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NASACOF describes Obaseki’s Claim as unscrupulous mischief 

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By Yaseer Ahmad

A joint of non governmental organisations popularly known as Non-State Actors Consultative Forum (NOSACOF) Comprising
Kano,Katsina,Zamfara,Imo,Kaduna,Niger and Sokoto State Chapters have described the claims of printing N60 billion made by the Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki as unscrupulous mischief.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued to news men by NOSACOF join coordinator Omaru Ibrahim adding that is a deliberate Attack on Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

The statement said, NOSACOF are deeply troubled by the increasing use of disinformation and tainted truth by some politicians to misguide and misinform public about government policies for mischief political agenda.

According to the statement, over the last 6 – 7 years, Nigeria was faced with challenging financial and economic problems characterised by a series of increased inflation, unemployment and Naira depreciation. This is because; Nigeria is a mono economy, dependent on crude oil exportation for its survival and importation of virtually everything.

It said, Unfortunately previous administrations lead by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) failed to use the crude oil earnings to diversify the economy nor save for rainy days. Instead most of these earning were stolen through unscrupulous contract awards as well extravagant spending by government officials.

The statement maintained that, the incoming President and his administration had to embark on numerous fiscal and economic policies that will increase government revenues, reduce unemployment rate and cut down on imports.

According to the statement, Unfortunately, members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) whose administrations were responsible for Nigeria’s economic woes have been nothing but a nuisances and Sometimes they sort into blackmailing government officials, just to deter them from implementing the needed economic policies.

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“Recent happening regarding the unscrupulous claims by the Governor of Edo State Mr Godwin Obaseki that the Central Bank of Nigeria printed N60 Billion which was shared as federation allocations was nothing but to gain cheap political points against the APC led administration.

“And as usual members of his party have jumped on this opportunity to politically harass and blackmail the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr Zainab.Facts and figures of the revenues shared as federal allocations in March 2021 shows that, all revenues were listed accordingly.

“VAT – N157.327 billion, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) – N137.583 billion, remittances by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) – N133.583 billion, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) – N89.350 billion, Company Income Tax (CIT) and related taxes – N66.356 billion, remittance by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) remitted – N64.161 billion, remittance by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) – N976 million.

The statement maintained that, the Overall a gross income of N649.336 billion was recorded, however, after 13 percent derivation payment to oil-producing states were netted off, the total revenue to be shared reduced to N596.944 billion. After N8.645 billion withdrawn from the forex equalisation fund account is added, a grand total of N605.589 was shared by the three tiers of government.

The breakdown shows that the federal government receive N205.160 billion as its share, while the 36 states received N166.085 billion and the 774 councils N122.853 billion and oil-producing states shared an additional N37.143 billion as derivation payment.

According to the statement, it is common practice in both developed and developing countries to print money during difficult economic times, the responsibility mostly lies on the advice and suggestions made by the Central Bank.

The statement maintained that, the Nigeria’s CBN governor Mr Godwin Emefiele has personally addressed the issue of printing and have made it clear that printing money is a responsibility of the Central Bank and it is mainly done for intervention measure.

The statement then, called on the public to disregard the media campaign of calumny against the person the Honourable Minister Mrs Zainab Ahmad and urged the minister to keep giving her best for the betterment of our beloved country.

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NUJ Online Chapel Inaugurated In Enugu

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Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Enugu state Council has inaugurated a new Chapel; Corporate Online Chapel, bringing to Eleven, the number of Chapels in the Council.

Performing the inauguration of the newest chapel which has Comrade Clinton Umeh, Publisher of Journalist101 as the Chairman, on Thursday at the Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi NUJ Press Center, Enugu, the Council Chairman, Comrade Sam Udekwe said the election of the Executive members of the chapel in their last Congress, marked the beginning of the Online Chapel.

He urged the Executives “to ensure that the members of the chapel comply with what we believe in as members of this profession’”

Comrade Udekwe further said, “this is a very promising chapel. You have your membership now I want to assure you that more members will come in. You know what it takes to be qualified to be a member and we expect you to take this to heart while admitting new members because It is not open to just anybody . It is not open to all bloggers , that’s why we say it is Corporate Online. It’s for online practitioners that are Journalists.

There are online publishers that are not Journalists. That’s why we want you to make a difference. So, we want you to show the society that there are online practitioners, the ones that are members of NUJ,” he said.

He charged the executives to take care of their members in line with the tenets of the NUJ profession and maintain peace between themselves anf other members including the NUJ.

Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman of the Online Chapel, Comrade Clinton Umeh thanked the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Isiguzo for their foresight in creating the Online chapel.

He assured that “members of the Chapel will live up to expectations and work in accordance with what the Constitution says.

This Chapel is a new dawn in online practice and will provide a platform for us to unite all that are qualified under one umbrella to ensure professionalism in the discharge of our duties as Journalists.”

He also thanked the chairman of the state council and members of his executive for their guidance and direction to help the chapel see the light of the day.

The newly inaugurated executive members are:
Comrade Clinton Umeh Chairman,
Comrade Jonathan Emmanuel Ikechukwu (First News)— ViceChairman
Comrade Odomero Igbodo (Dome TV)—Secretary
Comrade Christian Nwangene ( Aproko Republic)— Assistant Secretary
Comrade Maureen Ikpeama ( Newsline Global)—Treasurer
Comrade Sebastine Okafor— (Journalist 101) Internal Auditor
Comrade Emmanuel Terwase ( Afriquecast)—Financial Secretary.

The event was witnessed by the Vice Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Regis Anikworji, the Secretary, Comrade Ifeoma Amuta, Comrade and among other members.

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Defence Headquarters Declares 8 Wanted Over Killing Of Soldiers

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The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has issued a declaration naming 8 individuals wanted in connection with the heinous killing of Late Lt. Col. AH Ali and 16 other troops in Okuama, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.

The announcement was made via the verified Defence Headquarters’ X handle on Thursday.

The wanted persons are identified as:

1. Akevwru Daniel Omotegbono (Amagbem)

2. Prof. Ekpokpo Arthur

3. Andaowei Denis Bakriri

4. Igoli Ebi

5. Akata Malawa David Sinclair Okili

6. Clement Ikolo Oghenerukvwe

7. Reuben Baru

It could be recalls  that the 17 fallen heroes were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu honoring their memory.

 

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President Tinubu Attends Burial of Slain Soldiers, Offers Scholarships to Families

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu paying his respect to Slain Soldiers

 

President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will provide scholarships up to the university level for all the children, including the unborn, of the Nigerian Army personnel killed in action at Okuama community in Delta State.

The President, who announced this at the funeral of the personnel at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, on Wednesday, directed the military authorities to ensure that the benefits of the departed are paid to their families within 90 days.

The President also declared that the federal government would provide a house in any part of the nation to each of the families of the four officers and thirteen soldiers.

At the solemn event attended by some state governors, the military hierarchy, and families of the deceased, the President bestowed posthumous National Honours on the 17 fallen heroes.

Lt Col Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, and Captain U. Zakari were given the honour of Member of the Order of Niger (MON).

Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Abdullahi Ibrahim, Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Private Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Adamu Ibrahim, Hamman Peter, and Ibrahim Adamu were awarded Federal Republic Medals.

“On the 14th day of March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

“They did not go with tanks, machine guns, and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.

“Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff narrated to me, achieved great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.

“Ali kept faith with his military calling until the end.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price,” the President said.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to justice, President Tinubu vowed to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account.

While commending the military for not embarking on a reprisal attack on the community, the President declared: “I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them, and our departed heroes will get justice.

“The elders and chiefs of Okuama also must help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.

“I wish to commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks on Okuama or its neighbouring communities. We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuama are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them,” the President stated.

President Tinubu, while commiserating with the families of the fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces, prayed God Almighty to comfort the bereaved.

“It is worth restating the debt of gratitude we owe these valiant soldiers and their families.

“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognize your valour and bravery. I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers, and insurrectionists.

“While we continue to grieve for the courageous men we lost that day, let us also, on this solemn occasion, be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace and harmony in our communities. We must begin to rebuild our communities and make them into places where love, tolerance, and harmony will reign.

‘‘Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting,” the President said.

President Tinubu urged the Armed Forces not to be discouraged by the death of their fellow compatriots but to honour their memory by rededicating themselves to the service and defence of the nation.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you: Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you.

‘‘There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue. We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love. We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation,” the Commander-in-Chief affirmed.

 

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