News

Otti commends Abia residents for not joining #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest

Published

5 months ago

August 4, 2024

By Francesca Hangeior

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has thanked Abian residents for heeding his plea not to join the ongoing hardship protests, which have led to loss of life and property destruction.

Otti expressed his gratitude on Saturday, August 3, while attending Sabbath worship at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, No 1 School Road, in the Aba South Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Recall that Otti had previously appealed to Abians not to join the protests during a private breakfast meeting with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

In a state broadcast on July 31, the governor acknowledged the people’s right to peaceful protest but expressed concern that hoodlums might hijack the protests and undermine the progress made under his administration.

Addressing the congregation, who were pleased to have him worship with them, Otti said, “I want to thank you and all Abia people who listened to my plea not to take to the streets, disrupt services and activities, or potentially cause mayhem.”

“The reason is not that conditions are not challenging; far from it. I recognise the difficulties we face today, but two wrongs do not make a right. Many of our people rely on daily earnings—traders, Keke riders, barbers, and taxi drivers — who put food on their tables based on their daily income.”

Otti noted that disrupting the activities of those who depend on daily earnings would only exacerbate the problems the protesters seek to address.

He added, “My plea was for us to discuss matters calmly. I want to thank Abia people for heeding that call. This does not mean we lack the right to protest, but there are more constructive ways to do so. I assure you that our Government has heard not only what you have said but also what you have not said.”

The governor also announced, to the delight of the congregation, that School Road would soon be repaired.

“As I arrived, I noticed the poor condition of this road (School Road). Rest assured, it will be fixed soon,” he said.

He encouraged the church members to focus on their blessings and the positive things God has done for them.

Otti expressed gratitude to the Church for their support since 2015, when he first contested the election, and for their continued support of his administration. He urged them to keep him and the Government in their prayers daily.

In a sermon titled, “Living out the Christian Slogan,” the resident Pastor, Ifeanyichukwu Nwaoguikpe, stressed that God has a specific purpose or mission for everyone on Earth.

He urged Christians to preach the gospel of everlasting life and the second coming of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible book of Matthew 28.

Nwaoguikpe also warned of impending doom and encouraged people to help those in need, illustrating his sermon with the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible.

The officiating ministers of the Church prayed for the governor, his entourage, and the State.

Otti was joined in the service by the lawmaker representing Aba Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen; Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Apostle K.C. Wiper; the Mayor of Aba South, Hon. Uche Nwogu; the Abia State Acting Chairman of the Labour Party, Sir Emmanuel Nwaeze Otti; and others.

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

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

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

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

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”