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‘We waste money’ — Kennedy-Ohanenye fumes at event organised ‘without her knowledge’

Published

4 months ago

August 31, 2024

Admin

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, minister of women affairs, has cautioned officials of the ministry against organising events without her knowledge.

The minister is seen in a viral video speaking at an event she said was organised without her input, adding that the programme did not directly impact the people.

She was said to have stormed the event shortly after it commenced in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event was a validation workshop for the third-generation national action plan (2024-2029) on the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR).

It was reportedly organised by the federal ministry of women affairs and the UN women.

“Let this be the last time women affairs will organise anything that I am not aware of. You try next time; I will come here and get you people disgraced,” the minister said.

I know what I am going through in this country. For a while, this is what we keep on organising.

“Few weeks ago, there was a hunger protest, and they talked about peace and security. Women are not empowered.

“Children are suffering. Nigerians are suffering, but we waste money all the time on frivolous things that don’t make sense.

“Many people may misunderstand me, but I am ready to be misunderstand. I am ready to be tortured. I am ready. I have changed the narrative; I said no programme without empowerment.

“You are talking about peace and security. With poverty, how can you solve it? You keep talking, doing workshops.

“With poverty, where are we heading to? How do we solve that poverty by directing money to the wrong channels that don’t make an impact on humans? On those people you want them to change and give you peace.

“I have changed the narrative. I said do not do any programme without empowerment. They give money to the ministries, and it is used for travel and programmes.

“Nothing that will impact the nation. If you hear the money the government gives out to ministries, you will be shocked.

“Why should it continue like that? Why should we fold our hands and these things will continue? Who do you think will save you? It’s you that will save yourself. Let them call me names, troublemaker,’ ‘mad woman,’ ‘I am ready to take it.’

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“It’s not today. I told them that you can’t bring N100m and use it to do programme. That is the fact, that over N100 million is used for programmes. I said they should always use half to empower the women, then use the other half to do your programme.”

Earlier this month, the minister had also disrupted an event in Abuja and ordered the arrest of the organiser for ‘impersonation’.

News

Nigeria Needs Comprehensive Reforms To Expand Its Tax Base – Speaker Abbas

Published

7 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…say we’re consulting stakeholders to address concerns of 4 tax bill

…assure NASS will ensure equity, protection of vulnerable Nigerians

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria needs “comprehensive tax reforms to broaden the nation’s tax base.

Speaker Abbas stated this while delivering the votes of thanks during the presentation of the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Tinubu, said that the leadership of the House has commenced a series of engagements with the relevant stakeholders to address the concerns raised on the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He reiterated the commitment of the House, and indeed the National Assembly to ensure equity and the protection of vulnerable Nigerians.

He said, “Nigeria’s low tax revenue also remains a major constraint. Our tax-to-GDP ratio, currently at approximately 10.9 per cent for 2024, is among the lowest in Africa, significantly below the continental average of 15.6 per cent. In comparison, South Africa’s tax-to-GDP ratio stands at 25.4 per cent, while Rwanda and Ghana, with much smaller populations, report ratios of 15.1 per cent and 14.1 per cent, respectively.

“Even our VAT collection efficiency – at approximately 20 per cent – is notably below the near 70 per cent efficiency achieved by South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, and Zambia.”

“Addressing these challenges requires urgent and comprehensive tax reforms to broaden our tax base, improve compliance, streamline administration and reduce reliance on borrowing.”

Speaker Abbas, therefore, stated the preparedness of the National Assembly to work with the President Tinubu-led administration towards achieving the required reforms.

“The National Assembly will continue to work with your administration to ensure that such reforms are equitable, effective, and considerate of the needs of vulnerable populations.

“To this end, we have engaged stakeholders to address concerns raised on the tax reform bills, fostering trust and cooperation. I have personally led numerous high-level meetings and consultations with state governors and other key stakeholders on this issue, achieving positive outcomes”, he added

According to Speaker Abbas, the reforms by the Tinubu administration have “disrupted the status quo, sparking resistance from vested interests.”

He added: “Yet, these courageous measures underscore your resolve to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.”

“The National Assembly stands ready to support these reforms through legislative backing and to facilitate public engagement for greater understanding and acceptance.”

He stated that collaboration between the three arms of the government remains essential to achieving the shared objectives.

News

TALL Forcast: 2025 Budget will bring down inflation to 15%, dollar to N1,500-Tinubu

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Naijablitznews

President Bola Tinubu has said that the 2025 budget forecasts that inflation will decline from current 34.6% to 15% next year.

He said this during his presentation of the N47.9 trillion 2025 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The President also said that the exchange rate will improve from approximately N1,700 per dollar to N1,500.

According to Tinubu, “this is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.”

“The Budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day,”Tinubu said.

He said the budget projections are based upon observations such as reduction of petroleum products importation, increased export of finished petroleum products, bumper harvest driven by enhanced security, reducing reliance on food imports, among others.

Tinubu listed highlights of the budget to include defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn, health – N2.4tn, education – N3.5tn, among others.

Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship following incessant increase in inflation and volatile exchange rate that has seen dollar exchange as high as N1,700 in recent days.

On Monday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 34.60% in November 2024 from 33.88% in October 2024.

The November inflation rate showed an increase of 0.72% points compared to the October 2024 inflation rate, according to NBS’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services.

“On a year-on-year basis, the Headline inflation rate was 6.40% points higher than the rate recorded in November 2023 (28.20%). This shows that the Headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in November 2024 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., November 2023),” the Bureau said.

Significantly, food inflation rate in November 2024 was 39.93% on a year-on-year basis, 7.08% points higher than the rate recorded in November 2023 (32.84%).

News

Finally, PDP Flushes Out Suspended National Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oguduokwor Ward in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has formally announced the expulsion of the suspended National Vice Chairman (NVC) of the party in the Southeast, Mr. Ali Odefa from the party.

Ali Odefa was suspended from the party on September 11, 2024 by the Ward Executives of the party for his engagement in various anti party activities. The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki while ruling on suit NO: FHC/AI/CS/182/2024 further affirmed the suspension on November 29, 2024.

Announcing the expulsion of Mr. Odefa at a well- attended press conference on Wednesday, the Acting Chairman of the PDP Oguduokwor, Hon. Onyedikachi Herbert Ovuta flanked by other Ward Executives stated that the expulsion of the erstwhile NVC follows the recommendation of the Party’s disciplinary committee that affirmed the allegations of anti-party activities leveled.

According to the party chairman, “The expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa follows the report, findings and recommendations of the Ward Disciplinary Committee of the party which is in line with the provisions of the party constitution.”

The party announced that Mr. Ali Odefa by the virtue of his suspension, therefore “ceases to be a member of the party.”

The party’s statement reads in part:

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oguduokowor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State hereby announce the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa, the suspended National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South East Zone from the party which takes immediate effect.

“The expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa follows the report, findings and recommendations of the Ward Disciplinary Committee of the party which is in line with the provisions of the party constitution.

“Recall that Chief Ali Odefa was suspended from the party by the Ward leadership on 11th September 2024.

“Consequent upon the judgement of the Federal High Court Abakaliki in suit number FHC/AI/CS/182/2024 which affirmed the suspension of Chief Ali Odefa, the Disciplinary Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward after their sittings on the above subject matter unanimously recommended that Chief Ali Odefa the Suspended PDP National Vice Chairman South East Zone be expelled from the party.

“The Executive Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward on 11th December 2024 after receiving the report, findings and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward unanimously approved the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa from the party which is compliance to section 58(1) and section 59(1) of the PDP constitution.

“Henceforth Chief Ali Odefa, seizes to be a member of our party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)