Nigerian Senate Last Week: Budget missed, New ministers approved, No Peace Corps

Nigerian Senate

Ahead of the legislative week commencing last Tuesday, expectations were high that the 2017 Appropriations Bill would be laid for third reading and passed in the Senate, as well as the House of Representatives, for transmission to the President. It was just days before the expiration of the 2016 budget, which, based on provision of the 2016 Appropriations Act, became invalid on Friday. But the expectations were not met on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday – the three days National Assembly have plenary sessions in a week. The report on the 2017 budget expected from the joint committee on appropriations and finance chaired by Danjuma Goje and John Enoh respectively was not laid.

Although, the presentation of the report was listed as the first item on the Senate’s Order Paper for Thursday, the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, successfully moved that it be stepped down and taken “by the Grace of God” on Tuesday in the coming week. Reason: Mr. Goje (APC-Gombe) and Mr. Enoh (PDP-Cross River) and their members, were “currently” meeting with their counterparts in the House of Representatives on the last-minute harmonisation of the budget proposal.

In any case, even if the Senate, nay the National Assembly, had passed the budget by Thursday, it would not have been possible, realistically speaking, to make it operational by presidential assent before Friday, expiration of the 2016 budget. A passed budget bill will be transmitted to the president who, reasonably will spend days to consider and review it, with his team, including the vice president, who heads the country’s economic team, before assenting to it. The lawmakers have now spent five months to review the budget proposal presented by President Muhammadu Buhari in December last year.

With the expiration of the 2016 budget without one for 2017, what next? There has been confusion. There has been fear of government shut down. But no. Despite the non-passage of the budget before expiration of the 2016 last one, the development would not result in a government shutdown. This is because Section 82 of the constitution allows the president to authorise withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on services of the government until the coming into operation of the new budget.

Speaking on this, Eze Onyekpere, a fiscal policy expert and Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice said the government is empowered by law to “continue to spend” after expiration of the current budget, until a new budget is approved. The Director of Information at the Ministry of Finance, Salisu Danbatta, also expressed a similar view.

Having failed on budget, what else did the Senate do in the previous week?

First, on Tuesday Nigerian Peace Corps bill suffered set back in the Senate, after both chambers of the National Assembly had passed endorsed the bill. It was just for the Senate to endorse the conference report on the bill; but, alas, some lawmakers, including James Manager (PDP-Delta) and Godswill Akpabio (PDP-Akwa Ibom) rose against the bill, causing the Senate to step it down; thereby sending shock to thousands of youth who saw hope of employment in the effective taking off of the Peace Corps as a statutory body.

Jocularly, Mr. Akpabio likened passage of the NPC bill to legitimization of MMM, Ponzi scheme.

The Senate also referred the screening of 27 nominees for the positions of Resident Electoral Commissioners to its committee on INEC now chaired by Nazif Suleiman, following the suspension of Ali Ndume. The consideration of the nominations had been suspended in April after the lawmakers asked the president to act against Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and Babachir Lawal, eventually suspended federal cabinet secretary.

The report of the Shehu Sani-led ad hoc committee on the humanitarian crisis in north east was presented on Wednesday. The report detailed damning cases of procurement fraud, diversion of grains and negligence of duty by agencies of government. The big victim of the report is Mr. Lawal, who is at centre of scandalous bribery and contract fraud allegations. The Senate insisted on his prosecution.

Most importantly, before the report on the north east was presented, the Senate screened Suleiman Hassan and Stephen Ocheni for ministerial jobs. They were confirmed after displaying impressive performances, while responding to questions posed by lawmakers on their respective areas of competence and backgrounds.

Equally important was the passage of the James Manager-sponsored bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, following the report of the committee on tertiary education and TETFUND, chaired by Jibrin Barau.  The university, now ordered for immediate operation by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of Niger Delta peace-building efforts, is to be funded with 15 per cent of the annual budgetary allocation of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

But before it becomes a statutory body, it still has two hurdles to scale: transmission of its establishment bill to the House of Representatives for concurrence and, ultimately, to the president for assent.

Then, in what might be shaping up to be a means of exploiting institution to reach private end, Hope Uzodinma raised a Point of Order on alleged mismanagement in import and export procedures as well as the operations of the Nigerian Ports Authority. He wanted the Senate Committee on Marine Transport to join the Customs Committee to unravel the “continued defrauding of the nation”.

Actually, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report, Mr. Uzodinma and the new NPA management under Hadiza Usman, have been at loggerheads over the latter’s decision to terminate a $19 million Calabar port dredging contract with the former’s alleged company, Niger Global Engineering, which had already been paid over $12 million under the previous administration. NPA told the minister the contract was never executed, despite payment of over $12 million to the company, and also alleged fraudulent procurement procedure.

And Good News After all … Anti-Corruption Bill Came up

On Thursday, the report of the joint committee on Judiciary, Foreign Affairs and Anti-Corruption on the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between Nigeria and other Foreign States Bill 2017 SB. 224 was laid by David Umaru (APC-Niger). The bill was sent by the executive in January 2016, seeking to elicit international assistance in criminal investigations, recovery, forfeiture or confiscation of property in respect of offences.

There is no report yet on the second one, Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill, sent same day as the one on mutual legal assistance.

The way the Senate dilly-dallied, and still does, on the consideration of the anti-corruption bills has fuelled anti-legislature criticisms.

90 Universities School Fees were Slashed Down by Federal Government..

With immediate effect, Cutting across private and Government own universities operating in the country , Ordered by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Check list bellow if your school is included..

With respect to current hardship in the country students in government Universities cry loud and say EDUCATION IS OUR RIGHT that the increase in school fees nowadays is becoming unbearable coupled with the current economic recession,also,,  most student find very difficult to cater for their daily needs in school because they have no option rather than to adjust to the current situation of the country ..

Nigerian Government through Schoolcompass
wishes to inform the general public, especially parents and prospective undergraduate students that the National Universities Commission (NUC) of Nigeria has released a list of Universities in Nigeria with school fees slashed. cliick The Boxx bellow to get the list

Government to create 500,000 upstream and downstream employment at ajaokuta steel company

Ajaokuta  Steel Company set to operate 
 to provide 500,000 upstream and downstream employment 

Mr Isah Onobere, the Sole Administrator of the company made this known during a media tour to the company on Friday

According to Mr Isah Onobere.......

First phase of the plant would also provide direct employment for 10,000 technical staff when inaugurated.

He therefore said the first phase had been completed, adding that it was envisaged to produce 1.3 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum.

Mr Isah Onobete said that it would cost 400 million dollars to complete Ajaokuta steel, which had reached 98 per cent completion.

According to him, two billion dollars is needed for infrastructure rehabilitation and operational cost.

He said that government had begun to commit resources toward the maintenance and preservation of the equipment and facilities of the plant recently and called for improved efforts.

According to him, government is considering the report on various options on the way forward for the completion of the project.

These options he said include outright sales, concessioning and joint venture of Ajaokuta steel.

He, however, denied rumour about the company equipment being obsolete, adding that the company, with 98 per cent completed, could stand test of time, adding that all its equipment were functioning appropriately.

Recall that the then President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, laid the foundation of Ajaokuta in 1980 and within four years, it attained was 84 per cent completion.

Ajaokuta steel company is located on 24,000 hectares of sprawling green-field landmass built on 800-hectares of land.

It is Nigeria’s leading steel company and intended to be the leading supplier of quality steel products in all the major economic sectors, including construction, packaging, wire drawing and nail making industry among others.

10 blessed factz in Nigeria

 Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with more than 160 million people living there. What this means is that one in every 7 Africans is a Nigerian.
Despite the insecurity and some slight political instabilities facing the country, there are some
interesting facts about Nigeria that are worth noting. Answers Africa brings you the most interesting and fun Nigeria facts.
10. Most Populous Country in Africa.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world with a population of more than 160 million people. The next African country to come close is Ethiopia with a population count of 84 million. That is just about half of Nigerian population.
No
9. More Than 250 Ethnic Groups
Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups however, there are 3 dominant tribes: the Ibo (Igbo), Hausa- Fulani and Yoruba which make up 18%, 29% and 21% respectively.

8. Christianity and Islam Are The 2 Major Religions
The major religion in Nigeria are Christianity and Islam. About half of the Yorubas are Christians and half Muslim, though many maintain traditional beliefs. The Igbos in the southeast are mostly Christian; The Hausa/Fulani in the northern Nigeria are mostly Islamic and dominated by the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group. Southern Nigeria is more westernized and urbanized than the north, with the Yoruba in the southwest and the Igbo in the southeast.

7. Niger River is West Africa’s Largest River.
The longest and largest river in West Africa is the river Niger from where Nigeria derives her name. River Niger spans about

4,180 km (2,600 mi) from its source is in the Highlands of Guinea in southeastern Guinea. It courses in a crescent through Mali, Niger, on the border with Benin and then through Nigeria, and eventually emptying into the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean after passing through a massive delta, known as the Niger Delta or the Oil Rivers.

6. One of the Oldest Locations of Human Existence
Evidence from archaeological discoveries have shown that there was a history of human existence in Nigeria which has been dated to as far back as 9000 BC. The Nok civilization (around 500 BC-200 AD) is the earliest known civilization here.
Bonus: Interesting Facts about South Africa

5. Home Of Nollywood
Nollywood is the name given to the Nigerian movie industry and it has recently been ranked the second largest producers of movies in the world; just trailing behind Bollywood; the Indian film industry and ahead of America’s Hollywood. Nollywood produces up to 200 movies every single week and her movies has won half of the yearly awards for best picture since 2005.

4. Largest Diversity of Butterfly
Nigeria boasts in being the most suitable habitat for the worlds largest diversity of the most colorful creatures – the butterflies. It is widely believed that the areas surrounding Calabar, Cross River State in the southern part of the country harbors the world’s largest diversity of butterflies.

3. Ogun State Has The Highest Number of Universities in Nigeria
Ogun State is one of the states in the western part of the country and it has a total of nine registered universities, making it the state with the highest number of Universities in Nigeria
2. The Longest Bridge in Africa

The Third Mainland Bridge (in Lagos State) connecting Lagos Island to the mainland is the longest bridge in Africa—it measures about 11.8km. The bridge starts from Oworonshoki which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi express way and Lagos-Ibadan express way, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. There is also a link midway through the bridge that leads to the Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba. The bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and opened by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990

1. Largest Producers of Crude Oil
Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of crude oil in the world (averaging 2,525,000 barrels per day) and the 8th largest exporter. Nigeria has the 10th largest proven reserves of petroleum worldwide. Petroleum plays an important role in the country’s economy and contributes to more than 85% of the total government’s revenue.

Igbo guy infected with HIV vows to infect 100 persons. Post photos of girl he slept with

Photos of girls he slept with.... 

Bad guy!!!!!!!! 

Early this year, an igbo guy on Twitter,  Twitter username, @wiztalisman, announced that he has been infected with  one of the deadliest viruses, HIV, and he vowed to infect as many as possible before he dies, and it seems he’s making progress, as he took to Twitter to share the nudes of one of his victims, Flora.

He claims to have slept with 17 women unprotected already, while replying a fellow Twitter user he said ‘Bro I can’t die alone, I was infected by a girl, I thought she got my back’…Read everything below..

FOOLISH WAYS TO LOSE MONEY

You engage in ponzi then you lose your money foolishly 

Many are crying bitterly while just a few of about 2% are smiling. After the long break of MMM ponzi scheme platform that left a hole in the hearts of so many Nigerians, some wag and fraud scam sites emerges and was scamming people of their little hard earn money  promising them a 100%, 200% money back guarantee,, hahah ahahahah(what a scammmm). Many Nigerians invested in it and were scammed of their money while a few others like 3% benefited from it and later loss the money back to those scam sites. The following below are some of the scam sites which you need to runaway from :


Www.crowdrising.net
Www.ultimatecycler.com
Www.nairapropeller.com
Www.nairalift.com
Www.doublecash.me
Www.claritta.com
Www.cashdouble.com
Www.springcash.rocks
Www.icharity.com
Www.greenpeer.com
Www.twinkas.com
Www.gethelpworldwide.co.

These are some among so many scam site. Please be wise!!!!!!!!

PRESIDENT'S VISIT WAS CANCEL BECAUSE OF BUHARI HEALTH CONDITION

President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic visits to President Muhammadu Buhari scheduled for Friday, May 5, 2017, has been re-scheduled to further notice in respect to the harsh condition of his health.

The Special Adviser to the President "Mr Femi Adesina" (Media & Publicity) who says, the rescheduling is at the instance of President Issoufou who has another domestic engagement.

Many Nigerians however expressed doubt over this as there have been serious worries over the health of President Buhari who has not been seen in public for well over two weeks now.

They contend that it is a known fact that the president has been too weak to attend to his official duties for sometime, and that this must have been the reason for the canceled visit.

Adesina however said arrangements had been concluded for President Buhari to receive his Nigerien counterpart and his delegation at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa and attend the Jumaat prayers together as well as lunch, before the last-minute postponement.

A new date for the visit will be announced in due course, he concluded.

Buhari was absent at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, and also missed ju’maat prayer last Friday.

Meanwhile, the President’s Personal Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, on Thursday, disclosed that the President would go on another medical vacation.

Onochie who disclosed this on her Twitter handle, @Laurestar, while reacting to statements by individuals and groups on the matter, said “President Buhari will go on medical leave but only on his doctor’s appointment. Not by being hounded”.

Also on Thursday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) stated that there is a need for the president to disclose his health status to Nigerians.

Prof. Mike Ogirima, President of the NMA, explained that such would help douse tension and rumours about his well-being