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The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reinforced his criticism of the current government’s monetary policy, citing recent comments by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. Obi’s statement comes in response to Dangote’s outcry against the current 30 per cent interest rate, which both business leaders argue is stifling economic growth and job creation
As the Freedom Of Information (FOI) Act awaits domestication in Akwa Ibom State, a civil society organisation, Connected Development (CODE) has encouraged the state government to muster sufficient political will to train its staff in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, on the provisions and importance of the law. Prof Adewale Aderemi, Director, Democratic Governance
Train MDAs, others on provisions of FOI Act – CSO tells Akwa Ibom Govt
As the Freedom Of Information (FOI) Act awaits domestication in Akwa Ibom State, a civil society organisation, Connected Development (CODE) has encouraged the state government to muster sufficient political will to train its staff in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, on the provisions and importance of the law.
Prof Adewale Aderemi, Director, Democratic Governance at National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) gave the charge in Uyo on Friday during a capacity building workshop for all the 26 state legislators and aides, organized by CODE in partnership with OXFAM.
Aderemi who spoke on ‘Strategies and Steps in Domesticating Freedom of Information Act’, said such trainings would not only enable government officials to understand the importance of disclosing information on request for accountability but reduce corruption and enhance intelligent public relations.
He also noted the importance of wider consultations of relevant stakeholders before promulgation of the act so as to capture local realities and allow the people own it (law) thereafter.
According to him, “For any law to work well, you need to take ownership of it. You need to direct your interest and know that you designed it and calibrated it to suit your own local exigency.
“The National Act may not tick all the boxes in regards to Akwa Ibom, I think that in domesticating it, Akwa Ibom should make it work. The state as a matter of urgency should not only pass the bill but should muster sufficient political will to make it work and train its MDAs , record keepers on the provisions of the Act
“It is important that in promulgating that act there should be a wide spread consultations so that local realities are captured.”
Presenting a paper on ‘Social Media and State Legislation’, Ruth Okafor, Programme/ Community Development Associate of CODE urged the legislators as well as the executives to consider using social media to engage meaningfully and robustly with the public especially the youths.
She noted that effective use of social media in engagements should not foreclose the use of other traditional and conventional methods of communication such as the radio, television or newspaper.
Okafor explained that the use of social media by government does not only increase accessibility and reach but cost effective for public engagement and feedbacks even as she noted that it enhances transparency and accountability.
She said, “Government bodies and legislators should also use social media to proactively disclose information. They should be shown how other governments, agencies use platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to publish reports, budgets and other public interest information.”
Train MDAs, others on provisions of FOI Act – CSO tells Akwa Ibom Govt
An Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut has killed Ibrahim Qubaisi, a Hezbollah commander in charge of the group’s rocket division, along with five others, according to local sources. The strike, which took place on Tuesday, dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, which has suffered heavy losses in recent
Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi, five others
An Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut has killed Ibrahim Qubaisi, a Hezbollah commander in charge of the group’s rocket division, along with five others, according to local sources.
The strike, which took place on Tuesday, dealt a significant blow to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, which has suffered heavy losses in recent Israeli operations over the past week.
The attack occurred in the Ghobeiry neighborhood, a Hezbollah-controlled area of Beirut, marking the second consecutive day of Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese capital.
A security source confirmed that the airstrike hit a five-story building, causing severe damage to its top floor. The health ministry reported six dead and 15 wounded in the assault.
This latest escalation has raised fears that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could spiral into a broader war.
The airstrikes come amidst nearly a year of conflict between Israel and Hamas, another Iran-backed group based in Gaza. Hezbollah has been launching rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas, drawing increasing retaliation from the Israeli military.
Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, said the country’s operations against Hezbollah would be intensified, adding that the situation required “continued, intense action in all arenas.”
Lebanese authorities reported over 500 fatalities from Israeli airstrikes on Monday alone, as the conflict threatens to destabilize the region further.
Tensions continue to rise as both sides brace for what could become a wider confrontation, with thousands of civilians in Lebanon and Israel forced to flee their homes due to the escalating violence.
Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi, five others
The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has announced a Christmas Bonus of 150,000 for each civil servant in the state. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor, made this known in a Facebook post on Thursday night. Uzor disclosed that the state workers would receive the bonus before 1 pm on Tuesday, December
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The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has announced a Christmas Bonus of 150,000 for each civil servant in the state. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor, made this known in a Facebook post on Thursday night. Uzor disclosed that the state workers would receive the bonus before 1 pm on Tuesday, December