NIGERIAN NOTCH

• total disconnect’ responsible for crisis in a state of ‘54 ethnic nationalities’ •‘fears Jos could blow up’ •Speaks on conflict merchants and two years of stability The latest attacks in Jos, which claimed scores of lives, were just another of the bloody protracted conflicts that have defied solution in Plateau State. With about 54 ethnic groups, the state comprises Christian groups – among them, Afizere, Anaguta, Berom, Irigwe, Ngas, Tarok and Ywom — on one hand, and on the other hand, Muslim Hausa/Fulani, whom the former commonly regard as “settlers” and “usurpers.” Stoked by political standing and religious sentiments, clashes between these heterogeneous groups often had to do with mutual animosity, manipulation of information and struggles for self-determination, control over land resources and chieftaincy affairs. As the arid lands across northern Nigeria, as is in most parts of northern Africa, continue to creep outwards, coupled with the shrinking of the Lake Chad ...

The speaker of the federal house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has said that the house of representatives in the last 6 months havr worked tirelesly to legislate for the good of Nigerians. Abbas said this in Abuja yesterday at plenary, shortly before the House adjourned for the New Year break. He said the House legislative outputs in the last six months had been remarkable, adding that the House received and considered 962 bills and 500 motions. Others, he said, included 153 petitions. “Of these numbers, 120 bills have passed the second reading reading, ” he said. He added that the bills were undergoing further review and refinement to address some of the concerns raised during debates.   He said another 120 bills had been referred to committees for in-depth analysis, adding that the House had also successfully passed many other bills. These he said had been transmitted to the Senate for concurrence, adding that notable among the bills were the Electricity Act (Ame...

The Senate has passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N28.7 trillion, increasing it by approximately N1.2 trillion from the initial N27.5 trillion proposed by President Bola Tinubu. The passage occurred following the approval of the report from the Senate Committee on Appropriation during the Saturday plenary session. In presenting the report, the committee chairman, Sen. Solomon Adeola, said that they adopted the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Paper (MTEF/FSP) approved by the National Assembly in drafting the budget. He specified that the committee adopted a $77.96 per barrel oil benchmark, 1.78 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of N800 to the dollar, deviating from the proposed 750 dollars by the executive. The bill’s highlights include total aggregate expenditure of N28.7 trillion, statutory transfers of N1.7 trillion, recurrent expenditure of N8.7 trillion, and a capital expenditure component of N9.9 trillion. Adeola noted the collaborative effo...

The SOUTH EAST APC YOUTHS FRONTIERS  have  expressed its heartfelt appreciation to Dr.Doris Anite Uzoka, the Honourable Minister for Industry Trade and Investment , for her compassionate outreach to the 24 Autonomous Communities across OGUTA LGA of Imo State with bags of rice,cows and meaningful amount of money. The Youths  emphasized that Dr.Uzoka's outreach, covering all the Communities in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state, signifies a comprehensive and inclusive approach to community service. The group comprising of Coordinator's across the five South Eastern States in  a statement on Friday   highlighted the significance of  Dr.Uzoka Anite's efforts in making a positive impact  by making the people smile during the Yuletide season. It also  commended Dr.Doris Anite Uzoka for embodying the true spirit of Christmas through her selfless outreach. The group however commended the minister for attracting numerous investments ...

By Christian ABURIME Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, of Anambra State has officially signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law, totalling N410,132,225,272, one month after it was presented before the state House of Assembly. The budget is themed "Changing Gears: The Transformation Agenda Begins" is aimed at beginning the transformation agenda and implementing a new master plan to change Anambra into a liveable and prosperous homeland. The signing ceremony which took place at the Governor’s residence was witnessed by several dignitaries, including Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Ejike Okechukwu, among others. During the signing, Governor Soludo emphasized his administration’s commitment to implementing ...

Zimbabwe President, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has distributed 54 bicycles as Xmas gifts to village heads in Zvishavane. The president made the donation at an event on Tuesday, December 26. The county’s First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, also donated Christmas hampers to the wives of Village Heads present at the same event. This was made known by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting on its official X handle. The post read, “Today, His Excellency President Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa donated 54 bicycles to Chief Mapanzure, at Lundi Primary School in Zvishavane. The bicycles will be distributed to village heads. Also present was the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, who donated Christmas hampers to the wives of Village Heads present at the event..”

  The Senate has postponed its plenary sitting from Friday to Saturday to enable it pass the 2024 Appropriation Bill that was forwarded to it by President Bola Tinubu.   The Senate had last week adjourned plenary to Friday this week in order for members celebrate the Christmas with their families and friends. A statement  for the postponement was signed yesterday by the Clerk of Senate, Chinedu Francis Akubueze. The statement reads, “This is to inform Distinguished Senators that the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled to be held on Friday, December 29th, 2023, by 10.00 am been postponed to Saturday, December 30th, 2023 by 10.00 am. Any inconvenience that this shift may cause to Distinguished Senators is regretted.” Recall that Pesident Tinubu had presented before the National Assembly a total aggregate expenditure of N27.5 trillion 2024 Appropriation Bill, just as he had announced his administration’s resolve to adopt the “revised 2024-2026...

A misunderstanding over a wrap of marijuana led one Mkpor to hack his friend, known as Tunde, to death with a machete on Christmas Eve. The incident took place in Aduma ward, Mkpani in Yakkur Local Government Area in central Cross River. Reports from the area, which is about 120 kilometres away from Calabar, say Mkpor bought a wrap of marjuna from Tunde and refused to pay leading to  verbal exchange. A source in the area, Okona, told Vanguard that the assailant went to the “bunk” where Tunde sells marijuana and smoked one wrap of the weed but refused to pay. This made Tunde to ban him from going to his bunk. “I understand he was fond of causing trouble  in the bunk each time he went there. And on this occasion he ordered for a wrap of marjuna and after smoking he refused to pay. “This prompted Tunde, who operates the place, to order him out with instructions that he should not visit the place again. “The order irked  the young  man and he threatened to ki...

President Bola Tinubu has said the federal and sub-national governments have the mutual responsibility of ensuring the country’s peace and stability. Speaking during a meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at his residence in Lagos on Tuesday, the president reiterated his condemnation of the latest killings in Plateau State. Addressing the governors, the president issued a stern directive to security agencies to halt the carnage in Plateau State and intensify the pursuit of those responsible for the recent tragic events in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas. Condoling with the victims, Tinubu emphasised the sanctity of human life and called for a paradigm shift among those with contrary beliefs, cautioning them about the inevitable consequences of their actions. “Nigeria needs peace and stability to move forward. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we have to take care of it,” he said. The president acknowledged the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara ...

As Christians celebrate Christmas, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio(CON )has called on Nigerians to remain steadfast and hopeful regardless of the hard times citizens are  experiencing. He expressed optimism that, the pains Nigerians  are going through, occasioned by series of socio-economic upheavals shall manifest in positive outcomes through the visionary development architecture of the current national leadership in the country. Akpabio, who made the call in a Christmas message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh admonished the Christian faithfuls to  "pray and be hopeful because with the birth of Jesus Christ, who is our symbol of hope, love and redemption, Nigeria will also overcome its current challenges". According to Akpabio, Christmas calls for deep  reflection  on the teachings of Jesus Christ, which were anchored on love for neighbour, peaceful coexistence and loyalty to constituted aut...