Good day, readers! We’re here to provide you with a crisp update on today’s top stories from Nigeria:
A Chilling Discovery:
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, reveals a shocking find near the Lokpanta Cattle Market along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. During a security operation, authorities uncovered 50 decomposed bodies, including 20 headless corpses, and even a gruesome revelation that the market was being used as a hub for kidnapper ransom collections.
Naira’s True Value:
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, offers assurance that the Federal Government’s forthcoming foreign exchange rules will align the naira with its actual value. The plan also involves clamping down on illicit currency trading to bridge the gap with unofficial rates, aiming for a “fair price” by the close of 2023.
Boko Haram Warning:
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State raises a dire alarm, emphasizing the potential nationwide threat if the Boko Haram crisis remains unchecked. Zulum voiced concern over the persisting existence of IDP camps in the Local Government Areas of Borno, which he describes as a ticking time bomb.
Fiscal Move:
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has greenlit a whopping sum of N2,176,791,286,033 for the second 2023 supplementary appropriation. Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, unveiled this decision after a federal cabinet meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Atiku’s Concern:
Former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar expresses deep concerns regarding the Supreme Court’s potential message that crime could be rewarded. This stems from his rejection of INEC’s declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 election, which led to legal action.
Political Intrigue:
Renowned elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, points fingers at FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, alleging involvement in a plot to impeach Rivers State Governor, Sam Fubara. The speculated motive is to force Fubara’s deputy to resign, ultimately enabling the Speaker of the state House of Assembly to take the reins.
Rivers State Turmoil:
Rivers State finds itself in a state of chaos as the House of Assembly initiates an impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The discord appears to stem from a rift between the governor and his erstwhile ally, former Governor Nyesom Wike, now serving as the FCT minister.
Resource Exploration Deal:
A significant agreement is inked between the Federal Government and German geo-scientific technology firm GeoScan GmbH, headquartered in Berlin. This pact is set to ignite the exploration and exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral deposits, potentially valued at more than $700 billion, as announced by Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
Public Expenditure:
Alarming reports emerge indicating a total expenditure of N21.1 billion on vehicle procurement for various government entities over a five-month period. These approvals, detailed in documents obtained from the Bureau of Public Procurement, were distributed between April and August 2023.
Tragedy Strikes:
In a heart-wrenching incident, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists launch an attack on Beneshiekh town, the administrative hub of Kaga Local Government Area in Borno State. The Chief Imam, Sheihk Baba Goni Muktar Malumti, falls victim to the attack, and the assailants set fire to some of his Islamic books.
Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the latest developments in Nigeria.
