Headline
10 Poorest States Owe Over N1tn, Provide Govs Jumbo Package
Published
2 years agoon
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Editor
The 10 poorest states in Nigeria owe local and foreign creditors about N1.18tn, according to findings by The PUNCH.
While the data for the poorest state was acquired from the National Bureau of Statistics, the debt data was obtained from the Debt Management Office.
The NBS, in its National Multidimensional Poverty Index report, disclosed that 133 million Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor.
The NBS said 63 per cent of Nigerians were poor due to a lack of access to health, education, living standards, employment, and security.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index offered a multivariate form of poverty assessment, identifying deprivations across health, education, living standards, work, and shocks.
The report presented the level of poverty in each state of the country.
The NBS report showed Sokoto, Bayelsa, Gombe, Jigawa, and Plateau were the top five poorest states in 2022.
These states were followed by Yobe, Kebbi, Taraba. Ebonyi, and Zamfara.
It was observed that the top 10 poorest states had a total of 43.99 million poor people, which was 33.08 per cent of the total population of poor people in Nigeria.
Sokoto led the poorest, with 90.5 per cent of people in the state poor. It is followed by Bayelsa with 88.5 per cent poor people, Gombe with 86.2 per cent, Jigawa with 84.3 per cent, and Plateau with 84 per cent.
Yobe had 83.5 per cent of its population as poor, Kebbi had 82.2 per cent and Taraba had 79.4 per cent.
Both Ebonyi and Zamfara states each had 78 per cent of their total population poor.
READ ALSO: Nigeria Earned N109.6trn Non-oil Tax In 12 Years – NBS
The NBS report noted that 65 per cent of poor Nigerians (86 million) were in the North, while 35 per cent (nearly 47 million) were in the South.
The report noted, “Overall, 65 per cent of poor people – 86 million people live in the North, while 35 per cent – nearly 47 million – live in the South. In general, a disparity between North and South is evident in both incidence and intensity of multidimensional poverty, with the North being poorer.
“However, the level and number of poor people needs to be addressed in all zones – each of which are home to between 11 and 20 million poor people except North-West, which has 45 million poor people due to its larger population and higher level of poverty.”
It also noted that 72 per cent of people in rural areas were poor. It was the same for 42 per cent of people in urban areas.
Aside from struggling with a high poverty rate, the 10 poorest states also struggled with local and foreign debts.
Data from the subnational debt report as of December 2022 showed that the states had N998bn domestic debt and $386.16m foreign debt (about N178.28bn, using the exchange rate of the Central Bank of Nigeria of N461.68 to a dollar as of Tuesday).
From the debt data, Plateau had the highest local debt of N149.01bn, then Bayelsa (N146.37bn) and Gombe (N139.32bn).
Zamfara had local debt of N112.2bn, Yobe had N90.76bn, Sokoto had N90.6bn, Taraba had N87.96bn, and Ebonyi had N76.5bn.
The least owing states on the list for subnational domestic debt were Jigawa (N43.95bn) and Kebbi (N61.31bn).
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It was further observed that Bayelsa had the highest foreign debt of $60.39m.
It was followed by Ebonyi ($58.57m), Taraba ($46.47m), Kebbi ($40.93m), Sokoto ($36.56m), Gombe ($32.48m) and Plateau ($32.4m).
The least debtor owing foreign creditors were Yobe ($22.51m), Jigawa ($26.99m), and Zamfara ($28.86m).
The PUNCH further observed that despite the high poverty and debt, some of the states released huge pension benefits to their past governors.
The Jigawa State ‘Former Public Officers Pension and other Benefits Law No. 15 of 2015’ stipulates that a governor who successfully completes his term without impeachment will be entitled to a monthly pension equivalent to the current salary of the current governor, two brand new vehicles to be provided by the state government and to be replaced after every four year, six-bedroom fully furnished house, two personal assistants not below grade level 10, two drivers selected by the governor and to be paid by the state, a fully furnished office in any location of choice and fully paid medical treatment within Nigeria and abroad.
The deputy governor is also to get a monthly pension equivalent to the incumbent’s salary, one assistant not below level eight, one brand new vehicle, a four-bedroom flat, and an office in a location of his choice.
In Sokoto, each former governor, under the Sokoto State Pension Law, gets N200m every four years, while the deputy is entitled to perks amounting to N180m, being monetisation for other entitlements, including domestic aides, residences, and vehicles that can be renewed after every four years.
Section 2 (2) of the Sokoto State Grant of Pension (Governor and Deputy Governor) Law, 2013 states, “The total annual pension to be paid to the governor and deputy governor shall be at a rate equivalent to the annual total salary of the incumbent governor or deputy governor of the state, respectively.”
The Ebonyi State Political Office Holders Amendment Law, 2011, makes provision for the payment of pension to Governor Umahi, who is set to move to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. The law also made provisions for vehicles and personal aides, among others, for the governor and his deputy.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: 133 Million Nigerians Poor, Says NBS
Yobe State, in its pension law, provides that former governors be given a severance gratuity of N200m, two vehicles to be replaced every four years, free medical care and a house in the state or the Federal Capital Territory, among others provisions.
Also, Plateau State has a pension law that supports the payment of N600,000 to its ex-governor as monthly take-home; Gombe State has a law supporting the provision of N300m as pension benefits for the ex-governors.
Zamfara State repealed its pension law that allowed for the payment of pensions and other allowances to the state’s former governors and their deputies shortly after the immediate past Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, in a leaked letter to the State Government, requested his N10m monthly upkeep. The letter evoked outrage across the country, with many people calling for the abolition of the law in states that had them.
The PUNCH reported that some of these states also owed salaries and pension of their workers amid the high poverty rate.
It was reported that in Plateau State, the new Governor, Caleb Muftwang of the PDP, would have to settle outstanding salaries owed by his predecessor, Simon Lalong of the APC.
In Taraba State, almost all categories of workers were owed, from lecturers in the state-owned university to teachers. The Taraba State NLC had during the 2023 Labour Day celebration, urged the governor to settle the six months’ salaries of local government employees and five months for primary school teachers before handing over to the incoming administration.
In Zamfara State, it was reported that the former Governor, Bello Matawalle, owed workers at least two months’ salaries.
A professor of economics, Prof. Ode Ojowu, earlier urged the government and key stakeholders to come up with policies, programmes and projects that would tackle rising poverty.
Also, the former Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, earlier said that it was concerning that despite the Social Investment Programme designed to tackle poverty, with more than five million persons impacted, poverty still persisted in the country.
PUNCH
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, in a move that could reshape the direction of his administration.
As part of the shake-up, David Lammy, a senior Labour figure and former Foreign Secretary, has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, taking over key roles previously held by Rayner.
The cabinet reshuffle comes at a politically sensitive time for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is under growing pressure from both within the Labour Party and the broader electorate.
The sudden resignation of Angela Rayner, a high-profile figure with strong working-class support, has exposed internal tensions and sparked concerns over the party’s unity and electoral strategy.
According to BBC News on Friday, the reshuffle is seen as a crucial test for Starmer’s leadership, especially as Rayner had been a prominent and working-class figure whose departure may weaken his appeal to core Labour voters.
READ ALSO:UK PM Starmer Urges Israel To Stop Gaza Assault
Key Cabinet reassignment
-Lammy transitions from Foreign Secretary to Deputy PM and Justice Secretary.
-Yvette Cooper moves from Home Secretary to Foreign Secretary.
-Shabana Mahmood is promoted from Justice Secretary to Home Secretary.
Other notable appointments include:
-Steve Reed as Housing Secretary
-Pat McFadden as head of a newly expanded Work and Pensions department
-Douglas Alexander as Scotland Secretary
-Liz Kendall moves to Science and Technology
READ ALSO:UK PM Starmer Urges Israel To Stop Gaza Assault
-Emma Reynolds becomes Environment Secretary
-Peter Kyle appointed Business Secretary
-Jonathan Reynolds named Chief Whip
-Alan Campbell becomes Leader of the House of Commons
Meanwhile, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray were removed from their cabinet roles.
Political Fallout and Internal Tensions
READ ALSO:UK Bars Over 100 Job Roles From Foreign Recruitment To Curb Migration
Labour now faces mounting political pressure. Observers note Rayner’s exit leaves a vacuum for constituents drawn to her working-class credentials, possibly intensifying internal party divisions.
Her resignation also triggers a deputy leadership contest, opening up a battleground between the party’s centrist and left-leaning factions.
Moreover, Labour’s popularity has waned, with opposition to policies on welfare and immigration increasing support for Reform UK.
Starmer’s government’s handling of economic pressures and an upcoming £40 billion budget shortfall deepen the political stakes.
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Lammy Steps into Key Role at a Crucial Juncture
Lammy’s appointment is viewed as strategically significant. Known for his reform credentials and advocacy for criminal justice reform, his new position comes as Parliament prepares for the Sentencing Bill.
The Prison Reform Trust welcomed his appointment, noting the timing offers “an important opportunity to move away from the failed cycle of overcrowding and crisis management.”
This reshuffle represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Keir Starmer’s administration. With Labour under heightened scrutiny and internal frictions rising, the effectiveness of the newly configured cabinet will be a litmus test of Starmer’s leadership, particularly as the party approaches a difficult budget season, rising populist pressures, and internal power shifts ahead of the next deputy leadership election.
Headline
Nigerian Arrested In Poland For Using Fake Residence Permit
Published
6 hours agoon
September 5, 2025By
Editor
Polish authorities have confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old Nigerian citizen on charges of using a counterfeit residence document.
The individual was detained by the Polish Border Guard, known as Straż Graniczna, as part of ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration and document forgery.
This information, which was obtained by PUNCH Online on Friday, was published on the Border Guard Headquarters’ news outlet on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
The BG HQs of Poland is the central unit which services the Border Guard Commander in Chief by supporting and coordinating actions of the BG units.
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The report indicated that, “the Nigerian man admitted that he ordered the document online while still in the UK, received it by post, and paid €2,000 for it.
“It turned out that the Nigerian had no legal basis for staying in Poland as he had been in the country illegally for four days.”
Consequently, the Commander of the Border Guard ordered him to leave the country within 20 days and imposed a three-year ban on entry to the Schengen Area.
In addition, he was charged under Article 270 § 1 of the Penal Code – for using a counterfeit document.
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The man pleaded guilty and voluntarily submitted to the penalty, but declined to provide further explanation.
According to sources specialising in immigration law, many individuals who use these fake documents are victims of elaborate scams.
As one legal expert noted in a report, “Until the situation was clarified, Ibrahim was detained in prison.”
READ ALSO:Poland To Pay Woman Denied Abortion €16,000 Compensation
Law enforcement agencies across Poland have been actively working to dismantle these criminal networks.
A recent, large-scale operation supported by Europol led to the arrest of dozens of suspects and the seizure of thousands of counterfeit documents, including residence permits, visas, and other identification.
Headline
US To Cut Military Aid To European Countries Near Russia — Official
Published
6 hours agoon
September 5, 2025By
Editor
The United States is to end long-running military assistance for European countries close to Russia, as it pushes the continent to play a greater role in its own defence, an official in one of the countries confirmed on Friday.
“Last week, the US Defense Department informed the countries that, starting from its next financial period, funding will be reduced to zero,” the defence policy director in Lithuania’s defence ministry, Vaidotas Urbelis, told reporters.
The decision comes as US President Donald Trump struggles to end Moscow’s three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine.
Urbelis confirmed reports in The Washington Post and The Financial Times, citing unnamed officials saying the move was part of Trump’s efforts to cut US expenditure abroad.
READ ALSO:Trump Moves To Cut More Foreign Aid, Risking Shutdown
The FT said US officials had told European diplomats last week that Washington would no longer fund programmes to train and equip eastern European militaries along Russia’s border.
The Washington Post said the funding to be cut was worth several hundred million dollars.
In Lithuania’s case, the cuts would impact “the purchase of US weapons and other equipment, and training”, Urbelis said.
He added that it “will not have an impact on the US troop presence in the region”, which was funded through a separate US budget allocation.
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A White House official said the move hewed to a January executive order Trump had signed that reevaluated US foreign aid.
“This action has been coordinated with European countries in line with the executive order and the president’s longstanding emphasis on ensuring Europe takes more responsibility for its own defence,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
Trump has long been sceptical of both US defence spending in Europe and aid for Ukraine, pushing some of Washington’s closest allies to play a greater role on both fronts.
The Lithuanian defence ministry official said that the US funding for training and equipping its military covered between a third and 80 percent of total military aid received by the country.
Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told the Postimees daily that he viewed the US move as “especially symbolic, in a negative way.
AFP
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