Author: Chief Editor

The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the prophecies of the late sage and Premier of the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is coming to pass in Ibeju-Lekki axis of the state. According to the governor, Ibeju Lekki is prospering richly because of the prophetic utterances of Awolowo. Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement on Sunday evening after watching a stage musical drama performance titled ‘Awo: The Man, His Jewel And…’ produced by The Duke of Shomolu, a theatre company run by Joseph Edgar. Sanwo-Olu said the play showcased those who stood their ground and brought the conversation about…

• It’s Twitter that is delaying, says Presidency source • Economy biggest casualty as losses hit N246b • Social enterprise groups meet today to discuss the way forward • Stakeholders appeal to govt to resolve issues, not kill online community The promise by the Federal Government that the ban placed on the popular micro-blogging platform, Twitter, will be lifted soon appears to be fading away, as the suspension hits 100 days today. The Federal Government had announced the suspension of Twitter operations in the country on June 4, after the social media giant deleted a post by President Muhammadu Buhari for…

Section 11 (3) (d) and (e) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to contain a Consolidated Debt Statement setting out and describing the fiscal significance of the debt liability of the Federal Government and measures to reduce any such liability. This column this week reviews whether the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2022-2024 met this requirement. The MTEF states that: “The ratio of Nigeria’s Total Public Debt as a percentage of GDP remained sustainable at 21.61% as of December 31, 2020. Also, the ratio was below Nigeria’s country-specific Debt Limit of 40% (2020 to 2023), and…

Obadiah Mailafia In this column, we have tried to meditate on the concept of state failure in relation to the Nigerian predicament. As a reminder to my much-cherished gentle reader, the indicators of state failure include: mounting democratic pressures; refugees or Internally Displaced Persons resulting in complex humanitarian emergencies; legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance or group paranoia; chronic and sustained human flight; uneven economic development along group lines; sharp and/or severe economic decline; criminalisation and/or delegitimisation of the State; deterioration of public services; suspension or arbitrary application of the rule of law and widespread violation of human rights; security apparatus…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has tasked the churches and religious leaders in the country to take up the challenge of driving people towards the pursuit of truth and justice. He said, “the Church is a place to deliver people from fear and oppression and eternal damnation, a place of succor, joy and encouragement.” Osinbajo spoke on Sunday at the dedication ceremony of the All Saints Anglican Church, Wuse Zone 5 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory FCT, the first Anglican church parish established 35 years ago. “The church is a place to deliver people from fear and oppression and eternal…

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has appealed for calm over the killing of a Pastor in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state. This is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, in Kaduna. El-rufai urged security agencies to apprehend the killers. “Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government the killing of the Pastor of ECWA Church, Kibori-Asha Awuce, in Zangon Kataf LGA, by assailants,” it said. The governor, who expressed deep sadness over the killing, offered prayers for the repose of the soul of…

Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a sensational return to Manchester United as his debut double inspired a 4-1 win against Newcastle, while Arsenal eased the pressure on Mikel Arteta with a 1-0 victory over Norwich on Saturday. Ronaldo’s second debut for United was the headline act as the Premier League resumed after the international break and the Portugal superstar did not disappoint his adoring fans at Old Trafford. The 36-year-old insists he did not make his £19.8 million ($27 million) move from Juventus last month for a “vacation”. Ronaldo lived up to that boast, showing he remains as sharp as ever with…

The 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21stCYNDAC) has commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio for delivering on the mandate assigned him by President Muhammadu Buhari on the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the federal government. The group in a statement by its Leader, Izon Ebi, expressed optimism that the conclusion of the audit, the leakages in the administrative structure that facilitated the wanton corruption and malfeasance that riddled the commission would be checked if the recommendations of the auditors were adhered to. It therefore urged the President…

The agitation for true Federalism was taken a definitive step further on Thursday, August 19, 2021, when Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, signed the Rivers State Value Added Tax Bill, 2021 into law at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The Law vests the Rivers State Government with power and authority to impose, charge, demand, and collect Value Added Tax on taxable goods and services within the jurisdiction of the State except otherwise exempt under the law. By the tenor of the said Law, the Federal Government through the FIRS ceases to have the taxing competence to impose, demand, and collect Value Added…

As Nigerians watch how presidential candidates will emerge from the major political parties, there are expectations that principles of fairness, equity, and justice would be observed while zoning the tickets. While the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is likely to zone its presidential ticket to the South, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to make a categorical statement on which geopolitical zone will produce the party’s flagbearer. Unlike APC, PDP has zoning more as a convention. The major opposition party is said to be divided on whether to follow its tradition and zone its presidential ticket to the South…