Nelly's SmartBriefs

Ex-agitators' leader, Salvation Ibena Rufus, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to completely ignore calls by those disgruntled elements in the Niger Delta, calling for a change in the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).   Ibena made the call on Wednesday, November 29, while speaking with journalists on his way to Yenagoa at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. He said as Interim Administrator, General Barry Ndiomu, was the best thing that has happened to the Amnesty Office since it’s inception more than fourteen years ago. The ex-agitators' leader noted that though past Administrators of the Amnesty office tried their best to deliver on their mandate, Ndiomu has, however, repositioned the Programme to impact directly on the ex-agitators. Ibena stressed that this is a shift from the past where the ex-agitators who are the main beneficiaries of the programme were neglected at the expense of some s

The G7 Foreign Ministers’ have commended the ongoing efforts to release hostages taken by Hamas terrorists in Israel on October 7, the activation of pause in hostilities as well as the subsequent surge of humanitarian assistance to Palrstinians in Gaza in the last six days. The G7 said this in a release titled: 'Statement on the Situation in Israel and Gaza', and made available in a Media Note by the Office of the Spokesperson, State Department in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The Media Note read in full: The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union. Begin Text: We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union welcome the release of some of the hostages seized on October

The United States Government and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have announced a Joint Action Plan to advance a shared vision to strengthen public health systems and deliver improved health outcomes in Africa. The announcement was contained in a Joint Statement on the United States and Africa CDC’s New Joint Action Plan, released in a Media Note by the Office of the Spokesperson, State Department in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The Media Note read: The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the African Union’s Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on the announcement of the U.S.-Africa CDC Joint Action Plan as an annex to the U.S.-African Union Memorandum of Cooperation to Promote Public Health Partnership. Begin Text On November 28, on the sidelines of the Third International Conference on Public Health in Africa in Lusaka, Zambia, the U.S. Governm

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the United States Assistant Secretary for Energy and Natural Resources, Geoffrey Pratt, have agreed to set up a team of officials from both countries to explore financing for credit to mining firms and infrastructure. This was made known after a meeting between Alake and Pratt on the sidelines of the Mines and Money Conference in London, the United Kingdom, on Wednesday. Pratt said his visit to Alake followed an earlier meeting with President Bola Tinubu whom he said sought the support of the U.S. for the country’s economic revival. He said the United States would like to be Nigeria’s partner of choice in developing the solid minerals sector and was interested in the reforms announced by the minister in his address at the plenary of the conference. Noting that the United States has various institutions and laws which encourage direct foreign investment, Pyatt said he would notify the agencies to collaborate with their Nigerian

A non-governmental security group, the Ibani Watchdog Initiatives (IWI), has raised an alarm over alleged plots by some disgruntled individuals to launch another round of coordinated campaign of calumny against the Rivers State Government and the person of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with the sole aim of discrediting the government and the governor. The group made this known in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Opuwaribo Jack Tolofari, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, November 29. The IWI cautioned those behind the plot to allow the government function effectively in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to Rivers people who overwhelmingly voted for Siminalayi Fubara as governor of the state on March 18, 2023. They further warned those trying to score cheap political points to stop distracting the governor, who has not committed any offence against the state and its people in his short five to six months in office. The statement read in full: PRESS STATEMENT GROUP RAIS

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed January 15 to February 26, 2024, for the sale of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application document. This was made known in a statement issued by the JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Wednesday, November 29. Benjamin noted that the development was based on series of recommendations emanating from a two-day Information Technology (IT) and Management Retreat held between November 26 and 28. Benjamin noted that March 7, 2024, has been slated for the 2024 Mock-UTME, while the main UTME would hold from April 19 to April 29, 2024. He, therefore, advised candidates to print their examination slips from April 10, 2024. The JAMB spokesman added: “Candidates are enjoined to take note of these dates and other advisories issued by the Board in relation to the administration of the examination. “They are also to visit the Board’s website www.jamb gov.ng for any other information.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that some witnesses have testified that the former Governor of the Center Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, did not award N1.2billion in procurement contracts through a tender committee. The Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday. The statement said, “A Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, in the trial of Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Oluwole Owoeye, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu, that all the 45 contracts awarded by the erstwhile governor of the apex bank did not go through the contract’s tender committee of the bank. “Owoeye, Head of the Secretariat of the Major Contract Tender Committee (MCTC), disclosed to the court that any contract in excess of N10million must go through MCTC; however, the award of the contracts, though within th

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), has advised staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to guard against falling foul of anti-graft laws by keeping abreast of the relevant statutes guiding the conduct of public servants. The ICPC Zonal Commissioner for Rivers and Bayelsa states, Mrs. Ekere Usiere, gave the admonition during a Workforce Sensitisation Exercise organized by the NDDC at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday. The statement quoted Usiere as commending the NDDC and its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), for sponsoring the sensitization exercise under the theme: “Understanding the Offences and Penalties Under the ICPC Act 2000.” Usiere acknowledged the critical role played by the NDDC in intervening to solve the socio-economic challenges of the Niger Delta region, noting that it was necessary to unde

President Bola Tinubu has assured that the 2024 budget of N27.5trillion will set the country on a transformative path towards fostering economic growth, job creation, and environmental preservation. Tinubu made the promise while presenting the 2024 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. The president, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving standard of living of Nigerians and delivering promises to them, said the 2024 budget titled, ‘Budget of Renewed Hope’, has the potential to promote the development of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, enhance security, and improve the general living conditions of the citizens. He said: “As a government, we are committed to improving the lot of our people and delivering on our promises to them. “The 2024 budget has the potential to boost performance, promote the development of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, enhance security and public safety, and improve t

Nigeria’s national defence and internal security, local job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security are some of the top priorities of the 2024 Budget. The fiscal document is titled 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope. Addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, November 29, President Bola Tinubu said the nation’s internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities with a view to safeguarding lives, property, and investments across the country. The President said a conservative oil price benchmark of $77.96 per barrel and a daily oil production estimate of 1.78 million barrels per day were adopted after a careful review of global oil market trends, and that a Naira to U.S. Dollar exchange rate of N750 per U.S. Dollar was adopted for 2024 as well. He said the proposed budget prioritizes human capital development. “To improve the effectiven

Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday, presented a budget of N714.4billion for 2024 to the State House of Assembly for approval. Presenting the budget tagged ”Budget of Hope and Optimism”, Oborevwori said it was made up of N316.6billion recurrent expenditure and N397.9billion capital expenditure. ”I wish to announce a budget proposal of N714.4billion for the services of Delta Government in 2024. ”This amount comprises the sum of N316.6billion or 44 per cent of total budget for Recurrent Expenditure, and N397.9billion or 56 per cent of total budget for Capital Expenditure,” he said. Oborevwori said that the budget showed a decrease of N94.9billion or 12 per cent, compared with the 2023 budget of N809.4billion. ”The slight decrease is due to the fact we have planned the 2024 budget around fiscal discipline, which means that the budget will be funded largely from within and the State would spend only what it can earn within the period. ”The main sources of funds fo

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has told President Bola Tinubu that the current administration cannot afford to fail Nigerians by changing the rots and chart a new course for the citizenry. Abbas said this while giving his remarks during the presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill by President Tinubu. He said it was a well-known fact that millions of the citizenry were living through incredibly difficult times. He said, “For this reason, they also look to the Tinubu-led government to provide quick and sustainable solutions.” According to him, the antecedents of the President and his track record in governance inspire a lot of hope in Nigerians, and it is for this reason that we cannot afford to fail Nigerians. He said, “If anyone can change the rot and chart a new course for Nigeria, it is you. I have no doubt whatsoever that we can measure up to the expectations of Nigerians through your visionary leadership and the commitment of the National Asse

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presented a budget of N27.5trillion for 2024 to the National Assembly for approval. Presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope”, Tinubu said that its main focus was on national defence, internal security, local job creation and macro-economic stability. He said that the budget was made up of N9.92trillion non-debt recurrent expenditure and N8.7trillion capital expenditure, while N8.25trillion was for debt service. “Accordingly, an aggregate expenditure of N27.5trillion is proposed for the Federal Government in 2024, of which the non-debt recurrent expenditure is N9.92trillion, while debt service is projected to be N8.25trillion and capital expenditure is N8.7trillion. “Nigeria remains committed to meeting its debt obligations. Projected debt service is 45 per cent of the expected total revenue. “The budget deficit is projected at N9.18trillion in 2024 or 3.88 per cent of GDP. This is lower than the N13.78trillion deficit recorded in 2023, wh

2024 Budget Speech Delivered By His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria At the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja On Wednesday, November  29, 2023. Protocols. In furtherance of my sacred duties and obligations as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is my honour to be here today to present my administration’s 2024 Budget Proposal to this Joint Session of the 10th National Assembly. This moment is especially profound and significant to me because it is my first annual budgetary presentation to the National Assembly. Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly, I commend your swift consideration and passage of the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bills and the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper. Your prompt action underscores your devotion to economic development and to the greater welfare of our people. It also highlights your desire to work in close colla

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes should continue to co-exist with the new notes till further notice. The apex court ruled that both old and new notes should continue to remain legal tender until the Federal Government put a process in place for its replacement or redesign after due consultation with relevant stakeholders. Mid-November, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had said the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes would remain legal tender indefinitely. The Federal Government subsequently urged the Supreme Court to grant an extension of time for old naira notes to remain in circulation as legal tender. In an application by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, the Federal Government asked the apex court to lift its March 3 order that the old naira notes should remain alongside the new notes till December 31, 2023. The Federal Government explained that should the Supreme Court decline its request to extend the period of ci

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to provide jobs for legionnaires' children in the state. The governor this was necessary because he understands that people were looking forward to enjoying improved economy in a peaceful environment, adding that his administration would not do anything that would take away such hope from them but work to actualise it. Fubara made the promise at the 2024 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund Launching at the Banquet Hall, Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. He noted that without hope, it would be difficult for anybody to find any reason to live with optimism, which was why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda was instructive because it aims to restore lost hope in Nigerians by improving the national economy. "For us as a government, we believe, understand, and also appreciate that the only thing that keeps a man going is when he has hope. When you don't have hope as a human b