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States Kick Over N200b FAAC Remittance Shortfall

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...Accuse NNPCL of making ‘incomplete’ payments

…Experts reconciling subsidy outlay ahead next meeting

The Forum of Commissioners of Finance under the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is demanding immediate action from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on the remittance of about N200 billion to the Federation Account.

The forum said the NNPCL has made only one incomplete remittance of less than N200 billion to the Federation Account since October 2024.

Dispute between the states and the organisation is blamed for the inability of FAAC to convene for its monthly meeting last week.

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It is understood that both parties are in touch to resolve the issue.

READ ALSO: FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N1.7tn November Revenue

Chairman of the Forum, Akin Oyebode, told The Nation that “Subsidy ended in October 2024. Since then, NNPCL has only made one incomplete payment of under N200 billion to the federation.”

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Oyebode said states and local governments need more resources to fulfill their obligations.

He explained that NNPCL is responsible for three types of payments: royalties to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and dividends to the federation as its shareholder.

Due to NNPCL’s irregular remittances, a reconciliation of subsidy arrears is underway to determine whether the federation owes NNPCL or vice versa.

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Oyebode stressed that until this reconciliation is concluded and a payment plan is agreed upon, NNPCL should fulfill its financial obligations to the federation.

READ ALSO: FG, States, LGAs Share ₦1.424tn FAAC Revenue In December 2024

On last week’s stalled meeting of FAAC, Oyebode said talks were ongoing to establish clear terms of engagement with NNPCL.

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If NNPCL presents a reasonable position, the meeting will hold soon. Commissioners are ready to return to Abuja,” he said.

Oyebode downplayed any notion of conflict, stressing that both parties were working towards a mutual agreement.

He described President Bola Tinubu’s subsidy removal policy as a catalyst for these financial discussions, which were previously impossible under the subsidy regime.

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On resolving NNPCL’s inconsistent remittances, Oyebode expressed optimism that the reconciliation would be completed within weeks.

READ ALSO: Breakdown Of FAAC’s N1.358tn July Allocation To FG, States, LGs

Once concluded, both parties will agree on a payment plan.

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If it is established that the federation owes NNPCL, it may need to adjust its revenue allocation.

If, on the other hand, NNPCL owes the federation, it must propose a repayment plan.

Oyebode is hopeful that the matter would be fully resolved before the end of 2025.

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The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr Olufemi Soneye, who The Nation contacted for a response had not responded to the message sent to him as at press time yesterday.

READ ALSO: Breakdown Of FAAC’s N1.358tn July Allocation To FG, States, LGs

He was also yet to return the telephone calls made to him.

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FAAC comprises the minister of finance as chairman, all state commissioners of finance, state accountants-general, the accountant-general of the federation and the permanent secretary of the federal ministry of finance and members meet every month to allocate federally collected revenues.

The Federal Government collects 52.68 per cent of the revenue, states 26.72 per cent and the 774 local governments 20.60 per cent.

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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