Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • N570billion was World Bank COVID-19 palliative not FG largess

    N570billion was World Bank COVID-19 palliative not FG largess

    Opacity continues to dug the Bola Tinubu Presidency as Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state disclaims the assertion that the N570 billion released to governors was a handout or bailout from President Bola Tinubu’s government to the 36 states to expand the livelihood support to citizens across the country.
    On Thursday, Mr Makinde explained that the N570 billion was part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project, a programme for results intervention aimed at helping states to recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    On the contrary, President Tinubu had claimed, during the nationwide broadcast on Sunday following the #EndBadGovernance protests that grounded activities in major cities of the country, that his administration had released more than N570 billion to states.
    “Also, more than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefited from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-businesses are expected to benefit,” Mr. Tinubu claimed in the national broadcast.
    Debunking the claim, Gov Makinde asserts:
    “Let me state categorically that this is yet another case of misrepresentation of facts. The said funds were part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project—a programme for results intervention. The World Bank facilitated an intervention to help States in Nigeria with COVID-19 Recovery. CARES means COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus. It was called ‘Programme for Results’ because states had to use their money in advance to implement the programme. 
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    “After the World Bank verified the amount spent by the state, it reimbursed the states through the platform provided at the federal level. The federal government did not give any State money; they were simply the conduit through which the reimbursements were made to states for money already spent,” the Oyo governor pointed out.
    Acknowledging that the World Bank fund was a loan and not a grant to the states, Mr Makinde explained that each state of the federation is expected to repay the loan adding that the NG-CARES, which was christened Oyo-CARES predated the present federal administration.
    “So, in direct response to the message, the federal government did not give Oyo state any money. We were reimbursed funds (N5.98 billion in the first instance and N822 million in the second instance) we invested in the three result areas of NG-CARES, which includes inputs distribution to smallholder farmers within our State.
    “In fact, when the World Bank saw our model for the distribution of inputs preceded by biometric capturing of beneficiary farmers, they adopted it as the NG-CARES model,” the governor stated.
  • FG rejects Julius Berger’s cost of N279b for Second Niger Bridge bypass

    FG rejects Julius Berger’s cost of N279b for Second Niger Bridge bypass

    The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has rejected Julius Berger Plc’s proposed cost of N279 billion for the Second Niger Bridge Bypass, describing it as excessively high.
    In a statement on Thursday, Umahi expressed his disappointment with Julius Berger’s pricing, saying, “One of the bypasses, which is 17.27 kilometres by two on asphalt, was awarded to Julius Berger. We changed the pavement elements to concrete, and the cost we calculated was N133 billion. Berger presented a figure almost twice our estimate, at N279 billion.”
    He further stated, “We disagreed with this cost during the negotiation in September 2023. We’ve decided to refer the project back to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and invite more contractors to bid because this involves public funds.”
    The Federal Ministry of Works has reviewed Julius Berger Plc’s performance on all ongoing projects awarded to the company, with Umahi raising concerns over the unacceptable condition of some projects, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway phase 2.
    He explained that the Ministry would seek selective tendering to complete the project, stating, “We changed the pavement elements from asphalt to concrete, and the total cost we calculated based on prevailing rates is N153 billion.
    However, they are proposing N258 billion. Since we’ve been negotiating since September 2023, we have no choice but to terminate this contract.
    “We will then request a ‘No Objection’ from BPP for selective tendering, submitting our estimate of N153 billion and their proposal of N258 billion to BPP, while inviting other contractors to bid. This process will be concluded within the next month to ensure the project is completed promptly.”
  • NNPCL Speaks On Ikeja Filling Station Explosion

    NNPCL Speaks On Ikeja Filling Station Explosion

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has clarified issues surrounding the reported fire at the Mobil filling station at Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday.
    A statement by Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye after the incident, said the explosion had nothing to do with the recently commissioned NNPC Gas Marketing Ltd (NGML)/NIPCO Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Stations, which are currently functioning and running safely without any incident.
    Two people were reported to have sustained burns, and property worth millions of naira was damaged.
    Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion occurred around 11 a.m., destroying at least seven vehicles. No fatalities were reported.
    The statement added, “The NNPC Ltd also wishes to add that the NGML was not affected by the explosion; it is not involved in the activities of the affected station and all NGML facilities in Lagos, including pipelines, metering stations, above-ground installation and CNG facilities are in safe operating condition.”
  • #EndBadGovernance: Why We Waved Russian Flags

    #EndBadGovernance: Why We Waved Russian Flags

    Protesters in Kano who waved Russian flags during the  #EndBadGovernance protests say they took the action to challenge the Nigerian government.
    When a journalist immersed himself among the demonstrators in Kano City’s Kurna neighborhood to request one of the flags, he was directed to a man recognized as an Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) member.
    For security reasons, the journalist—who wished to remain anonymous—observed that the Shi’ite group started waving Russian flags, which other protestors later picked up on.

    But another demonstrator, identifying himself as Haruna, claimed to be unaffiliated with IMN when speaking with PREMIUM TIMES.

    He said someone brought the flags to the protest to challenge the Nigerian government.
    “I don’t know him, but what is the Nigerian government doing to us? The government must listen to our concerns; they must bring back the fuel subsidy. The only flag that I cannot raise is that of Israel,” Mr Haruna said.
    Kano is predominantly Muslim, with a large Sunni population, where anti-Israeli sentiments are common.
    IMN member Isah Bawa, from Fagge local council, confirmed the participation of Shi’ite members in the protests and the use of Russian flags but stated there was no directive from their leaders to do so.
    “Shite members took part in the protest like other Nigerians who are hungry but there is no formal instruction from our leaders for members to wave the Russian flag,” Mr Bawa said.
    A tea vendor, Abdullahi Maishayi, was detained by the State Security Service (SSS) on Sunday for displaying a Russian flag at his tea shop in Fagge. He was later released after denying knowledge of who placed the flag there.
    “It’s a tea joint, we host all categories of people. I don’t know whether the person who hoisted the flag at the joint is a Shiite because I was not around when the flag was hoisted,” said Maishayi, who is not a member of IMN.
    The display of Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano was first noticed on Sunday and Monday in certain areas of the city.
    On Monday, hundreds of protesters on IBB Way in Kano took advantage of a relaxed curfew to continue their demonstrations while waving Russian flags.
    Several protest groups adopted the Russian flags, asserting they had no political agenda behind their actions.
    The Russian embassy in Nigeria stated that the Russian government was not involved with its national flags being used in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
    In a statement on Monday, the embassy clarified that neither the Russian government nor its officials were associated with the flag-waving.
    The Nigerian government condemned the use of Russian flags and calls for a military takeover by some protesters, labeling such actions as treason.
  • Foreign Interference in Protests Will Be Resisted – FG Warns

    Foreign Interference in Protests Will Be Resisted – FG Warns

    Escalating its strong arm handling of the hunger related crisis that swept across the country since August 1, the federal government has warned foreign entities that it will not tolerate any interference in the ongoing End Bad Governance protests rocking the nation.
    The warning was issued by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar while briefing the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja on Wednesday.
    Tuggar said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a champion of democracy, believes in the fundamental rights of Nigerians, including freedom of assembly and expression. However, he stressed that the government will not condone thuggish behaviour or foreign interference in domestic affairs.
    “Nigeria is no exception. The government will take appropriate action against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is found to have directly or indirectly supported the protesters by whatever means or seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the country,” Tuggar said.
    The minister reiterated that Nigeria values its relationships with other countries and organizations but will take appropriate action against any foreign entity found supporting the protesters or interfering in internal affairs.
    “Indeed, more than at any time before, we solicit your understanding and collaboration in the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the economic challenges confronting the country to achieve a better life for every Nigerian at home and abroad,” Tuggar stated.
    The government’s warning comes amidst reports of foreign flags being raised in support of the protesters, with Russian flags spotted in Kano and Abuja.
    The protests, which began on August 1, 2024 and are scheduled to end on August 10th, have seen a mix of peaceful demonstrations and violent clashes.
  • #EndBadGovernance: I’m not affraid of death or arrest – Sowore

    #EndBadGovernance: I’m not affraid of death or arrest – Sowore

    Politician, Journalist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, said on Monday that he is not afraid of being arrested for the #EndBadGovernance protest.
    The publisher of online news medium, Sahara Reporters made this known in an interview Monday evening when asked if he was not afraid of being arrested for calling for protests across the country.
    The Human Rights Activist said, “I would be happy to rejoin them for those conversations. If there’s anything I love after being arrested — after all the noise, violence, and the beating we received, which is unfortunate, because we are not supposed to be treated like animals in our own country.
    “When I sit down with them, no matter what they call interrogation, it becomes an educational process. I lecture them. When I was arrested by the DSS, they brought in about four young guys to interrogate me.”
    He said, “During a long interrogation session, one of them left and never came back. I saw him another day and asked him why he ran away. He said he couldn’t take it anymore and that anything they were told to ask me was concocted by their boss.
    “He didn’t know that I had been arrested by the DSS in 1995; the guy told me he was born in 1996. So, when I was lecturing them inside the room, they were all getting nervous.”
    Sowore said he was not worried or afraid of death.
    “Nobody who went to university with me thought I would live beyond 30 years old because they ganged up against me so much. All the cults and the police were working with the military to kill me at the University of Lagos in 1994.”
    He said some people he met in Nigeria in 2018, who were also at the University of Lagos, swore that they thought he was no longer alive because of what he went through.
    “I expect them to drop all charges against me because they called me and said they regretted withdrawing the treason charges and want to add new ones. What I promise is that I will be back.”
    He said he would return to face the government with any charges that may come his way.
    He added that any sacrifices that could help make Nigeria better should be made, as some people had already done in the North.
  • Form Government Of National Unity Or Resign –  Ex-APC Chieftain

    Form Government Of National Unity Or Resign –  Ex-APC Chieftain

    “In truth you have united Nigerians with your bad government and hunger.”
    In a scathing open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, former National Welfare Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has called for some radical changes in the Nigerian government.
    Onyeagucha, who gained prominence as a pro-democracy activist and previously participated in high-profile protests, criticized the current administration’s handling of national issues.
    The letter, dated August 5, 2024, comes amidst widespread protests against hunger and poor governance, which began on August 1.
    Onyeagucha asserted that the president’s recent address to the nation exacerbated public discontent, stating, “Your contempt and or ignorance about the level of hunger and anger against your administration was perfectly captured in your Broadcast to the Nation on Sunday, 4th August 2024. Your broadcast to the Nation has added serious fuel in the flame.”
    In his letter, Onyeagucha presented President Tinubu with two stark choices: “You should dissolve your Government immediately and proclaim the formation of a Government of National Unity,” he writes. “I pray that God will touch Nigerians to accept this option in the light of the contempt which you displayed against Nigerians in your Broadcast.”
    Alternatively, Onyeagucha suggested, “You should resign as President and proceed immediately on Exile to enable Nigeria start on clean slate again.”
    He warned that failing to act on these options could lead Nigeria into severe political, economic, and social crises, stating,
     “Your failure to consider any of these options would very likely drive Nigeria into a Political, Economic and Social crisis of huge proportion.”
  • LG Election:  Ogun Announces Date

    LG Election:  Ogun Announces Date

    Determined to be one of leaders of the bandwagon, Ogun State has fixed Saturday, November 16 2024 as date for elections into its local government councils.
    The Chairman of Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr Babatunde Osibodu, disclosed this in a statement signed by him and made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
    Osibodu, according to the statement, said, “Thursday, August 8, 2024, is scheduled for the release of guidelines for the conduct of the elections and stakeholders meeting while campaigns by the political parties begin on Friday, August 9.
    “The political parties are also scheduled to hold their party primaries between Monday, August 26 to Monday, September 9, 2024”.
    Recall that the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Mr Kayode Akinmade, had last month described as fake news a statement circulating on social media announcing that the next local government elections in the state will be held on October 26, 2024.
    The elected local government officials completed their tenure about a week ago.
  • Edo, Ondo Guber: INEC unveils number of new voters

    Edo, Ondo Guber: INEC unveils number of new voters

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced a break in the number of new voters ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States.
    INEC announced that the total number of new voters for Edo and Ondo states are 119,206 and 58,708, respectively.
    The Commission said the figures did not include applications for transfer within the two states because they were already captured on the voter register.
    This was made known in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Monday.
    Olumekun said the commission will release the comprehensive and final register of voters to be used for the 2024 governorship elections for each of the two states in the next few days.
    “The number of new voters for Edo State is 119,206 and 58,708 for Ondo State. These figures do not include the 8,847 applications for transfer into Edo State and the 3,132 into Ondo State from other states of the Federation. Similarly, they do not include applications for transfer within the two states because they are already captured on the voter register.
    The figures of the new voters and inter-state transfers integrated into the existing register. In the next few days, the Commission will release the comprehensive and final register of voters to be used for the 2024 governorship elections for each of the two states.
    “Meanwhile, the analysis of new voters for Edo and Ondo States, indicating their distribution by local government areas, gender, age, occupation and disability, has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.”
  • BREAKING: FG Issues Travel Alert to Citizens Travelling to UK 

    BREAKING: FG Issues Travel Alert to Citizens Travelling to UK 

    Avoid political processions and protests, rallies or marches. Avoid crowded areas and large gatherings. Be vigilant and self aware at all times.

    The Nigerian government has issued a travel warning to citizens planning to visit the United Kingdom due to the escalating crisis following the tragic killing of three young girls at a concert.
    In a travel alert released on Monday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ref. No: MFA/PR/2024/14), signed by Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesperson for the Ministry, the government cautioned Nigerians that the situation in the UK has taken a dangerous turn, with reports of attacks on law enforcement officers and infrastructure damage.
    The alert advises Nigerians to exercise extreme caution when traveling to the UK.
    It warned Nigerians in the UK to be vigilant and self-aware at all times. The Nigerian government also advised them to avoid political processions and protests, rallies or marches, crowded areas and large gatherings.
    The advisory reads: “There is an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK, stemming from the killing of 3 young girls at a concert. The violence has assumed dangerous proportions as evidenced by reported attacks on Law enforcement agents and damage to infrastructure.
    “To this end, citizens are advised to be extra vigilant and take measures as follows:
    “Avoid political processions and protests, rallies or marches. Avoid crowded areas and large gatherings. Be vigilant and self aware at all times.
    “Contact the High Commission with a view to passing information that could be of interest via e-mail and hc@nigeriahc.org.uk, +442078391244. telephone”
    Giving background of the situation, the Nigerian government stated that demonstrations by far right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been large, and in some instances unruly.
    “These disturbances have only been aggravated by the unfortunate deaths of the 3 girls and it has spawned an anti-immigration narrative, with particular emphasis on Muslim immigrants or persons of colour being targeted.
    “This advisory remains under review,” it said.