The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has revealed that the Federal Government is owed approximately N5.2 trillion in debts. Ahmed who stated this during a two-day sensitization workshop on Project Lighthouse organised for ICT and Account Staff in federal ministries, departments, and agencies across the North Central Zone in Minna, on Thursday, said the debt is owed by over 5,000 companies and individuals. The minister, who was represented by the Director of Special Projects in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Victor Omata, said that these debts are debt from the debtors spread across 19 ministries, departments and agencies. She stated that companies and individuals owing the Federal Government agencies have refused to honour their obligations. He cited the lack of visibility of these transactions, poor information sharing, and enforcement as reasons why these revenue loopholes remain. “The Ministry through the consolidation efforts of the Debt Analytics and Reporting Application has been able to aggregate monumental debts of approximately N5.2 trillion. These debts came to the spotlight from data aggregated from over 5,000+ debtors across ten Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The debt aggregation effort is still ongoing. “These debts are in the form of debt liabilities to the Federal Inland Revenue Service; refunds to the government by companies who failed to deliver on projects for which payment had been effected, unpaid credit facilities granted to both corporate entities and individuals by the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture; judgment debt in favour of Government, debts owed Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate by Insurance Companies among others.” He stated that the Project Lighthouse initiative has enabled the aggregation of relevant economic and financial information from multiple agencies that hitherto did not share data. Omata explained that the Project lighthouse project which is one of the portfolio projects under the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative is aimed at improving Federal Government revenues by targeting and increasing revenues from non-oil revenue sources. “An important part of our policies and strategies is to leverage big data technology to help block revenue loopholes, recover debts, identify new revenue opportunities, optimize existing revenue streams, especially non-oil revenue as well as improve fiscal transparency,” he stated. He called on government MDAs to cooperate and provide quality and relevant information which is debt-related to populate the platform as it would improve the economic base of the country adding that the project would soon be institutionalised. The Secretary to the Niger State government, Ibrahim Matane, said that Project Lighthouse is a laudable initiative by the Federal Government as he expressed dismay over the quantum of debts owed by individuals and companies even at the local level. He said that the project would cut excess and retrieve the debts owed which would help the government to use the money for other projects. “It is time we focus on the money owed to the government. There is a pile of debts that contractors are owing the Federal Government and we are not paying attention to it. There are trillions of naira stacked up as debts, if these can be recovered, it would be a huge financial relief to the government.”

  Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Team, Alh Lanre Onilu, has urged the electorate to massively vote for his principal in the 2023 general election, noting that Nigerians need Asiwaju Bola Tinubu more than Tinubu needs Nigerians. He also denied that Asiwaju Tinubu has been avoiding campaigning with the performances of the current administration of President Buhari, but rather referencing his administration as governor of Lagos State, insisting that the current administration had performed well. Onilu spoke with journalists on Wednesday in Igbaja, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state during the empowerment programme organised by SSA on Community Intervention to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kayode Oyin Zubair. He said: “The country as at now actually needs Tinubu more than Asiwaju needs Nigerians and that is reflected in the kind of support that we are receiving in all the states we have visited.” On why Asiwaju Tinubu hasn’t been campaigning with President Buhari’s administration, he said,” Asiwaju is not running away from it. I have said that several times. “Buhari has spent seven and half years and I make bold to say, boldly here, that he has done very well. “Forget about whatever anybody is saying, this President Muhammadu Buhari has performed and we are proud to say it and we are going to build on the successes of this particular government. “Asiwaju will do that and he will correct wherever there is mistake. Buhari is human being after all, there will be mistakes. “But wherever there are mistakes, he will correct it. To say he is running away from success; do people run away from success? No.” Onilu also canvassed for the re-election of Governor AbdulRazaq who he said has performed exemplary well in the area of governance, citing provision of water to Igbaja community that hasn’t had water for 21 years before the advent of the present administration. In his remark, Zubair: “My office SSA Community Intervention has also given out 100 tricycles in Kwara. Those people we gave tricycles to will finish their repayment by February next year. “Making of 18 months. To the glory of God, this particular office attracted a N160 million community intervention grant from the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which was given to 16,000 women across Kwara State. “With God on our side, recently, we gave out 50 mini-buses at the cost of N125,000,000; N100 million from SEAP, and the remaining N25 million was added by KOZ intervention.”

  The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged Churches across the country to unite instead of unhealthy rivalries and unnecessary competitions that wouldn’t matter in the end. The Coordinator, CAN, Akampka council chapter, Cross River state, Bishop Martin Aquah, made the appeal during the 2022 Christmas Festival of Carols, Nine Lessons and Awards at St John’s The Baptist Catholic Church, Akampka. Bishop Aquah said there was no need for unhealthy competitions by churches in Nigeria, adding that there was need for all churches to unite in moving both the country and the faith forward. He cautioned church leaders to desist from every form of unorthodox practices that could bring disrepute to the body of Christ, stressing that there was no need to use tricks to get money from their congregation as God answers prayers and is ever faithful. His words: “As Christian we must see as ourselves as one and recognize that we have a singleness of purpose. “We are not competing because in heaven there won’t be mortal body. We are not going to occupy space either. “Churches should stop competing with themselves. Nobody will be awarded for running the biggest church neither will anybody be punished for running a small church. “Nothing should make any church leader go and look for something to enhance him, or start running from pillar to post to do unorthodox things that can bring disrepute to the body of Christ because it is not necessary. “Christians should note that when you work conscientiously for God he rewards you, so you don’t have to use tricks to get money from the people. Speaking further, he lauded the CEO of Faith Plant Global, Engr Micheal Asuquo, who was also the guest speaker, for his immense contribution to the Church in Cross River and Nigeria at large. On his part, Evangelist Asuquo commended CAN for the award bestowed on him. He called on CAN as a body and Christians at large to pray for Nigeria, especially as we are drawing nearer into the 2023 elections. He said: “I want Nigerians to pray that God will restore the peace and lost glory of the country and Cross River state in particularly. “The election next year is not a do-or-die affair. We must pray for peace in our country because without peace, there won’t be any election ,” he said.

  A Kano Upper Shariah Court has on Thursday sentenced the embattled Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara to death by hanging for blasphemy. The court presided over by Ibrahim Sarki Yola gave the order while delivering his judgment. He also ordered that the government to seize and take over the cleric’s mosques, forfeiture of 182 books the cleric uses for propagation and be taken to the library for public use. The Judge also warned media houses to desist from broadcasting his teachings and ideologies. Recall that Sheikh Abduljabbar was charged to court for alleged blasphemy against the Holy Prophet and incitement in the state.

  As the yuletide season approaches, the Department of State Services has asked Nigerians to conduct their activities in ways that promote public peace and safety as it takes steps in concert with sister security agencies to maintain law and order across the country. At the same time, the agency has pleaded with community, religious and political bodies to preach peaceful coexistence, tolerance and unity as well as enlighten their members on safety measures during and after the season, so as to prevent criminal elements who may want to capitalise on the festivities to wreak havoc or harm unsuspecting members of the public. The Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, made the plea in a statement made available to Vanguard on Thursday afternoon. The statement appealed to political actors to play the game according to the rules of engagement while on their campaign rallies and to avoid fake news, hate speech, violence and acts inimical to national security. The service also enjoined players in the socio-economic sector to avoid manipulative tendencies that could result in undue price hikes, artificial scarcity of products/goods and situations that may lead to heightened tensions. Afunanya said, “To sustain national stability, the Service will continue to carry out its duties and responsibilities in line with global best practices as they affect human rights and rule of law. This is despite calculated efforts by some interest groups to create impression that persons arrested by the Service are either not taken care of or denied access to their families and/or legal representatives. It is instructive to note that the Service has a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on suspect handling. It considers this and general care of suspects sacrosanct and a priority. This can undoubtedly be attested by those that had passed through its holding facilities. “For every suspect under its detention, the Service allows a family and/or legal representative, who fulfilled all the processes and clearance procedures, access to such a suspect. The public may note that the Service does not carry out illegal arrests or undertake enforced disappearances of innocent persons. It also does not operate illegal detention camps. Its operations and activities are rule-based and governed by transparent and accountable legal processes. The DSS, therefore enjoins those opposed to its lawful position on issues to approach the court for redress. “For emphasis, everyone is encouraged to live in peace and good neighbourliness but should, however, be conscious of his/her environment. People should desist from false and deliberate narratives and actions that may incite the populace against itself or the government. While the Service reiterates its partnership with sister agencies to ensure adequate security before, during and after the yuletide and election seasons, residents are advised to report any information of relevance to the appropriate security and law enforcement agencies. “On the side of the media and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Service urges them to be objective and patriotic in the discharge of their roles. They should understand that the practice of their trade(s) could be more result-oriented in an atmosphere of peace. As critical stakeholders in nation building and national security management, they need to consider Nigeria first before any other interest(s). “Once again, the DGSS, Alhaji Y.M Bichi, CFR, fwc, Management and Staff of the DSS wish all and sundry, fruitful and peaceful celebrations. Happy New Year in advance!,”Afunanya said.

  A 43-year-old woman, Amy Anderson shot herself dead after killing two police officers at a Motel 6 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the United States on Wednesday. According to CBS, the slain officers – Branden Estorffe and Steven Robin responded to a call for a welfare check made to the Bay St. Louis Police Department located along a stretch of interstate Highway 90 that runs through the Gulf Coast city. The officers arrived at Motel 6 as early as 4:30 am US time and encountered Anderson who sat in a parked vehicle with a female child, according to the police report. Estorffe and Robin aged 23 and 34 respectively engaged in a conversation with the woman for almost 30 minutes and later called the Department of Child Protection Services (DPS). The slain officers were identified as Branden Estorffe, 23, and Steven Robin, 34, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety confirmed in a statement. Anderson, from inside the vehicle, shot both officers before killing herself, according to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Robin died at the scene while Estorffe died later due to bullet injuries. Reacting, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said it “is currently assessing this critical incident and gathering evidence.” Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves addressed the shooting in a message shared on Twitter. “Early this morning two Bay St. Louis Police officers were tragically shot and killed in the line of duty,” Reeves wrote. “I am heartbroken by this terrible loss of two brave law enforcement officers. I am praying for their family, friends, their fellow officers, and the entire Bay St. Louis community. “Every single day across Mississippi, our law enforcement members place their lives on the line in constant and repeated acts of selfless sacrifice for their community.”

  Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has disclosed that the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 billion. Briefing traditional rulers at their monthly meeting at traditional rulers chamber inside the State Government Secretariat on Thursday, the Governor said his predecessor must explain why the state is owing salaries and pensions to the tune N76 billion having gotten N50 billion as bail out for salary. He said the state owed N331.32 billion while salaries and pensions owed workers amount to N76 billion. Details later…