Paradise News

Tag: World

  • You Are Licking Wounds Of Peter Obi’s Electoral Defeat – APC Hit Back At Former SGF Babachir Lawal

    The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has hit back at the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, saying he’s still licking the wounds of seeing his candidate, Peter Obi of the Labour Party being defeated by president Bola Tinubu.

    The APC through a statement issued on Tuesday evening by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said there was no iota of truth in what Lawal said regarding the outcome of the February presidential election.

    Lawal had in a statement he issued on Tuesday said Peter Obi of the Labour Party won the election based on available data, charging the president to resign for courting controversy regarding his age, name, academic records among others.

    The former SGF further urged Tinubu to resign so he could take proper care of his failing health.

    But the APC took a swipe at the former senior member of the party saying he failed spectacularly when he was made an SGF and equally saw his dream of flying a joint ticket collapse hence his attack on the president and the exalted position he occupies.

    The statement read, “Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, emerged from his hibernation slinging incoherent aspersions on the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the exalted office he occupies.

    “After a long hiatus licking his wounds from the monumental electoral loss of his candidate in the last presidential election, Mr. Lawal unabashedly is out again, peddling gibberish, rather than learn from his political misadventure with equanimity.

    “Clearly, the defeat of his principal, Peter Obi, at the poll has done incalculable damage to Mr. Lawal’s psyche and his capacity for rational thought as evident in his analysis based entirely on the figment of his warped imagination rather than on hard facts and figures. A clear sign of his disconnect from reality was his reference to the election held in May 2023, rather than February.”

    The statement added, “We challenge Babachir Lawal to give a detailed breakdown of his so- called ‘aggregated facts sourced from independent sources’, which he claimed proved that Obi won the election or forever remain mute.

    “That he did not provide these facts to help Obi prove his case before the Presidential Elections Petitions Court is a massive disservice if not betrayal of his political principal.

    “Babachir Lawal ought to have known that running a jaundiced commentary on a matter before the Supreme Court is the height of irresponsibility.

    “But he is still nursing bitterness and vindictiveness over his failed dream of running on a joint ticket with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    The party further said, “Indeed, Babachir Lawal is in dire need of professional counselling and deserves our collective pity.

    “It is obvious he may never get over the pain of being tossed into the dustbin of political ignominy by President Bola Tinubu who, against all odds, defeated Mr Peter Obi who exploited our religious and ethnic fault lines in his campaign for the nation’s highest office.

    “Thankfully, Nigerians across all ethnic and religious divides, saw through Babachir Lawal’s and Peter Obi’s shenanigans and voted for the best candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    “Furthermore, it is very uncharitable for Mr. Babachir Lawal to call to question the professional competence of President Tinubu’s appointees, some of whom he cannot hold a candle to their political and professional accomplishments.

    “Babachir Lawal is one lightweight politician who thinks himself a heavyweight. He failed spectacularly as a politician in his State of Adamawa where in three election circles he could not deliver his ward and local government in his Hong Local Government.

    “Despite his legendary failure as a politician, former President Muhammadu Buhari in deference to diversity appointed him to the high office of SGF where he was unceremoniously sacked on account of very poor performance and dishonourable conduct.

    “A man like Babachir Lawal is in no position to offer an opinion on the competence of President Tinubu’s appointees.

    “We are convinced that these appointees would justify the confidence reposed in them by the President by delivering on the promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.

    “And while they are at it, we would admonish Babachir Lawal to concentrate on managing his farm and stop constituting himself into a needless distraction unbefitting of his age and status,” the statement added.

    Source

  • Lionel Messi tops a list of the most marketable athletes for the second time as last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo tumbles 26 places

    Lionel Messi tops a list of the most marketable athletes for the second time as last year

    Superstar footballer, Lionel Messi has topped a list of the world’s top 50 most marketable athletes for the second time, according to new data analysis.

    The Inter Miami playmaker achieved a major milestone in 2022-2023 after winning the World Cup in Qatar with Argentina in December.

    The 36-year-old inked a lucrative move from Paris Saint-Germain to MLS over the summer and his first start in Florida has earned him even greater exposure to a global audience.

    Messi is believed to be preparing to win a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or at the end of October, which will burnish his star further.

    As per Sports Pro Media, the former Barcelona icon’s on-pitch success has translated to his marketability, as he tops the list just three years after coming first in 2020.

    Messi is one of just four footballers to round out the top ten.  Second on the list, is NBA superstar LeBron James, with seven-time NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo in fourth.

     

    Last year’s winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, was nowhere to be seen on the heels of his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, slipping from the top spot to a surprising 27th year-on-year.

     

     

    Top 10 most marketable athletes – in full 

    1. Lionel Messi (football)

    2. LeBron James (basketball)

    3. Alex Morgan (football)

    4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (basketball)

    5. Megan Rapinoe (footballer – retired)

    6. Mikaela Shiffrin (alpine skiing)

    7. Lewis Hamilton (F1)

    8. Simone Biles (gymnastics)

    9. Kylian Mbappe (football)

    10. Max Verstappen (F1)  

    Source

  • Borno Governor Gives Brothels, Others 12 Hours To Vacate Maiduguri Community, Orders Demolition Of Settlement ‘Offering Underage Sex’ Within 3 Days

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum gave the directive on Tuesday after visiting the settlement, which is situated around Railway Staff Quarters.

    Borno State Government on Tuesday issued a 12-hour quit notice to brothels and other elements engaging in prostitution and drug trafficking in the Bayan Quarters of Maiduguri.

     

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum gave the directive on Tuesday after visiting the settlement, which is situated around Railway Staff Quarters.

     

    The governor ordered the demolition of brothels and other black spots in Maiduguri, the state capital.

     

    According to a statement issued on Tuesday, Zulum gave the directive during a visit to the community which reportedly hosts some brothels and criminal hideouts in Maiduguri.

     

    The area also harbours “minors for commercial sex activities,” according to the statement.

     

    According to the directive, the settlement which harbours criminals and underaged girls for commercial sex activities will be demolished in 72 hours. However, the illegal brothels were given 12 hours to vacate the area.

     

    In October 2019, the then-justice commissioner for the state, Mr Kaka Shehu Lawan, said about 20 brothels, alcohol joints, and illegal hotels had been destroyed for violating extant state laws banning their operations.

     

    According to him, three hotels were also shut down for allowing underaged girls to be drugged and sexually abused by adults.

     

    Some of the hotels were also accused of promoting same-sex relationships.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Source

  • ‘He needs counseling and pity,’ APC tackles Babachir Lawal for claiming Obi won presidential election

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday night berated the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, on his remark on the February 25 election.

    Lawal had in a statement issued earlier on Tuesday said the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, won the election.

    He added that President Bola Tinubu finished third in the exercise.

    The ex-SGF said: “Right from the start of the campaigns, Bola knew he was not going to win the election in a free and fair contest so he decided to go by all means.

    “Available factual data as aggregated from several independent sources indicate that Obi got the majority votes while Atiku came second. Bola came a distant third in the number of votes scored.”

    However, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said Lawal was still angry over his rejection by President Tinubu on the choice of running mate for the election.

    It described the ex-SGF as a legendary failure in dire need of counselling and pity.

    The statement read: “Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, emerged from his hibernation slinging incoherent aspersions on the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and the exalted office he occupies.

    “After a long hiatus licking his wounds from the monumental electoral loss of his candidate in the last presidential election, Mr. Lawal unabashedly is out again, peddling gibberish, rather than learn from his political misadventure with equanimity.

    “Clearly, the defeat of his principal, Peter Obi, at the poll has done incalculable damage to Mr. Lawal’s psyche and his capacity for rational thought as evident in his analysis based entirely on the figment of his warped imagination rather than on hard facts and figures.

    “A clear sign of his disconnect from reality was his reference to elections held in May 2023, rather than February.

    “We challenge Babachir Lawal to give a detailed breakdown of his so-called ‘aggregated facts sourced from independent sources’, which he claimed proved that Obi won the election or forever keep mute. That he did not provide these facts to help Obi prove his case before the Presidential Elections Petitions Court is a massive disservice if not a betrayal of his political principal.

    “Babachir Lawal ought to have known that running a jaundiced commentary on a matter before the Supreme Court is the height of irresponsibility. But he is still nursing bitterness and vindictiveness over his failed dream of running on a joint ticket with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    “Indeed, Babachir Lawal is in dire need of professional counseling and deserves our collective pity. It is obvious he may never get over the pain of being tossed into the dustbin of political ignominy by President Bola Tinubu who, against all odds, defeated Mr. Peter Obi who exploited our religious and ethnic fault lines in his campaign for the nation’s highest office.

    “Thankfully, Nigerians across all ethnic and religious divides saw through Babachir Lawal’s and Peter Obi’s shenanigans and voted for the best candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.”

    Source

  • Kano govt. to collaborate with agencies to sanitise environmental sector

    The Kano government says it will collaborate with relevant organisations to sanitise the state’s environmental sector.

    The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Nasiru Sule-Garo, made this known when he received the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Kano.

    A statement by the director of Environment and Climate Change, Ismail Gwammaja, said Mr Sule-Garo expressed delight at the visit, describing the agency as a strong stakeholder and partner in progress on environmental issues.

    Mr Sule-Garo, who noted the support and contribution of NESREA at the federal and state government levels, asked for cross-fertilisation of ideas between the ministry and the agency.

    He said they should not hesitate to come to the ministry for seamless collaboration and engagement for all environmental laws, guidelines, and education amongst the general public.

    The coordinator of the NESREA, Kano State Field Office, Lawal Lukman, explained that the visit was to rejoice with the commissioner over his appointment and register their support and commitment to the ministry.

    The coordinator, however, presented some of the key issues militating against the smooth operation of the agency and solicited government intervention to address them.

    (NAN)

    Source

  • Chinese fighter jet harasses Canadian plane on UN mission

    In a tense standoff over international waters, a Chinese military jet took “aggressive” actions against a Canadian Armed Forces Aurora aircraft on Monday.

    The Canadian aircraft was part of Operation NEON, Canada’s initiative in support of enforcing United Nations sanctions against North Korea, according to Global News.

    Maj. Gen. Iain Huddleston, told Global News, “They became very aggressive and to a degree we would deem it unsafe and unprofessional.” The incident occurred during a mission in which Global News reporters were present on the Canadian military aircraft.

    Huddleston further elaborated on the situation, noting an unwarranted increase in aggression, stating, “It’s a ramp-up of the aggressiveness that’s really unexpected and unnecessary in the context of the mission that we’re flying.”

    Throughout the mission, which spanned over eight hours, the Canadian aircraft faced consistent interceptions by at least two Chinese jets. The interceptions brought the Chinese aircraft alarmingly close to the Canadian aircraft, with distances shrinking to just five meters.

    While many of the encounters were considered professional by the Canadian Armed Forces members on board, one specific Chinese jet equipped with air-to-air missiles acted especially aggressively, maneuvering dangerously close and positioning itself in the Canadian aircraft’s blind spot.

    READ MORE: Video: Sen. Fetterman attacks China for buying farmland in US

    Discussing the unsettling proximity of the encounter, Huddleston said, “I’m concerned when they do that. There’s a heightened risk to those sorts of interactions and we’d like to avoid those as much as we can. We record these things up through the chain with the evidence we gather and then allow our diplomatic agencies to become involved.”

    Adding to the alarming situation, the Chinese jet deployed several firework-like flares near the Canadian plane, according to Global News. “In terms of escalation that’s a very unsafe act,” Huddleston commented on the flare incident.

    During the Canadian aircraft’s mission, the 13-member crew identified a “vessel of interest” linked to illegal oil shipments to North Korea. Emphasizing their purpose, Huddleston said, “We’re here enforcing a United Nations resolution. We are not here acting against the Chinese. We don’t want to have anything untoward happen that would result in loss of life.”

    The underlying reasons for such aggressive posturing by the Chinese jets remain unclear. However, the Canadian team, committed to their mission, maintained their position in international waters, making sure to communicate their identity and purpose to the Chinese pilots by radio.

    This news article was partially created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and edited and fact-checked by a human editor.



    Source

  • Otu: The Prince Delivering Sweetness At 64

    “The most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness,” wrote the French Renaissance philosopher, Michel Eyquem, Seigneur de Montaigne, commonly known as Michel de Montaigne. This is true of Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, who turns 64 on October 18.

    There is a certain certitude about the governor who bears the sobriquet, The Sweetest Prince, that is putting smiles on the faces of those he serves.

    His coming to this appellation bears testimony to his innate belief that all men should be happy in the hope that it sends a ripple effect in service to people and community.

    As the 18th Chief Executive of Cross River State, Otu came at a time of great economic challenge, social dislocation and near-despondency occasioned by several factors, chief of which are the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and removal of fuel subsidy, low revenue generation, infrastructural deficit and an aging, less-motivated workforce.

    Like the wartime prime minister of Britain, Sir Winston Churchill, Otu, fully aware that it was at a time such as this that he was called forth from near-political eclipse, rallied citizens of the state on May 29, 2023 when he said: “We are excited to be here at a time like this; for champions are made in trying moments. We are confident and determined to restructure our huge debt stock while strengthening our fiscal pasture.

    “I commit to you and my God, to, at all times, put you first in all consideration as we begin a journey of a prosperous and glorious future.”

    This clarion call echoes Churchill’s rallying cry to the British people at the House of Commons on June 18, 1940 when he said; “Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British Commonwealth and Empire lasts for a thousand years men will still say, ‘this was their finest hour’.”

    Indeed, the finest hour for Cross River State is nigh as Prince Otu, without any illusion of an easy ride, has set about laying a firm foundation on which to build a state that works for all with his People’s First Agenda.

    As a politician, the governor lives the conviction of his belief, “I am in politics to serve humanity.” And owing to this, he was bestowed the endearing appellation, “The Sweet Prince,” and would later take a notch higher to “The Sweetest Prince.”

    As it is often said, “Politics is almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war, you can only be killed once, but in politics many times,” so has it been with Prince Otu. First elected into the House of Representatives in 2003 to represent the good people of Calabar Municipality/Odukpani, an office he occupied until 2011), he set about serving diligently and putting not just his constituents first, but the whole of Nigeria.

    As chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) Rep Otu led the agenda in revolutionising the petroleum sector by strengthening the Petroleum Technology Development Fund as a more effective vehicle to develop local content in the oil and gas industry.

    He would further deepen indigenous participation in that sector when he was elected senator in 2011 to represent Cross River South Senatorial District by drafting and sponsoring the Nigerian Content Development Act that gave birth to the Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB).

    While working to give Nigerians a chance in the lucrative oil and gas industry, he remained a man of the streets, and there was always a carnival-like atmosphere when he visited his senatorial districts. For the people, his mere presence was an elixir to hope and expectation that all will be well.

    In spite of his deep sense of commitment to his people and constituents, political machinations would deny him the opportunity to return to the Upper Chamber in the next elections, while the political establishment would find him useful in other areas.

    But as man fated for a greater thing, destiny conspired with the former Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade, and Prince Otu was anointed as the worthy bearer of the rallying cry for political stability and equity in the Back-to-South Movement, counted for great gain for the state. And like Nathaniel Bassey will sing, “See what the Lord has done!”

    For the common man on the street, nothing could be sweeter than having him on the ballot as governor above and more than the senatorial ticket that was denied him. His popularity acceptance was unmistakable as he swept through the state in 15 out of the 18 local governments and could have taken all but for some electoral abracadabra. Like they say, “the rest is history”.

    As governor, Otu has placed agriculture and tourism as lynchpins of the state’s economic revival and is investing resources and manpower in this regard. His assemblage of a blend of technocrats, politicians, and private sector driven individuals in his various appointments speak to his broad vision not to allow any sector suffer, insisting that each should complement the other.

    Since his assumption as Governor of Cross River State, Prince Otu has embarked on bridge building, cross-cutting tours across the state to take stock of projects and infrastructure and meeting with diverse groups and peoples to have first-hand experience of their needs and concerns. For instance, during a fire outbreak at the popular Hausa quarters, Bogobiri, in the Calabar metropolis, he was there to commiserate with the traders and made a donation of N20million to cushion their losses.

    In fidelity to his People’s First Mantra, Cross River State was the first to announce conditional cash transfer to all civil servants before the federal government borrowed a leaf and announced same. This is beside other incentives in the face of fuel subsidy removal palaver.

    A firm believer in God as a practising Christian, all state meetings are not without prayers –opening and closing. For a man who has seen the ups and downs of life and bears witness to God turning it around, this is not surprising.

    For many a Cross Riverian, the hope remains that he will remain efferent, conducting sweetness and like Churchill, always bear in mind, “I felt as if I were walking with Destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour”.

    Happy Birthday, Your Excellency!

    – Ogbeche is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

    Disclaimer: This article is entirely the opinion of the writer and does not represent the views of The Whistler.

    Source

  • Pioneering Project Launches in Ejinrin, Epe Lagos

     

    Pioneering Project Launches in Ejinrin, Epe Lagos

    Lagos State Government, led by the visionary Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will be conducting the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Lagos Film City in Ejinrin, Epe Lagos. Envisioned as a one-stop destination, Lagos Film City will house a bustling film, entertainment, and production ecosystem. With its advanced sound stages, leading-edge post-production facilities, intricately designed movie sets, educational institutions, and a modern theme park, this project aims to be transformative. It hopes to empower talent development, facilitate collaboration, and connect the world through the arts, bringing about opportunities and economic advancement nationwide.

     

    The Lagos Film City on Lagos State initiative promises to connect everyone through entertainment and artistic expression. Beyond celebrating creativity, it’s poised to boost Lagos’ economy significantly. The unique ability of entertainment and arts to connect diverse groups is unmatched, and we’re confident this endeavor will position Lagos at the heart of worldwide entertainment. Working side-by-side with the Lagos State Government will be Storyland Studios Los Angeles and the Del-York Group.

     

    “The Lagos Film City isn’t just a beacon for the entertainment world; it’s an economic lighthouse for myriad industries. As this city thrives, we’ll see ripple effects strengthening everything from transportation infrastructure and energy to tourism, hospitality, and education. Every sector stands to gain, every industry has a role to play, and together, we’ll witness an economic renaissance anchored in creativity and collaboration,” stated Mr. Linus Idahosa of the Del York Group.

     

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership is propelling Lagos into a bright future. His unwavering commitment and vision position Lagos as a prospective global economic and entertainment powerhouse. His dedication to the arts and entertainment is clear in his actions and visions for the people of Lagos. Lagos Film City is testament to his belief in the potential of arts and entertainment to shape the city’s destiny. This groundbreaking project, a nexus where academia and industry will intersect, occupies 100 hectares in the serene old town of Ejinrin in the Epe Local Government Area. Ejinrin, steeped in history, once housed Nigeria’s first commercial seaport and post office.

     

    The soon-to-be-established entertainment ecosystem is poised to become a global center for creativity, innovation, and cultural significance. With Africa’s rich cultural tapestry and untapped narratives, there has always been a need for a platform to showcase its cinematic brilliance. Lagos Film City aims to be that platform. The combined efforts of Del-York University, Kebulania’s Studio City, and Kebulania Theme Park go beyond physical infrastructures; they represent a hub for a dynamic creative community. This initiative is set to bolster both local and international talents and invigorate economic growth in the region.

     

    It is estimated that Lagos Film City will create over 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, presenting vast possibilities for both the creative and tech sectors. This center will tap into Africa’s creative reservoir, introduce a new filmmaking chapter in Nollywood and provide an environment conducive to local and international investors.

     

    Lagos Film City is a beacon of hope, not only for Lagos and Nigeria but for the broader African cinema and entertainment sectors. It symbolizes a new dawn, with the global community rallying around its inception. In partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and under the leadership of Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Commissioner, the project has greatly benefited from the guidance and expertise of its adept leadership team. Tourism, arts, and culture play a pivotal role in the essence of this project, emphasizing its significance to the vibrant tapestry of Lagos.

     

    The entertainment industry in Nigeria has, over the years, established itself as an economic titan. Recent statistics have highlighted the massive contribution of the industry to Nigeria’s GDP, with Nollywood alone generating over $590 million annually. Lagos, as the epicenter of this industry, contributes a significant portion of this figure. Furthermore, the entertainment sector has created millions of jobs in Lagos, fostering an environment where ancillary industries, including hospitality, tourism, and transportation, have flourished. The proliferation of cinema screens, music studios, and live entertainment venues has positioned Lagos as a mecca for entertainment in West Africa. As we look ahead, with projects such as the Lagos Film City, it is anticipated that these numbers will experience exponential growth, further solidifying Nigeria’s position on the global entertainment map.

    Source

  • BREAKING: Labour Party Gives Peter Obi 48 Hours To Make Academic Records Public, Clarify Discrepancies In Credentials Or Be Suspended

    The Labour Party (LP) has given its candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, 48 hours to make all his academic records public and clarify all the discrepancies in his certificates or be suspended by the party.

     

    The ultimatum was given in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi.

     

    Arabambi condemned the spokesman for the Peter Obi/Datti Ahmed presidential campaign council, Tanko Yinusa for claiming that the allegation that Obi was impersonating his late elder brother was a farce.

     

    Arabambi said, “The Labour Party at this juncture wishes to demand an answer to the following: what is the name of this so-called elder brother of Peter Obi who read computer science?

     

    “What year did this Peter Obi’s elder brother die? What was the name on the secondary school certificate and University of Nigeria Nsukka certificate? What is the nature of the business of his brother? Where is Peter Obi’s birth certificate? What was the name on Peter Obi’s birth certificate?

     

    “Why is it that the name on his birth certificate is different from the name on his school certificate? Why is the name on his school certificate different from the one written on his UNN certificate? Which university mobilized Peter Obi for his mandatory one-year NYSC? Why is the name on his NYSC certificate different from the name on his University of Nigeria Nsukka certificate?”

     

    According to him, “One would have expected Peter Obi to offer a satisfactory response to Nigerians as to the reasons for explicit discrepancies in his academic records to reveal his true identity and save our party from further avoidable national embarrassment”.

     

    He added, “But rather than toe this line of challenge, his attack dog descended to the arena of political somersault, leaving facts to promote audio fiction thus confirming our position that Peter Obi is using the name and certificate of his dead elder brother.”

     

    Arabambi stated that it must first be made clear to the public that there was no evidence provided by Obi against the allegations of forgery, impersonation and inconsistencies contained in his school certificate, University of Nigeria Nsukka certificate and NYSC certificate.

     

    “The Labour Party furthermore demanded to know why Mr Obi only deemed it fit and necessary to only submit his WAEC certificate wherein he failed to obtain the least requirement of credit passes in both mathematics and English which are necessary requirements to gain admission into any University in Nigeria.

     

    “The Labour Party is also asking Mr Peter Obi to explain the circumstances that made him to have different names in different schools, public documents in such a shrouded and fraudulent manner, rather than employing blackmail and unnecessary sentiments.

     

    “We challenge Mr Peter Obi to provide answers to all the questions raised above to clear the air of uncertainty about his person.

     

    “We further admonish him to proceed to a court of law against the Labour Party or better still to ask his team of lawyers to petition the Inspector General of Police for defamation which will allow us an ample opportunity to bring in the authorities of his secondary school, University of Nigeria Nsukka and the National Youth Service Corp out for clarification on the inconsistencies.

     

    “Failure to do this within the next 48 hours will attract his suspension from the Labour Party,” Arabambi stated.

    Source

  • Reps promise speedy passage of 2024 budget

    Reps vow to take action against MDAs failing to implement budget

    The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation on Tuesday promised to ensure the speedy passage of the 2024 budget when eventually presented by the president.

    The chairman of the committee, Abubakar Bichi, stated this at the inaugural meeting of the committee in Abuja.

    He said the House would ensure proper oversight over relevant government agencies during the implementation of the budget.

    The chairman stressed that the lower legislative chamber would ensure compliance with the Financial Year Act by passing the budget before December 31.

    “The Committee enjoys a wider jurisdiction compared to other Standing Committees and is empowered by Order 20, Rule 15 of the House Standing Orders, 10th Edition, 2020, as Amended,” he said.

    The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said on Monday the Federal Government had proposed the sum of N26.01 trillion for the 2024 budget.

    Bagudu, who disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, 2024 budget proposal was based on an oil price benchmark of $73.96 and a 21 percent interest rate.

    Source