Breaking News in Nigeria Today 24th January 2019
In the news today: Sacked TETFUND Secretary Confesses True Reason for Sack. Read iDonsabi for full details of all breaking news.
1. Former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS Alex Badeh Laid to Rest
Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh was laid to rest yesterday, 23rd January 2019 at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.
2. You Cannot Fight Corruption with Corruption – Saraki
Nigerian Senate President, Bukola Saraki has raised alarm that there is more corruption in the President Buari’s government than what was seen in previous administrations.
According to him, the government is paying N2.4 billion on fuel subsidy with the government saying that Nigeria is consuming 50 million litres.
According to Saraki, the level of corruption of the previous government is a learner where the corruption of this present government is.
Under the President Goodluck Jonathan’s government, it was said that 30 million litres was consumed per day as against the 50 million litres being claimed by this government.
3. Labour Plans to Shift their Minimum Wage Struggle to NASS
President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama in Lagos yesterday announced that the Labour Congress will now shift its minimum wage struggle to the National Assembly.
This latest move by labour is in a bid to lobby the lawmakers to approve the N30,000 minimum wage for workers.
Kaigama was reacting to the approval made by the National Council of State of N30, 000 as minimum wage for federal workers and 27,000 for state workers.
Government and organized labour has been in heated negotiations since 2016 over an acceptable minimum wage for public sector workers.
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4. Sen. Ndume Blames NASS Leadership for Delay in Budget
Senator Ali Ndume, a Borno Sate and APC senator has blamed the delay in consideration and passage of the 2019 Budget of N8.83 trillion on the Senate leadership.
In an interview on Wednesday, Senator Ndume said the APC lawmakers were ready to commence work on the passage of the budget but the leadership was not willing.
Ndume explained that the speed with which any executive bill is passed lies with the leadership of NASS and the 2019 Budget is no exception.
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5. Senate Confirms Tukur as NIFU Pioneer Director
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Modibbo Tukur as the pioneer Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
His appointment was confirmed following a presentation of report of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes by its Chairman, Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
President Buhari had earlier nominated Tukur as NFIU director in a letter he sent to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki on January 7th.
6. Protesters Hit Abuja Streets over Obasanjo’ Points for Concern
A Civil Society Group going by the name of Concerned Nigerian Masses has taken to the streets of Abuja on Wednesday to protest.
The group accused Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of making statements capable of destabilizing the country.
They also stated that they have followed up on events that led to the current political atmosphere preceding the forthcoming presidential elections.
According to the group, there is an urgent need for proactive steps to be taken to avert a looming darkness by some political agents of darkness.
The group had matched from the Unity Fountain in Abuja to the presidential villa.
7. Reps Detect Irregularities in Figures of Ministries as Debate Begins
The debate on the 2019 Appropriation Bill by the House of Representatives was almost put on hold after some irregularities were detected in figures quoted by some ministries.
The irregularities were pointed out by a member, Rep. Adamu Chika of APC-Niger.
The ministries with irreconcilable differences in figures include: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
One irregularity in figures was also observed with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
For instance, in the Ministry of Education, Adamu observed that the budget which read N462.2billion now changed to N539.6billion in the summary by the MDAs.
8. Ndigbo, Protect Your Votes to Avoid Becoming Poorer — Atiku
The PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar at the PDP rally at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Tuesday said the APC has put plans in place to rig the forthcoming elections.
He urged the party supporters to vote and protect their vote as that is the only way to stop the rigging plot.
Atiku further urged Ndigbo to vote PDP to avoid being further impoverished.
Among those present at the rally were Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dave Umahi; Ifenayi Uwuanyi of Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
9. Sacked TETFUND Secretary Confesses True Reason for Sack
The PDP Presidential Campaign Organization (PPCO) says the confession by the sacked TETfund Executive Director Abdullahi Baffa Bichi has proved once again the seething corruption in the APC government.
The former TETfund executive had confessed that the true reason for his sack was his refusal to give N200 million as kick-back to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.
The Presidency did not given any reason for Bichi’s removal.
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10. PDP Has Nothing to Offer – Senator Adeyemi
Senator Smart Adeyemi has called on the electorate to do due background checks on any politician seeking elective post to avoid voting in “rascals and misfits”.
Adeyemi stated this during his flag off campaign for Kogi West senatorial seat in Koto on Tuesday.
He also said the PDP has nothing to offer Nigerians, and called on the electorate to reject the party at the forthcoming general elections.
Adeyemi is contesting on the platform of the APC against Dino Melaye of the PDP among other candidates.
