News
CSO Raises Alarm As Akwa Ibom Debt Profile Hits N347.75bn
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
A civil society organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Tax Justice and Governance Platform Forum, has raised the alarm over a “surge in debt profile” of the state government.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Saturday, the chairman of the forum, Mr Harry Udoh, noted that data from the Debt Management Office reveals an alarming increase from N215.99 billion in 2019 to N347.75 billion in 2023, highlighting a 61.1 per cent rise in just four years.
He explained that the debt burden may spur aggressive tax policies which might disproportionately affect low income residents, exacerbate socioeconomic disparities as well as diminish funding for public service delivery in notable areas of education, health and others.
According to the statement, “In recent times, Akwa Ibom State has witnessed a concerning surge in it debt profile. Data from DMO reveals an alarming increase from N215.99bn in 2019 to N347.75bn in 2023, highlighting a 61.1% rise in just four years. This escalation prompts viral discussions regarding financial sustainability and responsible governance.
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“The burgeoning debt of Akwa Ibom State poses grave implications for tax justice, Heightened debt burden may spur regressive tax policies, disproportionately affecting low-income residents and exacerbating socioeconomic disparities. More over opacity in financial management jeopardizes public trust in Governance stewardship.
“The escalating debt has adverse ramifications for public service delivery, notably in education, health care, water sanitation, As debt servicing claims a larger share of the resources, funding for essential services diminishes, threatening the well being of vulnerable groups and hindering societal development.
“Furthermore, mounting debt hampers entrepreneurship and economic advancement. Prioritizing debt servicing over crucial investments stifles innovation and job creation, fostering economic stagnation and perpetuating circles of poverty.”
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To address the challenge, Udoh recommended to the government to broaden the tax base by encouraging voluntary compliance and reducing exemption, improve the efficiency of tax administration processes as well as engage in targeted spending such as prioritizing investment in education, health and entrepreneurship to help create sustainable long-term growth and foster inclusive development.
He said the recommendations align with the goals set forth in the Akwa Ibom State 2024 budget, which aims to achieve a GDP growth rate of 3.76 per cent and inflation of 21 per cent while focusing on partnerships with foreign investors, robust human development, and increased internal generation revenue.
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News
Shock As Adeleke Employs Roadside puff-puff Hawker As Govt House Chef
Published
12 hours agoon
August 30, 2025By
Editor
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday shocked a female puff-puff seller during a rally in Osogbo by buying all her snacks with ₦50,000 and offering her employment as a chef at the Government House.
This happened when Osun public servants trooped out in their thousands in what they called an appreciation solidarity rally in support of the governor for his support and care since he took over state governance.
It was observed that the governor, who sat in the bus, had sighted the woman who was among the crowd cheering him.
He immediately beckoned to the woman carrying a plastic container filled with puff-puff on her head and asked how much it would cost to buy all the snacks.
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The female hawker, who was visibly surprised and star-struck at the level of her proximity to the governor, found it difficult to even tell the governor how much she sold the snacks.
Surprisingly, Adeleke handed her a bundle of ₦50,000 to the cheers of the crowd.
The lucky woman knelt down in appreciation of the governor’s generosity.
Excited onlookers quickly rushed to share the snacks in the plastic already purchased by the governor.
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The governor invited the vendor inside the vehicle where one of his officials questioned her academic background, and she revealed that she holds a Nigerian Certificate in Education.
Adeleke further asked about the dishes she could prepare and instructed his aides to take her contact details for employment as a chef in the Government House.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner II at the Osun State Civil Service Commission, Olaniyan Taofeek, shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “The moment Gov. Adeleke turned the life of a puff-puff seller into a Government House chef.”
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A Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, also corroborated the incident in a post on X, stating: “Moment Governor Ademola Adeleke turned the life of a puff-puff seller to Government Chef… not only ₦50k but he invited her into his car and employed her as chef in the Government House.”
The Guardian correspondent, who was at the scene of the welcome rally, made efforts to interview the lucky vendor, but they did not yield as she was not allowed to alight from the bus throughout the event.
(The Guardian)
News
Katsina Govt Revokes Licenses Of All Private, Community Schools
Published
13 hours agoon
August 30, 2025By
Editor
The Katsina State Government has withdrawn the operating licenses of all private and community schools in the state, with effect from August 13, 2025.
The announcement came through a circular issued by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and signed by Commissioner Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa.
The ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Sani Danjuma, released the document in Katsina on Saturday.
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According to the circular, the move is part of the government’s effort to strengthen quality assurance and standardization within the education sector.
“The withdrawal of licenses is aimed at ensuring that schools operate in line with approved standards and provide quality education to students,” Danjuma said.
The circular also outlined a review of fees for license application, registration, and annual renewal.
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“Owners of affected schools are required to obtain fresh licenses by submitting proof of payment to the ministry on or before September 30, 2025.”
The statement also added that school operators have been warned not to increase tuition or other charges without government approval.
The ministry further promised to issue additional guidelines soon, including categorization of schools and the revised fee structure.
News
JUST IN: Oldest Missionary To Nigeria, Ruth Elton, Is Dead
Published
14 hours agoon
August 30, 2025By
Editor
British-born Nigerian missionary, Ruth Elton, reputed to be the oldest missionary has passed on at the age of 91.
Ruth Elton, born 7 September 1933, was a British-born Nigerian missionary whose lifelong dedication to faith, healing, and revival left an indelible mark on communities across western and central Nigeria.
It was learnt that Elton died on Saturday at Sharon compound, Alafia Bamin Quarters in Ilesa, Osun State.
She was the only daughter of Pa Elton and her remains have been deposited at the mortuary.
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Ruth Elton, daughter of Sydney Granville Elton (Pa Elton), who is referred to as one of the founding fathers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, had approached a Kaduna court and nationalised as a Nigerian.
At old age and despite the happenings in Nigeria, she still held in high esteem her father’s prophecies that although Nigeria could be known globally for corruption, it would only for a while as new dawn would beckon when the country would be known worldwide for righteousness and prosperity.
Elton moved to Nigeria in 1937 with her parents and served as a Christian missionary across Egbe, Okene, Koton Karfe, and other parts of Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun States.
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A naturalised Nigerian, having renounced her British citizenship in the 1970s, she embraced the country completely and became fluent in Ebira and Yoruba.
Elton, who remained single, believed that she had made a true mark in the country and apart from her missionary work, she saw her efforts in taming infant mortality, especially in Okene, Kogi State as a generational impact.
Relating her experience on infant mortality in the country, Elton recently noted that many newborn babies had passed on due to lack of proper care and hygiene, adding that the practice of force-feeding babies contributed to the challenges, especially in the face of poor awareness.
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