JUST IN: Senators tackle Akpabio over choice of Senate minority le
There was an uproar in the Senate on Tuesday following the announcement of two minority leaders by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The PDP senators had, last week, held an emergency crucial meeting on the replacement for the principal positions of Senate Minority Leader and Minority Whip. During Tuesday’s plenary, Akpabio announced the duo of Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) as minority leader and Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) as minority whip. The Senate President said the new minority leaders had the majority support of their colleagues in the opposition. He said 41 minority senators signed the document endorsing Moro as minority leader while 30 backed Ngwu for the minority whip seat.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 16:33 UTC
Obaseki’s deputy joins gov race, plans campaign
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, will next week formally declare his intention to contest the 2024 Edo State governorship election. Shaibu’s ambition has put him at loggerheads with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is believed not to be disposed to his deputy taking over from him. At the height of the face-off, Shaibu approached an Abuja High Court to stop Obaseki and the Edo State House of Assembly from impeaching him. A close aide to Shaibu on Monday told The PUNCH that “If everything works according to his (Shaibu’s) plans, he will officially declare his intention next week. “He has already secured a campaign office along Airport Road, some of the campaign vehicles have started arriving and the consultations have reached an advanced stage.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 16:03 UTC
Reps probe N447bn COVID-19 spending, summon 83 MDAs
Others include the Federal Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mines and Steel Development, Water Resources, Health, National Hospital, Abuja, and National Directorate of Employment. On Wednesday, November 29, it will be the turn of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, Lagos State; National Eye Centre, Kaduna State; National Ear Centre, Kaduna State; Ministries of Aviation, Industry, Trade and Investment; Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger State; Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja; Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi; Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State; Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State; as well as those in Katsina, Nguru, Yobe State, Asaba, Delta State and Gusau, Zamfara State. FMC TarabaThe Salam-led committee will also play host to the Federal Medical Centre, Jaligo, Taraba State; Brini Kudu, Jigawa State; Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Azare, Bauchi State, Ebute-Metta, Lagos State, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital Enugu among, others on November 30, 2023. On December 1, the Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital Kware, Sokoto State; Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba Lagos State; and the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Abeokuta, Ogun State; will take their turns before the committee. This is all I can say for now.”The COVID-19 Intervention Programmes 2020 Appropriation Act (Amendment) captured only 22 MDAs out of the 83 that were invited for the probe.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 12:04 UTC
Abia denies spending N927m on governor’s feeding
The Abia State Government has described as false reports that the state governor, Alex Otti, spent over N900 million on feeding and welfare from July to September 2023. Media reports have it that Otti spent N927 million within three months on refreshments/meals, settlement of honorarium, allowances, and welfare packages. “The accurate situation is that nothing in that region has been spent in the Governor’s Office”. “For welfare, the Abia State Government has so far spent the sum of N397,520,734.84. “Also note that the welfare expenditure covers all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies and not just the Governor’s Office, as wrongly alleged.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 05:40 UTC
ILO refers dispute on right to strike to International Court of Justice
THE governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is to refer a dispute over the right to strike to the International Court of Justice in the Hague. In a special session held on November 10, delegates took a decision by vote to urgently refer the matter to the court. The governing body decided that after receiving the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, it would consider appropriate follow-up action. Under article 37 of the ILO Constitution, any question or dispute relating to the interpretation of Conventions can be referred for decision to the International Court of Justice. The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
November 21, 2023 04:17 UTC
The great carbon divide
The great carbon divideThe climate chasm between the world’s carbon-guzzling rich and the heat-vulnerable poor forms a symbolic shape when plotted on a graph. The champagne coupe is a fitting image for the great carbon divide that we are living through. This week, the Guardian will attempt to answer these questions with a special investigation into the great carbon divide. Photograph: Johnny MillerIt is becoming clearer that the climate crisis worsens inequality and inequality worsens the climate crisis. Carbon inequality and climate injustice are intertwined with sexism, racism, the denial of indigenous rights and other drivers of inequality.
Source:The Guardian
November 21, 2023 03:33 UTC
BRT users lament shortage of buses, long queues
Some users of the Bus Rapid Transit have lamented the shortage of buses and the long queues they experience daily while pleading with the government to provide more buses. They also claimed that the cost of BRT transit was lower than those of the commercial buses, noting that the lengthy queues appeared never-ending because of the strong demand. He said, “The Lagos State Government has actually tried for us in this state but they can do better. A lot of people now use the BRT buses in Lagos. All those places are actually quite far and a lot of people go there because they are market areas.” Tobi said.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 02:37 UTC
Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
Assistant Food EditorJoy (she/her) is the Assistant Food Editor on the food team, where she develops and tests recipes to ensure both deliciousness and accuracy before they appear in titles like Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Woman’s Day, Prevention, and Country Living. After graduating from UChicago with a major in political science, she made the (best) decision to pursue her passion for food by enrolling in pastry school and working at her dream NYC restaurant, Gramercy Tavern. Before joining the GH team, Joy assisted on cookbook and editorial shoots, ran an Instagram micro bakery, and worked as a freelance writer and developer with bylines appearing in Eater, Food52, Simply Recipes, Food Network, and more. Joy has a special place in her heart for croissants and tiramisu, and is always on the hunt for the next cafe to explore in the city (a journey that never ends!
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 02:33 UTC
Crypto: Viable alternative for the unbanked population
No doubt the opportunity of providing a viable alternative for the unbanked population is making the Bitcoin Payment Platforms popular and more acceptable especially among the unbanked population. With its decentralized nature, robust security, and potential for borderless transactions, cryptocurrency is poised to become an integral part of the global financial landscape. Cryptocurrency transactions boast of significantly lower costs compared to traditional payment methods. By integrating cryptocurrency payments, your business can streamline financial transactions, reduce operational costs, and ultimately enhance profitability. The transparency offered by blockchain technology and the cost-effectiveness of cryptocurrency transactions make it a compelling choice for businesses looking to stay ahead in a dynamic marketplace.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 02:31 UTC
4.3 million people defecate openly in Oyo — UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Monday, said about 4.3 million people in Oyo still practice open defecation, while 5.6 million people lack decent toilets, calling on the State government to fast-track its effort to meet its target of ending open defecation by 2028. Now, it is time for Oyo State to pick up. Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency has worked with UNICEF for the past 2 years; they now have the capacity. “The open defection road map was to start in 2022 and end in 2028; Oyo State has not started, and almost 2 years are lost now. Oyo State only has about 2028 between now and 2028 to meet its target.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
November 21, 2023 01:07 UTC
Reps harp on enforcement of PWD Act
Dawodu who acknowledged that there is a huge lacuna in the PWD Act, averred that amendments alone will not address all the challenges. “I want to announce to you that the process to re-enact the PWD Act is already is already ongoing in the house. “The input of stakeholders will be collated at the public hearing; the committee will ensure full enforcement of PWD Act, the law of the land must be implemented. “Section 16 of the Child’s Rights Act talks about special measures for special children or children with special needs. In his remarks, Mr. Job Napoleon, a disability and Rights Advocate said that there is lacuna between the National Child Act and PWD Act.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
November 20, 2023 17:40 UTC
EXCLUSIVE: Lagos deputy governor reacts to reported N2 billion for ‘rechargeable fans’
The Lagos State official documents referenced by Mr Doherty covered projects awarded for the second and third quarters of 2023. “In addition, the report that the office through the Wife of the Deputy Governor spent =N=30,000,000 monthly for outreach to indigents is inaccurate as the amount stated covered the whole year. “Truth must be said, this is very sad and Mr. Deputy Governor has expressed his displeasure to this happening and will want your office to kindly address this by giving the public the true picture of events. One then wonders about the accuracies of the content on the site if the items concerning the Deputy Governor’s Office can be this inaccurate. Govt keeps mumMeanwhile, more than 48 hours after Mr Doherty posted his open letter to the governor on X, the government has yet to react officially to the developments.
Source:The Guardian
November 20, 2023 17:25 UTC
Diezani: Senior lawyer distances self from representing Benedict Peters at London court hearing
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Emeka Ozoani, has distanced himself from a media report, alleging that he was in the United Kingdom recently to represent billionaire businessman, Benedict Peters, at the ongoing proceedings in the Southwark Crown Court involving a former Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke. First, I did not act for, did not represent, and did not attend the court on that day for or on behalf of Benedict Peters or any other person connected with the case. I am neither an English Barrister nor solicitor and do not have right of audience in England and could not, therefore, represent anyone in the case. For the avoidance of any doubt, I hereby categorically state that I was not instructed to represent Benedict Peters in the said case, and neither did I appear as counsel or representative of Benedict Peters in the case or in any other capacity whatsoever.“Any such suggestion is false and malicious and same is hereby outrightly refuted. “The publication of the false report has caused me considerable professional and personal embarrassment immeasurable proportions.
Source:The Guardian
November 20, 2023 17:17 UTC
Demand for cooking gas drops over price hike
Demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas or cooking gas has fallen despite several interventions by the Federal Government to ramp up supply and boost local consumption, The PUNCH can authoritatively report. Gas retailers told The PUNCH over the weekend that cooking gas demand had fallen due to “low income and poor purchasing power” of consumers. The development comes on the heels of Olatunbosun’s earlier outcry that the price of a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas could hit N18, 000 by December if the government did not wade into continuous price hikes by middlemen. However, as of Sunday, Oladapo said government’s intervention had stabilise local supplies and prices have stabilised. “If not that cooking gas is a classified product and only a few can afford it, even the local supplies would not be enough to go round.
Source:Punch
November 20, 2023 14:58 UTC
Angry fans slam Eagles poor performance against Zimbabwe
Following another unimpressive performance against Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifier, some fans have once again slammed the Super Eagles labelling their display a shameful outing, The PUNCH reports. Jose Peseiro’s men put up an underwhelming performance as they laboured to a 1-1 draw against the Warriors in the second game of the qualifiers. The changes didn’t do much to change the fortune of the team as the Eagles failed to return to winning ways. Reacting to the poor performance, some fans took to social media to slam the Eagles’ poor display on Sunday. The coaching crew should prepare the team better for the next round of matches.”Clement Mbanugo jokingly tweeted, “Calculator price will increase because of Super Eagles fans.
Source:Punch
November 20, 2023 14:03 UTC