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BIG STORY

We’ll Continue To Enforce Law In 2024 — Governor Sanwo-Olu

Published

1 year ago

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  • Governor to sign 2024 Appropriation Bill this week 
  • Ambode, Hamzat, Ogun First Lady, others attend Lagos Thanksgiving Service

 

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, said his administration is dedicated to the successful implementation of pivotal projects to foster the robust growth of the State and ensure the well-being of its citizens.

He said the Year 2024 will be an important one for his administration in terms of enforcement of the various laws and regulations that have been meticulously crafted to safeguard the lives and property of residents of the State, noting that “Without adherence to the rule of law, no society can guarantee progress and prosperity.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that he will sign into law this week the 2024 Lagos State Appropriation Bill, passed a few days ago by the Lagos State House of Assembly, saying the signing of the Budget will mark an important milestone in the delivery of all that his administration has promised the people of Lagos, this year.

The Governor spoke on Sunday in his address during the state’s 24th Annual Thanksgiving Service with the First Family of Lagos State, themed, ‘The Righteous Shall Praise Your Name’ held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.

The service was attended by Governor Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and his wife, Oluremi; the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and wife, Bolanle; Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, represented by the Chairman of House on Home Affairs, Hon. Jubril Abdulkareem; Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, former deputy governors, religious and traditional leaders, public office holders and politicians, among others.

Speaking during the service, Governor Sanwo-Olu, urged Nigerians and Lagos residents in particular to continue to pray for him and other public office holders, who have been given the privilege to serve as leaders, in various capacities in government.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said public office holders need divine wisdom and grace, as they make multitudes of decisions that will have an impact on the lives of the people.

He said: “As a Government, we are resolutely committed to fostering the robust growth of our State and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. We are unwaveringly dedicated to the successful implementation of pivotal projects.

“In every sector, we have major projects ongoing that will define the legacy of our administration, and positively transform the economy and the landscape of Lagos State.

“This week, by the special grace of God, I will sign into law the 2024 Lagos State Appropriation Bill, passed a few days ago by our hardworking and committed Lagos House of Assembly. The signing of that Budget will mark an important milestone in the delivery of all that we have promised you the people of Lagos, this year.

“Indeed, all Lagosians have so much to look forward to this year 2024, which is also the first full year of our second and final term in office. You are already familiar with our T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda, which will guide and propel all that we do for the progress and development of Lagos State.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that “This year will also be an important one for us in terms of enforcement of the various laws and regulations that have been meticulously crafted to safeguard our lives and property. Without adherence to the rule of law, no society can guarantee progress and prosperity.

“I, therefore, want to implore each and every one of us, as Lagosians, to play our part in respecting and obeying the laws of the land. From paying our taxes to obeying traffic rules to disposing of our waste responsibly to speaking up when we see other people breaking the law. These are all responsibilities that we carry as good people of Lagos State.

“On our part, as Government, we will continue to strive to make it easier for you to be law-abiding. Our transport reforms are all aimed at improving the commuting experience for all Lagosians, just as our Emergency Hotlines are there to make it easy for you to ‘say something if you see something!’

“In the same way, we have in place various reforms aimed at making it easier for you to pay your taxes, and generally making Lagos a more enabling place for business and investment. Together, we can all play our part in achieving a truly Greater Lagos.”

Speaking on the significance of the Thanksgiving Service, Governor Sanwo-Olu said there is, indeed, so much to be grateful for and therefore urged people as they raise their voices in praise, adoration and supplication, to commit Lagos State and Nigeria to God, for his guidance, and His mercies.

He said: “As a people, we have every reason to praise God, most especially for the preservation of our lives to witness this year; for His mercies, protection, provisions, providence, love, grace, favour, compassion, deliverance and numerous blessings.

“We have every reason to give all the glory and thanks to the Almighty God because He has been faithful in the affairs of our dear State. He has granted us great achievements and testimonies; he has given us peace and security; and mightily blessed the work of our hands.

“He has granted us the privilege of seeing yet another edition of this annual Thanksgiving Service, organized in keeping with Lagos State’s tradition of starting every New Year in thanksgiving to God and in acknowledgment of the fact that in Him we live and move and have our being. This is the fifth one so far since I assumed office as Governor, and the first one since the start of our second term.”

In his exhortation, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Revd Stephen Adegbite said there is a need to appreciate God who answers prayers for the election of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as President and the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat during last year’s general elections.

He said God is good to Lagos State and the State will continue to hold the Annual Thanksgiving Service to appreciate God for the continuous peace, growth and development in the State.

Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner of Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Layode, said the Thanksgiving Service was necessary to appreciate God for His mercy on Lagos State in the past year.

He said the State witnessed the commissioning of people-oriented and impactful projects by the Sanwo-Olu administration, adding that the administration is leaving no stone unturned to make life easy for residents through more developmental projects in line with the THEMES+ Agenda.

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BIG STORY

FAAC: FG, States, LGAs Shared N1.6trn In February, Statutory Revenue Dropped By N194bn

Published

21 hours ago

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March 22, 2025

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The federation account allocation committee (FAAC) says it shared N1.67 trillion among the three tiers of government in February.

The figure represents a decrease of N25 billion or 1.49 percent compared to the N1.703 trillion distributed in January.

Bawa Mokwa, the director of press and public relations of office of the accountant-general of the federation (OAGF), spoke on the revenue distribution in a FAAC communiqué, according to NAN.

FAAC said the total revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised a statutory revenue of N827.63 billion and value-added tax (VAT) income of N609.43 billion, electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) revenue of N35.17 billion, solid minerals revenue of N28.21 billion and augmentation of N178 billion.

The committee also said a total gross revenue of N2.34 trillion was available in February.

Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds, and savings was N577.097 billion, the communique reads.

GROSS STATUTORY REVENUE DROPPED IN FEBRUARY

The communiqué further said a gross statutory revenue of N1.65 trillion was received in February. This, it said, was lower than the sum of N1.84 trillion recorded in January by N194.66 billion.

FAAC said a gross revenue of N654.45 billion was available from VAT in February, lower than the N771.88 billion available in January by N117.43 billion.

According to the committee, from the total distributable revenue of N1.67 trillion, the federal government received N569.65 billion, N562.19 billion went to states, while the local governments got N410.55 billion.

A total sum of N136.04 billion (13 percent of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

Of the N827.63 billion statutory revenue, the federal government received N366.26 billion and the state governments received N185.77 billion, FAAC said.

The local governments received N143.22 billion and the sum of N132.37 billion (13 percent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

The committee also said from the N609.43 billion VAT revenue, the federal government got N91.41 billion, state governments had N304.71 billion and the local governments received N213.3 billion.

A total sum of N5.27 billion was received by the federal government from the N35.17 billion EMTL. The state governments received N17.58 billion and the LGCs received N12.31 billion, FAAC said.

From the N28.21 billion solid minerals revenue, the federal government received N12.93 billion and the state governments received N6.56 billion.

The local governments received N5.05 billion and a total sum of N3.66 billion (13 percent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

FAAC also said oil and gas royalty and EMTL increased significantly while VAT, petroleum profit tax (PPT), companies income tax, excise duty, import duty, and CET levies recorded a decrease.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Nnamdi Kanu Pleads Not Guilty To ‘Terrorism’ Charge In Fresh Trial

Published

2 days ago

on

March 21, 2025

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The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has pleaded not guilty to a seven-count charge bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.

Kanu was arraigned on Friday before James Omotosho, judge of a federal high court in Abuja.

On March 8, John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, reassigned Kanu’s case to a new judge after the defendant repeatedly asked Binta Nyako to recuse herself from his case.

Kanu directly told Nyako that he no longer had confidence in her handling of his trial.

On September 24, Nyako recused herself from Kanu’s case after an oral application by the defendant.

On February 10, Nyako adjourned Kanu’s case indefinitely following the defendant’s insistence that the judge cannot preside over his case since she had recused herself.

Subsequently, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s counsel, told the media in early March that the trial would start afresh following the appointment of a new judge.

 

 

More to follow…

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BIG STORY

Nigerian Woman Faces 10 Years In US Jail For Drug Trafficking, Fraud

Published

2 days ago

on

March 21, 2025

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A Nigerian woman, identified as Tammy, has admitted to charges of drug trafficking and bank fraud in the US and could face up to 10 years in prison.

According to a statement from the Department of Justice, US Attorney’s Office (Eastern District of Virginia) on Tuesday (November 5), Tammy “pleaded guilty to the allegations of conspiring with others to import more than five kilograms of cocaine, as well as to her role in a separate bank fraud scheme, and to making false statements relating to fraudulent claims submitted to Medicaid for reimbursement.”

Zachary Terwilliger, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, described Tammy as a “triple threat” due to her involvement in multiple crimes, stating:

“Tammy is a ‘triple threat’ of criminality – drug trafficker, a fraudster, and a liar. Tammy, a Nigerian immigrant who has spent the last two decades with the privilege of living in the United States as a lawful permanent resident, clearly has zero respect for American laws pertaining to our borders, controlled substances, our financial system, or our health care system.”

With this plea, Tammy is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years for the drug-related charges, with sentencing scheduled for February 28, 2020.

Drug Trafficking and Fraud Scheme

Court documents reveal that Tammy, 40, recruited individuals from the Washington, D.C. area to serve as drug couriers. She was also involved in setting up bank accounts in their names, assisting with passport and visa applications, and arranging their travel.

The couriers primarily traveled to São Paulo, Brazil, where they obtained kilograms of cocaine concealed within soft-sided briefcases or attaché cases. Law enforcement intercepted nearly seven kilograms of cocaine at three different US airports, all linked to couriers allegedly recruited by Tammy.

Additionally, the statement highlighted her involvement in submitting “falsified and fraudulent claims to the D.C. Department of Health Care Finance, a health care benefit program funded by Medicaid.”

Tammy was employed as a personal care aide for multiple home health agencies in Washington, D.C. To receive payment, she was required to submit timesheets signed by clients verifying services provided. However, instead of recording actual work hours, Tammy enlisted Medicaid recipients to act as “patients” and sign fraudulent timesheets in exchange for a small payment.

Investigators discovered that on at least two occasions, Tammy billed for home health services while she was outside the United States.

Beyond drug trafficking and healthcare fraud, Tammy also allegedly utilized her African goods business in Maryland to execute bank fraud schemes.

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