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JUST IN: FG, states, LGs shared N1.35tn in June
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federation Account Allocation Committee has disclosed that the three tiers of government shared a total sum of N1.35 trillion in June.
The amount shared was out of the total sum of N2.48tn revenue generated by various agencies and N150m more than the N1.2tn shared in May.
A statement by the Director, of Information and Public Relations, Finance Ministry, Mohammed Manga, on Tuesday said the Federal Government received a total sum of N459.776bn, the States received N461.979bn, the Local Government Councils got N337.019bn.
The Director however didn’t confirm if LGCs administrated by the caretaker committee received statutory allocations as directed by the Supreme Court.
Last week, the apex court ordered the Federal Government to immediately start the direct payment of local government funds to the latter’s exclusive accounts.
The court ordered immediate compliance with the judgement, stating that no state government should be paid monies meant for Local Governments.
The statement read, “The Federation Account Allocation Committee, at its July 2024 meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, shared a total sum of N1,35tn to the three tiers of government as Federation Allocation for m a gross total of N2,48tn.
“From the stated amount inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax, Electronic Money Transfer Levy, Exchange Difference, and an Augmentation of N200 Billion, the Federal Government received N459.776 Billion, the States received N461.979 Billion, the Local Government Councils got N337.019 Billion, while the Oil Producing States received N95.598 Billion as Derivation, (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).”
It added that the sum of N92.11bn was given for the cost of collection, while N1.037bn was allocated for transfer Intervention and refunds.
It said CoCompanies’ncome Tax and Value Added Tax increased significantly, Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer levies increased marginally while Petroleum Profit, Royalty Crude, Rentals and Customs External tariff levies recorded considerably decreases.
The sum of N92.11bn was given for the cost of collection, while N1.037bn was allocated for transfer intervention and refunds.
The Communique issued by the committee at the end of the meeting indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax for June 2024, was N562.685bn as against N497.66bn distributed in the preceding month, increasing to N65.020bn.
The Communique stated, “From that amount, the sum of N22.507bn was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N16.205bn was given for transfers, intervention and refunds.
“The remaining sum of N523.973bn was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the Federal Government got N78.596bn, the States received N261.987bn and Local Government Councils got N183.39bn
Accordingly, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N1.24tn was received for the month. From the stated amount, the sum of N68.95bn was allocated for the cost of collection and a total sum of N1.02tn for transfers, intervention and refunds.
The remaining balance of N142.514bn was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: Federal Government got the sum of N48.95bn, States received N24.83bn, the sum of N19.14bn was allocated to LGCs and N49.59bn was given to Derivation Revenue (13 per cent Mineral producing States).
Also, the sum of N16.35bn from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy was distributed to the three tiers of government as follows: the Federal Government received N2.354bn, States got N7.85bn, Local Government Councils received N5.49bn, while N0.654bn was allocated for the cost of collection.
The Communique also disclosed the sum of N472.19bn from Exchange Difference, which was shared as follows: Federal Government received N224.51bn, States got N113.88bn, the sum of N87.79bn was allocated to Local Government Councils, N46.01bn was given for Derivation (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).
It further disclosed an Augmentation of N200bn which was shared as follows: the Federal Government got N105.4bn, the States received the sum of N53.44bn, while the sum of N41.200bn was allocated to Local Government Councils.
Companies’ Income Tax and Value Added Tax increased significantly, while Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer Levies increased marginally. Petroleum Profit, Royalty Crude, Rentals and Customs External Tariff levies recorded considerable decreases.
According to the Communique, the total revenue distributable for the current month of June 2024, was drawn from Statutory Revenue of N142.5bn, Value Added Tax of N523.98bn, N15.69bn from Electronic Money Transfer Levy, N472.19bn from Exchange Difference and Augmentation of N200bn, bringing the total distributable amount for the month to N1.36tn.
News
Ahead Ondo Poll: IGP Bans Amotekun, Others
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has banned the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun and Vigilante Corps, among others, from participating in the Ondo governorship election.
No fewer than 17 political parties will participate in the election slated for November 16, 2024.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG ordered the deployment of officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and K-9 Unit among others.
He added that aerial patrols would be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats would patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains.
Adejobi said, “As the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, draws near, the Inspector-General of Police has unequivocally assured the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state.
“The IGP has confirmed that comprehensive plans have been set in motion to guarantee a smooth election, including the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.
“The deployment will see officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team, and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force working in concert with other security agencies. These agencies will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, ensuring that all measures taken align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and order.
“In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains. These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.”
Adejobi also said the IG vowed to deal with political thugs or individuals planning to disrupt the elections.
He said, “The IGP has also issued a stern warning to political thugs and any individuals or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election: they will face the full force of the law. The message is clear — those who attempt to jeopardise the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.”
Adejobi said the IG stated that only the federal security agencies and other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security would be allowed to participate in the election.
He said, “Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to participate in the election process.
The security of this election is a responsibility entrusted solely to the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remains committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election proceeds smoothly, without incident, and by the highest standards of electoral integrity.”
News
“SEE Top 5 Countries With Shortest People In The World’
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The global average height, approximately 166.99 centimeters (5 feet 5.7 inches), shows considerable variation across regions, with the shortest people primarily located in Southeast Asia.
In contrast, the Netherlands is home to some of the tallest people in the world, with an average height of 177.07 centimeters (5 feet 9.7 inches)—almost 10 centimeters above the global average. Countries with the shortest average heights are mostly found in Southeast Asia and parts of Central and South America, due to a combination of various factors
Below are the top five countries with the shortest average heights:
Timor Leste: 156.42 cm (5 feet 1.6 inches)
The world’s shortest average height is found in Timor Leste (East Timor), where the average height is estimated at 156.42 cm (5 feet 1.6 inches), which is mainly attributed to genetic factors that affect growth from childhood. The typical Timorese lady is approximately 151.15 cm (4 feet 11.5 inches), and the average Timorese male is approximately 159.79 cm (5 feet 2.9 inches).
Guatemala: 157.64 cm (5 feet 2 inches)
Guatemala has one of the lowest average heights in the world with the shortest people found therein. With an overall average height of roughly 157.64 cm (5 feet 2 inches). Women in this region have an average of about 149.38 cm (4 feet 10.8 inches), and men average about 163.4 cm (5 feet 4.3 inches). The reason for this is attributed to genetic factors that mostly influence indigenous cultures.
Laos: 157.94 cm (5 feet 2.2 inches)
In the Southeast Asian country, Laos, the average height is 157.94 cm (5 feet 2.2 inches), with women around 151.26 cm (4 feet 11.6 inches) tall, while males are about 160.51 cm (5 feet 3.2 inches). This is attributed to socioeconomic variables that impact diet health and hereditary factors.
Nepal: 158.38 cm (5 feet 2.4 inches)
Nepal is one of the nations with the smallest populations in the world with the average adult height in Nepal is around 158.38 cm (5 feet 2.4 inches), with women standing at 150.86 cm (4 feet 11.4 inches) and males standing at 162.31 cm (5 feet 3.9 inches). This is due to a mix of genetic and socioeconomic factors, especially those related to healthcare and nutrition.
Bangladesh: 158.73 cm (5 feet 2.5 inches)
Bangladesh’s average height is 158.73 cm (5 feet 2.5 inches), with women typically around 150.78 cm (4 feet 11.4 inches) tall, while men are typically 163.8 cm (5 feet 4.5 inches) ranking it among the lowest in the world.
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PDP Official: ‘Atiku Believes Our Ticket Is His Birthright , But We’re More Cautious Now
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
As Nigeria’s primary opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for the upcoming 2027 general elections, concerns are emerging regarding the leadership style of Atiku Abubakar, who has long been viewed as the party’s key figure in opposition politics.
Several party stakeholders have expressed reservations about his ability to effectively lead the opposition, particularly in light of his personal ambitions.
Some party insiders argue that Atiku’s leadership as the head of the opposition has been hindered by his overwhelming presidential aspirations, which they believe have compromised his focus and commitment to the party’s broader goals. These sources contend that Atiku’s actions and decisions often prioritize his ambitions over the collective interests of the PDP, which has led to disillusionment among certain party members.
A prominent PDP stakeholder, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared their concerns with Daily Independent, stating that Atiku’s financial involvement in the party’s activities has been lacking for an extended period. “For quite some time now, Atiku has not made any meaningful financial contribution to the party’s operations,” the source revealed. This lack of support, according to the insider, makes it challenging for Atiku to effectively fulfill the critical role of opposition leader.
The stakeholder pointed out that, despite this lack of tangible commitment, Atiku continues to seek the party’s presidential ticket, believing that his previous status and influence would guarantee his nomination. “When was the last time Atiku contributed anything of substance to the party?” the source asked, noting that his continued presidential ambitions seemed out of touch with the current state of the party. “He seems to think that anytime he decides to step forward, the party will automatically hand him the ticket. But the party is wiser now and will not just hand him the nomination without considering other factors,” the source added.
These sentiments reflect a growing sense of frustration within the PDP, where many members feel that the party needs fresh leadership and a more strategic approach if it is to regain its political relevance and challenge the ruling party in the next elections. The shift in party dynamics suggests that, going forward, Atiku’s ability to lead the opposition and secure the PDP’s presidential ticket may face significant challenges unless he can regain the trust and support of the party’s key stakeholders.
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