News
Just In: National Assembly Approves Tinubu’s Request To Extend 2023 Budget
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The National Assembly, on Thursday, passed President Bola Tinubu‘s request seeking the extension of the capital component of the 2023 budget and the Supplementary Appropriation Act.
The lawmakers granted an extension from June to December, following a request by the President.
The senate and house of representatives passed the bills after considering their clauses at the committee on supply.
The passage was preceded by a rowdy session at the house of representatives.
The president, in a letter read by the speaker of the house, Tajudeen Abbas, asked the green chamber to extend the implementation of the capital components of the 2023 budget and Supplementary Appropriation Act from June 30 to December 31.
After Abbas read the letter, some lawmakers opposed the call for the debate of the president’s request.
The majority leader of the house, Julius Ihonvbere, moved for the debate of the bill, saying the amendment does not alter the content of the bill but just the date.
The minority leader of the house, Kingsley Chinda, expressed concern that the two budgets are running concurrently.
He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration was criticised for lacking a clear budgetary cycle, adding that the current administration is potentially repeating the mistake.
The ranking legislator demanded that the bill be stepped down to enable the government to “go back to the drawing board”.
An All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Katsina, Sada Soli, opposed Chinda, saying the PDP lawmaker was “playing to the gallery”.
He said, “I admire the PDP for playing to the gallery. You cannot extend the supplementary budget without the main budget.”
His comment prompted vocal protests from the lawmakers.
Reacting, a ranking APC member, Ado Doguwa, said: “I agree with the submission made by the minority of the house.
“Even though it is legal, it is unprecedented. That moral question will always be raised.”
He, however, appealed to his colleagues to support the bill, saying the president would understand the body language of the lawmakers.
Following the bickering, the lawmakers moved into an executive session.
News
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
News
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
News
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
-
News24 hours ago
Insecurity : Nigerians spent N2.2trn as payment for ransom in one year -NBS
-
Sports19 hours ago
CAF Awards 2024: Full List of Winners
-
News13 hours ago
Just in: CBN Imposes N100k Bar on PoS, Issues Warning to Operators
-
News13 hours ago
Gov Adeleke Speaks On Death Sentence For Chicken Thief
-
News18 hours ago
Kaduna returns Abacha family property seized by El-Rufai
-
News19 hours ago
Three to die by hanging for killing Delta monarch
-
News18 hours ago
CAC deregistered 300,000 dormant companies in one year
-
Sports19 hours ago
Alejandro Garnacho’s bicycle kick wins 2024 FIFA Puskás Award