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Edo Govt. Clears Air On 13% Derivation Refund

Published

3 years ago

November 23, 2022

L-R: Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, Commissioner, Budget; Mr. Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner, Communications and Mr. Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser, Media Project

The Edo State Government says it has received just N2.1billion so far out of the N28 billion accrued to the state from the backlog of one trillion naira 13 per cent derivation refund that is due to the oil producing states in Nigeria.

The state’s Commissioner for Finance, Budget, Economic Planning and Development, Mr. Joseph Eboigbe, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin City at a press conference shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.

Evoigbe, flanked by Mr. Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation and Mr. Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Project, said: “Edo State’s share of that figure was N28billion naira. A small figure out of the N1 trillion, that was what got to us.

“So, we have received three quarterly releases so far, N700 million, N700 Million, N700 million, totaling N2.1billion. That is what has come into the State’s coffers and it is verifiable in the bank, and the office of the Accountant-General has the records.

“Our share was N28 billion, the net is to be distributed over five years, quarterly, that will be 20 quarterly installment releases, three have come so far, each has been N700 million, N700 million, N700 million and how that money was spent again, we have the records for anybody that wishes to see.”

Providing a context for the derivation refund and how the money was established, the Commissioner explained: “The commissioners of finance in Nigeria under the aegis of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), especially those from the oil producing States, we spotted the fact that there was an anomaly in the way federal government was spending money from crude oil and gas sales and not taking out derivation. So the work was done, and a total of about one trillion naira was established to the oil producing states.

“It went through the whole process, the Economic Council approved, and the President approved and a distribution methodology was adopted from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) and they now established what was going to each State. Edo State’s share was N28 billion. What was also approved was the way and manner this money was to be distributed to the States.

“The net amount, again there are usually sundry deductions, so the net amount will come to each state over five years, each year you will have quarterly remittances which means four releases each year over five years. This disbursement was to start this year, but some States went to court with restraining order. Releases now started in October, just last month.

“What the Federal government did do was to keep the share of each State. So by the time they started releasing, Edo State got 2 tranches in arrears and what we got was 700 million per quarter, this is verifiable in our bank account just behind here at sterling bank.”

The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation,

Also speaking, Nehikhare emphasized that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will continue to apply all resources due to the State in the most frugal manner and in the best interest of Edo people.

“The state has consistently used our resources prudently. We are not using our money for fancy projects but for projects that have direct impact on the lives on the majority of our people,” Nehikhare stressed.

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Coup: Guinea-Bissau Junta Releases Six Held Opposition Politicians

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Guinea-Bissau’s ruling junta on Tuesday released six members of the political opposition who had been detained since a coup last month.

The six freed opposition members are said to be close associates of Domingos Simoes Pereira, head of the PAIGC party that led the country to independence in 1974.

Pereira has been in custody since the coup.

In a statement by the High Military Command, the junta’s governing body, the releases are described as a sign of good faith and a step towards the return to constitutional normality and respect for international rights.

The army seized power on 26 November after ousting outgoing President Umaro Sissoco Embalo in the wake of a presidential vote.

After taking over, the military suspended the electoral process and announced it would take control of the West African country for a period of one year.

Recall that another opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, took refuge in Nigeria’s embassy, which granted him asylum, while Embalo fled the country after being briefly detained by the military at the time of the coup.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, led a delegation to Guinea-Bissau, where he met with detained opponents and requested their release.

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7 Territories Still Under Colonial Rule

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Even though most nations became independent in the last century, some territories are still ruled by other nations.

Contents
1. Western Sahara
2. Guam
3. American Samoa
4. United States Virgin Islands
5. Falkland Islands / Malvinas
6. Gibraltar
7. Bermuda

Many of them remain on the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories, meaning they have not completed the process of decolonization. These places usually depend on bigger countries for laws, passports, defence, or political control.

In this article, Nigerian Tribune highlights 7 territories still under colonial rule:

1. Western Sahara

Western Sahara remains one of the world’s biggest unresolved colonial issues. Morocco controls most of the territory, but the Polisario Front wants independence for the Sahrawi people. The UN is still trying to help both sides agree on a peaceful solution.

2. Guam

Guam is an important US territory in the Pacific, used heavily for American military operations. The US oversees its defence and foreign relations.

People living there are US citizens, but they cannot vote in presidential elections and do not have full representation in Congress.

3. American Samoa

American Samoa has more local control than Guam, but the United States still decides immigration, defence, and foreign affairs.

Residents are considered US nationals and must apply if they want full citizenship.

4. United States Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands have their own legislature, but the United States makes major constitutional and political decisions. The territory depends heavily on US federal support.

5. Falkland Islands / Malvinas

The Falkland Islands remain controlled by the United Kingdom (UK), but Argentina has long disputed this claim, having been in control of the Islands for a few years before 1833.

The people living there voted strongly to stay British, yet the sovereignty dispute continues to appear in the UN.

6. Gibraltar

Gibraltar sits at the Southern tip of Spain. The United Kingdom controls it, but Spain insists the territory belongs to them.

Gibraltarians have repeatedly voted in favour of remaining British, but the dispute is still discussed within the UN Decolonisation Committee.

7. Bermuda

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. Although it manages most of its own internal affairs and enjoys a strong economy with modern facilities, the United Kingdom still handles its defence and represents it in global matters.

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Russia-Ukraine War: Pope Leo Calls For Global Christmas Truce

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Editor

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his call for a global truce on Christmas Day, saying he felt “great sadness” after Russia “apparently rejected a request” for a pause in fighting.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the Pope urged all sides involved in conflict to observe at least one day of peace.

“I am renewing my request to all people of goodwill to respect a day of peace — at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour,” Leo said.

Recall that Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has repeatedly turned down calls for a ceasefire, arguing that any pause would give Ukraine a military advantage.

“Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce,” the pope said.

Referring to conflicts worldwide, Leo added, “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”

The appeal came as fighting continued in eastern Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces withdrew from a town after heavy battles with Russian troops. Russian strikes killed three civilians and left thousands without power during winter temperatures.

There was no indication of progress toward ending the war after separate meetings last weekend in Miami between the United States officials and negotiators from Russia and Ukraine. The conflict is nearing four years with no settlement in sight.

Earlier this month, Pope Leo met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. When asked whether he would accept Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, the pope said, “I hope so,” while noting that it was not possible to say when such a visit could happen.

Leo also warned that efforts to secure peace without European diplomatic involvement were “unrealistic”, expressing optimism that President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan could bring a “huge change” to the transatlantic alliance.