Politics
Parliamentarian Tasks FG On Good Governance, Dev
Member of the Federal German Parliament, Mr Andreas Lammel, has called on the Nigerian government to ensure good governance and infrastructural development to tackle terrorism and poverty.
Lammel made the call at a roundtable organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), a German Foundation, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The roundtable organised for Civil Societies Organisation (CSOs) and the media was with the theme: “The Security and Political Situation in Nigeria, role the German Government could play to assist Nigeria’s development”.
According to Lammel, African nations are responsible for their own development as Germany cannot solve the problem of the continent but can only render its assistance.
He said that terrorism and underdevelopment could not thrive in a nation with a vibrant and positive economy.
He said that political instability, a search for secured future and greener pasture were leading causes of illegal migration of Africans through dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean to Europe.
“You need a better government to develop Africa.
“You need more economic development in Nigeria to bring in more income to states and individuals, building infrastructure and providing basic amenities to reduce poverty and crime.
” To win the fight against terrorism, a better system of school and vocational training are needed in Africa for the youth.
“There is the need to give the youth hope for a better future to think less of crimes,” Lammel said.
Lammel said that the German government was doing a lot for Nigeria in the areas of fighting terrorism as it has assisted in training the Nigerian army and police in modern ways of fighting against terrorism.
He said that the German parliament always discussed issues affecting African nations with the aim of proffering better and efficient solutions to help tackle the problems.
Lammel said that as ways of enhancing good governance, it is important for the members of parliament to have a good connection with members of their constituencies to know the problems at the grassroots.
He called on the legislators to make themselves accessible to the electorate who voted them into power and spend more time in their constituencies than in the nation’s capital.
Also speaking, Country Representative of KAS in Nigeria Mrs Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi, said that the German government remained committed to assisting Nigeria in the best ways possible.
She said that recommendations from the roundtable would be discussed at a higher level to come up with strategies and advice to relevant authorities to improve governance in Nigeria
Earlier, participants at the roundtable raised issues affecting good governance in Nigeria and ways the German government could be of assistance to make things better.
Some of the areas the participants called for intervention includes, capacity building for the youths, vulnerable groups and civil societies, improving already existing programmes on better service delivery among others.
The Tide source reports that KAS organises a regular roundtable to discuss with stakeholders in different sectors on issues affecting Nigeria with the aim of ensuring good governance.
Politics
2024 Budget: Funds Were Shared Among Senators -Abaribe
The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has explained how the Zonal Intervention Project funds were shared among senators.
Recall that the senator representing Cross River North, Agom Jarigbe on Tuesday revealed that ranking senators got N500 million each while he got nothing.
Senator Jarigbe made the revelation on the floor of the Senate while speaking on allegations of budget padding raised by the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi.
The lawmakers who have spent at least four years in the Senate are regarded as ranking senators.
Speaking on the development on a live television interview on Wednesday, Senator Abaribe denied receiving N500 million as alleged by Senator Jarigbe.
Senator Abaribe said he got N266 million from the money allocated to lawmakers in the six geo-political zones.
According to him, lawmakers from some zones, like the Northwest, which has seven states, would expect to get less than what he got, as his Southeast zone has only five states.
He said, “I have been saying that all fingers are not equal and by privilege of office, certain people will get but not every Senator gets an equal amount.
“These are six zones in the country, and every zone gets its own N10 billion in intervention. Now, if you are from the Northwest zone, because you have seven states, the senator will get less than me who comes from the five-state zone.
“My state, Abia, gets N2 billion and if we break it down for both the Senate and the representatives, the Senate is getting 40% and the House gets 60%.
“I got about N266 million as zonal intervention. The person in the Northwest who has seven states, will necessarily get less, about a hundred million and something.
“So it’s not correct when we say every constituency must get an equal amount.”
Politics
Dump PDP, Enhance Your Value, APC Woos Gov Mutfwang
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has been advised to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) so that his good works and value can appreciate more.
The call was made on Wednesday by the North Central APC Forum in Jos, the Plateau State capital, during the forum’s first quarter of the year meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, the APC Forum Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, said they were meeting to review the state of the party in the region as well as the region’s economic and security situation, adding that the position of the Plateau State Governor was vital in the overall development of the region.
Zazzaga, who was also a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the last election, commended Governor Mutfwang for carrying the citizenry along in his developmental efforts, noting that his approach to boost peace and security of the state as well as his calm personality was impressive.
However, he said for the governor to attain a robust and exhaustive achievement of his agenda, policies and the development of Plateau State, he should defect to the APC.
He said the governor’s defection would not amount to relegating his former party to the background, but would rather strengthen him more to develop Plateau State.
According to the Chairman, the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, is a good example of someone who seeks development for his people and the nation at large, using any vital and handy platform or party to advance his cause.
“Governor Caleb Mutfwang has so far shown that he is a progressive governor through his works, words and deeds since assuming office. But for him to advance more, he should consider joining the APC.
“This is because joining the APC will put him on the same page with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu who has the interest of Plateau in his heart and has been doing his best to advance it.
“Besides, Governor Mutfwang will be on the same page with his other counterparts in the North Central who are of the APC, and together they will have a common ground and work for the interest and development of the region in general and their specific states in particular.
“Also, most of the legislators from the state are in APC, and they can work hand-in-hand to move the state forward, because the relationship between the executive and the legislature cannot be overemphasized in the pursuance of progress and development.
Politics
Step Aside Over Alleged Budget Padding, PDP Urges Akpabio
The Peoples DemocraticParty (PDP) on Wednesday demanded that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, immediately steps aside and allow for an independent investigation into the allegation that a staggering N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects.
In a statement released by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary, the main opposition party also demanded that Akpabio immediately report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the pending case relating to N108 billion belonging to the people of Akwa Ibom State, allegedly looted under his watch as the governor.
The party similarly told the Senate President to speak out on the reported N86 billion contract scam that allegedly occurred in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his tenure as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
The PDP condemned the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the Senate “without a detailed inquest into the issue of budget padding which he raised.”
Recall that Ningi blew the whistle on the alleged unexplained N3.7 trillion inserted into the budget, leading to his suspension from the chamber for allegedly disparaging the legislature.
-
News4 days ago
Abducted IDPs In Borno Went Beyond Permissible Distance -DHQ
-
Agriculture4 days ago
Expert Harps On Women Engagement In Livestock Farming
-
Focus4 days ago
Fubara : That Akpabio’s Needless Outburst
-
News4 days ago
NUJ Congratulates Chukwudi On Appointment As CPS To Rivers Gov
-
Issues4 days ago
Is Okocha A Happy Man Being Perpetual Hireling?
-
Politics4 days ago
PDP Tackles APC Over Adeleke’s Security Alarm
-
News4 days ago
Yar’Adua Emerges Chairman Of Northern Senators’ Forum
-
Agriculture4 days ago
WOFAN Provides Health Care Services For Rural Women Farmers