PDP Governors Beg National Assembly To Rescue Nigeria's Democracy

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum has appealed to the National Assembly to rescue Nigeria’s democracy by passing necessary amendments to the Electoral Act, Punch reports.

Specifically, according to the report, the forum urged the lawmakers to rise above partisan politics to pass the amendment to allow for the electronic transfer of election results.

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Electronic Transmission: PDP Governors Forum Tasks National Assembly Conference Committee To Rescue Nigeria’s Democracy… Asks NASS to be guided by patriotism and national interest.’

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'When it comes to poverty, an already tragic situation has been worsened by the battering Africa’s fragile economies took from the coronavirus pandemic. One in three people are now unemployed in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy. The same goes for South Africa, the most industrialised African nation. It is now estimated that the number of extremely poor people in sub-Saharan Africa has crossed the 500 million mark, half the population.

'One of the key reasons for coups in Africa is “sit-tightism” of political leaders. Many of the leaders have had to tinker with constitutional provisions in order to extend their stay in office. According to a May 17, 2021 African Centre for Strategic Studies report titled, “Circumvention of Term Limits Weakens Governance in Africa”, the think-tank posited that Africa has seen a reversal in term limit norms since 2015 as leaders of 13 countries had evaded or overseen the further weakening of term limit restrictions that had been in place. The countries are: Algeria, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Others include, Egypt, Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda.

'The report stated further that, “The lack of effective term limits has resulted in Africa having 10 leaders who have ruled for over 20 years and two family dynasties that have been in power for more than 50 years”. In Gabon, there is Bongo dynasty which has been on for 53 years; in Togo, the Eyadema dynasty has been on for 53 years; Equatorial Guinea’s president, Teodoro Obiang, has been in power for 41 years, while Cameroon’s Paul Biya has been in power for 38 years. King Mswati III of Eswatini and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda have been in power for 34 years each. Before Idris Déby, 68, was assassinated by rebels on April 20, 2021, he was president of Chad for 30 years. Eriteria’s Isaias Afwerk has been in power for 27 years while Denis Sassou Nguesso of Republic of the Congo has been president for 23 years. Djibouti’s Ismail Omar Gwelleh has been leading his country for 21 years likewise King Mohammed VI of Morocco.  Paul Kagame on his part has led Rwanda for 20 years and still counting.

Met Gala 2021: Photos From The Red Carpet

 Photos: Getty Images / Collage by David Vo

Founded by Eleanor Lambert, the Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Gala or the Costume Institute Benefit and also known as the Met Ball, is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. It marks the opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit.

According to a report by Vogue, the Met Gala is typically held on the first Monday in May, but this year, the event was postponed due to COVID-19 and fell right in the middle of fashion month—meaning the stakes for stellar style on the red carpet were especially high. Last night, September 13th, fashion’s biggest night was held at its usual location: the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The gala was in celebration of the Costume Institute’s newest exhibition, “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” which opens to the public in the Anna Wintour Costume Center on September 18th.

IT’S AN EXPERIENCE

A love photo has just broken Joseph’s long-time relationship. Not guilty though, but the pose from the photo seems a terrific evidence that he’s been two-timing his fiancée, Comfort. The whole world is against the lover-boy and despite his plea of innocence to Comfort and concerned friends the relationship seems to have finally approached a dead end. But as soon as he eventually accepts his defeat and move on with his life with a new found lover Comfort suddenly shows up with a pregnancy and an apology written all over her, claiming she’s carrying his baby.

Now, this is not a true life story. But if you were to do a resolution for this story what would it be? Yes, rack your brain on it guys.

We learned that unity is the one thing that must never break - Joe Biden

The Tribute in Light installation in New York, ahead of the 9/11 commemorations   Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The September 11 attacks commonly referred to as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, New York, Manhattan, Shanksville, Stonycreek Township, Arlington County by the militant Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States of America on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at about 1:46 pm WAT with an estimated fatalities of about 3,000 persons.

VAT Collection Tussle: Court Of Appeal Orders States To Halt Enforcement

A Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has stopped the State Governments of Rivers and Lagos from collecting Value Added Taxes (VAT), pending the determination of an appeal filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

A three-man panel of the appellate court ordered that the enforcement of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, latched on to by the state governments be put on hold, Premium Times reports.

According to the report, Haruna Tsanami, the judge who delivered the lead ruling of the panel, also suspended the operation of the law passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and assented to by Governor Nyesom Wike, for the collection of VAT by the State government.

John Rucker on a turtle-saving mission

“The more people know about box turtles, the more friends they have.”

Turtle tracker John Rucker and his six Boykin spaniels are on a mission to keep box turtles, North Carolina’s official state reptile, safe from threats to their natural habitat in the 1,000-acre Sherwood Forest neighborhood, the Guardian reports.

According to the report, a species in decline, the slow-living box turtle is vulnerable to everything we do as humans, and because they’re camouflaged and relatively secretive, they are hard to find, which makes studying their population and health inherently difficult.

But with the help of his dogs, 74-year-old Rucker is determined to keep his “kinship” with the turtles going, the report stated further

Bauchi to host World Tourism Day September 27 — Official

The Bauchi State Government says it has completed arrangements to host representatives of the 36 states of the federation for the celebration of the 2021 World Tourism Day slated for between 27th and 29th September, 2021.

The General Manager of the state’s Tourism Board, Malam Nasir Yusuf made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Bauchi, on Friday.

Malam Yusuf disclosed that various tourism activities had been lined up for the event with adequate security measures put in place, while the mandatory COVID-19 protocols would strictly be observed through the event.

He mentioned the scheduled activities to be performed to include, a march pass from the Emir’s palace to the Government House by tourism stakeholders wearing branded tourism regalia on a visit to the state governor.

NIGERIAN YOUTHS CAUTIONED BY PMAN AGAINST VIOLENCE

The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has advised Nigerian youths to shun violence and embrace peace to ensure peaceful co-existence in the country, NAN reports.

Dovie Mena, Chairman PMAN FCT stakeholders forum popularly known as Baba 2010, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday.

 “Nigerian youths must shun violence and see themselves as future leaders”, Mena, who is also an afro-highlife legendary musician, said.

LAGOS ASSEMBLY LAUDED FOR PASSING VAT, ANTI-OPEN GRAZING BILLS

The Lagos state chapter of the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has commended members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for passing the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Anti-Open Grazing bills 2021, saying they were “timely and met the yearnings of the people”, the Eagle Online report.

In the report, Mr Abiodun Salami, IPAC’s publicity secretary, in a statement on Friday described the action of the House as a bold step towards bringing a harmonious relationship among all the ethnic groups in the state.

According to IPAC, the bills will not only enhance the economy of the state, but also guide against lawlessness.

Nigeria’s President Buhari Arrives Owerri on a One-Day Official Visit

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Owerri, the Imo State capital where he would inaugurate some developmental projects executed by the State Government.

The president was received at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport by Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi, and the All Progressives Congress Anambra State gubernatorial candidate, Andy Uba, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

According to the report, others at the airport to welcome the president included some cabinet Ministers and Presidential aides from the South East,the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr Paul Ikonne, as well as other Federal and State government officials.

More than 60% of the VAT from Lagos is taken from Lagos and given to states like Kano and others - Omokri

FROM THE IG DESK OF RENO OMOKRI

Yesterday, Kano’s Hisbah seized and destroyed 5,760 Cartons of Beer. Yet, Kano gets the lion’s share from VAT on beer. This is hypocrisy! I am solidly with Wike on this. Nigeria’s current federalism is built on a foundation of injustice and that unjust foundation must be destroyed and replaced with an equitable one. And these are the very same people agitating against the Anti-Open Grazing Law that the Southern states want to pass. You reject alcohol, but want to impose killer herdsmen on us? More than 60% of the VAT from Lagos is taken from Lagos and given to states like Kano and others. Nigeria’s current federalism is a parasitic relationship. We must all insist on the rights of states to collect VAT as the court and law provides. The monkey can no longer work for the baboon to eat.

PRESIDENCY LISTS “JINXES” BROKEN BY BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION

Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari

The Presidency has listed numerous jinxes broken by the Buhari administration in recent times.

Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina listed the jinxes in a special write-up on Sunday in Abuja.

 

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

JINXES BROKEN BY THE MUHAMMADU BUHARI ADMINISTRATION—PRESIDENCY

A giant-sized jinx was broken recently when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced a first Net Profit in the 44-year history of the organization. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as Minister for Petroleum Resources, the oil conglomerate announced a first-ever profit of N287 billion. Such had never happened before.

But that was by no means the only major jinx broken in the lifetime of the Buhari administration. They abound. And here are just some of them. The list is by no means exhaustive:

Policies and legislation:

*Petroleum Industry Bill signed into law in 2021, after almost two decades in the works. It is aimed at reforming a Petroleum Act dating back to 1969, as well as other supplementary laws and regulations.

*Deep Offshore and Inland Basin (Production Sharing Contracts) Act, 2019, amended for the first time since 1993.

*More than 6 billion dollars of inherited Cash Call Arrears now being cleared by the Buhari Administration, since 2016. More than 3 billion dollars of the arrears (payments due to International Oil Companies) have since been paid.

*The Buhari Administration has overseen the first successful Marginal Fields Bid Round in almost 20 years.

*The Buhari Administration has launched the first National Social Investment Programme in the country’s history. Today it is the largest Social Investment Programme in Africa and one of the largest in the world.