The approved budget for the National Assembly in 2024 has been disclosed, outlining allocations for various crucial sectors. The House of Representatives secures a substantial sum of N78.624 billion, while the Senate is allocated N49.145 billion. The National Assembly Office is granted N36.727 billion, with N30.807 billion earmarked for general services. Legislative aides are set to receive N20.388 billion, ensuring the smooth functioning of parliamentary affairs. Notably, N15.189 billion has been designated for the Service Wide Vote. A noteworthy allocation of N15 billion has been dedicated to the National Assembly Hospital project, emphasizing the commitment to healthcare within the parliamentary…
Author: Editor Francis
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, over an ongoing probe into the N37,170,855,753.44 allegedly laundered under her watch through a contractor, James Okwete. The former minister was asked to appear before interrogators at the EFCC headquarters, Jabbi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, to explain the alleged fraud, an exclusive document seen by our correspondent on Saturday revealed. The document read in part, “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development during your…
The Senate has greenlit President Tinubu’s plea to secure a substantial sum of $7.8 billion and €100 million as part of the Federal Government’s comprehensive borrowing plan spanning 2022 to 2024. The approval materialized following the Senate’s thorough consideration and adoption of the report presented by its committee on Local and Foreign Debt during a Saturday plenary session. President Tinubu clarified that the loan, sanctioned by the Federal Executive Council under former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 15, 2023, is earmarked for bolstering critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and addressing the pressing issue of insecurity. Emphasizing the…
The Senate has passed the 2024 budget for a third reading, approving an increase of N1.2tn, bringing the total budget to N28.7tn from the initially proposed N27.5tn. The decision, determined by a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, followed the consideration of the Appropriation Bill’s report presented by Senator Adeola Solomon, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee. Breaking down the budget, the Senate set the Aggregate Expenditure at 28,777,404,073,861 Naira, with Statutory Transfers at 1,742,786,788,150 Naira, Recurrent Expenditure at 8,768,5330,852 Naira, Capital Expenditure at 9,995,143,298,028 Naira, and the GDP at 3.88%. President Bola Tinubu had initially presented a…
Massive waves and coastal flooding are wreaking havoc for a third day in many of California’s coastal communities, where extreme conditions have forced water rescues, washed away cars and injured a handful of enthralled onlookers. The unusually large surf – often towering over 20 feet – has prompted beach closures along the California coast and sent damaging deluges of water into several beachside streets, homes and businesses. In hard-hit Ventura County, waves have surged over seawalls and carried parked cars down the street and into significant intersections, blocking first responders’ paths, fire captain Brian McGrath told CNN affiliate TNLA. Flooding…
Burundi’s President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, recently launched a virulent tirade against same-sex marriage, denouncing it as an “abominable practice” and advocating for the stoning of gay couples, citing religious reasons. The President, known for his conservative Christian views, previously called for homosexuals to be “banished” and treated as outcasts. He criticized Western countries opposing LGBTQ+ rights and defiantly rejected aid from those advocating such practices, urging individuals embracing those beliefs to stay abroad. This strong stance is in line with the conservative Christian values prevalent in the Great Lakes country, where same-sex relations are punishable by imprisonment. This statement comes in…
The Senate, in a solemn session on Saturday, paid homage to the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba. The poignant moment of remembrance, marked by a minute of silence, was initiated through motions put forth by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC – Ondo South) and Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC – Kano North). Senator Barau, who served as the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations during Na’Abba’s tenure from 1999 to 2003, underscored Na’Abba’s unwavering commitment to the independence of the…
In a recent announcement on the official X account (formerly Twitter) of Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the federal government has expanded its list of motor parks where Nigerians can enjoy a 50% rebate on transport fares for return trips during the festive season. The update was shared on Friday, December 29, as part of the government’s commitment to subsidize travel expenses for citizens during the yuletide. Initially introduced on Monday, December 25, the 50% transportation rebate program has already seen 128 road transport passengers on northern routes benefiting from a refund…
The passage followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, presented by its Chairman, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, during the plenary session. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that Acting Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently presented a N385 billion Appropriation Bill to the Assembly. NAN reports that the proposed budget comprised Capital Expenditure of N222.2 billion with the Recurrent Expenditure of N172.9 billion. Ogunmolasuyi, who represents Owo Constituency 1/APC, said that the estimate passed by the assembly was higher than what the governor presented by over N10.7 billion. “The committee after an interface with Ministries, Departments…
In a significant move towards justice reform, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given the nod to the release of 246 inmates from various correctional facilities across Lagos State. Additionally, the Governor has commuted the death sentences of 39 inmates to life imprisonment. The release and commutation orders were officially signed on December 20, 2023, in anticipation of the New Year celebrations. This decision aligns with the provisions outlined in Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. Acting on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, Governor Sanwo-Olu demonstrated…
Haliru Nababa, the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, has announced the deployment of John Francis as the new Controller of Corrections for the Federal Capital Territory Command. The decision comes following the recent promotion of Ibrahim Idris to the position of Assistant Controller General of Corrections, overseeing Training and Staff Development. In a statement released by the spokesperson for the FCT Command, Adamu Duza, on Friday, it was revealed that Francis would be taking over from Idris. The outgoing ACG expressed gratitude to the FCT Command staff for their support and emphasized his belief in the success of…
In response to heightened turmoil in the Balkans, dozens of Iowa National Guard soldiers from Company C (Medevac) are gearing up for a nine-month deployment to Kosovo on December 29. The mission, part of a longstanding NATO peacekeeping effort, aims to conduct live aerial medevac operations and provide crucial support to the United States, Kosovo Security Forces, and the coalition developed over more than a decade. While tensions escalate in the region, the Iowa-Kosovo partnership, established in 2011, serves as a strategic alliance, fostering collaboration in defense, agriculture, tourism, and energy. This deployment, unrelated to Russia and Ukraine, underscores the…