RIVERS ALLOCATION: FUBARA FLOORS WIKE AS APPEAL COURT QUASHES HIGH COURT RULING
RIVERS ALLOCATION: FUBARA FLOORS WIKE AS APPEAL COURT QUASHES HIGH COURT RULING Court of Appeal has halted attempt to seize Rivers State federal allocation by House of Assembly members loyal to Nyesom Wike. In a decisive judgment delivered on Friday, the Court of Appeal has quashed an attempt to seize Rivers State’s statutory allocation. Justice Barka, in his ruling, slammed the Federal High Court for overstepping its bounds, declaring the case filed by Martin Amaewhule and his allies a gross abuse of the legal process. Recall that Governor Sim Fubara has ignored Martin Amaewhule’s group amidst political crisis in the state. The Court ruled that issues concerning state funds cannot be entertained under the guise of federal jurisdiction, warning that listing federal agencies inappropriately is a legal shortcut that will not stand.
VICTIMS EXPLAIN WHY IGBO APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM IS FAILING
VICTIMS EXPLAIN WHY IGBO APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM IS FAILING Jude Eze looks frail. At his Orhom Orba village in Udenu LGA of Enugu State, Jude appears to be living in anguish of wasted years of apprenticeship in Cotonou, Benin Republic. He claims that his dream of becoming a self-made man before the age of 30 is now a mirage.“I am 44,” he begins his story, with his pale hands shaking. “I served my master for nine years, from 2002. Two months to the end of my apprenticeship, my boss, Emeka Eze, took away the capital and gains in my shop to import motorcycle tubes and tyres from China. The goods turned out to be fake. That was how that business collapsed.”Jude said his master explained to him the misfortune that befell his business. “I forgive him,” he says. “What would I have done? I returned home to learn carpentry, which is what I do now. I feel my master didn’t plan well.”Ernest Nwabueze lives in Enugu. His apprenticeship foray took him to Gombe where he learnt selling of clothes. Ernest served his master for seven years, then the unfortunate happened. “My master claimed he was swindled by some dubious importers,” he says. “His business collapsed. We wrote an agreement before the commencement of the apprenticeship. Considering what happened, I forgave him.” Ernest is currently doing menial jobs to sustain his young family.He raises a pertinent issue: “My master wanted to even sell some of his assets to settle me, but his family members refused. I see cheating because I generated money that he invested. He could have settled me, no matter the sum, from there.”Ernest advises the youth to learn skilled apprenticeship instead of buying and selling. “If an apprentice learns welding or mechanics, he can use the knowledge to sustain himself even if his master decides not to settle him. Trading involves capital.”Chukwuebuka Odo, residing at Iwollo in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State, quit secondary education for an apprenticeship. “As the first son in my family,” he gives reasons, “I chose to undergo apprenticeship in Lagos for ten years. Towards the end, my master claimed he had no money to settle me because he had issues with his wife. I looked at all these and decided to take my destiny into hands. I stayed in Lagos briefly. Someone gave me some money which I used to transport myself back home. I returned with nothing.”One of the shortcomings of the once-thriving Igbo apprenticeship system, according to him, is that some masters take their apprentices for granted. “There should be established plans to settle apprentices; not in the dying minutes. I recall some of my colleagues that were frustrated for minor reasons, such as drinking beer, having girlfriends.”My Friend Died Mysteriously Doing Apprenticeship – YouthChizoba, 25, is from Umachi in Igboeze South LGA. “I’ll never do it,” he states. He claims the mysterious death of two brothers undergoing apprenticeship informed his stance. “They were killed overseas. One has been buried; the younger one is yet to be buried. Some masters assign dangerous roles to their apprentices. No one knows why two brothers should die. They were shot differently. I will remain in my Okada business.”The fear expressed by Chizoba is shared by Mrs Juliana Odo, from Ezimo. “I can’t entrust my child upon anyone. There are many stories of disappearance, deaths and failure to settle these apprentices.”Some Masters Are ‘Occultic’ – Patent Medicine DealerCajethan Nnadi is a veteran patent medicine dealer. “At least, ten apprentices have passed through me,” Nnadi hints. “Four of them today run their respective pharmaceutical companies. Some masters belong to cults. I won’t belong to any cult to evade settling my apprentice. I would rather inform the person to learn and…
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- December 13, 2024
- 74 views
I IDENTIFY MORE AS A YORUBA THAN NIGERIAN – KEMI BADENOCH, UK PARTY LEADER
: I IDENTIFY MORE AS A YORUBA THAN A NIGERIAN – KEMI BADENOCH, UK PARTY LEADER I Have Nothing In Common With ‘Boko Haram’ Northern Nigeria – UK Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch Replies Vice-President [i] Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has stated that she identifies more with her Yoruba heritage than with Nigeria as a whole. In an interview with The Spectator, Badenoch expressed that she feels little connection to northern Nigeria, which she described as a “haven for Islamism and Boko Haram.” “I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than with the specific ethnicity (Yoruba),” she remarked. “I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, the Boko Haram where Islamism is,” she added. Her comments have drawn significant backlash from many Nigerians, including high-profile figures. Among her critics is Nigeria’s vice-president, Kashim Shettima, who recently told Badenoch she could change her name if she wished to disassociate from Nigeria, calling it the “greatest black nation on earth.” Despite the criticism, Badenoch has doubled down on her stance, asserting that her true identity lies in her Yoruba roots. She added, “Somebody once told me when I was very young that my surname was a name for people who were warriors. They protected the crown, and that’s what I see myself as doing.” She further emphasised, “I am here to protect and I will die protecting this country because I know what’s out there.” Meanwhile, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, had accused Kemi of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria. He had made the statement on Monday during the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja. Shettima said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.” He further added, “She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.” The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s significance on the world stage, stating, “One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, and will be the third most populous nation on earth.”
- Foreign Affairs
- December 13, 2024
- 12 views
DONALD TRUMP NAMED TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR
DONALD TRUMP NAMED TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR AGAIN Time Magazine has named Donald Trump as their person of the year for the second time. “For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, for driving a once-in-a- generation political realignment, for reshaping the American presidency and altering America’s role in the world, Donald Trump is TIME’S 2024 Person of the Year,” Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs said in a letter to readers. The Republican president-elect is set to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to commemorate the honour alongside several of his family members. Trump was first named person of the year in 2016 after winning the US presidential election. The magazine’s tradition – which started in 1927 as “Man of the Year” – recognises a person or movement that “for better or for worse… has done the most to influence the events of the year”. Other previous winners include climate change activist Greta Thunberg, former President Barack Obama, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Time Magazine editors ultimately decide who wins the award. The outlet was considering 10 people for the person of the year award, including Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Princess of Wales and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, now a close confidante of Trump set to lead an advisory board called the Department of Government Efficiency. In a description of Trump for the list of finalists, Time said he had won the 2024 election “in a stunning political comeback”. “He has reshaped the American electorate, activating young male voters who propelled him to a decisive victory that saw him win the popular vote for the first time and turn every swing state red,” the outlet said. “His 2024 win is history-making in multiple ways: he will be the oldest President in U.S. history, and he was convicted earlier this year by a New York jury of 34 counts of fraud, making him the first convicted felon to be elected President.” Trump sat for interviews with the magazine in April this year during the campaign season. During the wide-ranging discussions, Trump talked about his plans for a second term, including his goals of reforming the US immigration system and deporting millions of people. Trump complained in 2015 when he was not chosen for the magazine cover during his first run for office, when the award went to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But after he was named person of the year following his election win, he called it a “great honor”. “It means a lot, especially me growing up reading Time magazine. And, you know, it’s a very important magazine,” he said at the time. He has, however, continued to criticise the magazine’s choices since winning, including the selection of Taylor Swift as Time’s person of the year in 2024.
ECONOMIC COUNCIL APPROVES NEW REVENUE COMMISSION LEGISLATION
ECONOMIC COUNCIL APPROVES NEW REVENUE COMMISSION LEGISLATION The National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has endorsed a draft bill to repeal and renew the law establishing the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). This decision followed deliberations at the council’s last meeting for 2024, as revealed by Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, during a media briefing. Highlights of the Council’s Resolutions: Legislative Renewal of RMAFC Law: Enhanced Funding for RMAFC: A. The council endorsed the allocation of 0.05% of Nigeria’s non-oil revenue to RMAFC to support its operations. B. The original request of 0.75% was reduced by NEC, subject to National Assembly review. Justification for Reforms: i. The RMAFC Chairman highlighted the commission’s pivotal role in managing federation account accruals and determining remuneration for political officeholders. ii. NEC acknowledged the critical need for robust funding to enable the commission to fulfill its duties effectively. The RMAFC plays a vital role in Nigeria’s fiscal governance, including monitoring revenue inflows, disbursements, and setting remuneration for public officials. The council’s endorsement underscores its commitment to enhancing the commission’s efficiency and capacity.
FREQUENT GRID COLLAPSE: DECENTRALIZE POWER GENERATION – FORUM OF COMMISSIONERS
FREQUENT NATIONAL GRID COLLAPSE: DECENTRALIZE POWER GENERATION – FORUM OF COMMISSIONERS The Forum of Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria have expressed deep concern over the frequent grid collapses plaguing the national electricity supply chain. This comes amid frequent collapse of national grid in Nigeria, with the country witnessing the 12th collapse this year alone. In a press statement in Abuja on Thursday, the forum emphasized that the latest grid collapse underscored the urgent need for sustainable and decentralized solutions to ensure uninterrupted power supply for all Nigerians. Speaking on behalf of the Forum, it’s Chairman Prince Eka Williams, stated: “The recurrence of grid collapses disrupts lives and businesses, creating far-reaching economic and social consequences. “As Commissioners of Power and Energy from across Nigeria, we are united in addressing this challenge with pragmatic and state-driven solutions.” Williams, who is the Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Energy, highlighted some of the key outcomes and recommendations from the Forum’s recent meeting, including allowing states to generate and distribute electricity. The Forum noted that states were intensifying efforts to establish and operationalize state electricity markets as a critical step toward decentralizing the power sector. This approach, the forum said, will allow states to enhance generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure tailored to their unique needs. On enhancing grid stability, the Commissioners advocated for the development of grid systems in their states to complement the national grid. It believes that the approach will enhance localized reliability and reduce the cascading effects of a grid collapse. While pursuing decentralization, the states, according to the Forum, are also advocating for collaborative measures with the Federal Government to stabilize the national grid. These measures include investments in modern grid technology, predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring systems among others. The Forum noted that State governments have stepped in with immediate interventions such as deploying alternative power solutions for critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water facilities. The Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that no community remains entirely in the dark during such crises. The Forum urged all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, private sector players, and international partners, to align efforts toward achieving a resilient and reliable power sector, pledging that the states remain committed to playing a leading role in this transformation by fostering innovation, ensuring accountability, and prioritizing the welfare of their citizens. The Forum argued that to save electricity consumers in Nigeria the agony of power disruptions due to constant national grid collapse, it was time the country embraces a decentralized electricity framework where states have the autonomy and resources to manage their power needs effectively. “Together, we can overcome the current challenges and build a more reliable and equitable power sector for Nigeria”, Williams maintained in the statement.
KANO GOVERNOR SACKS SSG, FIVE COMMISSIONERS, SCRAPS OFFICE OF CHIEF OF STAFF
KANO GOVERNOR SACKS SSG, FIVE COMMISSIONERS, SCRAPS OFFICE OF CHIEF OF STAFF Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has reshuffled his cabinet, sacking the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Commissioner of Information and four other commissioners. According to his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa the development forms part of a major political decision to effect pragmatic political realignment of his administration. According to the statement by Bature, Governor Yusuf maintained the much awaited decision that finally came to enable optimum performance that will drive more dividends of democracy to the good people of Kano State. Those affected by the major shakeup are the Chief of Staff, Alh. Shehu Wada Sagagi whose office is now scrapped, and Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, who was dropped on health ground. According to Bature, Governor Yusuf removed some cabinet members and reassigned others to enhance administrative performance and political retool. Those who retained their positions are Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, Commissioner for Budget and Planning Hon Musa Suleiman Shannon and Commissioner for Works and Housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad. Also retained are Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefiyanu Hamza, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Shiekh Ahmad Tijani Auwal, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya and that of Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Mohammad Inuwa Idris Rtd. According to the statement, those reassigned are the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulssalam, who was moved from Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education; Hon. Mohammad Tajo Usman moved from Science and Technology to Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata from Higher Education to Science, Technology and Innovation. Others on reassignment list include Hon. Amina Abdullahi from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to Ministry for Women, Children and Disable; Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to Ministry of Special Duties. Commissioner for Project Monitory and Evaluation Hon. Ibrahim Namadi now moved to Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa of Ministry of Education now moved to Ministry of Water Resources. On the reassigned list, are Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda moved from Water Resources to Ministry of Education, Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji from Ministry of Women, Children and Disable to Tourism and Culture, and Hon. Muhammad Diggol from Transport to Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation. Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has dropped five members of his cabinet to include Ibrahim Jibril Fagge, of Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko, Culture and Tourism; Baba Halilu Dantiye, Information and Internal Affairs, Shehu Aliyu Yammedi, Special Duties and Abbas Sani Abbas, Rural and Community Development. Also, the Governor has directed the Chief of Staff and the five commissioners that are dropped to report to the office of the Governor for possible reassignment.
GOVERNORS ENDORSE CREATION OF STATE POLICE
GOVERNORS ENDORSE CREATION OF STATE POLICE At the National Economic Council NEC meeting chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Thursday, 36 states submitted their recommendations with a majority of the governors in favour of the creation of state police. The endorsement came through the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani while briefing state house correspondents. He revealed that at the next NEC meeting to be convened in January 2025, a definite position would be adopted. Recall that at a previous meeting in November, Kwara, Kebbi and Adamawa were said to be pending in terms of submitting their positions on state police. “Today, one of the discussions we had at the NEC meeting was the update on the creation of state police. As you are aware, there was a submission by States toward the establishment of state police. “Today, about 35 states have already made their submission for establishing state police in Nigeria. And I can say here that from what is available, virtually most of the states are in agreement with the establishment of state police in Nigeria. “But today, the council decided to step down the discussion until the next council meeting, because we need to come up with a report from the secretariat. After the report, there will be deliberation at the next NEC meeting which is likely taking place in January. Not only that, there’s also a resolution in the last NEC meeting, which today the Secretariate have also agreed on that there will be further stakeholder engagement after the panel and deliberation by the members of the NEC. “So all we are saying here is that 35 states have made their submission, and many states are in agreement for the establishment of state police, considering the fact that virtually every state has their peculiarity in terms of the problem we are having of insecurity in our own states. “Knowing fully well that we have a lot of ungoverned spaces in Nigeria, and also that we have a lot of deficit in terms of number of boots on ground, looking at the fact that a lot of security agencies, the police, the army and other relevant security agencies have no personnel to cover all the government space, that is the reason why most of us agreed that establishment of state police in Nigeria is the way forward toward addressing the problem insecurity in our own country,” he stated.