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Post Date : July 27, 2021

Nigeria’s revenue to GDP ratio lowest in the world, says World Bank

Shubham Chaudhuri, the bank’s country director for Nigeria, said this on Monday during a panel session at a virtual public sector seminar organised by the Lagos Business School (LBS). The webinar was themed ‘Nigeria in Challenging Times; Imperatives for a Cohesive National Development Agenda’. Last year, the federal government spent N3.10 trillion on debt servicing for the 11 months (January- November) 2020, out of N3.48 trillion retained revenue for the same period. This represented 89 percent of its revenue. In its 2022-2024 medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper (MTEF & FSP), the budget office of the federation also projected to spend N48 out of every N100 revenue to repay debt in the next four years. According to Chaudhuri, Nigeria’s basic economic agenda is about diversification away from oil because oil has been like a resource curse for the country in multiple dimensions. “Nigeria is a country with tremendous potential. If you look at the synopsis for this panel, it suggests that Nigeria is at a critical juncture – almost at the moment of crisis,” Chaudhuri said. “Despite all of that, Nigeria is still the largest economy in Africa. So, just think about the potential that Nigeria has because of its natural resources, but more than that, because of its dynamism and all of its population. Nigerians are more entrepreneurial by nature. “No country has become prosperous and realised its potential, eliminated poverty without doing two simple things: investing in its people, and unleashing the power of the private sector in creating jobs by investing and growing business. And then, of course, the basic function of the state is to provide security and law and order.” He explained that investing in people entails provision of basic services, basic education, primary healthcare, nutrition, among others. “On this, Nigeria at the moment ranks sixth from the bottom in terms of the human capital index that we produce every year,” he added. “So, obviously, there is a huge agenda in terms of investing in human capital. Nigeria spends more on premium motor spirit ( PMS) subsidy than it does on primary healthcare in a year, and we know who the PMS subsidy is benefitting.” The country director noted that despite the country’s huge potential to attract private capital, the non-oil sector is not growing robustly – and not generating enough revenues to cater for the government’s needs. He emphasised the need for private investment for the country to realise its potential, but added that the private sector in the country “is struggling to breathe”. “So, we see as priorities investments in human capital. But for that, one needs revenues. And there again, Nigeria, unfortunately, has the distinction of having about the lowest revenue-to-GDP ratio in the world,” Chaudhuri said. “The standard rule of thumb is that for the government to provide the basic services and law and order, it needs between 15 to 20 percent of GDP as being revenue, and this will be both at the federal and state levels combined. “In Nigeria, it was eight percent in 2019. In 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis and with the fall in oil prices, that went down to about between five and six percent. “So, domestic revenue mobilisation is huge. And then the third is enabling the space for private investment. You have to fix the power problem. Power is like the oxygen of an economy. In Nigeria, the private sector is struggling to breathe.” Speaking at the event, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, described the country’s revenue situation as very weak. She said the government is concerned about the issues of insecurity, poverty and unemployment in the country. “But there is also one issue, and that is the lack of revenue to be able to do as much as we want. But maybe we would be able to do if we all realise that the revenue situation in the economy is very weak. It is fragile,” Ahmed explained. “Whatever we can get, maybe there is a way we can come together to make sure that we are able to reprioritise what we spend this money so that we can then meet our national priorities.”

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

BBNaija S6: Sammy, Angel cuddle in bed

Sammy and Angel were seen cuddling in bed last night in the Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye house and fans have expressed mixed reactions concerning their action. Some fans have seen this as a potential ship between the duo and have expressed excitement. In BBNaija, ‘ship’ is used to describe a romantic relationship and close friendship between a male and female housemate. While some fans want the ship to sail, others think it’s a bad idea for Sammy and Angel to be an item in the house. Well, the fans have taken to Twitter to express their thoughts on the action by the duo. A fan, @ojbackk, tweeted “Angel is actually pretty pretty! And Sammy has to be a lucky boy if he sets his tracks right with her!” Another fan, @neeneeiii, said, “Angel and Sammy. I said it! E don set.” (sic) “Sammy and Angel can’t resist the urge to cuddle. More wins bro,” @odiskylamba tweeted. Expressing disapproval, @tearsnchocolate, tweeted, “What did I do to deserve Sammy and Angel? He should stay away from her abeg.” “In Sammy’s head, he will get Angel. SMH (shaking my head), @gudgaalriri said. Some on the other hand, expressed surprise on the closeness between Sammy and Angel. @__adimagba asked, “Is that Sammy and Angel I’m seeing?” “Sammy and Angel. I never saw that coming,” @caramel_jane said.

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

2023: Without new constitution, Nigeria’ll continue to recycle failed leaders -Afe Babalola

Senior advocate and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, has called on necessary stakeholders to ensure that a new truly federal constitution with provision for parliamentary government to replace the 1999 constitution must be in place before the 2023 general elections. Babalola said that anything to the contrary would result in “recycling the same failed leaders that have brought Nigeria to where it is today”. The legal luminary, according to a statement made available by ABUAD, spoke in a goodwill message as the special guest of honour at the Fifth Ife Institute of Advanced Studies, Summer Institute Programme held on July 26. He lamented that the 1999 constitution “allows Nigeria to be running the most expensive democracy in the world with government functionaries earning exorbitant salaries and allowances in a country riddled with unemployment, poverty, insurgencies, kidnapping, ferocious terrorist acts, killings, murder, robbery and widespread destruction of properties”. He said one of the reasons why a new truly federal constitution must be in place is that the 1999 constitution “breeds transactional leaders instead of transformational leaders. It is the same constitution that makes the opinions of those outside government to be irrelevant to those in government.” Babalola urged participants at the summer programme to come out with meaningful and relevant recommendations that would be useful to the government including that “those who wish this country to remain an indivisible entity must unite to ensure that we replace the present 1999 constitution with a truly federal constitution and a parliamentary system of government which is more involving and less expensive. “The proposed constitution will spell out the number of political parties and percentage of women representation, among others. It will also enable knowledgeable, selfless, patriotic and non-tribalistic Nigerians to emerge as leaders and make governance less expensive. In addition, it will discourage politics from being the most lucrative business in Nigeria. “It is common knowledge that money plays a dominant role in winning elections in Nigeria today. Hence no salary earner such as medical doctors, engineers, bankers, lawyers or lecturers can dare contest an election unless he/she embraces an all-powerful deep-pocket Godfather in Nigerian politics. “The constitution must prevent transactional businessmen from contesting elections. The constitution must make provision for independent candidates to contest and win elections,” Babalola said. The ABUAD founder also said that in considering the new constitution, “priority attention must be accorded to the multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-linguistic nature of the country made up of over 400 ethnic groups speaking over 295 dialects. “Particular attention must be paid to the issue of poverty, reduction of population by limiting the number of children per couple. This will prevent the present untoward situation where the offer of a mere N5,000 could induce poor Nigerians to vote against the dictates of their conscience,” he said. The senior advocate also suggested that the new constitution must provide that the National Assembly should consist of 60 per cent of Nigerians elected by professional bodies while the remaining 40 per cent should be contested by all qualified voters. He said, “This way, we will have a parliament consisting of 60 per cent of elected members by professionals and opinion leaders whose election will not be affected with votes bought with as little as N5,000. “Nigeria does not need two houses in the National Assembly. All we need is one house with the number of Legislators reduced to 50 per cent of what it is today,” Babalola said.

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

Kaduna Kidnap: Four Additional Baptist Students Regain Freedom

Four additional abducted students of Bethel Baptist Secondary School in Kaduna State have regained their freedom. A top official of the school told Channels Television on Monday that the four students escaped from the forest last night where they were held captive by their abductors. The latest development, therefore, brings the total number of the rescued students to 38 out of the 121 that were abducted by bandits on July 5th. Eighty-three other students are still in the custody of the kidnappers inside the forest, with their parents and the school management praying fervently for their safe return. On Sunday, 28 more abducted students of the school also regained their freedom. with their parents and the school management praying fervently for their safe return. On Sunday, 28 more abducted students of the school also regained their freedom. READ ALSO: Tears, Joy As 28 More Kidnapped Students Regain Freedom In Kaduna The students were found inside the Tsoho Gaya Forest in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Sunday. It is not clear whether the bandits released them for ransom or they were rescued by security operatives or escaped by themselves. Three of the students were rescued by police operatives some days ago at a location also in Chikun Local Government Area and were later taken to a police medical facility for medical checks. The bandits, who stormed their school on July 8, later demanded a ransom of ₦60million for the release of the students.

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

Miyetti Allah demands 30,000sq metres cattle grazing land in Delta

Delta Cattle Dealers Association yesterday demanded 30,000 square metres of land in the 25 local governments, as designated areas for cattle breeding ground and market. The association spoke in Asaba, the Delta State capital, during the public hearing on a Bill for a Law to provide for the Regulation of Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing and to Prohibit Open Grazing and Related Matters in the state. The hearing, organised by the Delta State House of Assembly Joint Committee on Special Bills and that of Agriculture and Natural Resources, had about 12 memoranda from the state government agencies and stakeholders in livestock business. The association’s memorandum, signed by the Chairman, Alhaji Musa Shuwa, said that the 5,000 square metres designated as grazing areas contained in the draft bill was grossly inadequate because of the facilities expected to be in the areas. Shuwa said at present, the association maintains livestock (cattle) market in seven towns in the state, adding that the smallest is situated on a parcel of land measuring about 4,500 square metres, while the biggest is about 7,000 square metres. “This is only for the markets. Also, each market takes delivery of not less than 800 cattle every week. Our members hardly sell all their cattle at the market, hence the need to feed the cattle by grazing. “With the intendment of the draft of this bill being to ban open grazing, it is our respectful view that to have cattle within enclosed grazing (for the purpose of ranching) area will mean that a large space of area is needed for this purpose. “While we acknowledge that the 5,000 square metres mentioned in Section 8(2a) is only in the minimum, it is our modest view that even in the minimum, 5,000 square metres of land may not be the best starting point. “We, therefore, recommend that to practically satisfy having an abattoir, veterinary clinic, livestock market, administrative office and security post as provided in Section 2(b) to (g), Section 2(a) should provide that the designated area shall comprise a minimum of 30,000 square metres of land,” he said. The Chairman of the joint committee, Mrs. Pat Ajudua, said the public hearing was to garner the inputs of the public, particularly major stakeholders in the making of the proposed law..

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

DPO, six others killed, 11 arrested as gunmen attack Uzodimma’s hometown

Gunmen suspected to be militants of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have killed a Chief Superintendent of Police, (CSP) Fatmann Dooiyor. Dooiyor, who was the Divisional Police Officer for Omuma, Governor Hope Uzodimma’s community in Oru East Local Government area of Imo State, was among those who tried to repel the attack. The armed gang struck on the day IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was to be arraigned at a Federal High Court in Abuja. The Department of State Services (DSS) did not produce him in court. According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of Imo, CSP Mike Abattam, six of the gunmen were killed by the police while 11 were arrested. Abattam said the bandits in convoy of three vehicles invaded the community but were repelled by police led by the Area Commander, ACP Benjamin Abang. He said that the police were alerted when bandits were sighted moving in convoy into Omuma town. Abattam said, “The tactical teams of the command immediately swung into action, ambushed and launched a surprised attack on the convoy of the bandits which resulted to the neutralisation of six of the bandits while, 11 of them were arrested to the station. “Unfortunately, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Fatmann Dooiyor paid the supreme price. “The teams later recovered the three vehicles abandoned by the bandits to the station which includes, two Toyota Highlander SUV vehicles with registration numbers Abia MBL 517 AT and LAGOS , JJJ 984 EL respectively and a milk colour unregistered Lexus Jeep to the station. “Presently, the command’s tactical teams and Special forces led by ACP Evans E.Shem are combing the bush for possible arrest of the bandits that fled into the bush,” the statement added. Suspected IPOB militants had attacked the community earlier in the year. They had killed a security guard at the residence of Uzodinma and set the building on fire.

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

Benin Court Jails Sunday Igboho, Rejects Extradition to Nigeria

The Court D’Appal of Cotonou has ordered that Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho should be kept in prison custody pending investigation. The court, however, declined immediate extradition of Igboho to Nigeria. The Court, which was expected to start hearing the case at 10:00am, chose to bar Journalists and supporters of Igboho who thronged the court premises as early as 7:30am, when it commenced sitting at about 5:00pm. Daily Trust learnt that supporters of Igboho were dispersed from the premises of Court later in the evening, prompting fears that he might be deported to Nigeria. The government of Nigeria accused Igboho of trafficking in arms, inciting violence to disrupt the public peace and agitating for secession. It also sought his extradition to Nigeria. Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, last Monday while trying to catch a flight to Germany. However, Ropo, who is a German citizen was set free by the court on Thursday while the self-styled agitator was remanded in the custody of Brigade Criminelle in Cotonou. Igboho was placed on the wanted list on July 1 by the State Security Service, also known as the Department of State Services after its operatives raided the Soka residence in Ibadan of the agitator, killing two of his aides and arresting 12 others during the operation.

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

IPOB: Nnamdi Kanu takes matter to African Rights Commission

Special Counsel to the leader of Indeginous People of Biafra IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor has disclosed that the extraordinary rendition of his client is now a matter before the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. Ejimakor said that the defendants in the petition are both Nigeria and Kenya governments, whom Kanu is asking to account for his abduction from Kenya. He disclosed that among prayers in the petition include that Kanu be restored back to his state of being, which was Kenya, before his abduction that he discribed as reprehensible. Ejimakor noted that both Nigeria and Kenya are answerable to the Africa Rights commission because they are both parties to the Africa Charter and domesticated the Charter in their countries, thus making it part of their municipal laws. “Both countries also have extradition laws that prohibit this sort of reprehensible conduct that saw Kanu to Nigeria,” Ejimakor said. He stated that extraordinary rendition is expressly prohibited under the African Charter, where it provides in pertinent part that “A State may not transfer (e.g. deport, expel, remove, extradite) an individual to the custody of another State unless it is prescribed by law and in accordance with due process and other international human rights obligations. Extraordinary rendition, or any other transfer, without due process is prohibited”. He pointed out that Kanu travelled to Kenya on his British passport and was duly admitted as such and as a free man. “Further, no valid territorial jurisdiction can issue from an act of extraordinary rendition because Kanu is, technically speaking, still in Kenya. The Nigerian bench warrant standing against Kanu is, in the absence of any successful extradition proceedings in Kenya, invalid to arrest in Kenya. Ejimakor said that he also requested the Commission to adopt other urgent measures as the Commission deems fit in the circumstances to protect Nnamdi Kanu in the interim, adding that a fact-finding visitation to Nigeria is also in reckoning. “In my previous press briefings, I had said – with much confidence – that Kanu’s trial will be a trial within trial. To those who didn’t fully grasp what it meant, this extant continental legal action will give you a clue. And this is just the beginning. “To be sure, any nation that dabbles in extraordinary rendition has unwittingly brought impediments to her territorial jurisdiction. So, Nigeria, whether it admits it or not, has triggered a hornets nest that has, for the first time, brought the international legal order to bear on the matter of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

Akwa Ibom jobseeker’s killer pleads guilty, murderer

Uduakabasi Akpan, the suspected killer of a 26-year-old Akwa-Ibom jobseeker, Iniobong Umoren, has pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. The 20-year-old, however, denied raping the victim. He was arraigned on Monday along with his father, Frank Akpan, before the Akwa Ibom State High Court 6, on three counts of murder, rape and accessory after the facts. Umoren, a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was allegedly lured, abducted, raped and murdered on April 29, 2021 by Uduakabasi, who acted on the pretext of offering her a job. According to the police, the offences are punishable under sections 326(1) and 367 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria 2000. When the charges were read during the arraignment, the first accused pleaded guilty to the murder charge, but pleaded not guilty to the second charge of rape. His father, Frank, pleaded not guilty to the charge of accessory after the facts. Consequently, the court, presided over by Justice Bennett Illaumo, remanded both father and son and adjourned the matter till August 18, 2021 for hearing. Speaking with reporters shortly after the proceedings, the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Uko Udom (SAN), assured the public that justice would be done. He said a capital offence does not carry any time bar, adding that in the next 10 years or more anybody found guilty in the same matter could still be prosecuted. “Count three is talking about accessory after the facts. If someone commits an offence and another person assists that person in an attempt to evade justice, you are charged with accessory after the facts,” he added.

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Post Date : July 27, 2021

Kanu still with DSS in Abuja: Lawyer Ejiofor

Nnamdi Kanu’s lead lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor said the IPOB leader is still being held in Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS). Ejiofor said this on Monday in an update on the legal case of Kanu and as concerns mounted over his whereabouts. The case could not proceed today, because the DSS failed to produce him. This led to speculations that the DSS had taken him out of Abuja. But in a statement on Monday, Ejiofor debunked the speculations. He said: “Our discrete findings confirmed that Our Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was not taken out of Abuja to an unknown destination. “Kindly ignore the rumour mongers.” The court headed by Justice Binta Nyako ordered that the DSS must not only bring Kanu to court on 21 October, but must also allow his lawyers to see him. Ejiofor has seized on the order of the court, as he said he and Kanu’s family members would soon pay him a visit in the next 48 hours. “Henceforth, Our Client -Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot only be visited by his lawyers, but relatives and friends, provided it is only two persons in every of such visit, on his visiting Days. “It is now an Order of the Court. Anybody within the above classification will be profiled by Our Head of Chambers. “We will activate the judicial process to ensure that the Court is granted a Fiat to hear this Case during the Court’s Annual Vacation that commenced today. “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will regain his freedom sooner than may be expected. `”Victory will be ours at the end. It shall all end in praises. “Your prayers all through. Thank you all and remain blessed”.

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