Senator Ali Ndume has faced criticism following his remarks about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. Ndume suggested that President Tinubu is unaware of the current security and food crises in Nigeria because he has been ‘caged’ by certain individuals in power. These comments were made during an interview at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on July 10, 2024.

In response, the Progressive Students Movement (PSM) condemned Ndume’s statement. PSM President Bestman Okereafor called the remarks “diminishing and derogatory to the esteemed office of the Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” He argued that President Tinubu is fully aware of and in control of the country’s affairs and urged Ndume to propose constructive solutions to the issues affecting Nigeria, especially in his senatorial district. Okereafor also noted the insensitivity of Ndume’s comments, given that Vice President Shettima is from Borno State, Ndume’s constituency.

Furthermore, Okereafor emphasized the importance of addressing the nation’s pressing problems, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and the unregulated sale of PMS, urging President Tinubu to take swift action.

On July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country. This decision mandates that state governments can no longer receive funds on behalf of local government councils; instead, allocations will be paid directly to the councils from the federation account. The ruling aims to prevent state governments from misusing local government funds and requires that only democratically elected officials, rather than appointees, run local governments.

The reaction from Nigerians on social media has been largely positive, with many seeing this development as a step forward for grassroots governance. Public affairs analysts and civil society organizations have also expressed optimism about the potential impact of this ruling.

Emmanuel Njoku, Director of Democracy and Governance at Connected Development (CODE), described the ruling as a victory for democracy and a significant opportunity for Nigerian youths to engage in local politics and leadership. Njoku, however, cautioned that political challenges, such as the control of State Independent Electoral Commissions, might still hinder the full realization of local government autonomy.

Paul James, Election Program Officer at YIAGA Africa, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the verdict reinforces the local government as a valid third tier of government and is crucial for service delivery at the grassroots level. James also called for further reforms, including ensuring that local government elections are conducted democratically.

Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate, offered a more skeptical view, arguing that the ruling would be ineffective if state governors continue to manipulate local government elections.

Despite these concerns, the general sentiment is that financial autonomy for local governments is a positive development that will increase scrutiny and accountability at the grassroots level.

The Yobe State Government, under Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration since 2019, has employed 3,196 youths in various sectors of the state’s civil service. The employees hold degrees, diplomas, and National Certificates of Education (NCE). Alhaji Barma Shettima, the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, stated that the recruitment aimed to empower youths and reduce redundancy, crime, and social vices.

The employed youths include doctors, pharmacists, midwives, nurses, and laboratory technicians. Additionally, the governor appointed young individuals as chief executives in key government establishments like the Yobe Scholarship Board and the Yobe Information Technology Development Agency. Youths have also been trained in trades such as cosmetology, modern crop cultivation, and animal production to foster meaningful engagement and state development.

The administration also achieved the domestication of the Child Rights Protection Act, with efforts to train stakeholders and sensitize the public about the law. Furthermore, Yobe is set to host the 2024 North East Zonal Sports Festival, and local traditional sports like wrestling and ‘langa’ are being promoted among the youth. Plans are underway to upgrade several stadia, including the August 27 Stadium in Damaturu, to international standards.

Prof. Chidi Odinkalu discussed the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy in Nigeria. According to him, despite changes in the method of fund allocation to local governments, state governors will still retain control. This is because governors can influence local elections to install preferred chairmen who will return the funds to them. Odinkalu argues that the mandate, as established by the Supreme Court, is not truly with the people but rather with the politicians, making the reforms ineffective without addressing this underlying issue.

Shaba Mohammed, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has issued a stern warning against obstructing NAFDAC personnel during enforcement operations targeting substandard drugs and falsified goods. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, Mohammed emphasized that attacks on NAFDAC’s enforcement team, such as the incident in February involving drug hawkers and touts, will not be tolerated.

Several individuals involved in the February attack have been arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Mohammed stressed that these legal actions are intended to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider similar actions.

“Those arraigned recently in the court are part of those who attacked NAFDAC officials while on enforcement duty some months ago. Arraigning them in court is to pay for their sins; this is also to advise the public to desist from attacking NAFDAC staff while on duty,” he said.

Mohammed acknowledged that counterfeit products still circulate within the country, largely due to the activities of unscrupulous individuals who exploit hawkers to distribute these illicit goods. NAFDAC is committed to eradicating this problem by continuing to arrest hawkers and tracing the sources of counterfeit products, whether imported or locally produced.

“The public should support NAFDAC to sanitise the system. Anyone caught in such an act will be prosecuted thoroughly because that is obstruction of a Federal Government team in performing its jobs. Sales of drugs in marketplaces, hawking, or in moving vehicles is actually prohibited by NAFDAC law. This is regarded as a criminal act, and that is why we are prosecuting those that have committed crimes against the NAFDAC act,” he stated.

As Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Mohammed will collaborate closely with the Federal Task Force, which includes other related agencies such as the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, Customs Service, and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC). The task force’s strategies to curb counterfeit drugs include manning points of entry to intercept illicit products and deploying Post Marketing Surveillance officials who will operate as undercover agents.

Mohammed urged the public to support NAFDAC’s efforts in sanitizing the system and emphasized that all individuals involved in obstructing NAFDAC’s operations or distributing counterfeit products will face prosecution.

Emmanuel Nnamani, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), has issued a stern warning against the issuance of fake receipts to taxpayers, highlighting that impersonation of the organization is a criminal offense. This announcement came in response to recent fraudulent activities involving fake notices and receipts in the state.

Nnamani clarified that a printed notice for Capital Gains Tax dated July 2, which requested taxpayers to make payments into personal accounts, was not an official communication from ESIRS. He emphasized that the fraudulent plot was designed to defraud taxpayers in Enugu State by impersonating the revenue service.

The chairman condemned these malicious acts, particularly targeting the Nsukka area, and reiterated that ESIRS had not issued any fake Capital Gains Tax notices. He urged the public to be vigilant and to report any imposters or suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities.

“Kindly discard any letterhead, receipt, or individual directing you to pay to an individual account. Be cautious, send this message to friends and family,” Nnamani advised.

He further stressed that all state Internal Generated Revenue payments must be made into the state account through any commercial bank using PayDirect, Remita, eTranzact, Flutterwave, or by paying online at www.irs.en.gov.ng. This measure ensures that all transactions are secure and verifiable, safeguarding taxpayers from fraudulent schemes.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara commended President Bola Tinubu for his bold initiatives to promote livestock development and end the persistent herders-farmers conflicts across communities. He highlighted the recent inauguration of the livestock reforms implementation committee and the establishment of the Ministry for Livestock Development as historic efforts to transform the agricultural landscape and enhance food security sustainably.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by his Counselor and Senior Advisor, Sa’adu Salaudeen, at the launch of the National Animal Identification Traceability System (NAITS) for the state, organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the governor expressed his appreciation for these significant steps. He noted that President Tinubu’s inauguration of the livestock reforms committee and the creation of the Ministry for Livestock Development have generated national excitement about the future of livestock value chains and the potential to end the recurrent clashes between herders and farmers.

Governor AbdulRazaq also praised the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, and his team for their dedication to transforming the agricultural sector and supporting economic diversification. He pledged to support the agricultural initiative by facilitating the construction and equipping of the Kwara NAITS center and called for further collaboration with the federal government, particularly in developing irrigation for year-round farming and agricultural mechanization.

Sen. Abdullahi emphasized that NAITS is part of President Tinubu’s national livestock transformation programs aimed at reducing cattle rustling, minimizing farmers-herders clashes, and fostering peaceful coexistence in the country. He highlighted the administration’s efforts to develop the livestock industry to meet domestic demands and eventually export to foreign markets. Abdullahi called on key stakeholders to view NAITS as a beneficial initiative and praised Governor AbdulRazaq for his commitment to agricultural development in Kwara State.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, affirmed that the state government would continue leveraging technology and innovation to drive agricultural transformation. She emphasized that NAITS is a critical tool for agricultural excellence and highlighted its potential to improve farmers’ livelihoods, enhance food production, facilitate access to new markets and finance, and reduce poverty.

The former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, has requested more time from a Federal High Court in Abuja to conclude the refund of public funds he allegedly siphoned. Nwabuoku and his co-defendant, Felix Nweke, are facing an 11-count charge of money laundering brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), involving ₦1.6 billion.

The alleged offenses were committed while Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. Nwabuoku was appointed acting AGF on May 20, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari, following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over an alleged ₦80 billion fraud. Nwabuoku was removed from office in July 2022 after being under the EFCC’s radar for corruption allegations and was replaced by Sylva Okolieaboh.

During the court session on Wednesday, Nweke’s lawyer, Emeka Onyeaka, informed the court of developments indicating steps toward resolving the matter. Onyeaka stated that his client had made substantial refunds of the money traced to him. Nwabuoku’s lawyer, Maduakolam Igwe, also confirmed that his client had made similar refunds.

However, EFCC counsel Ogechi Ujam noted that while the commission received a proposal letter, no negotiations, settlements, or agreements had been reached. Justice James Omotosho, in response, set a new date for the arraignment, adjourning the case until October 14.

The EFCC alleges that Nwabuoku, Nweke, and others converted funds derived from unlawful activities for personal use, violating the Money Laundering Prohibition Act. The charges include converting ₦262,602,897.27 paid into the Zenith Bank account of Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, among other counts.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, due to his alleged actions and statements related to the Edo governorship primary election. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made the announcement in Abuja, stating that the National Working Committee (NWC) considered complaints about Orbih’s activities during its 588th meeting on July 10.

Ologunagba explained that the NWC unanimously condemned Orbih’s conduct, which was deemed inconsistent with the PDP’s constitution and his role as a national officer. Consequently, the NWC has established a six-member committee led by Deputy National Chairman (South), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the matter.

Pending the investigation’s outcome, Orbih is suspended from participating in all NWC meetings, activities, and programs. The NWC also recognized the support and solidarity of the majority of Edo’s people who have rallied around the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo. Ologunagba urged all PDP leaders, stakeholders, and members in Edo to stay united and focused, working towards the party’s success in the upcoming election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Hon. Olaide Akinremi, describing it as a significant loss to the party, Ibadanland, and Nigeria. Akinremi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, died early Wednesday in Abuja after a brief illness. He was 51.

Hon. Olaide Akinremi, also known as Jagaban, was a two-term lawmaker and a member of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe. The APC Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, conveyed in a statement from Ibadan that Akinremi’s death came at a crucial time when his leadership was needed most by his constituents, the National Assembly, and the broader society.

Sadare praised Akinremi as the embodiment of responsible and responsive leadership, noting his numerous achievements. He highlighted that Akinremi had redefined representation at the National Assembly, providing relief and hope to the people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

“Prince Akinremi’s demise is a death to many as he means so much to our great party, even in death. The vacuum he left behind will be extremely difficult to fill but we find solace in the legacy of kindness, philanthropy and service to the people which he was able to impact on the surface of the earth,” said Sadare.

The Isaac Omodewu-led State Executive Committee and the entire APC membership and supporters mourn the loss of Akinremi, recognizing him as a remarkable party man and a vibrant politician whose contributions left an indelible mark.