AljaziralPress

Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II has declared that Nigeria is on the threshold of bankruptcy following unfavourable economic policies such as subsidizing petroleum products and electricity tariffs.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who spoke during the ongoing 3rd National Treasury Workshop organized by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation holding in Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano advised President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to cancel subsidy in petroleum subsidy and electricity tariffs if the economy must stabilize.

According to him, “the country is Bankrupt and we are heading to bankruptcy. What happened is that the Federal Government do pay petroleum subsidy, pay electricity tariff subsidy, and if there is rise in interest rates, Federal Government pays.

“What is more life-threatening than subsidy that we have to sacrifice education, health sector and infrastructure for us to have cheap petroleum.

“If truly President Buhari is fighting poverty, he should remove the risk on the national financial sector and stop the subsidy regime which is fraudulent.”

He insisted that Buhari must tell Nigerians the fact about the economic situation and also act quickly on it because the nation is already bankrupt.

According to him, “since I have decided to come here, you have to accept what I have said here. And please, if you do not want to here the truth, never invite me.

“So let us talk about the state of public finance in Nigeria. We have a number of very difficult decisions that we must make, and we should face the reality. His Excellency, the President said in his inaugural speech that his government would like to lift 100 million people out of poverty, it was a speech that was well received not only in this country, but the world-wide.

“The number of people living with poverty in Nigeria are frightening. By 2050, 85 percent of those living in extreme poverty in the world will be from the Africa continent. And Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo will take the lead.

“Two days ago, I read that the percentage of government revenue going to debt services has risen to 70 percent.

These numbers are not lying. They are public numbers. I read them in the newspapers. When you are spending 70 percent of your revenue on debt services, then you are managing 30 percent.

“And then, you continue subsidizing petroleum products; and spending N1.5 trillion per annum on petroleum subsidy! And then we are subsidizing electricity tariff. And maybe, you have to borrow from the capital market or the Central Bank of Nigeria to service the shortfall in the electricity tariff, where is the money to pay salaries, where is the money for education, where other government projects.

The Royal Father lamented that for 30 years, successive governments have had this project called petroleum subsidy, insisting that this is the right time to stop it so as to save the nation’s economy.

Speaking during the workshop, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris noted that, “the overall objective of the workshop is to promote accountability and transparency in all facets of the nation’s public finance and management architecture.

“It is expected that participants should appreciate that accountability and transparency remain major watchwords for prudent financial management practices and are, therefore, major prerequisite for economic growth and development.”

He charged participants to strive towards identifying the challenges to accountability and transparency the management of public funds, improving independent revenue base and profile of government, as well as proffering revenue diversification for governments at all levels so as to cut down the cost of governance.

In his address, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu identified corruption as the bane of the country’s economic woes.

He warned public and private office holders to desist from corrupt practices, stating that his office has zero tolerance to corruption.

According to him, “transparency and accountability are twin sisters of good governance. They are the tools to tackle corruption. It is true that we can leave a good legacy.”

Magu, however, called on the Federal and state Accountant-Generals to take the lead in the fight against corruption, adding that they must insist the right thing must be done in their offices.

In his address, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said Kano state was the first to establish the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in its bid to fight corruption and block leakages.

According to him, the state also put in place, the Anti Corruption and Public Complaint Commission to checkmate corrupt practices of public servants in the state.

Editor: aljaziralreporters (Otiti) otiti300@gmail.com

UGHELLI D E C E N D A N T Union , UDU, has drawn battle line with Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, operating in Ughelli, Delta State, that failure to provide each and every houses in the kingdom prepaid metres will result to eviction and risk the quit notice of 3 months ultimatum to leave the kingdom.

BEDC have been asked to packed their belongings from Ughelli Kingdom because of illegal extortions of Light bills without power … The kingdom have been experiencing power outage for the past two months.

According to UDU, that Transcop Power company has enough of gas but BEDC refused to buy gas to generate light for the use of the people and yet they go about giving people estimated Billings without light.

They were asked to “leave the area or, in the alternative, fix the prepaid metres within the speculated time given or face the wrought of the people .

In separate letters to the BEDC by the Ughelli Kingdom, among other exco members, the community alleged that BEDC have “Failed to give the entire Kingdom light, we are in total darkness.

Ughelli residents also condemned BEDC act of extorting monies from them without seeing the light they pay for.

The people insisted that the BEDC have failed to fulfil their corporate and social responsibility to them, “particularly in the area of power, our business are closed, because the generator we do used cannot carry our deep freezers , ” a frozen chicken seller lament her ordeals.

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“The ultimatum which is deemed to have begun on today will lapse on August 25th If by that day they don’t move out and don’t fix the prepaid metres we shall mobilize everyone in the community, including the youths and our eghweya (women group) and protest to their premises and shut them down.

A B R A K A , C H I E F G R E A T OGBORU’s Loyalist , Comrade Sabastine Omokiniovo who think Ogboru ! Speaks Ogboru ! Dream Ogboru ! has prayed the synagogue of all Nation Church , Ipaja, Lagos Covener Pastor T. B Joshua to give him the anointing to defeat The governor of Delta state, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa at the tribunal .

Sabastine Omokiniovo, Speaking in Abraka , explained that he sought the face of God for Ogboru to win Okowa at the tribunal, because it will be very hot and unpredictable so I went to Lagos to meet with TB Joshua to acquire anointing oil that I will pray on to give Ogboru an edge over Okowa .

‘Ogboru will continue to hold on to God until he Unseat Okowa at the tribunal ,he said, he also promised to place Agege tribunal on to God and seek favor on his behalf.

‘I’m optimistic that Ogboru will win at tribunal . He therefore called on all factions of the APC Delta state to close ranks and put their family and differences behind so that APC can muster the required strength to win Okowa at tribunal.

OKPANEM — Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State overrun by the ravaging flood in parts of the state were said to be sleeping in the ceiling of their houses, in their words that ! the flood swept away two blood brothers recently at Okpanem. Their home land is under water.

The father of the two children who broke into tears during interview with aljaziralreporters the sad story of how he lost his two grown up children just in one day. That he is not even interested in whatever the government have do now , that, cannot bring the lives of his two children back, as he lament in teary eyes.

According to others affected ,” as we speak to you people now, majority of us slept ontop roofs and ceiling .”

The people of Okpanem Community close to ASABA are appealing to the state government and well meaning individuals to come to their aid as the ravaging flood has taken over their homes and their only means of livelihood , and their personal belongings .

The police in Kano have arrested over 129 suspects following a two-week raid on criminal hideouts in various parts of the city.

This was made known by the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed IIiyasu, during a media briefing in Kano.

He explained that the arrests were made possible largely due to credible information made available to officers and men of the command by well-meaning residents of the state.

The police boss said the officers and men of the command working in collaboration with other sister security agencies under the Operation Puff Adder carried out the raids, which resulted in the arrest of seven armed robbery suspects, several fraudsters, impostors and other criminal elements.

He gave the names of the robbery suspects as Emmanuel Okeigbi, Fred Daniel, Idris Garba, Morris Milophly, Nazify Musa, Salisu Abdulsallam and Abel Charles, all of who were allegedly arrested with different types of weapons.

Illiyasu also said seven others were nabbed for parading themselves as personnel of the defunct National Guard.

He named the suspects as Mustapha Ibrahim, Chichi Chijindu, Saifullahi Mohammed, Murtala Ibrahim, Mustapha Abdullahi, Murtala Ahmed and Anas Abubakar.

According to him, 122 suspects were nabbed in operations carried out between June 7 and June 21, 2019.

Of this number, three persons were arrested for kidnapping at Falgore Forest, while 11 others were arrested for armed robbery. Seven others were arrested for illegal possession of 53 military and para-military belts.

The CP also revealed that his men impounded two bags containing police, army and customs officers’ uniforms, including 14 black berets, six jack knives, three rechargeable torch lights and eight pistol holders.

He said detectives from the command also arrested two Automated Teller Machine scammers at the Sharada Quarter.

According to him, ATM cards belonging to different persons, immigration service ID cards, a Honda Anaconda car and the sum of N247,000 were recovered from the suspects.

One person was also arrested for illegal possession of a pump action rifle and 15 rounds of live cartridges.

The police boss said over 80 hoodlums, commonly called Yan’dabba, were arrested and various weapons recovered from them during the period under review.

Also, one Tina Paul of the Badawa Quarter was arrested for allegedly selling and distributing Indian hemp at the Naibawa Quarter.

The CP assured members of the public that all the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

Ikwerre local government area of Rivers state is experiencing adequate security, freedom of movement in the day and at night as the people sleep with their two eyes closed, as the Ikwerre chief executive chairman, Hon. Samuel Anosike employed men of OSPAC to enhance security of lives and properties in Ikwerre local government area.Since the arrival of the men of OSPAC, insecurity is a thing of the past in the 13 communities of Ikwerre LGA.
Normalcy has so far returned to Ikwerre communities.Meanwhile, Newsline team led by it’s national director, comrd. Anayo Akubueze in his interview with the OSPAC security team at Elele yesterday, gathered that some men of underworld do not have a hiding place again in Ikwerre local government of Rivers state.Therefore, Newsline team encourage the Ikwerre chief executive chairman, Hon. Samuel Anosike to remain steadfast in his good work as God and men are in his support.

PORT-HARCOURT — As part of the Governor’s Efforts to promote good education within the state , Gov. Nyeson Wike has given Rivers state pupils free education In order to enhance and gives a better up bringing and qualitative Education to our children.

According to Newsline team Rivers state chapter led by it’s national director comrd. Anayo Akubueze, who paid unschedule courtesy visit to some primary schools with members of the Newsline team saw a great development in the River state Educational sector. Just as many parents sing praises of the working Governor as he removed suffering of paying school bills from their expenses.

Anayo who said the gesture of the governor, was meant to enable the Children have access to quality Education in rivers state , just as he said education is bedrock and foundation of every child, and these kind gesture from the state government will give sense of belonging to indigent mother’s, stressing that River state people’s are eternally grateful to the Gov. Wike .

The Newsline Director appeal to parents to make sure they make good use of this opportunity, that this is a rare opportunity, that it might come once in their life time and ask them to always look on to God who is the helper of the helpless and go hard on the children to be studious and shun all forms of anti-social behaviour that will result to dropout .

The Daura Emirate Social Media Forum (DESOMF) has organised a marathon prayer, session seeking divine intervention on the plight of Alhaji Musa Umar- Uba, the abducted District Head of the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prayer session was held at the famous Muhammmadu Bashar primary school, Daura today (Sunday.)

Umar-Uba was kidnapped May 1, at his residence in Daura and since then no communication has been established between his captors and his family.

At the prayer session, the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Abubakar Dantakai, described the abduction of the district head and one Abba Danbeza in Kano, recently, as saddening and unfortunate.

Dantakai said Danbeza was a staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was abducted in kano while on his way from Lagos to Daura.

He said the community would intensify prayers to invoke divine intervention for the release of the two victims, in good health and mental stability.

“There is no communication between Danbeza family and his captors and it is 24 days today since when he was kidnapped,” he said

Alhaji Umar Umar, the immediate younger brother of the abducted district head of Daura said his brother had not established contact with his family.

He said the clarification became necessary, in view of the rumour being peddled in some sections of the media that his abducted brother had established contact with his family.

Umar said that right from the day he was abducted, about 54 days ago, no communication was established between the victim and any member of his family as earlier speculated by the media.

He, however, lauded security agencies for their unwavering commitment and determination to free all victims of abduction.

“I wish, on behalf of the family, to extend our sincere appreciation to the government and the people of the area for their concerned since when the tribulation started.

He specifically commended the organisers of the prayer for their determination toward seeing that the abducted district head is released through prayers and other helpful means.

Another community leader, Alhaji Yusuf, who addressed the audience on behalf of the people of the area, described the situation as frightening and unfortunate.

He said that the people would not relent in prayers to ensure the release of the district head and other victims of kidnapping.

The leader also assured that the people of the area would evolve precautionary measures to ensure their security.

Islamic clerics, students, traditional rulers, well wishers and the immediate and extended members of the family of the abducted district head attended the event.

The high points of the event were a complete recitation of the 60 portions of the Holy Quran and delivery of sermon on self and family security.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano state chapter has praised its members over their neutral reportage on the ongoing tussle between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II.

The union, in a communique issued at the end of its Saturday Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre, also called on the Kano state government to check the unregulated proliferation of Tricycles, popularly known as ‘‘Adaidaita Sahu’, a development that worsens the state’s traffic challenges.

Other resolutions raised by the communique jointly signed by the union’s chairman Comrade Abbas Ibrahim and Secretary Abba Murtala are as follows:

“The Congress stressed the need for the state government and the security outfits to re-strategize by taking more proactive measures in tackling security challenges.

“The congress called on the state government to consider the appointment of Professionals to head its media organizations.

“The union further called on the state government to expedite action in adequately funding Triumph publishing company for it to favourably compete with other newspapers in the country.

“The meeting then called on media organizations and the state government to embark on in-house training to journalists in order to catch up with the international best practices in journalism.

“The union commended Journalists operating in Kano for the role they have been playing on the tussle between Kano state government and Emirate Council, urging them to continue to remain neutral on the issue.

“The congress also expressed concern over the proliferation of tricycles in the state and urged government and relevant bodies to curb the situation once and for all.

“The meeting however, congratulated the quartet of Accountant General of the Federation, his Kano state counterpart, Secretary to the state government and head of civil service over their re-appointments and appointment respectively.

“It further felicitated with the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly for his election to the elevated position.

“The congress concluded by sending similar eulogies to two of its members who were recently appointed as Acting Permanent Secretaries in Kano State Civil service,”

THE Supreme Court yesterday voided laws enacted by the states’ Houses of Assembly which allow governors to sack elected Chairmen of Local Governments and Councillors and replace them appointed administrators.

It has of recent become a tradition among governors to dissolve the Executive Councils of the states’ LGs and replace them with their appointees, who they call caretaker committees. In a unanimous judgement of five Justices of the Supreme Court described the practice as “executive recklessness”, which must not be allowed to persist.

The judgment by the five-man panel, led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour was on the appeal in relation to the dissolution of the 16 Local Government Executives in Ekiti State, during Kayode Fayemi’s tenure.

The appeal _marked:SC/120/2013_ was filed by the Ekiti State Government.

It had Prince Sanmi Olubunmo (Chairman of Ido Osi LG and Chairman of Association of Local Government’s of Nigeria – ALGON, Ekiti Chapter and 13 others as respondents.

Fayemi, (then) Minister of Mineral Resources reportedly announced the dissolution of the councils in a radio announcement on October 29, 2010, when the elected council officials still had up till December 19, 2011 to end their three-year tenure.

The Supreme Court, in faulting the law purportedly relied on by Fayemi, held that Section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which empowered the governor to dissolve local government councils, whose tenure was yet to expire, violated section 7(1) of the Constitution from which the state House of Assembly derived the power to enact the local government law. Justice Centus Nweze, in the lead judgment, said: “There can be no doubt, as argued by the appellants’ counsel, that the Ekiti State House of Assembly is empowered to make laws of Ekiti State.

“However, the snag here is that, in enacting section 23(b) of the Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which empowered the first appellant to bridge the tenure of office of the respondents, it overreached itself. “In other words, section 23(b) (supra) is violative of, and in conflict with section 7(1) of the Constitution (supra). “Hence, it is bound to suffer the fate of ll laws which are in conflict with the Constitution, section 1(3) thereof.”

The judge Said Section 7(1) of the Constitution seeks to guarantee “the system of local government by democratically-elected local government councils and conferred “sacrosanctity on the elections of such officials whose electoral mandates derived from the will of the people freely exercised through the democratic process”.

“The implication, therefore, is that section 23(b) of thethe Ekiti State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, 2001, which was not intended to ‘ensure the existence of’ such democratically-elected councils, but to snap their continued existence by their substitution with caretaker councils, was enacted in clear breach of the supreme provisions of section 7(1) of the Constitution.

“To that extent, it (section 23(b) supra) cannot co-habit with section 7(1) of the Constitution (supra) and must, in consequence, be invalidated.

“The reason is simple. By his oath of office, the governor swore to protect and not to supplant the Constitution.

“Hence, any action of his which has the capacity of undermining the same Constitution (as in the instant case where the first appellant, ‘Governor of Ekiti State and others’ dissolved the tenure of the respondents and replaced them with caretaker committees) is tantamount to executive recklessness which would not be condoned,” the judge said.

Justice Nweze said the the tenure of the local government councils could not be abridged without violating the supreme constitutional provisions.

“Simply put, therefore, the election of such officials into their offices and their tenure are clothed with constitutional force.

They cannot, therefore, be abridged without breaching the Constitution from which they derive their force. “The only permissible exception, where a state governor could truncate the lifespan of a local government council which evolved through the democratic process of elections, is ‘for overriding public interest’ in a period of emergency.”

He upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal on the issue and adopted the orders made by the Court of Appeal on the case in its judgment delivered on January 23, 2013.

The Appeal Court had among others, ordered the Ekiti State Government to compute and pay all the allowances and salaries accruable to members of the dissolved councils between October 29, 2010 and December 19, 2011, both dates inclusive.

Justice Nweze directed the Attorney- General of Ekiti State to ensure that the orders of the lower court (Appeal Court) affirmed in his judgment, are complied with.