Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

The National Assembly has warned all the revenue generating federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) engaging in diversion of revenues to desist from the act, saying such practice would not be tolerated henceforth.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Sen. Solomon Adeola, gave the warning after a meeting with the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance.

Adeola, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, said that the era of diversion of revenues generated by MDAs was over.

According to him, the National Assembly will ensure that the Federal Government generates enough revenue to implement people-oriented policies and programmes.

“It has been observed that year in year out, the Federal Government has not been able to meet its targets on independent revenue sources.

“Findings indicate that the major culprit in this shortcoming is the inadequacies of MDAs, coupled with their penchant for diversion of revenue on recurrent expenditure under frivolous excuses,” he said.

Adeola said that the National Assembly would not tolerate unauthorised expenditure by the ministry of finance or agencies of government not backed by law or relevant acts of the National Assembly guiding such expenditure.

He said that every expenditure must henceforth be in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and other applicable laws in Nigeria.

“Reports show that over the years, the Federal Government has not been able to surpass 30 per cent of its revenue targets.

“This has resulted in low level of budget implementation for critical capital projects.

“We need to reverse this trend. Indeed, we intend to introduce quarterly review of targets so that needed revenue can come to the federal purse” he stated.

The senator noted that the flagrant use of financial regulations issued by the ministry of finance and MDAs to direct spending would no longer be tolerated.

This, he said, was at variance with the laws enacted by the National Assembly and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with government and people of Niger, sons and daughters of Nupe Kingdom as the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, marks 16 years on the throne, and celebrates 67th birthday.

The president’s congratulatory message is communicated via a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

The President rejoiced with all family members of the royal house, friends and associates of the traditional ruler, whose legacy of hard work, discipline and honesty in public service continues to resonate.

He extolled the nobility, maturity and visionary leadership of the Etsu Nupe “as he sits on the throne of his fathers, upholding the historically strong culture and arts of the people and maintaining peace and good neighbourliness with other traditional stools and cultures.’’

As Chairman of the State Traditional Council, the President affirms that the culture of acceptance that pervades the state and the versatility in promoting communal living, entrepreneurship, agriculture and education deserves commendation.

President Buhari prayed that the almighty God would grant Etsu Nupe “longer life, more peaceful years on the throne and wisdom to keep guiding his people in the right direction.’’

NAN

Youths and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare, on Sunday said the ministry was planning to have a camping system to nurture athletes discovered at the ongoing 5th National Youth Games (NYG).

Dare told newsmen in Ilorin after addressing some of the discovered athletes that the ministry would go beyond handing the athletes over to the national sports federations for follow-up.

He assured that there would be a renaissance in grassroots sports development.

“We are going to have some kind of rennaisance when it comes to grassroots development and that is at the local government and the state leveld.

“What we are planning to do at the ministry is to hand over the discovered athletes to the different federations.

“The work of the federations is to develop these talents further and nurture them.

“But, we will be going beyond sending them to the federations, as we want to involve a camping system where we will be able to monitor them and nurture them into sports professionals,” Dare said.

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was ready to apply the same political will and spirit into sports to address the lingering challenges.

“Presently in the country we are facing challenges in terms of resources and its management, but the present administration is ready to direct the will in other sectors into sports.

“Also, we will be concentrating on the management, upgrade and maintenance of facilities,”  Dare said.

The minister added that the federal sports ministry would help each state surmount its challenges in sports.

“Even though it is the responsibility of every state to develop sports, but I understand from my interaction with the Directors of Sports that states are facing challenges.

“I will present their case to the National Executive Council (NEC) and, as a follow-up, I will seek appointment with the state governors to present the pertinent issues raised by the Directors where help is needed.

“We will also hold a large meeting with the Directors to compare notes and learn how other states are doing better.

“Also, we want each state to bring forth a coach and submit same to the ministry,and the ministry would train them occasionally.

“This is because part of our challenges is the technical depth of our coaches, which we need to improve upon,” Dare said.

NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined Nigerians and Basketball fans all over the world in celebrating D’Tigers for a successful outing at  FIBA World Cup 2019, defeating China, 86-73, and securing a place for Olympics 2020.

The president’s congratulatory message is communicated through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday.

President Buhari congratulated the team for the energetic, resilient and skillful outing that saw them out-playing and out-pacing opponents during the tournament, assuring the team that the nation remains proud of them.

He also commended officials and technical hands for the commitment and investments in ensuring that the D’Tigers emerged victorious with all the odds of playing against China before home fans in Guangzhou.

As the team prepares for the Tokyo Olympics, President Buhari noted that with more dedication, training and focus, D’Tigers will surprise the world.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  the Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team D’Tigers secured the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after beating China 86-73 at the FIBA World Cup game played at the Gyangzhou Gymnasium, China.

The Nigerians pipped African champions, Tunisia to the ticket who had a crucial win on Saturday.

Both teams finished with three wins from five games but D’Tigers got the ticket with better goal difference.

The Nigerian team failed to get the Olympics ticket from their group after it finished with two losses and a win but eventually booked a place after emerging as the highest-ranked African team at the tournament.

NAN

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has advised members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state to respect the tradition and culture of Edo people.

Obaseki, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, gave the advice on Monday at Okada, Ovia North

East Local Government Area of the state at the closing ceremony of the 2019 “Batch B” stream II orientation course.

While urging the corps members to interact with their host communities freely, he described Edo people as good, peaceful and loving.

“I want to assure you that the good people of Edo are enlightened, accommodating and God fearing.

“Let me further assure you all the total support of our people in making your stay in the state memorable and rewarding one.

“As you move into various communities in the state, you will find the right environment to live and work, get yourselves occupied and avoid unnecessary journeys.

“Ensure that your positive impact are felt in different sectors of the economy, most especially within your host communities,” Obaseki said.

The governor, however, enjoined the corps members to impact knowledge they acquired from their various institutions of higher learning to the younger ones and join hands with him in moving the state to higher levels.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Adebayo Ojo, while presenting the 1,228 corps members duly registered, said majority of them would be posted to rural areas where their services are most needed.

Ojo urged them to accept their posting in good faith and settle down immediately for the rest part of their service year.

NAN

By Chinyere Bassey

Negotiation between the Federal Government and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) on the new minimum wage has again rescheduled for Sept. 16.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the last negotiation between the government and the JNPSNC was to hold on Sept. 4, but was suspended.

Mr Alade Lawal, JNPSN Secretary General, confirmed to NAN on Tuesday in Lagos that the meeting was rescheduled at the instance of the officials.

The organised labour and the Federal Government have been in conflict over the implementation of the new minimum wage which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18.

Negotiation between the government and the JNPSNC, representing labour in the technical committee set up to negotiate the consequential adjustment of workers’ salaries as a result of the new minimum wage, had broken down due to unresolved differences in their proposals.

While the Federal Government proposed 9.5 per cent salary increase for employees on grade levels 07 to 14 and five per cent for those on grade levels 15 to 17, labour is demanding 30 per cent increase for officers on grade levels 07 to 14 and 25 per cent increase for grade levels 15 to 17.

President of  the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, had told journalists that the congress would support any position taken by the JNPSN on the new national minimum wage.

NAN