Weekend Review Of Saturday Daily Hint News

Weekend Review of Saturday Daily Hint News 

1. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED N2.18TN SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET

The National Assembly on Thursday approved the N2.18tn 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill forwarded to it for consideration by President Bola Tinubu.

While the Senate approved the N5bn proposed for a presidential yacht in the budget, the House of Representatives cancelled the allocation and added it to the student loan, increasing the budget for the scheme to N10bn, up from the initial N5.5bn.

2. NAIRA SLUMPS TO N1,120 AT PARALLEL MARKETS

The naira has risen to N1,120 against the dollar as the foreign exchange market reacted to news that the Central Bank of Nigeria has begun to clear some of its FX backlog on Thursday. 

This represents an appreciation of N50 or 4.27 per cent compared to the N1,170 it traded for on Wednesday.

3. Court Orders Immediate Release of Ex-CBN Governor, Emefele

An Abuja High Court, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to unconditionally release the embatled former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele. 

Respondents in the suit are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation, Chairman of EFCC and the EFCC.

4. POLICE IN PLATEU RESCUE SIX KIDNAPPED VICTIMS

Two persons were on Thursday confirmed dead while six others were rescued after operatives of the Plateau State Police Command engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle.

It was learnt that the kidnappers had earlier invaded Gwalada village in the neighbouring Toro LGA of Bauchi State and kidnapped some residents.

5. CBN SPEAKS ON NAIRA NOT SCARCITY

CBN Speaks On Scarcity Of Naira Notes

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has explained why there are reports of the scarcity of naira notes in some parts of the country.

Some northern states, including Borno State, are experiencing a scarcity of Naira notes weeks before the December 31st deadline for the validity of the old naira notes.

But in a statement on Thursday, the CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, said the apex bank has sufficient stock of the currency notes.

6. UZODINMA BREAKS SILENCE ON BRUTALIZATION OF NLC PRESIDENT, JOE AJAERO

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has claimed the accusation of brutalizing the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, is currently an attempt by some individuals and groups to blackmail his government ahead of the November 11 governorship poll in the state.

Uzodinma made the remarks on Thursday at the Presidential Villa after President Bola Tinubu presented flags to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidates for Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Recall that Ajaero had alleged that security operatives tortured him after some miscreants hijacked the protest in Owerri over unpaid salaries.

Reacting to the development, Uzodinma insisted that the state workers are not owed any outstanding salaries and challenged Imo State civil servants to speak over the claim of unpaid salary.

The Governor argued that Ajaero had faced challenges in separating his roles as the national president of the Labour Union from an interested party in the local politics.

7. TINUBU SPEAKS ON CONDUCT OF IMO, BAYELSA, KOGI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS

President Bola Tinubu has called for the conduct of free, fair and peaceful governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.

The President made this known on Thursday while presenting flags to governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja.

Ahead of the November 11 governorship elections in the three states, President Timubu called on politicians and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful and credible polls.

The President presented flags to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who is seeking a second term; former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who wants to return as Bayelsa governor, and Usman Ododo, who is seeking to become the Kogi governor.

8. TINUBU SPEAKS ON REQUEST FOR PRESIDENTIAL YACHT WORTH N5 BILLION

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has debunked reports making the rounds online over plans to purchase a presidential yacht worth N5 billion.

Earlier reported that the federal government is planning to spend N5 billion to purchase a presidential yacht in the 2023 Supplementary Budget.

It was learned that the proposed sum is under the capital expenditure of the Nigerian Navy’s budget.

According to the breakdown, the Navy will require N62.8 billion for its operations, with recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure gulping N20.4 billion and N42.3 billion, respectively.

However, in a statement on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temiope Ajayi, clarified that Tinubu didn’t request any yacht and did not need one to perform his function considering the current state of the economy.

According to him, the request for a yacht was framed in the Navy’s budget, and it is assumed that they have an operational reason for it.

9. NLC PRESIDENT, JOE AJAERO TO BE FLOWN ABROAD FOR TREATMENT

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero is set to be flown abroad for treatment following injuries sustained when he was beaten up in Imo State on Wednesday.

The update was given on Thursday by the NLC publicity secretary, Benson Upah.

According to him as quoted by The Nation, the injuries sustained by Ajaero during the beatings in Imo State on Wednesday could not be treated at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri because of the nature of the injuries.

Recall that Ajaero has been hospitalized in Imo State after he was brutally beaten, with his right eye completely shut at the time of making contact.

Upah who made this known on Wednesday stated that the NLC President was beaten up, blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where he was brutalized.

An update on the attack of Ajaero from the NLC media unit indicated that he has been placed on a neck collar and referred for an ophthalmic investigation and brain scan.

These developments come after Ajaero sustained injuries from an attack by suspected hired thugs during a rally protest in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

10. “I AM NOT A SAINT, AND I AM NOT A CRIMINAL” – PETER OBI

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has said he is neither a saint nor a criminal.

The former Anambra State Governor added that he did his best and served meritoriously when he was Governor and also in the private sector.

He stated that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria as the country is blessed in terms of land, water and other resources but the only thing lacking is good leadership.

In his words, Nigeria has no reason to be poor if there is good leadership.

Obi made the submissions on Thursday when he spoke as the special guest of honour at the Edo Policy Roundtable, in association with Mudiame University, Irrua in Edo Central Senatorial District, which took place at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Airport Road, Benin, Edo State.