Abia ThinkTank - Abia ThinkTank News

Dec

14

2024

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By Abia ThinkTank

Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail, Fixes Date For Trial

Judiciary, Crime, News Flash, Politics

Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail, Fixes Trial Date The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, granted bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to the tune of N500 million with two sureties in the like sum. The court, in the ruling that was delivered by trial Justice Emeka Nwite, held that the sureties must be owners of landed properties in Abuja. Aside from directing the sureties to tender the title documents of the properties, which must be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, Justice Nwite equally ordered them to…

Dec

14

2024

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Would Otti’s Pro Business Programs Expand ABIA State’s Economy In 2025/2026? – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance

Would Otti's Pro Business Programs Expand Abia State's Economy in 2025/2026? Last month, Abia's Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, declared in a private meeting that he has laid out and implemented a series of programs and projects in the three senatorial zones of the state, drawing immediate appreciation from business leaders of those zones. “Most of the programs rolled out would likely prompt pro-poor growth, leading to expanded opportunities for enterprises,” a business man Chidi Umeh in Isiukwuato said. An importer of used fabrics in Aba, Kalu Nwojo, said he’s expanding more patronage come 2025/2026 as he's expecting higher purchasing…

Dec

13

2024

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Tampering With LGA Funds Impeachable Offense – AGF Fagbemi Tells Governors

Judiciary, LGA, News Flash, Politics

Tampering With LGA Funds Impeachable Offense – AGF Fagbemi Tells Governors Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN on Thursday, said any state governor who tampers with funds belonging to their Local Government Areas will be guilty of gross misconduct, which is an impeachable offense. The AGF, while addressing the 2024 annual conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), Abuja chapter warned the chairmen of the 774 LGAs across Nigeria against mismanaging local government funds. Fagbemi, in his paper titled, “Aftermath of Supreme Court judgment on Local Government Financial Autonomy: What…

Dec

13

2024

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SEDC Chair Appointment: Round Peg In Round Hole – By Pius Nzewuihe

Columns/Opinions/Letters, FGN, Politics, South East

SEDC Chair Appointment: Round Peg in Round Hole The wisdom of the sponsors of the bill for the establishment of South East Development Commission at the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu’s commitment for an overall equitable national developmental agenda cannot be over-emphasized. To drive home his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President has in no mistakable terms demonstrated his vision to place the country on a fresh developmental map among comity of developing nations through regional development commissions Aside South East Development Commission (SEDC) charged with the responsibility of “reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered…

Dec

13

2024

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PDP ABIA Crying Wolf Where Non Exist – By Dr. Engr. Odo Ijere (Okpotemba)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Politics

PDP ABIA CRYING WOLF WHERE NON EXIST. We have read with interest the release by the Abia PDP signed by its publicity secretary Mr. Erik Ikwuagwu accusing the government of Abia state of suppression of dissent and opposition voices. Nothing can be far from the truth as this amounts to crying wolf to attract undue sympathy. When the newly appointed Abia PDP exco were inaugurated, they went overboard in their bid to play to the gallery and impress their paymasters that they had arrived by forming what they called a 'Shadow Government'. They were immediately cautioned and warned not to…

Dec

13

2024

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2024 Tax Reforms, Nigeria’s Fiscal Landscape And ABIA State: Matters Arising – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, IGR

2024 Tax Reforms, Nigeria's Fiscal Landscape and Abia State: Matters Arising Nigeria's 2024 tax reforms aim to transform the country's fiscal landscape, and Abia State is no exception. The Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, established in 2023, is driving these changes. Here are key aspects of the reforms: Harmonization of Taxes: The committee proposes streamlining over 60 taxes and levies to a single-digit number, reducing the burden on citizens and businesses ¹ ². Digitization of Revenue Collection: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a USSD code for tax payment, making it easier and more convenient…

Dec

12

2024

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Abia’s Flight To Progress: The Airport Project That’s Taking Shape – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA On Public Affairs To Gov. Otti)

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy

Abia's Flight to Progress: The Airport Project That's Taking Shape Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D. Abia State is on the threshold of a transformative journey, courtesy of the airport project that's gaining momentum. The proposed airport, initially approved as an airstrip by the Federal Government, has been upgraded to a full-fledged airport, thanks to Governor Alex Chioma Otti's tireless efforts. This development is a testament to the Governor's vision of opening up Abia for investment flow and socio-economic growth. With the airport, Abia State is poised to become a hub for commerce, industry, and tourism, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The…

Dec

12

2024

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President Tinubu Advised To Reduce Fuel Price To N300/Litre For Xmas, New Year Celebration

Columns/Opinions/Letters, FGN, Oil & Gas, Politics

Tinubu Advised To Reduce Fuel Price To N300/Litre For Xmas, New Year Celebration Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reduce the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol to N300 per litre between December and January. He said this would enable Nigerians to have a joyous and merry Christmas. A litre of fuel is presently sold at about N1,100 and N1,200 per litre across the country following the removal of fuel subsidy. Tinubu had on assumption of office in 2023 declared an end…

Dec

12

2024

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Re-2025, Sustaining The Momentum: A Budget For Growth: Addressing The ‘Concerns’ Of Our ‘Friends’ Of ABIA State – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Politics

Re_2025, Sustaining the Momentum: A Budget for Growth: addressing the 'concerns' of our 'friends' of Abia State As the State welcomes the 2025 Abia State budget of ₦750.3 billion, tagged "Sustaining Momentum," some of our well meaning friends have raised concerns about its feasibility and effectiveness. Presented by Governor Alex Otti, the budget represents a 30% increase from the 2024 budget of ₦524 billion. Some of the concerns expressed are: Lack of sectoral analysis, they claim that the budget fails to provide a sectoral breakdown, making it difficult to understand how funds will be allocated to various sectors such as…

Dec

12

2024

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Akpabio Declares Edo Governor Okpebholo’s Seat Vacant, Calls For Bye-Election

National Assembly, News Flash, Politics

Akpabio Declares Edo Governor Okpebholo’s Seat Vacant, Calls For Bye-election The Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, December 11, declared the seat of Monday Okpebholo, who represented Edo Central Senatorial District, vacant. Okpebholo contested for the Edo State governorship seat on September 16, and won under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) The Senate President also called on the electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election to fill the existing vacancy in the Red Chambers. Akpabio made the declaration and subsequent request shortly afternoon the Senate held a valedictory session for Okpebholo. He…