News

INEC accredits 721 media personnel for Edo poll

Published

3 months ago

September 10, 2024

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Monday, announced the successful accreditation of 721 media personnel from 114 media organisations to cover the upcoming Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024.

The accredited outlets, which include newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms, have collectively submitted the details of 721 personnel who will be deployed to cover the election.

INEC revealed this in a statement released on Monday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.

According to the commission, the personnel will serve as reporters, cameramen, broadcast engineers, and support staff during the election.

The list of accredited organisations and personnel has been verified and made available on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.

“It will be recalled that in our recent statement, the commission urged media organisations interested in covering the forthcoming Edo State governorship election to submit their applications and upload the personal details of their personnel ahead of the deadline of Thursday 5th September 2024.

“The commission is pleased to announce that after verification, 114 newspaper, radio, television and online media organisations have successfully uploaded the details of 721 personnel to cover the election as reporters, cameramen, engineers for live broadcast and support staff.

“The full list, including the number of personnel to be deployed, has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” the statement read in part.

INEC said accreditation tags would be ready ahead of the election to allow unhindered access to voting and collation centres.

INEC also urged media organisations and observers to adhere to their professional ethics and abide by legal frameworks and the commission’s regulations throughout the election process.

Meanwhile, the commission said it had opened its online portal for the accreditation of media organisations and journalists for the November 16, 2024 Ondo State governorship election.

INEC, in a statement released on Monday by Olumekun, announced that the portal was now live and would remain open until midnight on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Media outlets interested in deploying reporters and technical staff for election coverage are required to submit their applications through the portal at [https://imap.inecnigeria.org](https://imap.inecnigeria.org).

INEC urged media organisations to complete the accreditation process well before the deadline, as late submissions would not be accepted, and no extensions would be granted.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission is pleased to announce that the dedicated portal for online accreditation of journalists and media organisations wishing to cover the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for 16th November 2024 will open today Monday 9th September 2024.

“It will automatically shut down at 12 midnight on Thursday 31st October 2024.

“Interested media organisations wishing to deploy journalists and technical staff to cover the election are by this notice required to apply via https://imap.inecnigeria.org

“We implore prospective applicants to do the needful well ahead of the 31st October deadline. There will be no deadline extension, while late submission will not be entertained,” the statement read.

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.”