We are committed to recovering unpaid royalties and taxes – Alake.

We are committed to recovering unpaid royalties and taxes – Alake.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake said the present administration is committed to recovering unpaid royalties and taxes in the mining sector.

He said the federal government has put in place measures like engaging consultants to block leakages and recover funds owed by licensed operators, which he put at several trillions of naira.

Alake said this in Abuja while welcoming the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) chairman, Mohammed Bello, and his team to his office.

He said the federal government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has resolved to strengthen collaboration to block revenue leakages in the mining sector.

The special assistant media to the minister, Segun Tomori, made this known in a press statement.

He stated: “The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), have resolved to strengthen collaboration to block revenue leakages in the mining sector.

“Speaking while welcoming the RMAFC chairman, Mohammed Bello, and his team to his office recently, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake commended efforts of the commission to boost revenue accruing to government coffers through mining operations.

He said: “Mr. Bello in his remarks stated that the commission’s visit is hinged on pledging support for efforts of the Minister to transform the mining sector since assumption of office and also extract commitment that the commission will get his cooperation to carry out its statutory monitoring activities.

“The commission was instrumental to getting the 10% monthly payment from the Natural Resources Development Fund to the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), and we know we can do much more together under your guidance and leadership to sanitise the sector, plug all loopholes and ensure the mining industry becomes a big chunk of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“In his submission, the commission’s chairman of solid minerals committee and commissioner representing Zamfara state, Abubakar Sadiq lauded the Minister for his reforms and leadership that has given visibility to the mining sector, stressing the need for improved collaboration with the RMAFC to address shortfall in revenue remittance by mining operators.

“Our evaluation of mining operations across the country has shown a shortfall in revenue to government. There is a monitoring gap. Government and RMAFC should strengthen collaboration to seal this gap and plug leakages in the system.”

“We are also making a case for proper supervision and documentation of minerals exported through our borders whilst also urging that the environmental impact of mining operations should be looked into and minimized,” Sadiq added.

“Dr. Alake, in his response, revealed that the federal government has put in place measures like engaging consultants to block leakages and recover funds owed by licensed operators, which he put at several trillions of naira.

“From our efforts, so far, we have discovered to our chagrin that we are owed trillions of naira in unpaid royalties and taxes by legalised operators. We are committed to recovering these funds and also in the process of engaging internationally certified auditors to look at the system and automate the whole gamut of the revenue collection processes.

“Alake restated the resolve of government to sanitise the mining environment, ensure it contributes substantially to the nation’s revenue, and ultimately make the sector rival oil in contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.

“We are ready to collaborate with you, states, and host communities to maximise the potential of the mining sector for the benefit of all Nigerians. Our focus is to ensure that the industry translates to greater good for the greatest number of our people.”

Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso withdraw from ECOWAS over suspension.

Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso withdraw from ECOWAS over suspension.

The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their immediate withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States.

The leaders of the three Sahel nations on Sunday issued a statement saying it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the ECOWAS “without delay”.

Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

All three were suspended from ECOWAS, with Niger and Mali facing heavy sanctions.

They have hardened their positions in recent months and joined forces in an “Alliance of Sahel States”.

A French military withdrawal from the Sahel — the region along the Sahara desert across Africa — has heightened concerns over the conflicts spreading southward to the Gulf of Guinea states Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast.

The prime minister appointed by Niger’s military regime on Thursday blasted ECOWAS for “bad faith” after the bloc largely shunned a planned meeting in Niamey.

Niger had hoped for an opportunity to talk through differences with fellow states of ECOWAS, which has cold-shouldered Niamey, imposing heavy economic and financial sanctions following the military coup that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

AFP

Edo 2024: APC to update membership register, promises free, fair primaries.

Edo 2024: APC to update membership register, promises free, fair primaries.

As the sales of All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Edo State governorship election ends on Monday, January 29, the party said it would conduct an update of its membership register in the state ahead of the February 17 primary election.

Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru disclosed this at the weekend when a group of friends of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for the retired Permanent Secretary.

The update of the membership register became necessary following disagreement of figures by the various political tendencies in the state during the last meeting the National Working Committee (NWC) had with stakeholders of the party in the state.

To this end, a committee will be dispatched from the party’s national secretariat in Abuja to undertake the update of the membership register in the 192 wards of the state.

Duru said: “A committee from the national headquarters will be on their way to Edo State next week to begin the update of the membership register.

“As you know, there were discontent tones. We will write a letter in that respect to the state chapter of the party. We can only be seen to be impartial and we cannot come to a meeting of stakeholders to misrepresent the total membership of our party in Edo state.

“That Edo is only 241,000 in numbers when we know that the membership of even Ebonyi state is almost close to a million and Edo is bigger than Ebonyi state. Even against our protestation that we have a bigger and more authentic register.

“So that is the responsibility of the NWC and we discharge that.”

Assuring all the aspirants of the resolve of the NWC to conduct a free, fair and transparent primary, During denied insinuation that the NWC has ceded the power of screening and clearing aspirants for the shadow election to a committee.

 

He added: “The National Chairman has also asked me to inform all the aspirants that the responsibility of vetting and clearing all the aspirants domicile with the NWC of our party and the National Working Committee has not abandoned that responsibility or have they vested that authority to any other sub-national.

“Therefore the exercise of vetting and clearing will only happen in the first instance through a committee that will be set up and we are in the process of setting up the committee.

“We will ensure and guarantee free, fair and transparent primary. What we want is the person who will win for us. That will win the primary and win the election ultimately for the party.

“We want Edo State in the basket of APC states and that is very important. We cannot just have one lone voice in the South-South, which Cross River currently represents. Once we can have Edo State in the basket, hopefully, we can also translate into another state in Ondo.

Meanwhile, checks in the party’s Directorate of Organisation at the close of work on Friday showed that only 12 of the 29 aspirants who initially declared intention to contest for the party’s tickets have purchased the N50 million expression of interest and nomination forms.

The party so far has equally raked in N600 million from sales of forms to the 12 aspirants.

Oyebanji congratulates Ekiti-born Ojo Olabode, UNILAG’s overall Best Student with a 5.00/5.00 Grade.

Oyebanji congratulates Ekiti-born Ojo Olabode, UNILAG’s overall Best Student with a 5.00/5.00 Grade.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has congratulated Mr Ojo Olabode Johnson who emerged the best-graduating student of the University of Lagos with an outstanding 5.00/5.00 grade in his Masters degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.

The feat recorded by the Esun- Ekiti born Ojo Olabode Johnson was announced during the University’s convocation ceremony last week. 

Governor Oyebanji, in a congratulatory message signed by his Spacial Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, described Ojo’s achievement as remarkably outstanding, adding that such a feat can only be achieved through hardwork, dedication and undying passion for excellence. 

He added that Ojo’s remarkable feat is capable of inspiring other Ekiti youths to dare to stand out in academics, research and in other areas of human endeavours. 

“Again, Ekiti is being mentioned for a noble and honorable reason- a highly remarkable and record- breaking achievement by one of her citizens, Mr Ojo Olabode Johnson. While we congratulate him and his family for writing his name in gold, we hope his achievement will also inspire other youths who are shining stars to dare to shine even brighter.” The Governor said. 

Governor Oyebanji added that his administration would continue to identify with and celebrate excellence among its teeming youths and would continue to provide incentives and platforms for them to excel in their chosen areas of endeavors so that they can become valued assets to the state and the country as a whole. 

Ojo, who is an indigene of Esun-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government of Ekiti State, scored the highest grade point in his graduating set earning him the overall best-graduating master student of the university. He also won the best graduating student award at the university's Faculty of Engineering and Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.

Prior to his astonishing feat at Unilag, Ojo obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State. 

He started his academic journey at Chrismode Nursery and Primary School, Agege, Lagos State, and proceeded to the Federal Science and Technical College, Usi-Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State for his Junior Secondary School Education, . He completed his secondary education at the Federal Government College, Ikole-Ekiti.

EKSG To Present Breakdown Of 2024 Budget To Stakeholders.

EKSG To Present Breakdown Of 2024 Budget To Stakeholders.

By Olamide Akinwumi

In a move towards transparency and inclusive governance, Ekiti State Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, is set to present the highlights and breakdown of the 2024 Budget. The budget, tagged "Budget of Sustainable Growth and Development," will be unveiled to journalists and other critical stakeholders in the state.

The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House Grounds, Ado Ekiti, starting at 10:00 am. The announcement, conveyed through a statement from the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management, Mr. Sola Akinluyi, emphasizes the significance of the Budget Analysis presentation.

The statement highlights that the presentation aims to advance inclusive and good governance in the state. It also provides a platform for members of the public and the media to offer feedback on government policies, programs, and activities. The inclusive approach encourages public engagement and ensures that stakeholders have a comprehensive understanding of the state's financial plans and priorities.

The announcement further enjoins Accounting Officers of all Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as invited representatives from all sectors in the society, to attend this important program. The active participation of stakeholders is crucial in fostering collaboration and understanding between the government and the public, contributing to the overall development of Ekiti State.

Farming crucial to tackling insecurity in Northern Nigeria — Niger Gov.

Farming crucial to tackling insecurity in Northern Nigeria — Niger Gov.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago has said that the insecurity challenges in the Northern part of the country can be addressed sufficiently with a return to land cultivation.

The Governor stated this on Saturday at the 10th edition of the Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Saturday, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in collaboration with the Borno State Government.

The lecture is coming in the wake of rising cases of banditry and kidnapping in the Northern part of the country with Plateau State the biggest hit.

The lectures had the theme, “Creating pathways for peace: Tackling banditry and insurgency through good governance for sustainable development.”

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, Bago acknowledged the role of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, who made the region famous for its agricultural production.

“Prior to the discovery of oil in Nigeria, the northern region was globally recognised as a giant in agriculture. So, there is the need to change the narrative by reverting to the old days and reduce the dependence on the Federal Government monthly allocation,” the statement read in part.

Bago also revealed the Niger State Government’s plan for the agricultural sector saying he intends to use all ungoverned spaces which are responsible for banditry activities, with huge resources already in place for clearing of land, preparatory for agricultural production.

He also suggested the need to deploy technology to make farming easier and attractive to young Nigerians who are out in search of white-collar jobs.

On education, the governor said the North needs to sit down and chart a new course on ways to improve the sector.

He further called for a review of school curricula in tandem with what is obtainable globally to enable teeming youths to have skills that guarantee sustainable employment.

FG not relocating agencies to Lagos, says Shettima.

FG not relocating agencies to Lagos, says Shettima.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has debunked claims that the Federal Government is planning to relocate some federal agencies and institutions to Lagos.

He was speaking through his Political Adviser, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, at the 10th Ahmadu Bello Annual Memorial Lecture which held in Maduguri, on Saturday, January 27.

“There is no truth in the rumours that the Federal Government plans to relocate agencies and institutions out of Abuja beyond effecting administrative changes that will not disadvantage any part of this country, “Shettima stated.

“I repeat, this administration (Tinubu administration) will not disadvantage any part of the country in favour of another, “ he stressed, assuring, “We seek a balanced and inclusive growth.”

The Vice President appealed: “I would like to use this forum to appeal to leaders and elders with responsibility to resist the temptation to act on these spurious rumours.”

Turning to security, which formed the major talking point of the lecture, Shettima reminded the audience that securing the country was the first priority of the Tinibu administration.

“Every strategy that can end violent crimes and conflicts within communities will be pursued vigorously by this administration,” he assured.