Politics
Just In: Ondo State Governor Signs 2024 Appropriation Bill Into Law-Added N10 Billion (Details)
In a significant development, the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, officially signed the 2024 appropriation bill into law on Friday. The bill had earlier been passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly, reflecting an increase of over N10 billion from the initial proposal….CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Last week, Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa presented a budget of N384.5 billion to the Assembly, but the House ultimately passed a revised sum of N395.257 billion. This adjustment showcased a notable addition to the originally proposed budget.
The budget, named ‘Budget of Economic Resilience,’ allocates N222,259,827,500.00 for capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure is set at N172,997,172,500.00. Governor Aiyedatiwa confirmed that the House meticulously scrutinized the budget before its passage.
In a statement, Governor Aiyedatiwa said, “After extensive deliberation involving interface with all MDAs and the judiciary, the size of the approved budget for 2024 stands at N395,257,000,000.00 only. Out of this amount, a sum of N222,259,827,500.00 only, representing 56.23 per cent is for capital expenditure while a sum of N172.997,172,500.00 only, representing 43.77 per cent is to cover the recurrent expenditure.”
The governor expressed appreciation for the dedication and efficiency of the state House of Assembly in promptly passing the appropriation bill. He acknowledged the positive relationship between the executive and legislative branches, attributing the success to the collaborative efforts that have allowed the government to fulfill its promises to the people.
“I must put on record that generally, this administration has enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the legislature and this has enabled us to deliver considerably on our promises to our people. This is a good legacy of our dear Arakunrin (Akeredolu) which must be sustained,” Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized.
As news of the signed appropriation bill circulates, Nigerians are reacting to the increased budget allocation and the governor’s commendation of the legislative body. The added N10 billion and the focus on economic resilience are likely to be topics of discussion, with citizens expressing diverse opinions on the budgetary decisions and their potential impact on the state’s development.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of peculiar allowances, welfare benefits, and exit packages for civil servants across Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This was disclosed on Friday in Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing.
She explained that the adjustment applies to workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) as well as the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
According to her, the revised allowances have been designed to cut across all grade levels, ensuring improved earnings for both senior and junior officers.
Further details are expected to be released later.
Taiwo Oyedele has officially taken over as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy following a formal handover from his predecessor, Wale Edun.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The transition, which reportedly took place on Thursday evening, was confirmed in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie.
According to the statement, the handover was concluded within the timeframe set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his inaugural address, Oyedele pledged to consolidate ongoing reforms while delivering measurable economic outcomes.
He said his administration would prioritise fiscal discipline, transparency, and improved performance across key sectors of the economy.
He also expressed his readiness to work closely with staff of the ministry to strengthen efficiency and service delivery.
Oyedele commended his predecessor, Wale Edun, for his role in advancing Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, and thanked President Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility.
The Permanent Secretary, Raymond Omachi, alongside the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), Mohammed Danjuma, welcomed the new minister and assured him of the full support and cooperation of the ministry’s workforce.
During Edun’s tenure, the ministry implemented several fiscal reforms aimed at improving revenue generation and economic coordination. However, the period also faced challenges, including budget implementation constraints that affected ministries, departments, and agencies.
There were also concerns over outstanding payments owed to pensioners and contractors during the same period.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of an Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, and a police officer, Edith Erhunmuuse, after they failed to appear in court.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The two defendants were scheduled to be arraigned alongside another accused person, Cecil Osakwe, on a nine-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
They are accused of criminal conspiracy involving the alleged forceful eviction of occupants and damage to property valued at about N300 million.
When the matter was called on Friday, the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana, told the court that although the charge was filed in January 2023, arraignment had repeatedly stalled due to what she described as a consistent pattern of absence by the defendants.
She argued that neither the first nor second defendant had consistently appeared in court or informed the prosecution of their absence, insisting that a bench warrant was necessary to compel attendance.
However, counsel to Victor Giwa, Ogbu Aboje, opposed the application, informing the court that his client was absent due to illness and had submitted medical documentation to support his condition. He also urged the court to hear a pending application before proceeding further.
He asked the court to excuse Giwa’s absence, citing health challenges as the reason for his non-attendance.
In response, the prosecution maintained that arraignment is the proper starting point of any criminal trial, adding that any proceedings before it would be invalid.
The prosecution therefore urged the court to issue a bench warrant to ensure the defendants appear for arraignment.
The third defendant, Cecil Osakwe, was present in court with his lawyer, Farouk Akanbi.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Samira Bature granted the prosecution’s request and ordered the arrest of Victor Giwa, stating that the explanations and medical documents presented amounted to deliberate delay tactics.
The judge noted that the case had suffered repeated delays since it was first filed in 2023 and commenced before her court in July 2024, lamenting that arraignment had still not taken place nearly two years later.
Justice Bature stressed that courts are not venues for delay tactics, adding that the defendants had shown disregard for the judicial process by failing to appear for arraignment.
She further ruled that all pending applications could only be considered after proper arraignment, stating that the court’s jurisdiction in criminal matters becomes fully activated only after that stage.
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