End in sight as Israel, Hamas agree four-day truce for hostages’ release, aid into Gaza
For every additional 10 hostages released, the pause would be extended by another day, it said, without mentioning the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Hamas said the 50 hostages would be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children who are held in Israeli jails. The truce deal will also allow hundreds of trucks of humanitarian, medical and fuel aid to enter Gaza, the Palestinian group said in a statement. Israel had committed not to attack or arrest anyone in all parts of Gaza during the truce period, it added. To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel,” he said in a recorded message at the start of the government meeting.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
November 22, 2023 09:27 UTC
Man cuts off friend’s hand over soft drink quarrel
The Fulani community in the Ogunmakin area of Ogun State was thrown into confusion and shock on Monday when two friends identified as Abdullahi Audu and Usman Muhammed nearly hacked each other to death following a misunderstanding over a bottle of soft drink. However, the incident further became uglier when the knife Muhammed stuck in Audu’s abdomen was said to have brought out his (Audu) intestine, leaving both friends grimacing in pain. Meanwhile, PUNCH Metro reports that both victims are currently receiving treatment at one Immaculate Hospital in the community. Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident, said they had begun an investigation into the matter. We are investigating the matter,” Odutola simply stated via a WhatsApp message on Tuesday.
Source:Punch
November 22, 2023 08:05 UTC
States spend N1.7tn on trips, meals, others, borrow N988bn
Anambra’s non-salary spend was N15.17bn as of the end of Q2, 2023; Bauchi was N70.25bn. Benue’s non-salary spend was N34.44bn. As of the end of Q2, 2023, Ekiti’s non-salary spend was N31.33bn. Enugu’s non-salary spend as of the end of Q3, 2023 amounted to N33.36bn, Gombe was N24.73bn (for Q1 and Q2). Jigawa’s non-salary spend was N49.64bn which included allowances of N22.07bn, N1.18bn on transport and travelling, N1.83bn on materials and supplies including drugs, vaccines, medical supplies, stationaries, and more.
Source:Punch
November 22, 2023 07:57 UTC
‘AGF drafting bill on public finance management, treasury reforms’
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) is drafting a Bill that will give legal backing to the Public Finance Management (PFM) Reform initiatives and the operations of the Treasury of the Federation. Bawa Mokwa Director (Press) in OAGF said in a statement that Dr. Madein highlighted that the Finance Control and Management Act of 1958 which is currently the principal legislation in operation, has become obsolete and inadequate to support the Public Finance Management (PFM) Reforms. She said the Bill, when passed into law, will repeal the Finance Control and Management Act 1958 and enact the Public Finance Management Bill which will provide legal framework for the operations of the Treasury, institutionalise the Public Finance management (PFM) Reforms and regulate the management of public funds. On revenue collection, Dr. Madein decried revenue collection in cash by Revenue Agencies, stating that this practice promotes leakages in revenue collection. She advised Revenue Agencies to devise efficient revenue collection strategies to forestall leakages.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
November 22, 2023 04:40 UTC
“Gov. Buni Allocates N7.5 Million House and Financial Aid to Family of Slain Policeman”
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has instructed the acquisition of a N7.5 million house for the family of the late Corporal Mohammed Maina, who was tragically killed in an ambush on the governor’s convoy by suspected terrorists along the Maiduguri-Damaturu route last Saturday. The directive, revealed in a press statement by Mamman Mohammed, the Director General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Buni, includes N2 million for immediate needs and N1 million for the children’s school fees. Additionally, the governor approved N1 million for each of the six injured security personnel and an extra N2 million for their medical expenses. Governor Buni, expressing condolences and prayers for the deceased and injured, also authorized the release of food items to the affected families. The Emir of Damaturu, Shehu Hashimi II ibn al-Amin El-Kanemi, presented these items to the victims’ family, accompanied by the Special Advisers on Religious Affairs, Ustaz Babagana Mallam-Kyari.
Source:Punch
November 22, 2023 04:01 UTC
“Gov. Soludo Unveils N410 Billion Budget for Anambra State in 2024”
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has unveiled a proposed budget of N410 billion for Anambra State in 2024, presenting the estimate to the State House of Assembly in Awka, the capital. Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! This marks a 57.8 percent increase from the 2023 budget of over N280 billion. Notably, the budget allocates N96.2 billion to Recurrent expenditure and N313.9 billion to Capital expenditure, with 77 percent of the total budget focused on Capital projects. Soludo emphasized that this budget reflects a strategic shift toward realizing the promised transformation agenda for a vibrant and prosperous smart mega city.
Source:Punch
November 22, 2023 03:56 UTC
FCTA shifts ground rent payment deadline, threatens revocation
Following the expiration of the deadline earlier given to land allottees owing ground rents in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has extended the payment deadline till December 14, 2023. The PUNCH reports that the FCT Administration in September published land titles of individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies, with a reminder of their obligation to pay the ground rent on January 1 every year, as stated in their given Certificates of Occupancy. He added that the FCTA expected to rake in about N30bn from the payment of ground debts in the territory. “The FCTA wishes to remind the general public of the final notice given for settlement of outstanding ground rents and to note that the grace period has elapsed, thus paving the way for enforcement of attendant sanctions. “In consideration of the sustained response from affected allottees and in order not to disenfranchise those who are still in queue for collection of ground rent bill and are eager to pay, the minster, FCT has graciously approved that additional time be granted from the expiration of the final notice to 14th of December, 2023.”“The administration is expecting over N30 billion from the grant rent payment.”
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 22:34 UTC
JUST IN: We can make mistakes, Sanwo-Olu reacts to Lagos spending
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, said no administration was immune to mistakes, adding that his government was committed to public goods. The governor said this while reacting to the procurement record released by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency during the inauguration of the Lagos State Building Control Agency Building, PWD Ikeja. While welcoming the open letter by the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress in Lagos, Funso Doherty, Sanwo-Olu assured him that the government will continue to publish its spending and keep it open for public scrutiny. “Some officers in Lagos have all come out to say that indeed we can make mistakes on some lines of items. “For me, I’m leading a team of very dedicated public officials; I’m leading a team of committed civil servants.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 19:58 UTC
Five Finger Death Punch – Celebrate The 10th Anniversary Of “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Vol. 1 And 2”
Five Finger Death Punch – Celebrate The 10th Anniversary Of “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Vol. 1 And 2”Five Finger Death Punch – Celebrate The 10th Anniversary Of “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Vol. In 2013, Five Finger Death Punch launched 2 albums, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 & Volume 2. The album has been certified platinumfor sales of at least 1,000,000 copies in the US and was produced by Five Finger Death Punch and Kevin Churko. The album was certified gold by the RIAA and is also produced by Five Finger Death Punch and Kevin Churko.
Source:Punch
November 21, 2023 16:48 UTC
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