FG, Lagos stakeholders push for digital economy, e-governance bill

The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the beheading of an elderly man, Mr. Jacob Udo, and his wife, Mrs. Comfort Udo, in Bende Local Government Area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed this in a statement titled “Re: The Alleged Murder of a Couple in Bende,” on
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The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the beheading of an elderly man, Mr. Jacob Udo, and his wife, Mrs. Comfort Udo, in Bende Local Government Area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed this in a statement titled “Re: The Alleged Murder of a Couple in Bende,” on

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As Nigeria plans its energy transition from fossil fuels, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country have urged the Akwa Ibom State government, an oil-producing state in Nigeria, to take proactive steps to diversify its economy by investing more in agriculture and tourism. The CSOs, which include BudgIT, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), and Policy
Energy transition: CSOs task Akwa Ibom govt on diversification of economy

As Nigeria plans its energy transition from fossil fuels, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country have urged the Akwa Ibom State government, an oil-producing state in Nigeria, to take proactive steps to diversify its economy by investing more in agriculture and tourism.

The CSOs, which include BudgIT, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), and Policy Alert, made the call over the weekend during a policy dialogue on strengthening fiscal resilience in Akwa Ibom State, organized by BudgIT.

Tengi George-Ikoli, a senior officer at NRGI, in her presentation, said that not just Akwa Ibom, but all other oil-producing states should prepare their budgets such that their revenue comes from multiple sources and is not heavily dependent on federal allocations, as this would mitigate the effects of the energy transition on them.

She said, from available reports, Akwa Ibom has 86% dependence on FAAC and wondered how the remaining 14% from internally generated revenue would be enough to run the recurrent expenditure, like payment of salaries, among others, if the money from oil depletes.

Ikoli urged the Akwa Ibom government to explore the potentials in tourism and agriculture sectors, noting that the state has the longest shoreline in Africa and that tourist destinations should be packaged and promoted in a way that would attract global tourists.

She said a technological system of revenue collection should be adopted to avoid leakages in the process, adding that the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) should be granted autonomy in order to combat corruption and inefficiencies within the state’s investment companies.

Her words: “Akwa Ibom should diversify its economy, shifting its focus from oil and gas to other sectors such as agriculture and tourism. The state’s tourist destinations should be better packaged and promoted to attract global tourists.”

Also speaking, Enebi Opaluwa, Research and Policy Analyst at BudgIT, expressed hope that the Akwa Ibom State government would take up all the concerns raised at the policy dialogue in order to build the fiscal resilience of the state.

He said that since the Akwa Ibom State government is currently adjusting its budget and fiscal structure, they should infuse the element of diversification into their plan.

Opaluwa observed that some projects in Akwa Ibom are not “sweating,” in that the revenue they generate is less than the cost of their maintenance, citing Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as an example, even as he urged the state government to put such facilities out for more income-generating services.

“Akwa Ibom should check the popular renewable energy sector that will help in diversifying its fossil fuel dependence. The state has the longest coastline, and there are things it can leverage on to achieve this objective, such as the hotel industry, Akwa culture, tourism, among others. These are potential sources of business that can be explored,” Opaluwa added.

Energy transition: CSOs task Akwa Ibom govt on diversification of economy

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed surprise at the open brawl between the personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Nigeria Police Force. Adeleke urged the two security services to strictly adhere to their codes of operations in the law enforcement process. Speaking through a statement by his spokesperson,
Adeleke convenes security council meeting over Police, NSCDC clash in Osun

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed surprise at the open brawl between the personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Nigeria Police Force.

Adeleke urged the two security services to strictly adhere to their codes of operations in the law enforcement process.

Speaking through a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Saturday in Osogbo, Adeleke revealed that he has convened a meeting of the State Security Council for next week to assess and take action on recent security developments in the state, including the open clash between some policemen and civil defence officials.

The statement added that the Council meeting is to receive briefings from the various security agencies as well as top state officials led by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, who had intervened in the matter before its current escalation.

DAILY POST had reported on Friday that a clash occurred between personnel of both security agencies on Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Elizabeth Estate, Osogbo.

As a result of the clash and subsequent arrest and detention of the NSCDC personnel by the Osun State Police Command, the State Commandant, Michael Adaralewa insisted on a thorough investigation into the matter to bring those found culpable to book.

A statement by Adeleke Kehinde, spokesperson of the Osun NSCDC Command, revealed that the police operatives from Oyo had stormed the Estate which was secured by the NSCDC personnel to arrest some suspected criminals before they were assaulted.

The Osun State Police Command, on the other hand, speaking through its spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said the police personnel were from the Oyo State Police Command and were on a mission to arrest a suspected criminal.

Opalola said the NSCDC personnel prevented them from arresting the criminal and in the process, beat up and injured two police officers and deflated the tires of their vehicle.

She however revealed that investigation was ongoing to unravel the matter.

Governor Adeleke while noting rising cases of police-civilian confrontations across the state, urged all service commanders to enforce discipline within their ranks and file to sustain civil-security cordial relationship in the state.

While warning against high handedness in law enforcement, the governor further urged all stakeholders to avoid actions and inactions capable of jeopardising the record of Osun State as the most peaceful in the federation.

“I task our commanders to enforce discipline and operational rules among their men and women. Rogue operation is increasing, civilian harassment is on the rise and now service to service confrontation is added. We must restore normalcy.

“All these matters of urgency will be tackled at the next security council meeting. Our Service Commanders have been wonderful. We must not relax in our quest to restore closer inter- agency partnership and collaboration,” the governor said.

Adeleke convenes security council meeting over Police, NSCDC clash in Osun