Connect with us

News

How NASS Members Pad Budgets – Shehu Sani

Published

on

A former federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has thrown more light on how members of the National Assembly pad Nigeria’s budgets.

A budget padding scandal is currently rocking the National Assembly after Bauchi North senator, Abdul Ningi, claimed that about N3.7 trillion in the 2024 Appropriation Act was not tied to any project.

Advertisement

Although the Senate on Tuesday slammed Ningi with a three-month suspension over the allegation, the lawmaker has insisted that there are documents to back his claim.

While the issue continues to gain more attention from concerned Nigerians, Shehu Sani, in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, educated the public on what budget padding means, and how members of the National Assembly go about the act.

READ ALSO: Budget Padding Controversy: Akpabio Knocked, Asked To Immediately Step Aside

Advertisement

According to him, “Paddling budget means tampering with the budget presented by the President or the MDAs by either adding figures to the costs of projects or inserting projects that were not in the original budget.

“For example, a Minister can say he wants to buy 5 Buckets for his Ministry at 5k each; magically, he will see 8 Buckets approved for him or 5 Buckets approved at the rate of 10k each or he will see Shovels and diggers added to his request for Buckets.”

Advertisement

News

Pastor Enenche Rejects N30m Donation From Kebbi Governor

Published

on

By

The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, has rejected a N30 million donation offered by the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a crusade organised by the church in the state.

The gesture occurred at the Kebbi Healing and Deliverance Crusade, where a representative of the governor, Kebbi’s Commissioner for Social Duties, Zayyanu Umar Aliero, announced the cash gift on behalf of the governor.

Advertisement

Aliero told the gathering that the N30m was approved as a donation to the crusade’s organising committee and was available in cash.

Aliero said, “Our Governor, His Excellency Dr Nasir Idris, a faithful Governor and also a Comrade Governor, who you all know is the only Comrade Governor in this country. He has therefore graciously approved the donation of the sum of 30 million naira to this gathering.

READ ALSO: PICTORIAL: Paul Enenche Leads Prayer, Healing Outreach To Yelwata, Benue

Advertisement

“That is to the organising committee. His Excellency has approved the donation of a sum of 30 million naira to the organising committee, which you know that whenever His Excellency makes a donation, he doesn’t leave without bringing that donation in cash. So before I leave this stage, I want to present that sum of 30 million naira in cash.”

However, Enenche declined the offer, taking to the stage to urge that the money be redirected to charitable causes.

“If there is anything like orphanage, if there is anything like that, at your discretion, please apply this amount of money to it. No. It will not be received,” the senior pastor said.

Advertisement

Speaking later, Enenche explained the church’s stance, emphasising that public funds should be used solely for public causes.

READ ALSO: Pastor Enenche Breaks Silence Over False Testimony Saga

We are one of those who believe that government money should be used for government projects and government things should be used for government things; and church money should be used for church things, not mixed together.

Advertisement

“That is what we did that is what we do. As small as the Glory Dome is right there, government money is not in it. From land to the building to everything,” he said.

He added that the body of Christ should “trust God for supernatural supplies.”

READ ALSO: Nigeria Experiencing Dreadful Days — Pastor Enenche

Advertisement

He suggested that the donation be handed over to a government-approved religious body instead, such as the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board or the Christian Association of Nigeria.

This is so that we can retain our dignity as a body of Christ; retain our dignity as a church, and say what we need to say when we need to say it. And be able to say what we need to say when we need to say it,” he said.

Aliero, speaking after the rejection, acknowledged Enenche’s position.

Advertisement

They don’t accept it because whatever he is doing, he is doing it for the sake of God. We really appreciate and we really thank him for what he is doing in our state,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Benin Monarch Receives 119 Stolen Artefacts, Says Efforts To Re-loot Thwarted

Published

on

By

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has received 119 stolen artefacts from the Netherlands, saying plans by some international cartel to re-loot the artefacts were thwarted after he prayed to God and his ancestors.

The monarch spoke in Benin when he received the artifacts from the Federal Government delegation led by Olugbile Holloway, Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

Advertisement

He said: “I thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting and committing to the efforts former President Buhari put in place to ensure the artifacts are not re-looted because there were groups in this country believed to be an international cartel that had all sorts of conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts.

“The return of these objects has reawakened the courage we had in our people. We do not want modern day politics, we do not want partisan politics to diminish the courage of our people.”

READ ALSO: ‘I Was Held By Juju’ – Man Who Stole Artefacts Worth N500m From Esama’s Compound Confesses

Advertisement

He continued: “The Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments has been doing wonderful work. His predecessor was part of the conspiracy to re-loot our artifacts. We had a running battle in this hall. I addressed my Chiefs in Benin language and I said these artifacts belong to my ancestors and I will not sit on the ancient throne and watch the artifacts re-looted. They rather remain where they are than being re-looted.”

The Oba, while thanking the government of the Netherlands for working with the palace, said: “This is part of the efforts to reawaken the morale and spirit of my people.”

The Benin Monarch further prayed with his official spectre directing the artefacts to return more artefacts.

Advertisement

Earlier, the NCMM DG, Holloway, said the commission and the Benin Royal Palace were working hard to ensure more artefacts were returned.

READ ALSO: Jubilation As. Oba Of Benin Receives Two Looted Artefacts, US Custodian Apologises

Governor Monday Okpebholo who was represented by the Secretary to State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, said his administration would continue to build necessary infrastructure to preserve the returned artefacts as well as collaborate with the federal government to improve the storage system for the artefacts.

Advertisement

He said: “They are treasured monuments and treasured sacred objects. You can see the way they came. They are fragile and precious. We will continue to collaborate to see that a sage space is created.

“We are supporting the palace to see that a befitting museum is put in place to display these objects for tourists as a way of boosting the tourism sector.”

On his part, General Director of Wereld Musuem, Marieke Van Bommel, said: “The artefacts were looted and we have a policy in the Netherlands to bring them back.

Advertisement

“We are bringing back 119 artefacts. We don’t have more. These are the collections in the Netherlands. There are more collections in Europe but that is not up to us. They have been with us for over 100 years.”

 

 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

I See World War III Coming, But Nigeria Will Be Safe  — Ben Murray Bruce

Published

on

By

Ben Murray Bruce, the founder of the Silverbird Group, has predicted that World War III is inevitable due to the rise in violence, nuclear weapons and the increasing presence of ‘trigger-happy’ leaders in the world.

Murray-Bruce, in an interview with a Global Affairs Expert, Dane Waters, on Tuesday, said the war would devastate most parts of the world.

Advertisement

He, however, maintained that Africa, particularly Nigeria, would be safe from the devastation.

He said Nigeria’s lack of nuclear aspirations and peaceful diplomatic posture would shield the continent from the fallout of the conflict.

READ ALSO:Hezbollah Involvement In Iran-Israel War Would Be ‘Very Bad Decision’ – US Envoy Warns

Advertisement

He said, “We’re in big trouble, and as long as we have the kind of leaders we have in the world today, I see World War Three coming, and it’s going to be terrible.

“The beauty of World War III is that it’s not going to affect Africa. Africa will be spared. You guys are going to fight all across the world, but we are going to be safe in Nigeria.

“Nobody is going to be fighting in Nigeria because we have no territorial ambitions, we have no desire to acquire nuclear weapons, we don’t want to fight anybody, we’re friends with all our West African neighbours.”

Advertisement

According to Murray-Bruce, Nigeria would be in a position to welcome displaced populations from the West.

READ ALSO:Netanyahu Declares War On Palestinian Militant Group

He said, “There’s going to be a World War III, the rest of the world will be destroyed, and we’ll be happy to welcome Americans, Israelis and Iranians to Nigeria.

Advertisement

“And we’ll make sure you all have your visas to come here because we don’t want you to come as immigrants and we don’t want to treat you very badly when you come here but we’re going to treat you well when you come visit us in Nigeria.”

The former lawmaker, who represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District, declared that the world is in trouble because of many ‘crazy people in leadership positions across the world.

I think we are in trouble. I think there’s too much violence in the world today. I think access to weapons is easy. I think we have a lot of trigger-happy leaders across the world, and because they are trigger-happy, they don’t care.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Anxiety As Netanyahu Tells UN To Move Lebanon Peacekeepers Out Of ‘Harm’s Way’

“We have a lot of despots and crazy people. So, war is inevitable. It goes back to 1945, 1939, and 1917. First world war, second world war, Korean war, Vietnam war.

“I think there are many crazy people in the world and as long as we elect crazy people into leadership positions, this is what we’re going to have because it’s the leaders that cause the war not the people.”

Advertisement

Murray-Bruce’s comments come amid the growing conflict between Iran and Israel.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version