Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Tuesday directed the 36 states and the FCT pilgrims boards to remit a reasonable percentage of funds to secure the Hajj slots allocated to them.

The directive is contained in a letter addressed to Chief Executives of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commission by the NAHCON’s Director, Finance and Accounts, Dr Salihu Usman.

Usman stated that the call became necessary in view of the timeline issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

He explained that the timeline makes it mandatory for every Hajj Mission who intends to participate in the 2024 Hajj to remit their money before a certain period.

According to him, failure to comply with the directive will be interpreted as being unprepared or not interested in participating in the 2024 hajj.

He further stated that non-compliance with the directive would leave the commission with no alternative or option but to reduce the allocation of such State.

This, according to him, will enable the commission to allot more slots to states that have completed their remittances and are in need of more slots.

He pointed out that it was important that the commission’s IBAN Account needs to be adequately funded by December.

“This will ensure that the commission makes payment to undertake or process some activities in the Kingdom.”

Usman, therefore, called for the continued cooperation and understanding by the states in order to collectively work towards meeting the deadline to ensure a hitch-free 2024 hajj.”

NAN

By Moses Omorogieva

A retired staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr Ayankola Ayanlakin has petitioned the Police over alleged N30.2 million fraud against Mr Teniola Adesanya, Chairman, Oxford International Group (funds managers).

A copy of the petition signed by E.A. Medupin a solicitor, was made available to NAN in Lagos.

The petition, which mentioned six members of the family and friends as victims of the fraud, noted that the organisation had gone underground but now being acted for by Gavel Mavericks (Solicitors).

According to the petition, the clients mentioned, through fraudulent advertisement approached the company, Oxford International Group, to invest in their proposal as funds managers.

“Unfortunately, no sooner than they had put their funds into the company, they realised that they had played into the hands of fraudsters.

“As evidence of the said investment, the petitioned issued post dated cheques in various sums to our clients as their return on investment to be paid on the due dates but unfortunately, they were all returned unpaid as their cheques were dishonoured by the paying banks.

“It will interest you to note that since the post dated cheques were returned unpaid, Mr Teniola Adesanya and his cohorts had gone underground, folded up the Oxford International Group, but operates under the hidden face of Gravel Mavericks Solicitors,” it noted.

The petition also called on the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Idowu Owohunwa, to arrest, investigate and prosecute the petitioned for allegedly obtaining their money under misrepresentation.

Efforts to reach the petitioned, Adesanya, through his two numbers: 09038129393, 2347049000015 for reaction to the petition were unsuccessful.

NAN

By Ishaq Zaki

The Zamfara State Hajj Commission on Monday said that it discovered N774 million as outstanding balance not refunded to 504 prospective pilgrims in the state from 2019 to date.

The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Musa Mallaha, disclosed this in Gusau at the commission’s inaugural meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the meeting, Mallaha presented appointment letters to the recently appointed five parmanent commissioners and 18 part-time members to the commission on behalf of Gov. Dauda Lawal.

Mallaha further disclosed that from 2019 to date, the immediate past administration had not refunded N775 million to the 504 prospective pilgrims who deposited their money with the commission.

“This commission has been owing N775 million for 504 intended pilgrims from across the 14 local government areas who were not able to complete payment for hajj seats from 2019 to date.

“You know, I was appointed by Gov Dauda Lawal as Amirul Hajj for this state in the 2022 hajj.

“Many people in this state have complained to me that they have deposited their money in the commission for pilgrimage over the years but not refunded.

“I complained to the governor, after my appointment as Chairman to this commission, the governor directed me to investigate the matter and ensure justice for everyone involved.

“We further discovered that the commission had 16 finance accounts in different banks, I requested office of the State Accountant-General to verify all the accounts after which we recovered N254 million.

“We further discovered that parts of the money deposited previously by the intending pilgrims had been used for free hajj tickets and renovation of state’s Hajj Camp by the immediate past administration.”

According to him, currently the commission had total balance of N92 million out of the outstanding N775 million to be paid.

He said the state government would continue with the investigation and make sure that justice was done to the matter.

“You know,  government is a continuous process; I am therefore appealing to Gov. Dauda Lawal to pay all the intended pilgrims their rights,” Mallaha added.

NAN

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded a 1.6 per cent year-on-year growth in Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to N1.92 trillion in 2022 from N1.89 trillion in 2021.

This is contained in NBS report on Internally Generated Revenue At State Level for 2022.

ccording to NBS, the 2022 IGR had two major revenue sources namely; taxes and  Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ (MDAs’) revenue.

The bureau sais taxes sub-category recorded in the period are Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Direct Assessment, Road Taxes, Stamp duties, Capital gain tax, Withholding taxes, Other taxes and LGAs revenue.

According to the report:  “Similar to what was recorded in 2021, the leading states in total IGR in 2022 were Lagos, Rivers, and the FCT with ₦651,145,633,085.30, ₦172,823,232,535.44, and ₦124,366,774,519.25, respectively.

“While the least three performing states during the year were Kebbi, Taraba, and Yobe with the value of ₦9,146,249,907.83, ₦10,238,110,125.95, and ₦10,456,776,796.18, respectively.”

The report said PAYE was the most contributing revenue source in 2022 with a 67.62 per cent share to the total tax generated revenues nationwide.

The bureau said capital gains tax generated the least in 2022 with a 0.24 per cent share to total tax revenue.

The report said Oyo, Lagos, and Jigawa states led with the highest LGA revenue reported during the year.

“The states recorded ₦11,832,437,020.33, ₦11,505,586,283.35, and ₦8,700,993,591.78, respectively,” the NBS said.

NAN

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammad Idris, said on Monday that President Bola Tinubu was elated by UK court reversal of $11bn awarded against Nigeria.

Idris stated this while fielding questions from the State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), held at the presidential villa, Abuja.

” Let me reiterate that Nigeria actually saved $11.6bn by that singular judgment. You recall that this is not a case that was instituted against this administration.

” It is against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the years. The government of President Bola Tinubu inherited it but dealt with it judiciously and expeditiously. It ensured that all legal mechanisms were put in place to get us to win that case.

” So, it was actually a very delightful moment during the Federal Executive Council meeting when the news filtered in that Nigeria had indeed won this case. And of course, as expected, the President was very elated.

” So also were members of the Finance Council. We’re all very happy that that news filtered in and this is one direction that Mr president is going, ensuring that things are dealt with expeditiously, responsibly and with utmost responsibility.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). reports that a Business and Property Court in London, presided over by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, had quashed the $11 billion awarded against Nigeria in a case filed by the Process and Industrial Developments Company, (P&ID).

Judge Knowles held that the award was obtained by fraud and that what had happened in the case was contrary to public policy.

The court also declared that it did not find any merit in the charges of bribery levelled against a former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, who represented Nigeria in the arbitration.

NAN also reports that in the case marked: CL-2019-000752, the Federal Government sought to overturn $6.6 billion arbitration awarded in favour of P&ID in 2017.

The award had continued to accrue interest since then, rising to approximately $11 billion before the judgment.

NAN

By Flowerbud News

By Aliyu Umar Aliyu

Known for its diverse natural resources, including fertile agricultural land, forests, water bodies, abundant mineral deposits, and scenic landscapes is Niger State, located in the North Central region of Nigeria.

Like many regions across the globe, Niger state is grappling with challenges related to environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution which have all been exacerbated by climate change, leading to unpredictable weather patterns, increased desertification, and threats to agricultural productivity in the face of challenging financing circumstances.

With the growing need for sustainable solutions, the government of Niger State, under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, will host the first ever subnational, Green Economy Summit, with the unveiling of the Niger State Green Economy Blueprint to guide developmental choice of actions in the state.

The main objectives of the Summit are to serve as a platform to attract local and international investors interested in green assets trading, green technologies, renewable energy projects, and sustainable financing initiatives.

Recognizing the potential of green technologies and sustainable development, Niger State government aims to leverage its carbon assets and embrace eco-friendly initiatives to boost economic growth.

Consequently, the summit will focus on exploring green business opportunities, renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism as means to drive economic diversification and job creation.

It will also align with the global commitment to reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and promoting sustainable development, in line with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It is also meant to provide opportunity to showcase innovative green technologies and best practices from around the world. This will foster technology transfer and knowledge sharing to enable Niger State adopt and implement sustainable greenhouse solutions effectively.

The gathering will place emphasis on the role of local communities in sustainable development thereby empowering communities with the necessary knowledge and resources to engage in eco-friendly practices and benefit from green initiatives.

Featuring workshops, panel discussions, and presentations, the summit shall increase public awareness and knowledge about green technologies, sustainable practices, and environmental issues.

In view of these, the Summit will attract experts and participants from around the world that will facilitate the exchange of ideas, best practices, and technologies. This will allow Niger State to learn from successful green initiatives implemented elsewhere and adapt them to its own context.

The Niger State Green Economic Summit, with the theme “Sustainable Future: Harnessing Green Assets and Innovation for Niger State’s Prosperity,” will have in attendance the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ministers, heads of relevant agencies, state governors, representatives of multilateral and bilateral international organisations, development partners and development finance institutions.

Others include captains of industry, local and international experts on the theme and sub-themes, members of the academia, community leaders, youth and women group representatives, civil society organisations.

The two-day hybrid event will take place on the 24 and 25 October, 2023 in Minna, the Niger State capital. The date will coincide with the United Nations Day as well as the climate advocacy group, 350.org’s International Day of Advocacy for Climate Action, held on the 24 October annually.

The choice of the date is to underscore the resolve to partake in achieving collective global goals through responsible local action, especially as Nigeria prepares to participate in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 28) in Dubai, UAE, between November 30th and December 12th, 2023.

Five hundred (500) participants shall be drawn from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, this will ensure harvesting of innovative ideas that will enable the state make good use of its arable land in aggregating cash crops and low-hanging fruit in addressing environmental challenges, harnessing carbon assets, and fostering green economic development.

The maiden subnational summit will position Niger State as a leading example of sustainable growth and responsible environmental stewardship in Nigeria and beyond which others can take a leaf from.

*Aliyu Umar Aliyu is the Chairman, Communication subcommittee, Niger State Green Economy Summit Initiative*