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36 state governors declare full support for State Police, submit report

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The National Economic Council (NEC) has received position reports on the establishment of State police from the 36 state governors.

The NEC meeting was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and attended by state governors, deputy governors, ministers and some presidential aides.

Briefing State House Correspondents shortly after the meeting which lasted for over 4 hours, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the state governors indicated an overwhelming support for the establishment of state police because of the security challenges bedeviling their states.

However, he said the NEC postponed deliberation on the matter to January 2024.

“Virtually every state has its own peculiar security challenges, and many agree that state police is the way forward,” Sani stated.

“Today, the council decided to step down the discussion until the next meeting to allow for further deliberation and the presentation of a report from the NEC secretariat.”

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The governor highlighted the pressing need for enhanced security measures, citing ungoverned spaces across the country and a significant shortage of personnel in federal security agencies, including the police and armed forces.

“The establishment of state police will help address these gaps, particularly in states grappling with unique security issues,” he said.

He also disclosed that the secretariat has committed to engaging stakeholders further before the council’s January meeting where a comprehensive report will be presented.

On the issue of flooding, the National Economic Council approved the disbursement of more funds to state governments where recent flood disasters had ravaged communities, leading to loss of lives and properties.

NEC said the approval would enable the affected states to provide adequate financial supports to the victims.

Meanwhile, the NEC has also approved 0.05% of non-oil federation revenue as funding for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

Announcing the resolution after Thursday’s meeting, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, stated that the decision followed a report presented by RMAFC on November 21, which highlighted funding challenges faced by the commission.

“RMAFC plays a vital role in ensuring equitable revenue allocation across the federation, but it has been operating under significant financial constraints,” Governor Soludo explained.

The council reviewed RMAFC’s proposal for 0.75% of non-oil revenue but approved 0.05%, subject to further scrutiny by the National Assembly. This allocation is part of broader tax reforms currently under consideration.

In addition to the funding approval, NEC directed RMAFC to submit a draft repeal-and-replace bill to the National Assembly to modernise its governing legislation and align it with the evolving fiscal realities of the country.

Governor Soludo emphasized the importance of these measures, noting, “This institution carries critical responsibilities in the functioning of our federation.

“Adequate funding and an updated legal framework are essential to empower RMAFC to meet its obligations effectively.”

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My govt cares – Tinubu reassures Nigerians amid worsening insecurity, hardship

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Tinubu scraps Ministries of Niger Delta, Sports
President Bola Tinubu
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President Bola Tinubu has restated that his government is committed to addressing the country’s main problems, including economic difficulties, power shortages and safety issues.

Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Tinubu stated that his government is still focused on policies aimed at helping the poorest and most at-risk Nigerians.

He said: “We won’t stop moving forward, and we’ll keep looking for ways to help those who are struggling.

“This is a government that really cares.”

He noted that having steady power supply is very important for development, stressing that industrial growth and learning new skills mostly rely on having dependable electricity.

“You can’t have industrial growth, learning new skills, or people gaining strength without having enough power.

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“I promise Nigerians that we will provide electricity to support our country’s development,” he said.

The president also thanked Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for the way he leads the state.

“Diri has shown the strength of leading with a clear purpose, and I am here today making a promise that the challenges we face, along with the legacy of those who led this country, including the battles and difficulties of ensuring security, will be met with hard work to properly equip and train our men and women in the Armed Forces. We will defeat terrorism and banditry.”

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BREAKING: Ebonyi Catholic Bishop, Peter Chukwu is dead

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Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Dr Peter ChukwuP
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The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Dr Peter Chukwu is dead.

A source said the Bishop died where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

Meanwhile, a social media influencer, Nwoba Chika Nwoba, in a post on his Facebook page, mourned the demise of the Bishop.

He wrote, “A very bad one for us in Ebonyi State. The loss of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Dr Peter Chukwu is a terrible loss.

“This loss is huge. God knows why, but it’s painful losing him in his 50s. A refined man and Associate Professor. This loss is beyond Ezza’s loss. It’s well. We can’t take war to God’s place. Kidney transplant issue. NCN.”

The authorities of the Catholic Church is expected to issue an official statement announcing the demise of the Bishop.

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Terrorism: Ex-Borno senatorial candidate jailed 10 years

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, to 10 years’ imprisonment for aiding terrorism through the sale of petroleum products to insurgents.

The trial judge, Peter Lifu, convicted Habeeb on a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism filed by the Federal Government.

Habeeb, a fuel dealer based in Maiduguri, had pleaded guilty to the charge upon arraignment, admitting that he sold fuel to members of the Boko Haram operating in the North-East.

The convict, however, claimed that the transactions might have been carried out by attendants at his filling station.

During the proceedings, Habeeb appealed for leniency, kneeling in the dock as he urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

He told the court that he had two wives and six children and had been in detention for over 10 years without contact with his family.

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Counsel to the Federal Government, David Kaswe, opposed the plea, arguing that the support provided to the terrorist group had serious consequences.

Kaswe submitted that the supply of fuel enabled the insurgents to power motorcycles used in attacks, leading to loss of lives and displacement of communities.

He urged the court to impose a stiffer penalty, noting that although the defendant had spent over a decade in custody, a 20-year sentence would be appropriate.

In his judgment, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence establishing that the defendant was a member of Boko Haram or had undergone weapons training.

He, however, ruled that the admission of selling fuel to the insurgents was sufficient to sustain the charge of aiding terrorism.

The judge also noted that the prosecution did not challenge the defendant’s claim of prolonged detention.

Justice Lifu consequently sentenced Habeeb to 10 years’ imprisonment.

He ordered that the sentence should take effect from the date of the convict’s arrest and detention.

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