Headline

Ondo Assembly to collaborate with former lawmakers for result oriented

Published

9 months ago

September 2, 2023

The Ondo State House of Assembly has collaborated with former lawmakers in the state for better legislative duties that would accelerate rapid development of every sector.

Mr Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker of the Assembly, on Friday in Akure stated this while hosting members of the recently dissolved 9th Assembly and the current serving members of the 10th Assembly.

The speaker explained that the house organised the event to fastrack socio-economic development of the state as well as promote fraternal relationship between the former legislators and serving members.

“I was not only a member of the 9th Assembly, who served as the Deputy Majority Leader but also a major stakeholder in the activities of the Assembly,” he said.

“I have the strong belief that there is much that unites us as a body of former and serving law makers who were committed towards the development of the state,” he added.

He expressed gratitude over the songs of praise and rhythmic steps of dance that welcomed them to the event.

He explained that the unique occasion was not only meant for merry-making, but to create a relaxed atmosphere through which as members of the same family, they could interact in a way to ventilate ideas that were positive to the development of the state.

He said being a speaker bestowed upon him an enormous task of leadership, adding that the handful of success thus far attained since his assumption of office was made possible by God and unwavering support of the lawmakers.

“Distinguished colleagues, the tasks ahead require that we all put our hands on the plough, trusting in God and man to see us through.

“There is always strength in unity. There is much we can achieve together as a body of lawmakers. I will continue to leverage on our collective strength and wisdom in our current drive to deliver the much needed democracy dividends to our people.

“My doors are open to advice and suggestions that would enhance our performance in office and by extension, register our names in the sand of times.

“To this extent, I want to state that this meeting will hold at intervals,” he said.

He promised that the get-together party would be sustained to serve as an avenue to criss-cross opinions to move the state forward, urging that the opportunity should not be abused.

Headline

EFCC bars dollar transactions, orders embassies to charge in naira

Published

4 days ago

May 11, 2024

Desmond Ukafor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has barred foreign missions based in Nigeria from transacting in foreign currencies and mandated them to use Naira in their financial businesses.

The EFCC has also mandated Nigerian foreign missions domiciled abroad to accept Naira in their financial businesses.

The anti-graft agency said the move is to tackle the dollarisation of the Nigerian economy and the degradation of the naira

The Commission, therefore, asked the government to stop foreign missions in Nigeria from charging visa and other consular services in foreign denominations.

The EFCC gave the advisory in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, for onward transmission to all foreign missions in the country.

In the letter, the EFCC said it issued the advisory because the practice of paying for consular services in dollars was in conflict with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria.

In a letter dated April 5, 2024, which was addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, titled: “EFCC Advisory to Foreign Missions against Invoicing in US Dollar,” the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede expressed dismay over the invoicing of consular services in Nigeria by foreign missions in dollars.

The EFCC cited Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

The letter read, “I present to you the compliments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and wish to notify you about the commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States dollar ($).

“It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’.

“This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is, therefore, illegal.”

The commission further stated that the rejection of the naira for consular services in Nigeria by certain missions, along with non-compliance with foreign exchange regulations in determining service costs, is not just unlawful but also undermines the nation’s sovereignty embodied in its official currency.

The letter continues: “This trend can no longer be tolerated, especially in a volatile economic environment where the country’s macroeconomic policies are constantly under attack by all manner of state and non-state actors.

“In light of the above, you may wish to convey the commission’s displeasure to all missions in Nigeria and restate Nigeria’s desire for their operations not to conflict with extant laws and regulations in the country.”

Diplomatic sources said yesterday, May 10, that some embassies were wondering whether the EFCC’s advisory represented the position of the Federal Government.

Headline

Prince Harry visits sick Nigerian soldiers in Kaduna

Published

4 days ago

May 11, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.