TrackaNg, a non-governmental accountability group has criticised the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who is the only Labour Party governor in Nigeria, over some expenditure line items contained in the 2024 Abia State Budget. In a post on the organisation’s X handle, the NGO wrote: “Dear Gov. Alex Otti, the average citizen can barely afford a decent meal, but in the 2024 Abia state budget, you plan to spend: – N1.5 billion on 2 Toyota Hilux – N10 billion to Establish a Film Village – N1.5 billion to buy cars for Commissioners, Judiciary and Permanent Secretary – N2.8 billion to…
Author: Michael Chibuzo
By Michael Chibuzo In the second part of this series on Peter Obi’s ideology, scorecard and politics, I will continue the breakdown of Obi’s scorecard on some selected sectors. In part 1, I briefly discussed his scorecard in education, highlighting some exaggerations, inaccuracies and falsehood that have been propagated by both Peter Obi himself and his supporters about his legacy in education. Obi’s scorecard in infrastructure will be my next port of call. PETER OBI’S SCORECARD IN INFRASTRUCTURE In the area of infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure, Mr. Peter Obi was at best an average governor. It is indisputable that despite…
In the wake of the departure of Vice President Kashim Shettima to Sweden on a working visit within the same period that President Bola Tinubu is out of the country also on a working vacation, some commentators had raised concerns of a leadership vacuum in the presidency. To allay these concerns, the presidency released a press statement stating that despite both leaders simultaneously out of the country, there was no vacuum in leadership as a result of their absence. In press statement from the State House, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga stated…
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, has called on the international community to harness science, technology, and innovation (STI) to create a more peaceful and sustainable future. The senator made this appeal while addressing the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Geneva. Highlighting the transformative power of STI in tackling global challenges, Ekpenyong emphasized the need for greater international cooperation to fully leverage these advancements. He pointed out that innovations in areas like sustainable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology are not only reshaping societies but also providing solutions to pressing issues such as energy security, climate change, and…
As the 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery ramps up premium motor spirit (PMS) production to meet Nigeria’s local demand, the importation of the petroleum product into Nigeria has drastically dropped by around 80% in the first two weeks of October. This revelation follows analysis of data from S&P Global Commodity Insights ship-tracking report published on Tuesday. According to the data, in the first week of October, only 280,400 barrels of gasoline and blend stock were imported into Nigeria. In the second week of October, only one product tanker was reported to have shipped 290,567 barrels of PMS to Nigeria from Antwerp…
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the sum of N77,000 as the minimum wage for the lowest worker in the state with the payment taking immediate effect. This decision was revealed after a meeting of the State Government led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi and the leadership of the Organized Labour in Ogun State, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), to discuss the implementation of the new minimum wage. The Ogun State SSG said the meeting was at the instance of Governor…
Publicly available data show that the Nigerian economy is responding progressively to the economic policies of the President Tinubu administration, according to policy think tank, the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI). This, the group, says is contrary to the doomsday prognosis of a dysfunctional economy by some self styled analysts which have no basis in fact. In a policy statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Niyi Akinsiju, IMPI argued that there is a changing paradigm on the economic landscape as a result of ongoing reforms. It said: “Contrary to the doomsday analysts’ submission, it is a picture of emerging…
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has welcomed the safe returned of Super Eagles players and officials back to country from Libya where they got a hostile reception ahead of the 2nd leg encounter with the Libyan team in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. President Tinubu in a state house press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that he was “deeply moved by the inhuman treatment endured by the Super Eagles of Nigeria at a Libyan airport, and warmly welcomes their safe return to Nigeria.” The President stated that the harrowing experience of the national football…
Amidst the ongoing maltreatment by Libyan authorities meted against Super Eagles players and officials who are in Libya for Nigeria’s second leg AFCON qualification match against Libya, the President of the Libyan Football Federation, Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani has announced his resignation from his position. The embattled LFF President who made the announcement at the regular meeting of the Federation’s General Assembly, said: “I do not want to be part of the failure in Libyan sports.” “We faced difficulties during the previous period. I thank all members of the General Assembly, and I forgive everyone from all segments of the sports sector”,…
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), has committed to working closely with the Zamfara State Government to leverage the state’s mineral resources for economic development. Speaking while receiving Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal in his office, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake emphasized the importance of the state to Nigeria’s mining sector, highlighting the need to eliminate impediments stifling mining development in the state. “Zamfara is one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich states, particularly in solid minerals. It is essential for all levels of government to collaborate in responsibly exploiting these resources and…