President Bola Tinubu has submitted the 2024 budget proposal for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to the House of Representatives, seeking the consideration and approval of the National Assembly. The letter, read on the floor during Tuesday’s plenary session, did not include specific estimates.
The letter emphasized compliance with sections 121 and 299 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, outlining that the budget was prepared by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. It highlighted alignment with the fiscal and development policies of the federal government and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu stated, “The FCTA is prioritizing improvement in health care services, job creation, youth empowerment, and increased productivity in agriculture to lift as many citizens as possible out of poverty.”
The budget proposal also considers the 2024/2026 economic recovery and growth plan and key assumptions in the 2024 budget. However, specific details regarding the estimates were not provided in the letter.
The Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the plenary, directed that the request be forwarded to the Committee on Appropriation for thorough deliberation, paving the way for the budget’s passage. The President expressed confidence that the proposal would receive the kind consideration and expeditious approval of the House of Representatives.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has issued a decisive ultimatum for the demolition of illegal settlements within the Chika Aleita Abuja Technological Village.
During an inspection tour, Wike directed the Development Control Department to promptly remove the settlers, citing previous compensations paid to earlier settlers in the area.
He underscored the urgency of addressing the encroachment issue, attributing it to the failure of past administrations to take action against individuals building illegally in the village despite compensation.
Wike affirmed his administration’s commitment to demonstrating political will in resolving the situation and safeguarding the substantial investment in the science and technology village.
Expressing surprise at the ongoing activities in the village, Wike instructed the ministry to provide details for constructing an office within the village instead of utilizing a rented building.
He believes that a visible presence in the village will attract more investors to the science and technology incubation hub.
In response to the situation, the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Uche Godfrey Nnaji, highlighted the risks and losses caused by illegal settlers encroaching on the village. He emphasized the detrimental impact on the country’s investment drive and expressed support for the timely intervention.
The Abuja Science and Technological Village, established by the Federal Government to incubate science and technology within a Free Trade Zone, has faced setbacks in its development.
The efforts to launch the village were impeded by the untimely demise of President Umar Musa Yar’adua’s administration. Wike’s decisive actions aim to rectify the encroachment issue and propel the village towards fulfilling its potential as a hub for scientific and technological advancements.
Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has unveiled Abuja’s untapped tourism potential during a meeting with Ali bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nigeria.
Wike conveyed the FCT administration’s eagerness to allocate land for the development of tourism centers in Abuja, emphasizing the city’s allure as a prime destination.
Highlighting ongoing initiatives, Wike spoke of the imminent completion of the Millennium Centre, a pivotal tourist attraction in the nation’s capital. He underscored the FCT’s commitment to reshaping Abuja’s narrative and ensuring a vibrant tourism sector.
“We want to fully complete the Millennium Centre, which is the main tourist center in the nation’s capital,” Wike stated, expressing a dedication to transforming Abuja’s landscape. Additionally, he assured collaboration in enhancing security measures to make Abuja a more convenient place for residents.
Ambassador Ali bin Ghanem Al-Hajri reciprocated the sentiment, expressing Qatar’s readiness to collaborate in the medical and education sectors. Recognizing Abuja as the largest capital city globally, he acknowledged the vast potential for developmental projects.
The discussions between Wike and Ambassador Al-Hajri are aimed at fostering cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar, exploring avenues for partnership in diverse sectors, and tapping into the abundant opportunities for collaborative ventures between the two nations.
In a decisive move, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed the Priesthood Orphanage in Karonmajigi, taking swift action following the rescue of 23 children, aged 1-14 years, allegedly trafficked from Plateau state.
Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, affirmed the closure, stating, “There is no question, yesterday, with immediate effect, that ‘home’ was sealed, shut down.” She refrained from naming the proprietor but emphasized that an official gazetted presentation of the facts would be made once the material investigation concludes.
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has authorized the recertification and profiling of all orphanages in Abuja, underscoring a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in such facilities.
NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) has taken charge of the case, collaborating with the FCT Women’s Secretariat and the Plateau State government to reunite the rescued children with their families. These children, who had endured up to five years of hunger and neglect at the uncertified orphanage, are now the focus of a coordinated effort for their welfare.
Mrs. Caroline Dafur, the Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions at the orphanage, recounting, “The place is just so unkempt. I wonder how the children were sleeping in the small room.” She narrated the distressing situation where nine girls and boys were cramped into small rooms with minimal amenities.
Acknowledging the assistance provided by the FCT Women’s Secretariat in evacuating and relocating the children to the Karu Children’s Home, Mrs. Dafur conveyed the displeasure of the Plateau state government towards the orphanage proprietors who had abandoned the children in dire circumstances.
The recertification initiative for orphanages in Abuja underscores a commitment to preventing such incidents and ensuring the welfare of children in care facilities. The collaborative efforts between NAPTIP, the FCT Women’s Secretariat, and state governments aim to rectify the unfortunate conditions these rescued children endured, as they take steps towards reuniting them with their families.
…Says ban on its use by other security agencies remains
Due to the present security situation in the country, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has reaffirmed the ban on unauthorized use of Military camouflage, saying that it was only the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force while on Joint Operation with the Military who are allowed by law to use the Military camouflage.
This was contained in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, Director (Press & Public Relations) of the Ministry of Defence.
The Minister’ call is coming at this time when criminals disguise as Military and Para Military personnels to cause havoc in the society.
“The present situation does not support the use of Military camouflage by people who are not authorized or not personnels of DHQ'” he said.
According to him, the criminals among us have had to take advantage of the Military, Police and other security agencies’ gears to perpetrate crimes.
The Minister emphasized that there was the need to streamline the personnels that are authorized to use the Military camouflage.
He said Government ban on other Para Military Agencies from the use of the Military camouflage was to bring sanity to the system and also as a way of checkmating criminal activities.
Dr. Matawalle emphasized the readiness of the Nigeria Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police to enforce the directive given by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the immediate cessation of the use of camouflage uniforms by para-military agencies.
“The circular titled Observation on Proliferation in the Use of Camouflage Uniforms by Other Security Agencies in Nigeria,” personally signed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, mandated personnels of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Federal Fire Service, among others, to discontinue the use of camouflage uniforms henceforth, following the directive issued by ONSA.”
Accordingly, the Minister stated that the use of camouflage uniform by various security agencies other than the Armed Forces namely, the Army, Navy and the Air Force remain banned.
He however gave exception to the use by the Nigerian Police Force, which he said they can only use it when on Joint Operation with the Military.
He said the enforcement of the ban becomes imperative in view of the security implications and concerns raised on the clamour of duplicity and proliferation in the country.
He pointed out the importance of this caution saying that: “The measure is aimed at check mating crime rate in Nigeria, adding that if we identify those that are authorized to use the camouflage, we can quickly differentiate them from criminals that intend to confuse us,” he said.
Dr. Matawalle said that henceforth extant laws guiding the use of camouflage uniform in Nigeria would strictly be enforced.
The House of Representatives Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Losses has sought collaboration with the Nigerian Navy to address the persistent stealing of the country’s crude oil. Committee Chairman, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, appealed to the Navy for relevant information to identify those behind the theft.
The committee aims to unravel the culprits responsible for the theft, which has been a major concern for the economy. Doguwa emphasized the economic impact of crude oil theft and its potential threat to national security.
During a special engagement with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Doguwa assured the Navy that any confidential information obtained would be handled with utmost care. The committee has initiated legislative work and plans to conduct public investigative hearings to address malpractices associated with oil theft.
In his remarks, Doguwa highlighted the economic consequences of failing to meet Nigeria’s oil production targets, attributing the shortfall to crude oil theft. The committee recently visited a site where two vessels involved in crude oil theft were arrested in Delta State.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, acknowledged the challenge of oil theft and emphasized the Navy’s commitment to collaborating with other agencies to address the issue. He highlighted the shortage of personnel in overseeing the vast waterways, which cover over 1/10th of Nigeria’s land space.
Ogala mentioned the Navy’s efforts in arresting vessels involved in oil theft, with 34 vessels arrested between July 2023 and the present date. He stressed the importance of collaboration with other agencies, communities, and international organizations to enhance maritime safety and security.
The Naval chief named two desk officers to collaborate with the House committee in addressing crude oil theft.
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has once again criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, attributing them to the ongoing hardships faced by Nigerians. Atiku asserted that Tinubu’s administration failed to showcase concrete policy steps to address currency fluctuation and poverty.
In a statement, Atiku claimed that President Tinubu’s new foreign exchange (FX) management policy lacked proper plans and consultations with stakeholders. He expressed concern that the government did not anticipate or downplayed the potential negative consequences of its actions.
“At a meeting called at his instance on Thursday to address the Foreign Exchange crisis and the problem of economic downturn, among others, Bola Tinubu failed, yet again, to showcase any concrete policy steps that his administration is taking to contain the crises of currency fluctuation and poverty that face the country,” Atiku stated.
He argued that the government’s hasty implementation of the FX management policy without proper planning led to adverse consequences. Atiku emphasized the need for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to have independence in designing and implementing a sound FX Management Policy to address liquidity, regulate demand, manage FX backlogs, and achieve rate convergence.
While highlighting his policy prescriptions to rescue the country from economic challenges, Atiku referred to his document titled “My Covenant With Nigerians,” where he advocated for reforms in the foreign exchange market and the elimination of multiple exchange rate windows.
Atiku concluded by expressing confidence that with an open approach, control of internal corruption, and improved management of foreign loans, the Nigerian economy could gradually recover.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing battle against criminals and disruptive elements threatening the peace and security of lives and property in the state. The governor made this statement during a closed-door meeting with the chairmen of the 21 Local Government Councils, aimed at bolstering the state’s security architecture.
Governor Ododo pledged to allocate more resources to enhance the state’s existing security framework, making it more proactive in combating violent crimes. He emphasized that no efforts would be spared until Kogi is rid of criminal elements.
“Given the successes recorded by the immediate past administration of my predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in taming the menace of insecurity in the state, we must continue to accord top priority to the security of lives and property of the people,” Governor Ododo stated.
He underscored that security of lives and property remains the foremost priority of his government, and he is determined to protect the people of Kogi State at all costs.
“I have restated my commitment to the local government chairmen that security remains my first priority, and we must be prepared to do whatever it takes to secure every inch of Kogi State, and this is not negotiable,” emphasized the Governor.
Governor Ododo urged the local government chairmen to intensify efforts in securing all communities within their respective areas. He emphasized the importance of staying in touch with the people, considering them as primary sources of intelligence gathering for effective security interventions by the government.
Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike, have urged Nigerians to exercise patience, emphasizing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies are crucial for building a stronger and prosperous economy.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving Service organized in Koroma Tai LGA by Senator Barry Mpigi to appreciate God for his electoral victory, Akpabio emphasized that Tinubu’s policies are designed to gradually lead the country to the desired economic footprints, acknowledging that such achievements would take time.
Akpabio stated, “Be rest assured that we campaigned for this job and we will not let you down. All we need is patience. The rot that has happened in Nigeria for many years cannot be solved within months.”
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike acknowledged that Nigerians are expressing concerns about President Tinubu’s decisions but stressed that these decisions are essential for the country’s progress. He called for stakeholders’ support to address the inherited crisis and uphold the President’s decisions.
Wike noted, “I believe that God in his infinite mercy will give us the strength to work and continue to support Mr. President. The decision of Mr. President is hard but if we are patient at the end of the day we will get to where we want to go.”
Expressing surprise at the change in tone from governors and others who initially praised Tinubu, Wike urged Nigerians not to lose hope, pointing out that the administration’s positive impact in Abuja is a sign of better days ahead.
He praised the Senate President for his leadership, especially in maintaining a robust relationship between the National Assembly and the President. Wike emphasized the need for unity and collaboration to tackle issues like insecurity and hardship, irrespective of party affiliations.
In conclusion, Wike commended Senator Mpigi for his role and leadership, highlighting the uncommon unity observed in the National Assembly, where party lines are not strictly adhered to when addressing governance issues.
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of five suspects involved in the diversion and theft of goods, with the recovered items belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP). The police emphasized their commitment to enforcing laws and implementing anti-crime strategies to combat illegal activities at various ports and economic hubs in Nigeria.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed the arrests and recovery in a statement, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting the government’s agenda for quick economic recovery and development.
The Eastern Port Police Command confirmed the arrest of the suspects connected to the diversion of 1,840 bags of wheat meant for transportation from Ibeto Port Terminal, Port-Harcourt, to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kano State. The fraudulently diverted bags were intercepted and recovered by police operatives on February 6, 2024.
The five suspects, identified as Umar Hashim, Edidiong Umoh, Udah Stanley, Abubakar Jariri, and Yunusa Babangida, were apprehended alongside the vehicles used in the crime—a truck and a bus. A total of 1,238 stolen bags of wheat were recovered and returned to the World Food Programme.
Efforts are underway to recover the remaining 602 bags of wheat and apprehend other suspects associated with the crime. The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterated the police’s commitment to dealing with individuals engaged in activities that sabotage the country’s economy and cause hardships for vulnerable members of the public. The suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations and tying up all loose ends.
