuche Sylvester Ndidi as Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service following the expiration of the tenure of Haliru Nababa. His appointment takes effect from December 15, 2024.

  • Arewa youths hammer Tinubu for appointing Ogunjimi as Acting AGoF

    Arewa youths hammer Tinubu for appointing Ogunjimi as Acting AGoF

    Arewa Youths Integrity Network (AYIN), a social-political group in the northern region of Nigeria, has criticised the appointment of Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation, AGoF.

    The group, while berating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing his Lagos kinsman into such a sensitive position of the nation’s treasury, at a time other of his kinsmen are occupying different strategic positions; also accused the President of favouring only Yorubas, at the expense of other tribes in Nigeria.

    President Tinubu, through his Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had on Tuesday, announced Ogunjimi as acting Accountant-General of the Federation.

    Ogunjimi’s appointment came barely four months before the retirement of the incumbent AGoF, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, who has been asked to embark on a pre-retirement leave till March 2025.

    Reacting to the appointment on Friday via press statement, Spokesman of AYIN, Barr. James Ismaila, said the Arewa group frowned at such great disregard for the north, adding that, the northerners too are eminently qualified for such appointments.

    The group contended that, “appointing another Yoruba man, who is equally due for retirement, to replace an outgoing Yoruba woman in a sensitive position in the nation’s treasury house, is a great disregard and disservice to the north. We at Arewa Youths Integrity Network seriously fault this and we won’t tolerate it”.

    “Same way the President appointed his kinsmen into strategic financial positions in the country without remorse, he is brazenly doing it at the nation’s treasury. Does that mean there are no other tribes in Nigeria that could efficiently head those positions? Does that mean the trend would continue like this, if nobody raises alarm?

    “We all stood by Asiwaju during the 2023 presidential election, some of us even jettisoned the pressure to make another northerner return to power, because we believe in one Nigeria, we believe that Nigeria does not belong to North alone. It was just in the principles of equity, fairness and justice that we said NO, let someone from the south also sit in Aso Villa, having had our own son for eight years.

    “But from the look of things, it appears Asiwaju is not operating in the same principles. It appears he is not looking at the north or other regions as being part of the Nigeria’s project. He sees only his kinsmen as most qualified and suitable for plum jobs.

    “Since becoming the President, Asiwaju appointed his kinsmen to head the Central Bank of Nigeria, the EFCC, Ministry of Finance, Board of NNPC, Nigerian Customs Services, amongst others. And now, another Lagos man as Accountant General of the Federation, a man who is almost retiring. We will not be shocked to wake up on Monday to see that the Auditor General of the Federation too has been replaced with another Lagos ‘Tax Expert’.

    “This nation cannot grow in this direction. Nigeria belongs to Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, and all other tribes totalling 250. Asiwaju should be the President for all and not for a section. He should purge himself of any ingredients of nepotism and favouritism. We loved him and believed in him and that’s why we all overwhelmingly supported him. He should try and justify that confidence we reposed on him”, the group added.

  • Banditry: Desperate politicians envious of Tinubu, aiding banditry in North West -Group

    Banditry: Desperate politicians envious of Tinubu, aiding banditry in North West -Group

    Some supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the north, have said the incessant banditry attacks in the north west region could be traced to some “desperate politicians” who are bent on frustrating the administration of the President.

    Coming under the aegis of Asiwaju Social Network (ASoN), North West Zone, the group warned those it described as “some highly placed northern leaders who mean no well or those who want to blackmail Asiwaju’s administration” to desist forwith, for the sake of the lives of the people who are on the line.

    The statement signed by Hon. Lukman Hamza and Comrade Aliyu Zuberu, President and Secretary, respectively, the group also tasked the security agencies, especially the secret police, to do due diligence to unmask those elements who are formenting troubles to win cheap political points.

    “We must sound this warning and make it abundantly clear, that, those who are formenting troubles just to win cheap political points must desist forthwith. Some highly placed northern leaders who mean no well or those who want to blackmail Asiwaju’s administration must take note that it’s people’s lives they are playing with.

    “Elections have come and gone and those whom God has placed in positions of authority, we must support them to succeed. And if God placed in position of authority and you are using it to cause troubles and make people lose their lives, all because you want to prove a point or win cheap political points against about public office holder, Almighty Allah is watching you and it will soon be the turn of your family members and relatives, if you don’t stop playing politics with people’s lives.

    “Nobody stays in political office forever, everything has an expiry date and the people shall he here to remind those who think they’re powerful today, about all their atrocities while fighting cold war with their opponents. Even if you’re currently enjoying immunity now, it will expire and you must account for every evil done under your watch.

    “We at Asiwaju Social Network, North West Zone, invite the security agencies, especially the DSS and other intelligent gathering formations, to keep tabs about the happenings in the State and neighbouring states, and let those who think they are powerful, those brains behind the insurgency and banditry, be exposed”, the group submitted.

    The call is coming on the heels of incessant banditry attacks, especially the kidnap of over 50 women and girls in Zamfara State by bandits during the weekend.

    The bandits conducted a house-to-house search and abducted mostly women and children in the Kakin-Dawa in the Gidan Goga district of Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

    It was said that, the gunmen invaded the community on motorcycles at about 1:30 a.m. and picked residents from house to house, most of whom are married women and girls to unknown destination, despite the presence of local security guards.

    A similar attack occurred in September, where the bandits abducted over 40 persons at Janboka, a community in the same Maradun LGA.

    Maradun is the hometown of the Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Bello Matawalle, who is the immediate past governor of the state.

  • JUST IN: Tinubu approves salary increase for Military Personnel

    JUST IN: Tinubu approves salary increase for Military Personnel

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a salary increment for members of Nigeria’s armed forces.

    Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, disclosed this on Friday in a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike.

    The government also approved the payment of three months’ salary arrears.

    Additionally, he has released funds to clear outstanding pensions and entitlements owed to retired military personnel.

    The minister confirmed that alerts for the three-month salary increase have begun reaching military personnel, signalling a significant morale boost for the armed forces.

    He lauded Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to both serving and retired members of the military, emphasising that addressing pension arrears for retirees remains a priority.

    “Despite initial setbacks, be rest assured that the President will do everything within his power to uplift our military forces as they confront the challenges of insecurity,” he stated.

  • Tinubu appraises self, says, my decision to remove fuel subsidy is yielding positive results

    Tinubu appraises self, says, my decision to remove fuel subsidy is yielding positive results

    President Bola Tiunbu has said that the removal of the oil subsidy by his administration was not to torment Nigerians but to save the country from total collapse.

    Recall the president announced the subsidy removal on the day of his inauguration on May 29, 2023, noted that the policy had been yielding positive results for the country.

    Tinubu stated this in his address at the 34th and 35th combined convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology Akure Ondo State at the weekend.

    Represented by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole, the president said his administration was not unaware of the suffering of the people but expressed assurance that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

    Tinubu said, “As you are all aware, we took the baton of authority at a time when our economy was nose-diving as a result of heavy debts from fuel and dollar subsidies. The subsidies were meant to support the poor and make life better for all Nigerians.

    “We are all aware of the fact that the poor and average Nigerians were the sufferers of what was supposed to give them succour and improved standard of living. Unfortunately, the good life we thought we were living was a fake one that was capable of leading the country to a total collapse unless drastic efforts were urgently taken.

    “The need to salvage the future of our children and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and also unify the exchange rates. I am not unaware of the consequences of the tough decisions on our people.”

    Stressing that the policy has been fruitful, Tinubu stated, “The macro-economy of our dear country is improving by the day and beyond expectations. The micro-economy, which directly affects our citizens, is also taking shape gradually with positive results. We are now graduating from consumption to production economy in every facet of our human endeavours. By the grace of the Almighty God, every household will experience a better life and have brighter hope for the future.

    “The present challenges call for a high degree of patriotism and I can assure all Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel. After rain comes sunshine. The brighter days are almost here. The Renewed Hope Agenda is on track, and we shall not deviate on the path of a better and greater Nigeria.

    It is in the light of the foregoing that I am glad to inform you that the results of the policies are already yielding the expected results,” he maintained.

    The president admonished the graduating students to join hands together to recover “our lost glory and virtues.”

    He condemned the exodus of youths to overseas countries in search of greener pastures, saying such action was not the solution to the country’s problem.

    “Many of our youths have chosen the supposed easy option of emigrating to the proverbial greener pastures where their citizens had rolled up their sleeves to bring their nations back from the brinks in their times of trouble. Such inclination has led to the brain drain syndrome that we now experience in all areas of our endeavours as a nation.

    “Our intellectuals and experts on whom the nation has massively invested huge resources to train in the interest of our country are migrating overseas in large numbers at a time when their services are most required at home. It is heart-rending, and the syndrome is not the solution to our problems. We are not Nigerians by accident, and I believe that the Almighty God who made us Nigerians has given us the required wisdom to turn things around for our betterment, “President Tinubu said.

  • Tinubu to junket from France to South Africa as Foreign trips continue

    Tinubu to junket from France to South Africa as Foreign trips continue

    President Bola Tinubu is to continue his international diplomatic engagements with a visit to South Africa, following his ongoing trip to France.

    The president is scheduled to leave France on Monday, December 2, 2024, and will arrive in Cape Town, South Africa, where he will co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    The BNC session will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2, 2024, at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town. The two leaders will engage in comprehensive discussions on various matters of mutual interest, encompassing both bilateral and regional issues, as well as international concerns.

    The statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s spokesman, highlighted that the meeting would build on commitments made during a previous engagement between the two leaders on June 20, 2024, in Johannesburg. During this earlier meeting, following President Ramaphosa’s re-election for a second term, both presidents reviewed the progress achieved since the 10th BNC session held in Abuja in late 2021.

    The 11th session of the BNC will feature deliberations across eight key working groups, focusing on specific areas of cooperation. These include political consultations, consular and migration matters, banking and finance, defence and security, manufacturing, the social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments.

    In addition, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements are expected to be signed by officials from both countries during the session, aimed at strengthening the partnership between Nigeria and South Africa across these critical areas.

  • Tinubu’s controversial tax reform Bills scale through second reading in Senate

    Tinubu’s controversial tax reform Bills scale through second reading in Senate

    The Senate has passed four controversial tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu for second reading.

    The bills passed second reading after Opeyemi Bamidele, Majority Leader of the Senate, led a debate on them on Thursday.

    This comes after several political leaders and stakeholders kicked against the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

    Recall that the Senate plenary on Wednesday had a rowdy session as the controversial tax reform bills surfaced for debate without being listed on the Order Paper, which usually outline the agenda of the day’s proceedings.

  • Tinubu in joyful mood over Port Harcourt refinery revival

    Tinubu in joyful mood over Port Harcourt refinery revival

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited on the successful revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

    Tinubu also urged the firm to expedite the scheduled reactivation of the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

    Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.

    The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu celebrates the revival of Port Harcourt refinery and directs NNPC Limited to promptly reactivate Warri and Kaduna refineries.’

    Onanuga said, “The President acknowledges the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all our refineries and expresses gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.

    “Furthermore, President Tinubu commends the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone.

    “With the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, President Tinubu urges NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.”

  • President Tinubu departs Brazil after G20 summit

    President Tinubu departs Brazil after G20 summit

    President Bola Tinubu departs Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m (Nigerian time).

    Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.

    The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.

    He also presided over the signing of $2.5 billion Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company, and one of the top three largest meat processing companies globally.

  • Anti-Corruption: Tinubu urged to ensure passage of Whistleblower Protection Law

    Anti-Corruption: Tinubu urged to ensure passage of Whistleblower Protection Law

    President Bola Tinubu has been urged to urgently take steps to advance Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight by ensuring there’s enactment of whistleblowing and whistleblower protection laws in the country.

    The call is coming ahead of a two-day sub-regional conference on whistleblowing and whistleblower legislation organized by The African Centre for Media & Information Literacy, AFRICMIL, in partnership with the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, in Abuja.

    AFRICMIL’s Programme Manager, Godwin Onyeacholem, said Tinubu should take advantage of his rapport with members of the National Assembly to urgently pass the draft whistleblowing bill in the administration’s possession into law. Noting that “the best way for the government to show its readiness and sincerity about anti-corruption fight is by strengthening whistleblowing.”

    Onyeacholem made this known during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by PRIMORG, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Assessing the anti-corruption fight under the current administration, He said the Tinubu-led administration has not shown enough will and seriousness, urging the former Lagos state Governor to courageously see to the passing of whistleblowing into law.

    “There is an Executive Bill as we speak, which civil society groups worked on, which was supposed to be passed by the 9th National Assembly (NASS). It’s now lying on the desk of the President, so he has to re-present it to the NASS, so if they want it passed today, it can be done.

    “The President (Tinubu) should take immediate steps to send the Bill to the legislature and ensure a quick passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill into law.

    “I have not seen any concrete fight against corruption under the current administration. First of all, pass this whistleblower protection bill into law immediately. Whistleblowing is the best way so far to fight corruption,” He insisted.

    Onyeacholem identified poor leadership and corruption as the main reasons for the inability of many countries in the West African sub-region to pass whistleblowing laws, adding that Tinubu is expected to use his position as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in galvanizing other members to enact whistleblower protection laws.

    “Poor leadership across the board. West Africa has been identified as one of the most corrupt subregions in the world. You’ll see the effects of corruption in West Africa have destabilized some of these West African countries. Nothing is happening yet to fight this monster that has held us back since independence. It still boils down to the political will of the leaders”.

    He revealed that the two-day sub-regional conference on whistleblowing and whistleblower legislation for West African countries seeks to “get Civil Society Actors, Media, law enforcement, security, development partners and government agencies to come together and brainstorm on how to ensure there is a protection law in each of these countries across the West African sub-region; and to encourage people to come out and report wrongdoing while they are sure that there is a framework to protect them.”

    Onyeacholem, however, urged citizens to see whistleblowing as helping law enforcement agencies perform their duties as enshrined in section 22 of the Constitution.

    On his part, PRIMORG’s Media & Communications Officer Chidozie Ogbonnaya joined the call for the government of the day to expedite actions towards getting the nation a whistleblower law, noting that citizens continue to bear the brunt of corruption in the country through poor governance structure and absence of basic amenities.

    Ogbonnaya lauded the efforts of PRIMORG, AFRICMIL, and other civil society groups who have remained relentless over the years in advocating for Nigeria to transition from operating a whistleblower policy to legislation.

    He reassured PRIMORG’s commitment to urging political leaders to strengthen the fight against corruption and for citizens to participate in building a better country.

    “We are collaborating with AFRICMIL to push for the enactment of the whistleblower legislation in Nigeria. We want whistleblowers to be protected, and we will stop at nothing to continue this advocacy, and we want you all (citizens) to join us.

    “In the past six years, PRIMORG and AFRICMIL have been on a vigorous campaign on government to do something about whistleblower legislation. And I tend to wonder what the country would be without anti-corruption campaigns, So relenting is not an option. We will continue to push because we must get a better country – we don’t have another country,” Ogbonnaya assured.

    The two-day sub-regional conference on whistleblowing and whistleblower legislation in West Africa will be held on 26 and 27 November 2024 in Abuja.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.