Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 18th July 2024
1. President Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval To Add ₦6.2trillion To 2024 Budget
The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has forwarded a letter to the Senate, seeking their approval to add ₦6.2trillion to the ₦27.5trillion 2024 budget.
The President’s request was contained in a letter read during plenary on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Details of the letter show President Tinubu seeks Senate approval for the withdrawal of ₦3.2 trillion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, for capital expenditure.
The President, in the second leg of the request as contained in the letter, seeks approval for the withdrawal of another ₦3 trillion from the consolidated revenue fund for additional recurrent expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December , 2024.
He also requested in the letter, an Act to amend the Finance Act, 2023, to impose and charge windfall tax on banks and to provide for the administration of the tax and matters related thereto.
2. President Tinubu Appoints New Head Of Civil Service Of The Federation
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from August 14, 2024.
This was made known in a statement on Wednesday, 17th July, by the President’s special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement noted that Mrs. Walson-Jack was appointed as Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and has served in several Ministries.
It added that the new appointee will take over from the incumbent Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, who is due to retire on August 13, 2024.
President Tinubu, while thanking the outgoing Head of Service for her stewardship, tasks the incoming Head of Service to discharge her duties with innovative flair, integrity, and stringent adherence to the extant rules and regulations of the Civil Service of the Federation.
3. PDP Governors Take Stand On Political Crisis Between Fubara And Wike
Governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have taken a definite stand on the protracted political crisis between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor cum Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Naturenex recalls that Fubara and Wike have been at loggerheads, leading to the factionalization of the State House of Assembly and concerns over the silence of the PDP leadership.
However, the PDP Governors, in a communiqué signed by the chairman of the party’s Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, after their meeting in Enugu on Wednesday, declared their support for Fubara.
The Governors also decided to employ wider consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure peace.
4. Senator Monguno Replaces Ali Ndume As Majority Whip
The Senate on Wednesday removed Senator Ali Ndume as the Majority Whip and replaced him with Senator Mohammed Monguno.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Wednesday, read a communication from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) demanding the replacement.
The letter signed by APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, accused Ali Ndume of activism and putting out act that aimed to destroy the ruling party.
The letter further demanded that Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Borno North, replace Ndume.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio called on APC caucus to vote on the demand of the APC leadership.
In the vote, APC caucus voted in favour for the replacement of the Ndume.
5. Tinubu Officially Launches Student Loan Scheme At Aso Rock
The Federal Government has officially launched the Student Loan Scheme following recent amendments.
Naturenex reports that President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), highlighting the critical role of education in eradicating poverty and fostering national progress.
During the launch event and the ceremonial fund disbursement at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, July 17, President Tinubu emphasized that education is the most powerful weapon against poverty, offering vision, development, and hope.
He underscored that without education, addressing insecurity and achieving success is unattainable, stating that education provides the essential light at the end of the tunnel, regardless of the pace of progress.
Addressing the Board members and management of the Fund, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that democracy is fundamentally about inclusiveness.
President Tinubu asserted that his administration aims to build a fair society grounded in successful inclusiveness.
6. UAE Denies Approving ₦640,000 Fee, $10k Bank Balance As Visa Application Requirements
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has denied knowledge of conditions struck with the Federal Government regarding visa applications for Nigerians.
Naturenex recalls that many Nigerians were thrilled on Monday after the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the three-year travel ban from the UAE had been lifted.
However, the resolution had conditions that were mutually beneficial, which included obtaining a document verification number (DVN).
According to the DV hub, the process is a specialised service designed to authenticate and verify documentation essential for visa applications to the UAE.
The DVN costs a non-refundable N640,000, excluding VAT, for each application, which does not include the visa fee.
In addition to obtaining a UAE visa, Nigerians must provide proof of a six-month bank statement with a minimum balance of $10,000.
In an interview with Cable News, the UAE’s Department of Economy and Tourism said the DV hub website is not affiliated with the UAE government.
7. Philip Shaibu Sheds Tears As Court Nullifies Impeachment As Edo Deputy Gov, State Assembly Appeals Ruling
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday nullified the impeachment of Phillip Shuaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Naturenex reports that Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment on Wednesday ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in purporting to impeach Shuaibu.
Shuaibu, who was in court, shed tears of joy upon hearing the judge’s pronouncements, according to The Nation.
Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and does not constitute a gross misconduct.
The judge ordered the IGP to provide him with needed security to enable him resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure.
Justice Omotosho set aside the appointment of another Deputy Governor in the place of Shuaibu.
Meanwhile, the Edo State House of Assembly has appealed the judgement by Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which set aside the impeachment of the State’s former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
The State Assembly has also filed a stay of execution on the judgement pending appeal.
8. Lagos State Denies Reintroducing Monthly Environmental Sanitation
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday, said that it has not re-introduced the monthly environmental sanitation and is not starting any movement restriction by July.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, noted that those behind the report are mischief makers who are keen on confusing residents.
This was contained in a statement by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina.
Wahab urged all residents to ignore the news and continue with their business endeavours, adding that there would be no restriction of movements on the last Saturday of July as erroneously included in the fake news.
The commissioner explained that what Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced on Sunday during a sanitation sensitisation exercise at Campos playground Lagos Island was that the state will start a weekly community-based sensitisation and awareness exercise that will involve all residents.
Wahab added that at no time did the governor make a pronouncement that the monthly exercise and restriction would start in July or any other month for now.
The commissioner urged all residents to imbibe the culture of cleaning their surroundings all the time and not wait until the government declares a particular month for the commencement of sanitation or restriction of movement.
9. Court Dismisses Philip Shaibu’s Case, Affirms Asue Ighodalo As PDP Guber Candidate
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the duly nominated and authentic Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.
In a Judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in the suit marked CS/469/24, the Court today held that Dr. Ighodalo was duly nominated at the February 22nd primaries of the PDP which was held in Benin City.
Justice Omotosho held that the suit, which challenged Ighodalo’s qualification because he allegedly forged his voter’s card, was statute-barred.
The judge held that the suit, being a Pre-election case, was filed outside the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution.
The judge also held that even though forgery or non-possession of a voter’s card was a disqualifying factor under Section 182 of the Constitution, the plaintiff failed to prove that Ighodalo forged his voter’s card as alleged by the plaintiffs.
The judge dismissed the case for lacking in merit.
The court also held that Shaibu lacked the right to challenge the primary that produced Ighodalo, having not participated in the exercise.
The court consequently dismissed the case filed against his nomination by the Plaintiff and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.
10. ‘We Cannot Allow Such Behavior To Go Unchecked’ – Imo Assembly Vote To Remove Chief Judge
The Imo State House of Assembly has recommended the removal of the State’s Chief Judge, Theresa Chikeka, from office over alleged falsification of her age.
The lawmakers claimed the Imo State Chief Judge adjusted her date of birth from October 27, 1956 to October 27, 1958.
According to them, the action represents misconduct which can not be allowed to stand.
The chairman of the ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the allegations against the Chief Judge, Ikenna Ihezue, said: “Her actions amount to misconduct, and we cannot allow such behaviour to go unchecked.”
The committee said despite being invited, Chikeka refused to appear before the committee, which further solidified the case against her.
“Her refusal to cooperate with the investigation only adds to the evidence of her misconduct,” Clinton Amadi, a member of the ad-hoc committee, said.
The Imo State House of Assembly has forwarded their recommendations to the National Judicial Council for further action.
