Woman dies after being detained and starved for a year by her husband

A woman identified as Sadiya has died in a hospital after she was detained and starved for a year by her husband in Nguru, Yobe State.Sadiya, a middle-aged housewife, was rescued by her mother Hadiza after she suspected something was not right when she spoke with her daughter over the phone.

Hadiya went from Kano, where she lives, to Yobe state and found her daughter looking emaciated.

She had been allegedly locked up and starved by her husband for a year.

Sadiya was rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital where she was receiving treatement until she died on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Yobe State Police Command, while acting on the warrant issued by Nguru Senior Magistrate Court, confirmed the arrest of Sadiya’s husband, Ibrahim Yunusa, over the alleged detaining and starving of his wife.

"The motive of this act is not known, but police have arrested Mr Ibrahim Yunusa and handed him over to the magistrate court," DSP Dungus confirmed.

Following Sadiya's death, Olumide Omosebi, the CEO of Gnosis Help Initiative, a non-governmental organization helping victims of domestic violence and abusive marriages, revealed that he was made aware of Sadiya's case last year.

He said that he advised her family to break into the house and rescue their daughter.

Sadly, they delayed until one year had passed and it was already too late.

Ondomind 

Fake landlady of 17 years remanded in Suleja Custodial Centre

One Princess Helen Abang has been remanded in Suleja Custodial Centre by Hon. Justice K.N. Ogbonnaya of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Zuba for faking ownership of 2 storey building of 6 units of three bed room flats each.The accused has claimed ownership of the controversial apartments situated at Plot 70, Yaounde Street, Wuse Zone 6 in the Federal Capital Territory which she has rented out without consent of the legal owner.

The owner, Mrs Elizabeth Ego Olejeme, a widow of 80 years got to know of the trespass in 2006 and had been battling to recover the properties without success until the trespasser was arrested on 7th November, 2022.

While she was eventually brought to the Court on 21st November, 2022, the prosecuting lawyer, Abdulrasheed Sidi who argued the criminal proceedings stated that the accused shunned Court summon for two times, until a bench warrant was issued.

He told the Court: “The accused rented other 5 flats of the 3-bedroom and used the proceeds to fight the widow from recovering the houses since 2006.

“She illegally trespassed on the property and has remained there till she was arrested on 7th November, 2022 and charged to Court.

“On 7th November when the case came up for hearing, she refused to show up , but was moving from office to office in order to frustrate the case.”

He said the accused was arrested on 7th November and had been in custody of Police until she was brought to Court on 22nd November, 2022.

On her arraignment, the accused pleaded not guilty to the 7-count charge which was read by the Hon. Justice Ogbonnaya.

The presiding Judge adjourned her bail application to 25th November, while the dates for substantive suit hearing have been slated for 13 to 15th December, 2022.

Ondomind 

Wike clarifies comments on 13% derivation money

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said he never said other Niger Delta governors should show proof of what they have done with their states’ share of the 13% derivation money allegedly paid by President Muhammadu Buhari.It was reports that the money had been unpaid since 1999.

This newspaper understands that Wike’s revelation that President Buhari approved and paid the arrears to Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Akwa Ibom states had unsettled South-South governors.

Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of the Mgbuitanwo internal road in Emohua Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, Governor Wike stated that he only expressed his gratitude to President Buhari for releasing the money, which has helped him to execute a plethora of projects in the State.

“I never said people should account for their money. I never said so to anybody. All I said is people should thank Buhari for me, for giving me money to do all these projects. That’s all I said.

“If you people are interpreting a different thing that is your own business. Is it wrong to thank somebody who has done well for you?” the Rivers governor said.

Ondomind 

Military kills notorious bandit leader Sani Black

The Nigerian Military at the weekend killed Sani Black, a notorious bandit leader in Sabon Birni area of Sokoto State.While details of the operation are still sketchy, POLITICS NIGERIA can report that Late Black was from Manawa village in the eastern part of Sokoto State.

In a piece of related news, at least 49 insurgents of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (Boko Haram), including two Commanders, Ba’a Usman (Munzir) and Alhaji Ari,(Nakib), have surrendered to Nigerian troops.

The terrorists surrendered to the troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Damboa town in Borno State on Sunday.

Many insurgents comprising combatants and non-combatants and their families have so far surrendered to the Nigerian troops.

The sustained onslaughts on the insurgents under the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches have led to the mass surrender.

Ondomind 

APC Adjusts Time Table As Tinubu Set To Travel

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC has adjusted its presidential campaign timetable to accommodate more programmes ahead of next year’s general election.In a document sighted by Vanguard, the party will on Sunday, November 27 have a fundraising dinner in Lagos where it would also launch its “crowd sourcing app”.

On Wednesday of that week, the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would meet with Southwest leaders before engaging in a parley with the organized labour in Lagos the following Friday and holding the Lagos state rally and Southwest Stakeholders meeting the next day.

Tinubu’s international engagements would now hold as from December 4-12, while the Abuja Youth rally would hold on December 17.

The campaign council would then go in a break from December 23, 2022 to January 3, 2023. While most of the remaining days would be used to hold town hall meetings and rallies across some of the states, February 15, 2023 has now been slated for the grand finale in Lagos.

Ondomind

Condom recovered from male student who sneaked into a neighbouring girls secondary school

An 18-year-old male student who sneaked into a neighboring girls' secondary school, has been arrested by operatives of Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).The suspect, who is a student of Gatugi Day secondary school in Nyeri county was arrested while pretending to be a female student at the girls' school to meet his girlfriend.

He was reportedly dressed in a female uniform and joined a group of girls as they headed to their dormitories. The male student was nabbed after he enquired about the whereabouts of his supposed girlfriend

The DCI said in a statement;

"A mission by a teenage young man to meet his girlfriend at a secondary school in Nyeri county last night was nipped in the bud after the 18-year-old was unmasked by other girls who raised alarm. Frantic efforts by the restless young man to trace his girlfriend from a crowd of girls walking to their dormitory bore no fruits.

"The girl became suspicious since the voice sounded unfamiliar and husky, prompting her to have a closer look at the person making the inquiry, only for her to realize that the fool with a broad chest and hairy chin was a man dressed in their school uniform.

"She immediately started screaming prompting a cacophony of screams from the other girls, as they fled to different directions in bewilderment, almost causing a stampede."

Following the commotion at the school, the school's guard rushed toward the dormitories and apprehended the suspect as he attempted to escape.

The school's principal alerted law enforcement officers who rushed to the scene and arrested him.

When questioned, he told officers that he had been invited over by his girlfriend for unspecified business. Three condoms, a mobile phone and a lighter were recovered from him.

The statement added;

"However, three condoms, a mobile phone and a lighter were recovered from the student who had stuffed his chest with pieces of clothing, to create a false impression of a female bosom. He was whisked to Othaya police station where he is being processed for the offence of preparation to commit a felony."

Ondomind

Unpaid arrears: ASUU set to skip academic sessions missed during strike over no-work, no-pay by FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to skip the backlog of academic sessions halted by their seven months strike if the federal government persists on its 'no work no pay' stance.ASUU members, mainly lecturers from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Chapter, Rivers state, made this known after a special congress and protest rally on Monday, November 21.

Some of the inscriptions on their protest placards read, “No to Pro Rata Salary Payment, “Lecturers are not casual workers” and “FG, stop maltreatment of lecturers”.

The argued that the policy of "no pay no work'' does not apply to them because they have started lectures from where they stopped seven months ago and currently clearing the backlogs of work by combining two sessions.

Chairman, ASUU, Uniport, Dr. Uzoma Chima, said, “Today’s special congress and protest rally is to express our dissatisfaction with recent attempt by federal government of Nigeria to reduce university lecturers to daily pay casual workers.

“Because we know that there is nowhere in the world where university lecturers are treated as casual workers. So, today we invited parents, and students to let them know the state of things since after the suspension of our strike.

“Since we suspended the strike following the National Industrial Court order, we have come back to resume our duties and currently doing the backlogs of work we should have done during the strike. As a union of intellectuals, our job makes the no work, no pay policy not applicable to us.

“Because during the strike we were doing research. It was only teaching we were not doing. We were doing research and members engaged in community services. The teaching that was not done, we are doing already. We are clearing the backlog of work.

“So, today, we called parents and students to carry the issue to the public. Let them not see it as a fight for only ASUU because we know and it is so clear now that the ruling class wants to decimate the public universities. And of course, as the eggheads of the nation, we will not allow that to happen.”

Ondomind

Hold a rally in Kano – Ganduje challenges Kwankwaso

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, on Monday, challenged the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso to hold a rally in the State to test his popularity.Ganduje was speaking about the large turnout at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally for Bola Tinubu in the State earlier on Monday.

According to the Governor, many of Kwankwaso’s followers are now with the APC.

“So, if Kwankwaso thinks that he can win the party, let him hold a march like this and compare what will happen if he can do so,” Ganduje said on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday evening.

Ganduje further questioned the political relevancy of Ibrahim Shekarau, who he noted was moving from one party to another and losing a large number of his followers in the process.

The Governor believes that Shekarau has left a majority of his followers in the All Progressives Congress, the NNPP and suggested that no one knows the former Governor’s next moves.

Ondomind 

Why Kizz Daniel didn’t perform at Qatar 2022 World Cup opening ceremony

The absence of Nigerian singer and songwriter Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe, better known by his stage name Kizz Daniel, at the opening ceremony of the FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup on Sunday has been explained.

There was confusion over the singer’s performance at the FIFA Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Fans who thought the singer was supposed to perform at the opening ceremony on Sunday alongside fellow Nigerian artist CKay became worried when he did not show up on stage.

However, the ‘Buga’ star, who confirmed he would perform at the event, stated that he was billed to perform on the 23rd of November and not the 20th, as speculated.

Kizz Daniel had, in a post on his Instagram page on Friday, 11th of November, confirmed that he would perform at the World Cup in Qatar.

He wrote: “This one is for Africa. This one is for Vado nation. See you in Qatar World Cup on 23/11/2022.”

Meanwhile, those who thought that the singer was supposed to perform at the opening ceremony stormed social media to express concern over his and other Nigerian artists’ absence at the event.

JulioKitoko wrote: “But Davido, Kizz Daniel & Co supposed to perform for the World Cup opening ceremony. Why are they not there.”

Ajoke wrote: “I thought Kizz Daniel said he would be performing at the World Cup?”

FaiBoris added: “I did not see. Kizz Daniel or Davido at the World Cup opening ceremony. After all the hype from Nigerians and me in particular, looking forward for him to ginger and Buga the crowd. What went wrong? Did lack of electricity stop Nigerians from not being updated in time?”

Steeze wrote: “I thought Kizz Daniel and Davido were going to perform at the World Cup open ceremony? What happened?”

Ondomind 

Court Orders INEC To Resume Voter Registration Until 90-days to 2023 Election

The Federal High Court, Abuja, today ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately resume the continuous voters registration (CVR) until 90 days before the 2023 general elections.The judge, Inyang Ekwo, ordered in a judgement, that INEC must ensure that eligible Nigerians are not deprived the opportunity to have the voter’s card for the forthcoming poll.

Mr Ekwo held that it was the constitutional responsibility of the electoral umpire to make adequate provision for the exercise in accordance with the Nigerian laws.

“The case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” the judge declared.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Anajat Salmat and three others had sued INEC as sole defendant in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1343/2022.

In the originating summons filed before the court, the plaintiffs argued that INEC cannot stop the CVR contrary to the stipulated provisions of the constitution.

They urged the court to order the electoral umpire to resume the exercise in accordance with the law of the country.

Earlier in June the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the INEC from ending voter registration on 30 June 2022.

The judge, Mobolaji Olajuwon, in a ruling granted an order of interim injunction following the hearing of an argument on motion exparte by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

SERAP and 185 concerned Nigerians had early this month filed the lawsuit against INEC asking the court to “declare unconstitutional, illegal, and incompatible with international standards the failure of the electoral body to extend the deadline for voter registration to allow eligible Nigerians to exercise their rights.”

In the suit, SERAP had asked the court for “an order restraining INEC, its agents, privies, assigns, or any other person(s) claiming through it from discontinuing the continuous voters’ registration exercise from the 30th June 2022 or any other date pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

RukotoTV learned that the suit followed the decision by INEC to extend the deadline for the conduct of primaries by political parties by six days, from June 3 to June 9. But the commission failed to also extend the online pre-registration which ended May 30 2022 and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ending 30 June 2022.

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1034/2022 filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, and transferred to Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether the failure of INEC to extend the deadline for voter registration is not a violation of Nigerian Constitution, 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, and international standards.”

Ondomind 

Saudi Arabia declares public holiday after Argentina win

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has publicly announced that there will be a public holiday in the country on Wednesday after the Saudi team edged Argentina 2-1 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.According to Arabnews, King Salman approved a suggestion made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to celebrate the national team’s victory with a holiday.

All public and private sector employees and students at all educational stages will be given a holiday, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Saudis celebrated beating the South Americans in the opening game as they stopped Lionel Messi, ending a 36-game undefeated run for the Argentines.

The Arabians had always lost badly against big countries with the most demeaning being the 8-0 lost to Germany in the 2002 World Cup held in South Korea and Japan.

In the historic win against Argentina, Saleh Alsheri scored the equalizer in the 48th minute before Salem Aldawseri scored the decider five minutes later.

Saudi Arabia will go on to face Lewandowski’s Poland side on Saturday.

Ondomind

Ronaldo to leave Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.

Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.

Ondomind

Nigerians May Be Hungry But We Can Manage Our Hunger, Tinubu Tells Buhari

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has said though Nigerians may be hungry, the hunger can be managed because President Muhammadu Buhari has created a path out of the hunger.Tinubu, who eulogised Buhari on Tuesday while speaking at a ceremony to flag off the Kolmani Integrated Development Project (KIPRO) located at the Bauchi and Gombe states’ boundary, described the President as a retired general who came to rescue his country.

President Buhari on Tuesday flagged off the project amid tight security.

KIPRO is the first oil drilling project in Northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Tinubu, a former Lagos governor told President Buhari that history will be kind to him because he took over power when things were gloomy in the country.

“Whatever they say in their social media, traditional comments, and write-ups, history will be very kind to you because you are in the class of great retired generals who came to rescue their country,” Tinubu said.

“We may be hungry but we can manage our hunger; we don’t want to kill each other. Today, you gave us a path to prosperity, a path to success.

“The only thing that I may want to exclude and argue about is the West and Europe. They use our coal and fuel to develop their economy and they ask us to be conscious, but I like your answer. We cannot stay hungry and starve to death. We have to take care of ourselves unless they pay compensation to us; that is where we stand.

“Anytime we discuss the lack of food and the challenges of terrorism, you will talk about Lake Chad. Okay, let me assure you, if I’m elected the president, I will recharge Lake Chad.”

Ondomind

Nigerian students to gain more access to education as National Assembly passes loan bill

Nigerian students in higher institutions of learning stand to gain more access to financial assistance as the two chambers of the National Assembly passed the Students Loan Bill sponsored by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.The draft legislation has as its short title, the 'Students Loan (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2019,' While its long title is 'A Bill for an Act to provide for easy access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Bank established in this Act with a view to providing education for all Nigerians and for other purposes connected thereto.'

The House had passed the bill earlier this year and forwarded it to the Senate for concurrence. The Red Chamber passed the Bill yesterday, Tuesday.

With the Senate's concurrence on the Bill, a clean copy will be produced and transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent. Once it is signed into law, Nigerian students could begin accessing the loans.

The Bill seeks the establishment of the Nigerian Education Bank, which shall have powers to supervise, coordinate, administer, and monitor the management of student loans in Nigeria and receive applications for students loan through higher institutions in Nigeria on behalf of the applicants, screen the applications to ensure that all requirements for the grant of students’ loan under the Act are satisfied.

               

The bank shall also have the powers to approve and disburse the loan to qualified applicants; control and monitor and coordinate the students' loan account/fund and ensure compliance in respect of disbursement; monitor academic records of grantees of the loan to obtain information on their year of graduation, national service, employment to ensure that grantees of the loan commence repayment of the loan as at when due, among other functions.

The Bill provides that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in other enactments, all students seeking higher education in any public institution of higher learning in Nigeria shall have an equal right to access the loan under this Act without any discrimination arising from gender, religion, tribe, position or disability of any kind. 

"The loan referred to in this Act shall be granted to students only for the payment of Tuition fees. The grant of the loan to any student under this Act shall be subject to the students/applicant(s) satisfying the requirements and conditions set out under this Act."

Gbajabiamila had argued in the Bill that the hardship being faced by the unemployed and low-income earners coupled with the very high cost of living in Nigeria over the years has made access to quality higher education difficult, stressful and in some cases impossible.

He also noted that a well-educated citizenry is critical to our National development and our Nation’s ability to compete in the Global Economy, arguing that higher education should be regarded as a public good benefiting the entire country rather than a commodity solely benefiting the individual recipients.

"In tandem with the Federal government’s interest and quest in ensuring access to higher education, the National Assembly has agreed to prescribe a legislation that will guarantee access to quality higher education by qualified Nigerians," he said during the debate on the Bill.

Ondomind 

Buhari To Unveil Redesigned Naira Notes Tomorrow

"We are no longer waiting till December 15th to unveil and begin to release the new notes" -CBN.President Muhammadu Buhari will unveil the newly designed naira notes on Wednesday, according to governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Ondomind reports that the CBN Governor Emefiele disclosed this at the Monetary Policy Committee monthly meeting of the bank in Abuja on today Tuesday December 22nd 2022.

He said, “100 days is enough for any person from any part of Nigeria to deposit his money in the bank and get his money when the new notes are released.

“For information, indeed, we are no longer waiting till December 15th to unveil and begin to release the new notes.

Emeifele said “By the special grace of God, tomorrow, which is the 23rd of November 2022, the President has graciously accepted to unveil the new currencies and the new currencies will be unveiled tomorrow at the Federal Executive Chamber by 10am.”

The CBN governor had last month announced the plan to redesign the naira, saying the money being held by some individuals was higher than the one in circulation.

The planned redesign of some Naira notes had generated mixed reactions, with some calling for the extension of the deadline.

But at the Monetary Policy Committee meeting, Emefiele said the apex bank would not move the January 31, 2023 deadline for all old notes to be deposited to commercial banks.

The newly designed naira notes are N1,000, N500 and N200 notes.

Ondomind

Atiku Rejected Jonathan's Plea In 2015, Refused To Support Him - Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Tuesday said then President Goodluck Jonathan pleaded with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to support his re-election bid in 2015 but the Adamawa-born politician rejected the entreaties of the former Bayelsa governor.Wike stated this when Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State commissioned the Akpabu-Itu-Umudiogha road in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers.

According to him, Jonathan travelled to the Dorchester Hotel in London in 2015 to meet Atiku but rather, the former VP “embarrassed” Jonathan and told him to relinquish his ticket to him.

Wike, who contested the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won by Atiku in May, said he is not asking Atiku to step down as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections. He said, instead, Atiku should ensure the removal of Iyorchia Ayu as PDP national chairman for a southern replacement.

The Rivers governor said, “We forget history. In 2015 when Jonathan as a sitting President, I am not talking as a presidential candidate but as a sitting President, when he had won his primary, Jonathan went to London to Dorchester Hotel, he went to plead with Atiku Abubakar to come back to the party and support him.

“You know the condition he (Atiku) gave Jonathan? He should relinquish his ticket not to run as the President of Nigeria. That was the presidential candidate of a ruling party. He gave him a condition, telling him to relinquish that ticket.

Ondomind

Wike Presents Rivers N550.6 Billion Budget for 2023

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has presented the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly for consideration.The governor, who christened the 2023 appropriation bill, ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity’ said it comprises capital and recurrent expenditure of N550, 666,987,238.00 for the fiscal year 2023.

Presenting the budget before State lawmakers on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, he explained that his administration has projected the sum of ₦350,977,495,537.00 as Capital Expenditure for the fiscal year 2023.

“This amount represents about 63.2% of the total budget and conforms to our practice of prioritising capital expenditures over recurrent.”

Under capital expenditure, governor Wike said the State will spend N114,264,480,208 on infrastructure, N36,999,486,717 specifically on education and N31,500,002,023 on health.

“Accordingly, the sum of N114,264,480,208 is provided in the 2023 capital budget estimate to fund the completion of all ongoing roads and other physical infrastructural projects awarded by our administration."

In the 2023 budget proposal, governor Wike said his administration has also proposed a Recurrent Expenditure of N175,249,692,497à, representing about 31% of the total budget for the 2023 fiscal year.

The governor explained that in 2023 the State will expend N73,460,278,307 on salaries (Ministries/Departments/Parastatals), N7,758,772,851 on new recruitment, N33,600,000,000 on monthly pensions as well as N12,000,000,000 on gratuities/death benefits.

Governor Wike said the fiscal year 2023 budget is targeted at delivering economic growth, additional infrastructure and prosperity for citizens.

He stated that while no new projects may be awarded, except where such is considered very significant, the administration shall galvanise efforts and resources to complete all ongoing projects so that the new government can start on a clean slate, unencumbered.

The governor said in 2021 and 2022, the State government introduced several fiscal measures, including a moratorium on external borrowing to achieve economic growth, fiscal discipline and financial consolidation.

These measures, according to him, have significantly blocked revenue leakages, improved the State capacity for internal revenue generation and prevented unsustainable deficit financing.

“We have, therefore, resolved to continue with the existing fiscal measures for the year 2023. This means that there would be no increase in tax rates. No new taxes will also be introduced.

“However, we will continue to intensify our drive to significantly improve IGR by expanding opportunities for more investments, industrialization and efficient tax collection."

The governor disclosed that the State remains determined to reduce its dependence on statutory federal allocations to finance its budget and development. To this end, he urged other sister States to join Rivers in the struggle to secure the right to impose and collect VAT at the sub-national level.

Reviewing the 2022 budget performance, governor Wike narrated that the approved total budget of the State was N420, 485,053,736.00 only.

He disclosed that by the end of October 2022, total revenue receipts of the State stood at N321, 250,781,228.91, only about 70% performance. While, the total receipts from internally generated revenue (IGR) was N112.099 billion. This, according to him, represents 25% performance above the figure of 2021 for the same period but over 50% less than the projected sum for 2022.

“The shortfall in IGR is attributed to our inability to collect the projected proceeds from value-added tax following the stay of execution ordered by the Court of Appeal, which we have appealed to the Supreme Court.

“Furthermore, augmentation from the Federal Government accounts for the nominal increase recorded in the allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). In other words, the 2022 budget performance did not also meet projected receipts from FAAC.

“Nevertheless, the aggregate performance of the budget on the revenue side stood at over 90% at the end of October 2022.”

Governor Wike revealed that the sum of N5 billion has been proposed under Special Projects to introduce and fund a free feeding programme for pupils in State primary schools to increase and sustain enrolments and reduce poverty.

He said the State has further provided N4 billion under Special Projects to fund free medical care for nursing mothers and children for the fiscal year 2023.

The Rivers State governor said although this is the last lap of his tenure, the administration is resolved to continue to advance Rivers development and secure its future.

“We are therefore poised to use the 2023 budget to deliver more transformative infrastructure and other strategic projects and services and move our dear State closer to the point of self-sustainability.”

The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, noted that governor Wike has through prudent allocation of resources put in place a roadmap for the development of the State.

Ibani, who commended the governor for his achievements in the past seven years, noted that his numerous infrastructural projects will positively impact on the development of the State in future.

Ondomind

Ondo Govt to sell off Sunshine Stars FC

The Ondo State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Bamidele Ologun, has said the state government is ready to sell off Sunshine Stars Football Club.Ologun said this during a press briefing to end a four-day partnership scouting programme between Sunshine Stars and Moyero Football Club.

He explained that with the right investors the government would sell off Sunshine Stars FC which was set up by a former military administrator of the State, retired Col. Ahmed Usman, in 1995.

Ologun said that the state was looking for investors that would come on board and run the club professionally, different from what had been done in the past.

“The state can decide to sell the club, Sunshine Stars FC, if we get the right price and most importantly if the right company that has the right experience comes on board.

“What is important to us is to develop these sports and developing these sports doesn’t have to be done by the state government.

We are looking at investors who will come on board and run this club professionally and these days you know money is very essential in football, it’s big business and ordinarily, government doesn’t have anything to do with business,” he said.

He reiterated that the state was ready to sell off the club so that the government would concentrate on the development of sports at the grassroots level.

“The government should just be there to form policies and other things; so why not (sell) the club. For example if my friend, Adriano (foreign scout) gets back to Europe and he is able through our partner, Mr Lanre Moyero, bring a billion dollar for us to get Sunshine Stars FC.

“And for us, once Sunshine Stars FC is sold, for example, we can always have resources to do what we need to do, grassroots football, that is the main deal; that is where there is real development.

“What matters to the government is for Sunshine Stars FC to be run professionally.

Ondomind

NAN

I will Wipe Out Boko Haram, Revive Businesses - Atiku

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has promised to wipe out Boko Haram and help businessmen revive and expand their business in order jump start the economy if elected President come 2023. Atiku made the promise while addressing a crowd of party supporters at the PDP Presidential Campaign in Gombe, Gombe State, on Monday.

He also promised to assist in putting in place policies to jumpstart businesses and help businessmen expand their business in order to revive the economy which is currently in a terrible state.

Atiku who spoke mostly in Hausa said, “What I want to pledge here in Gombe is to ensure that we give businesses the support to set-up industries that will give youths both males and females jobs.

“Recall it was the PDP that built the Dakin-Kowa Dam to provide electricity to the North-east and give farmers the opportunity to farm, I will create wealth and jobs in Gombe State, if you give me the mandate.

“I promise you that if you elect me what we have started, I will ensure that the electricity that will be provided from Dakin-Kowa Dam will be sufficient to the entire North-east.

“ I will enhance farming so that our farmers will have the opportunity to farm both during raining and dry seasons.”

Ondomind

Saudi Arabia defeat Messi-led Argentina 2-1 in World Cup Game

Saudi Arabia in a shocking performance have defeated World Cup favourites Argentina 2-1 in a display of resilience at the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar.After a dominant first half, Argentina failed to secure all three points after having two goals cancelled before the half time whistle. Seven time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, scored the only goal of the match for his side through a penalty in the first ten minutes of the match.

Both Messi and Lautaro Martinez had their goals cancelled after a VAR intervention for offsides in the build up.

The Saudi Arabia side turned the game around immediately after the second half resumed with Saleh Alshehri’s goal, 48′, leveling up with Argentina and Saleh Aldawsari’s 53rd minute winning goal.

Saudi Arabia’s keeper, in a stunning performance, stalled all possible goals from the opposition up until the final whistle.

Argentina have their 36 games unbeaten run come to a shocking end by the middle eastern nation.

Ondomind