FGN - Abia ThinkTank News

Nov

2024

Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) Affirm Rejection Of Tax Reform Bill

Economy, FGN, News Flash, Northern Nigeria

Northern Elders Affirm Rejection Of Tax Reform Bill The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), on Saturday, November 23, reaffirmed its rejection of the Tax Reform Bill. NEF described it as a policy “conceived in bad faith”, adding that it threatens national cohesion. The group criticised the manner of its implementation, alleging that key stakeholders, including members of the National Economic Council (NEC), were sidelined during the process. The convener of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, in a communique after the forum Board of Trustees’ second bi-annual meeting, in Abuja, warned against policies that could further marginalise the north’s resource potential. The forum…

Nov

2024

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Why Simon Ekpa Was Arrested By Finnish Authorities – FGN

Crime, FGN, Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, News Flash

Why Simon Ekpa Was Arrested By Finnish Authorities – FG The Nigerian Government has said the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and a leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) followed sustained diplomatic pressure on Finland, to take action against his activities, linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this while confirming the arrest of Simon Ekpa by the Finnish authorities in a statement issued on Friday. The ministry, this in a statement by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Acting Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday…

Nov

2024

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By Abia ThinkTank

Simon Ekpa Will Be Extradited To Nigeria To Face Charges – Defence Headquarters

Crime, FGN, News Flash

Simon Ekpa Will Be Extradited To Nigeria To Face Charges – Defence Headquarters The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has stated that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will be extradited to the country to face charges against him. Speaking on the arrest of Ekpa in a short press statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with Ekpa’s trial. Gusau wrote: “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his…

Nov

2024

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By Abia ThinkTank

Simon Ekpa, Four Others Arrested In Finland Over Terrorism, Violence In Nigeria

Crime, FGN, News Flash

Simon Ekpa, Four Others Arrested In Finland Over Terrorism, Violence In Nigeria Pro-Biafra Agitator, Simon Ekpa has been arrested alongside four others over Terrorism related activities by Finnish Authorites. The self-declared Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. He was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”. A statement by the central criminal police in Finland read; “The detention demands are related…

Nov

2024

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Senate Approves Tinubu’s N1.77 Trillion External Loan Request

CBN/Commercial Banking, Economy, FGN, News Flash

Senate Approves Tinubu’s N1.77 Trillion External Loan Request The Senate on Thursday, November 21, approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for a new eternal borrowing of N1,767,610,321,779.00 or (USD2.209billion in the 2024 Appropriation Act. The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt and the approval of its recommendations by the Senate during plenary. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, presented the report. The President’s request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary…

Nov

2024

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President Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks Vice-Chancellor, Registrar

Education, FGN, News Flash, Presidency

Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks Vice-chancellor, Registrar President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, (UNIZIK) and the removal of the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, along with the Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifeoma Nwokike. A statement issued by the special adviser to be the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the move comes amid allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. The university’s Governing Council, led by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd.…

Nov

2024

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FAAC Shares N1.411 Trillion October Revenue

Economy, FGN, News Flash

FAAC Shares N1.411 Trillion October Revenue The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has distributed a total of N1.411 trillion as revenue for October 2024 among the Federal Government, State, and Local Government Councils. The allocation was finalised at the November 2024 FAAC meeting held in Bauchi State, presided over by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein. A communiqué issued after the meeting detailed that the N1.411 trillion distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N206.319 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N622.312 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N17.111 billion, and Exchange Difference revenue of…

Nov

2024

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Leading By Example: EFCC Chairman Sacks 2 ‘Corrupt’ Officials

Crime, FGN, News Flash

EFCC Chairman Sacks Two ‘Corrupt’ Officials Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has announced the dismissal of two officials over alleged corruption. Speaking on Tuesday at the annual criminal law review conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja, Olukoyede said the staff were sacked two weeks ago. He said the commission is undergoing significant reforms, including addressing staff misconduct. Olukoyede challenged Nigerians to come forward if they had evidence of him receiving bribes. “Just two weeks ago, I have cause to dismiss two staff. You can’t be fighting corruption and your…

Nov

2024

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President Tinubu Writes National Assembly, Seeks Approval For Fresh Foreign Loan

Economy, FGN, National Assembly, News Flash, Presidency

Tinubu Writes National Assembly, Seeks Approval For Fresh Foreign Loan President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking approval for a fresh N1.767 trillion external borrowing plan to part-finance the budget deficit of N9.7 trillion for the 2024 budget. The Nigeria’s growing foreign debt obligations have been of concern lately, and this has been exacerbated by the liberalization of exchange rates, making loan repayment more expensive. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Government spent $3.58 billion servicing the country’s foreign debt in the first nine months of 2024, representing a 39.77% increase from the…

Nov

2024

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Nigerians Suffering, Reverse Floating Of Naira, Energy Cost – Labour Urged President Tinubu

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, FGN, News Flash, Politics, Presidency

Nigerians Suffering, Reverse Floating Of Naira, Energy Cost – Labour Urges Tinubu Organised Labour, a weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State, urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the floating of the national currency and energy cost to lessen the hardship across the country. Under the aegis of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees, NUSDE, Organised Labour noted that Nigerians and businesses are passing through very difficult times and that the federal government needs to address the issues urgently before things get out of hand. President of NUSDE, Aminu Megbontowon, who spoke while addressing guests and members of the Union…