The Senate has urged the Federal Government to cease further allocation of funds to local government councils led by caretaker committees across the country.

This decision came following the adoption of a motion presented by Senator Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano) during Wednesday’s plenary session, titled “Urgent Call on the President to Resuscitate Local Government System in Nigeria.”

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Senator Kawu emphasized the need for decisive action in addressing the challenges facing local government areas, including security threats, rural-urban migration, deteriorating infrastructure, and widespread unemployment.

He asserted that empowering local government areas is essential for unlocking a brighter future for all Nigerians.

Highlighting the erosion of local autonomy over the years, Senator Kawu lamented the limited financial resources and decision-making control afforded to local governments.

He also pointed out the negative impact of corruption scandals and mismanagement on the credibility of some local government administrations, which has fueled public skepticism.

Expressing concern over the role of some governors in hindering local government autonomy through constitutional alterations, Senator Kawu stressed the importance of providing local governments with adequate financial and operational autonomy to address security challenges effectively.

In their contributions, Senators Ahmad Lawan (APC-Yobe), Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia), and Ifeanyi Ubah (APC-Anambra) emphasized the need to guarantee local government effectiveness through constitutional provisions.

They called for the full return of local government funds and the enhancement of the capacity of those governing the councils.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, presiding over the session, commended the motion, stating that it aligns with the Senate’s determination to bring accountability and effectiveness to the local government system.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has highlighted the urgent need to revise the laws establishing the Bureau of Public Procurements (BPP) to curb corruption associated with contract awards.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede made this statement at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, during a meeting with the BPP management team led by Director General Mamman Ahmadu.

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Olukoyede pointed out that the current legal framework has not effectively supported the prosecution or conviction of corrupt individuals involved in public procurement.

He emphasized that significant changes are required to prevent corruption before contracts are awarded and funds misappropriated.

“Over the years, the BPP has defined scopes that guide our contract and procurement processes, but there is still much more to be done,”

“The law has not been fully operationalized and has not aided prosecution significantly. I cannot recall any case where we secured a conviction using the BPP Act. To truly sanitize our contract and procurement processes, we must review the BPP Act.”

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He further criticized the BPP’s issuance of “Certificates of No Objection,” expressing concerns about the procedure’s susceptibility to corruption.

Olukoyede noted that the majority of corruption cases in the public sector are related to contracts and procurement.

“The issue of ‘Certificate of No Objection’ is concerning. We urge the BPP to review its processes and procedures for issuing these certificates,” he said.

“Having worked in regulatory compliance and enforcement, I have observed that corruption is most prevalent in contract and procurement activities.
The problem lies not with Nigerians but with the weak systems that people exploit. Strengthening our institutions is crucial.”

Olukoyede called for collaborative efforts between the EFCC and BPP to enhance the integrity of the procurement process, stressing the importance of preventative measures to stop corruption before it begins.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a clear communication channel with Nigerians regarding the timeline for the positive outcomes of his policies.

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Speaking to State House reporters on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa after meeting with President Tinubu, Bishop Kukah emphasized that while the current hardships are unintended, they result from necessary policy decisions that are expected to benefit the populace in the long run.

Despite the difficult times, Bishop Kukah stressed the importance of perseverance and renewal, noting that building a good society is a lengthy process.

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“We must brace ourselves because building a good society takes a lot of time,” he said.

During the meeting, Bishop Kukah, accompanied by the Director of the Kukah Centre, discussed an invitation for President Tinubu to attend a conference on National cohesion.

He highlighted the need for improved communication from the government to reassure Nigerians about the expected timeline for relief from current hardships.

When asked to evaluate President Tinubu’s first year in office, Bishop Kukah acknowledged the challenging circumstances but emphasized the necessity of patience and ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare and security of citizens.

He stated, “Nigerians are in various levels of pain due to policy decisions, but with time, these can be amended to better serve the people.”

Regarding the political crisis in Rivers State, Bishop Kukah downplayed the severity of political disputes, expressing confidence that politicians have the capacity to resolve their conflicts.

He urged Nigerians not to be overly concerned about political quarrels, noting that Rivers State holds significant importance and will find its way to stability.

Bishop Kukah reiterated the need for government transparency and effective communication to help Nigerians understand and endure the current difficulties as part of the journey toward a better future.

On Wednesday, members of the organised labour forcefully rejected the federal government’s proposal of a N48,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers, staging a walkout in protest.

The unions condemned both the government and the organised private sector for presenting what they termed “ridiculous offers.”

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While the government proposed N48,000, the organised private sector put forward N54,000.

During a briefing held at Labour House, labour leaders criticized the government for failing to provide any data to justify the proposed figures.

They expressed their dissatisfaction with the offers, emphasizing that the proposals do not meet the needs of Nigerian workers in the current economic climate.

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The labour unions’ decision to walk out highlights their demand for a more substantial and well-supported minimum wage that reflects the rising cost of living and economic realities faced by workers across the country.

Picture of Gov. Peter Mbah, 

The Enugu State government has called on its residents to embrace farming and utilize any available space within their homes for agricultural activities.

This call was made by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Patrick Ubru, during the launch of the “Back-to-Farm” project in the Amurri Ancient Kingdom, located in the Nkanu West Local Government Area.

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Commissioner Ubru emphasized that this initiative is in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s commitment to leveraging agriculture for community agro-industrialization, food security, and the creation of employment opportunities for youths and women.

“We aim to see the success witnessed today in the Amurri Ancient Kingdom replicated across every community in the state,”

“We urge traditional rulers and their councils to spearhead this initiative, encouraging all residents to participate by cultivating crops or engaging in animal husbandry.”

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“Even those without land can contribute by using bag sacks or plastic vases for planting. It’s crucial for everyone to get involved” he said.

Ubru, who symbolically planted yam seedlings during the event, highlighted Governor Mbah’s vision of cultivating over 300,000 hectares of arable land.

He mentioned that through mechanized farming and public-private partnerships (PPP), the state has been able to create significant employment opportunities.

Furthermore, the commissioner disclosed that the governor has ordered 1,000 tractors to facilitate the full mechanization of farming and the cultivation of over 300,000 arable hectares of land, thereby making agriculture a profitable venture.

“We plan to provide training to hundreds of youths on modern Songhai farming techniques this year, with a focus on empowering at least 20 youths from the Amurri community,” added Ubru.

He commended the people and traditional ruler of Amurri for their proactive approach to prioritizing agriculture and serving as an example of successful community projects.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of Amurri Ancient Kingdom, Charles Nwoye, highlighted the longstanding tradition of the “Back-to-Farm” project in their kingdom, aimed at educating youths and children about the importance and benefits of agriculture.

In Anambra State, 30 drivers faced arraignment for attempting to bribe Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials and committing various traffic offenses.

The arraignments took place before a mobile court on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, presided over by Chief Magistrate Mike Anyadiegwu.

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Of the 30 drivers arraigned, 27 were convicted, while three were cautioned and discharged.

This initiative by the FRSC, RS5.3 Anambra Sector Command, aims to ensure swift justice for road traffic offenders and curb reckless driving on highways.

ARC Charles A. Iyiegbuniwe, a public education officer at the FRSC Anambra Sector Command, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.

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He revealed that the drivers collectively committed 68 offenses, including overloading, failing to install speed limiting devices, driver’s license violations, and light signal violations.

Other offenses included using worn-out tires, driving while using a phone, and number plate violations.

Two drivers were specifically arraigned for attempting to corrupt marshals on duty.

The convicted drivers received options for fines as penalties for their offenses.

CC Adeoye A. Irelewuyi, the Sector Commander of RS5.3 Anambra Sector Command, expressed satisfaction with the mobile court’s operations.

He highlighted the necessity of the court sittings due to the reckless and improper use of roads by motorists, which has resulted in avoidable traffic crashes in the state capital.

Irelewuyi urged motorists to comply with traffic laws to ensure safety and prevent loss of life and property.

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He also indicated that the mobile court sittings would continue periodically until a satisfactory level of compliance with traffic regulations is achieved.

Picture of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, 

Former Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said that adopting and implementing Western liberal democracy in Africa was a significant misstep.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday during a meeting with members of the House of Representatives about reintroducing the parliamentary system of government, Obasanjo emphasized the need for African nations to develop a democratic model that better aligns with their unique cultural values and needs.

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Obasanjo argued that Western liberal democracy is fundamentally incompatible with Africa’s core value systems, as it is rooted in European cultural norms.

He highlighted that before colonialism, African nations successfully managed kingdoms and empires with their own governance structures, which were resilient against external and internal opposition, unlike the European monarchical systems.

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He stressed that the imposition of Western democratic models has not served African countries well and called for the creation of an “Afro-Democracy.”

Obasanjo believes this new system would be more in tune with the continent’s traditions and values, offering a more suitable framework for governance in Africa.