News

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments.

The President states that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

The President emphasizes that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu stated.

He also noted that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

President Tinubu commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, paid a heartfelt condolence visit to the family of the late Deputy Comptroller Etop Essien on July 10, 2024, in Abuja.

Essien passed away on June 25, 2024, while making a presentation before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee. 

The CGC expressed deep sorrow and offered prayers for the repose of the deceased.

He said, “We pray that God will strengthen the family during this difficult time and give you the wisdom to understand that only He gives and takes, and we cannot question His will.” 

Adeniyi praised Essien’s dedication to his duties, noting, “He was highly committed to his duties and knew exactly what he was doing. We pray that God will comfort you and stay with you through this time of grief.” 

The CGC acknowledged the fragility of life and the impact of dedicated public servants like Essien, whose memory will continue to inspire his colleagues.

The Nigeria Customs Service will expedite the processing of benefits due to the late officer, Adeniyi assured the family. 

The widow, Mrs. Essien, expressed gratitude for the visit and kind words, sharing that her husband held the CGC and the Nigeria Customs Service in high esteem until his final moments.

She promised to update the service on the burial arrangements to ensure a fitting honour for Deputy Comptroller Essien.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday led a high-level federal government delegation on a condolence visit to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, to express sympathies over the passing of her mother, Mrs. Victoria Immaculata Uzoka. 

The delegation included several key cabinet members, including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo; the Minister of State for Steel Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu; the Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio Ibrahim; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, among others. 

Later, VP Shettima also paid condolences to Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah on the death of his wife, Hajiya Safiya Na’Allah, who passed away Tuesday evening in Abuja. 

Senator Na’Allah, who formerly represented Kebbi South Senatorial District, served as Deputy Majority Leader in the Eighth Senate.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Comrade Shehu Sani, on his X (Twitter) account, said no amount of falsehood and disinformation would change the facts and figures that from 2015–2023, Kaduna State was looted, and our children and grandchildren have been left with a huge burden of debt. 

He was quoted as saying, “They shamelessly left behind a litany of uncomplicated projects and contractual liabilities that has suffocated the economy of our state.

“They pocketed billions for non existent light rail projects, tied our IGR to fraudulent Bank loans.  

“Kaduna is like a woman raped and the rapist wants honour. Every reasonable resident of Kaduna can clearly see and attest to the properties and wealth amassed by those who claimed to have served the state.

“The spirit and the blood of the people they wasted and the lives and livelihoods they destroyed will continue to haunt them. We shall recover every penny of our state funds looted by those rodents and their larcenous head.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Bashir El-Rufai, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has sent a cryptic message to President Bola Tinubu, warning that even the backing of the IMF and World Bank will not save him from being voted out of office after his first term.

El-Rufai asserts that no institution can prevent the people from voting out an incumbent government and that Tinubu’s governance has been an “utter failure” disguised as a “useless, dangerous, ethnocentric political strategy.”

The message comes amid tensions between Tinubu and El-Rufai’s camp after the former governor’s name was excluded from the ministerial list. Uba Sani, El-Rufai’s successor in Kaduna, has also lamented the enormous debts inherited from the previous administration, saying the state has limited funds to pay salaries.

Despite the World Bank and IMF lauding Tinubu’s economic reforms and offering support, El-Rufai’s son believes these institutions will not be able to prevent the president from being voted out if the people are dissatisfied with his performance.

The cryptic message serves as a warning to Tinubu of what the camp of El-Rufai and other disgruntled APC members have in store for 2027, which has been discussed privately but is now being made public.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a bid to enhance inter-agency collaboration, paid a courtesy visit to the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Abdullahi Maiwada.

The visit was said to have been paid at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja on July 9, 2024. 

ACP Adejobi noted the importance of collaboration between the two security agencies, stating, “Our roles as security agencies are crucial to national security and economic stability. By working together, we can better discharge our responsibilities and serve the public more effectively.” 

CSC Maiwada expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “This visit is a significant step towards strengthening our relationship with the Nigeria Police Force. Our combined efforts will undoubtedly enhance our operational efficiency and public service delivery.” 

The meeting focused on identifying areas of mutual interest where both agencies can cooperate to improve their functions and foster a positive image for both institutions.

The visit concluded with a mutual pledge to work towards enhancing national security and economic prosperity.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has refuted claims that the Samoa Agreement, signed by the Federal Government, requires Nigeria to endorse or accept LGBTQ rights.

NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, in a statement, said that the agreement does not compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty or existing laws, including the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023.

Maikyau emphasized that the NBA would have advised against signing the agreement if it contravened Nigerian laws.

He urged stakeholders to educate the public on the agreement’s true content, countering negative narratives pushed along sensitive lines of faith, culture, and morality.

The agreement recognizes Nigeria’s existing laws and sovereignty, and the NBA calls for continued public enlightenment to counter misconceptions.

Maikyau stated, “There is no provision in the SAMOA agreement that requires Nigeria to accept or recognize LGBTQ or gay rights, either as a pre-condition for a loan of $150 Billion USD or at all.

“Instead, the agreement was expressly made subject to the local laws and the sovereignty of the contracting Nations.

“That is to say, the SAMOA agreement recognizes Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2023 and the Supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“For the avoidance of any doubt, the SAMOA agreement does not seek to compromise our existing legislations nor undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria,” he added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, received a customised generator and a bus from the Chairman of the Trade Modernization Project (TMP), Saleh Ahmadu, on July 5, 2024, at the Project Management Office in Abuja. 

CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude to TMP for the equipment, stating, “On behalf of all officers and men, I appreciate this gesture… through the presentation of the 250KVA generator and the 13-seater 2024 Toyota Hiace bus.” 

He acknowledged TMP’s efforts in providing tools and equipment for the modernization program, noting the importance of a conducive working environment and human input.

Adeniyi commended TMP as a “worthy and dependable partner” and encouraged officers undergoing training to acquire necessary knowledge to discharge their responsibilities professionally. 

Saleh Ahmadu, TMP Chairman, explained that the bus is for personnel movement between headquarters and the TMP office, while the generator ensures

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

‎The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has ordered the Local Government and Local Government Education Authority officials to return the diverted N30,000 Sallah gifts given to workers in the state or face serious consequences.

The governor gave the warning on Friday while addressing a crowd of well-wishers and supporters at the Government House in Sokoto following a successful Hajj exercise.

He expressed dismay over the nefarious attitude of some finance officers, especially at the local government level, who denied its staff the ₦ 30,000 approved as Sallah gifts by the state government.

“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.

“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately, or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.

“We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others,” he warned.

The governor further charged all heads of agencies where such corrupt tendencies were perpetrated to hasten the compilation of all the affected workers and ensure they were refunded.

He also assured the people of the state of his administration’s determination to ensure accountability, transparency, and the prudent management of public funds for the common good.

“This administration is all out to ensure zero-tolerance for corruption and all corrupt tendencies.

“So, if anybody thinks he can loot public funds and gets away with it, then he must be sick.

“This administration is a true reflection of the government of the people, for the people, and indeed by the people.

“So, we have a huge task ahead of us that we must carry out diligently without minding whose ox is gored,” Aliyu averred.

The governor further called on the people of the state to continue to rally around the present administration in its undying quest to deliver on its campaign promises.

He also thanked the All Progressives Congress leader in the state, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, for his fatherly role and guidance to the present leadership in the state.

He also thanked the entire people of the state for their unflinching support and fervent prayers to the present administration and called for the sustenance of the tempo.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their partnership in the fight against fuel smuggling.

According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the collaboration aims to tackle the smuggling of petroleum products outside Nigeria, which constitutes a significant burden on the national economy. 

Adeniyi noted that the price difference between Nigeria and neighboring countries creates a huge incentive for smuggling, but the NCS, through ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ is working to minimize the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS).

He highlighted the successes of the operation, including fantastic seizures and the arrest of perpetrators. 

The Coordinator of ‘Operation Whirlwind,’ Comptroller Hussein Ejibunu, reported that the operation has recorded significant victories across the nation, including the interception of 79,000 liters of fuel in Kebbi State. 

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, acknowledged the smuggling of PMS as a major national challenge and sought the Customs’ assistance in minimising the smuggling of PMS outside Nigeria.

He commended the efforts of ‘Operation Whirlwind’ and offered NNPC’s support to combat the crime. Both agencies have agreed to share intelligence and resources to enhance their capacity and motivation to tackle fuel smuggling.

The collaboration aims to create a situation room for data sharing and to ensure the prosecution of arrested perpetrators.