BUDGET Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), says it has tracked 16, 213 constituency projects in 583 out of 774 local government areas in the country. The Foundation’s Budget Developer, Mr Henry Omokhaye, made the disclosure in Lokoja at a 2-Day Training Workshop organised by Stallion Times, a Non-Governmental Organization Supported by McAuthour Foundation, on Thursday. The budget expert, who spoke on the topic: “Budget Monitoring: Understanding the Concept and Tracking Constituency Projects,” underscored the importance of budget tracking by citizens including the media. Omokhaye said that the tracking was carried out in 11, 017 communities in 33 states of the…
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A group, Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) on Friday asked the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to activate its threat to embark on a three-day warning strike if the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the other university unions were not resolved soon after the recent nationwide protests. While condemning what it described as the ‘lackadaisical attitude of the Buhari/APC-led federal government on the ongoing strike action, the group said instead of meeting the demands of the striking lecturers, the federal government had taken extreme measures in stopping the payment of salaries of the workers. “We…
SOMETIMES, one is forced to repeat himself over and over again simply because that is what the facts dictate. I cannot remember how many times I have prefaced my articles with the phrase that Nigeria has never had it so bad. For the umptieth time therefore, I have never seen Nigeria in such dire straits. Terrorists have surrounded our capital city Abuja, they are attacking the elite Brigade of Guards soldiers established to protect the Nation’s leaders and its inhabitants. They have freed their colleagues jailed in the Kuje Correctional Centre and they are now threatening to capture the President…
By Amos Aar GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Thursday launched Benue State Community Volunteer Guard (BSCVG) in Makurdi, the state capital. The governor said the Volunteer Guards will complement conventional security formations in line with the new law. According to him, the operations of the new outfit will be in strict conformity with the law establishing BSCVG. Ortom cautioned that any of the personnel found operating outside the law will not only be shown the way out but will be prosecuted as well. Governor Ortom who expressed worry that over 1.5 million people were displaced and were either…
THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the Defence Headquarters is implementing several new strategies that will bring about an end to various security challenges in the country. Irabor stated this while delivering a Graduation Lecture for Course 30 of the National Defence College (NDC) on the topic “National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria’’ on Wednesday in Abuja. He identified the need to deepen strategic communication, implement a press code for responsible Journalism and pursue proactive security measures to reduce the impact of regional dynamics in the country. Irabor said there was need to encourage…
THE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to develop its capacity for the local production and procurement of needed military equipment. Yahaya, represented by the Director of Training, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, stated this at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) Symposium on the Nigerian Civil War 2022 on Wednesday, in Abuja. The symposium has the theme: “Defence Production and Defence Procurement in the Nigerian Civil War: Lessons for Operational Level Commanders’’. He said that Nigeria had the sad experience of civil war that brought out valuable lessons that…
THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to partner with relevant stakeholders to curb vote buying during elections in the country. Mr Femi Gold, the commission’s Chief Superintendent, Public Enlightenment, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He said beyond the arrest and prosecution of vote buyers, the ICPC was intensifying sensitisation campaign in collaboration with stakeholders against the menace. Gold spoke against the backdrop of a recent study on why people buy and sell votes in Nigeria, conducted by an NGO, Good Governance Awareness Initiative. The official…
THE Anglican Primate of all Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has tasked all eligible Nigerians to ensure that they participate in the 2023 general elections to elect credible leaders for the country. Ndukuba, also the Metropolitan Archbishop, gave the advice at the Conference of Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers from Anglican dominion in Abuja on Tuesday with the theme: “Behold, I will do a new thing”. He said Nigerians must use their votes to elect credible leaders that would turn around things in the county for the better. He said that the conference was aimed at enhancing the welfare of…
THE Federal Government has reiterated its commitment towards ensuring to net-zero in the country. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Hassan Musa, expressed the commitment at the 16th meeting of the National Council on Environment, organised by the ministry in Abuja on Tuesday. Musa said that the theme of the meeting, “Pursuit of Zero Emission; a New Trajectory Toward Global Environment Renaissance”, was chosen to reflect the reality of what seemed to be an unnecessary hype by a lay man, yet with fundamental consequences already routing the communities. According to him, this has necessitated a wakeup call for action…
JOHN Cardinal Onaiyekan on Tuesday in Abuja called on Nigerians to join forces in the fight against insecurity in the country. Onaiyekan, the founder of Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), made the call at the graduation ceremony of the fifth set of COFP fellowship programme on inter-religious dialogue and conflict. He said the recent exploits of terrorists had destroyed lives and properties while he prayed that the situation would end soon. According to Onaiyekan, what is needed and necessary is for Christians, Muslims and traditional leaders to join forces of heart, mind and hands to deal with the common…