Author: Chief Editor

The Budget Office of the Federation has said Nigeria now has a “limited borrowing space” due to its poor debt-to-revenue ratio, stressing that “trouble” looms for the country if it exceeds its limits. The Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, while addressing members-elect of the 10th National Assembly at their week-long induction ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, pointed out that while Nigeria remains healthy with its debt-to-GDP ratio, the country is not with its debt-to-revenue ratio. Akabueze was speaking to the newly elected and returning members of the National Assembly, which is responsible for the consideration, amendment and passage…

Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Monisade Afuye, in this interview with Gbenga Sodeinde, gives kudos to her principal, Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his superlative performance in the first 200 days in office he level of insecurity in Ekiti State has reduced drastically. How has Governor Oyebanji’s administration been able to achieve this? Well, we have no other magic wand than believing in the powers of God and that of the people. We have always believed that the best way to ensure security of lives and property in a democratic setting is for the leader to ensure that he has the…

The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, has disclosed that if elected the state governor, his administration will not be a sectional government but an all-inclusive one. Melaye made this pledge while speaking during a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Attah Igala in Idah, Idah Local Government Area of the state yesterday. He said he came to receive the royal blessings from the paramount ruler of Igala Kingdom and the President of Kogi State Council of Chiefs, HRM Alaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche Akpa, in Idah, the ancestral home of the…

• Over N46b grants for schools not accessed by states, says UBEC The Senate, yesterday, said about N1 trillion has been lost to delay by the executive arm of government in executing the chamber’s report against agencies that breached financial regulations. Vice Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Senator Hassan Hadejia, who briefed journalists after a plenary session, said a bill is being put together to curb the delay. He said: “The total money we have recovered, so far, and which we have said should be refunded, amount to over N1 trillion. “We have submitted our reports to the executive arm…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed the immediate-past Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, over alleged diversion of N22 billion. Mamman served as the Minister of Power from August 2019 to September 2021, when he was removed from office by President Muhammadu Buhari. His detention followed his visit to the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja after he was earlier invited. Mamman was detained Wednesday morning after turning himself in at the commission’s office in Abuja. EFCC sources said the former minister allegedly conspired with officials of the Ministry of Power during his stint as minister and diverted N22…

China’s inflation rate edged up 0.1 percent year-on-year in April, the slowest rate recorded since 2021, official figures showed Thursday, signalling a weak recovery after lifting pandemic curbs. Producer prices fell for the seventh consecutive month due to sluggish domestic demand and lower commodity costs, data released by Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. April’s consumer price index (CPI), the main gauge of inflation, was the lowest level recorded since February 2021 and fell below the 0.3 percent increase forecast by analysts polled by Bloomberg. In March, China’s CPI was 0.7 percent. Food prices — a major component of…

The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing in the suit filed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu until September 14. The self-determination agitator had on Nov. 3, 2022, filed an appeal at the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal’s verdict stopping his release from the DSS custody. Kanu appealed against the Oct. 28, 2022 decision of the appellate court, which stayed the execution of its earlier order acquitting him of all charges and directing his release from the custody of the secret police. Prior to the hearing, Kanu’s Special Counsel had urged the Supreme Court…

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar is in court as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) will be hearing the petition against Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory. Atiku was present at the pre-hearing session as the Tribunal began with his petition against the President-elect, Tinubu as proceedings got underway. Atiku was accompanied by Liyel Imoke, former Cross River State governor, Bonny Haruna, ex-Adamawa State governor, Babangida Aliyu, ex-Niger State governor and Uche Secondus former Chairman of the PDP, among other dignitaries and party stalwarts among the entourage. When the various parties announced their…

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, requesting for the approval of an additional financing of the National Social Safety Net Programme to the tune of $800 Million to be secured from the World Bank. Lawan read the letter on Wednesday morning as he welcomed his fellow members to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He thereafter led the Principal Officers into the Chamber where they took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings. Senator Kabiru Abdullahi Barkiya then moved for the adoption of the…

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has called for the vast improvement of security within every state of Nigeria in the nearest possible future. Lawan made this call on Wednesday morning following the complaint lodged by Senator Abba Moro representing the Benue South senatorial district of Benue State. Moro cited Order 42 to notify the Senate of the agony and anguish of the people of Benue South Senatorial District occasioned by the incessant attacks by suspected killer herdsmen. Lawan while welcoming his fellow members to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria thereafter called for…