Nigerians have allocated a staggering N2.6 trillion towards expenditures on data and airtime over the course of nine months.

Telecom subscribers in Nigeria have collectively spent a substantial N2.59 trillion on airtime and data during the initial nine months of 2023, as reported by the financial statements of MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa. This reflects a notable 32.57% surge compared to the N1.95 trillion recorded by both telecommunications companies from these revenue sources during the same period in 2022.

Airtel’s financial statements indicate a rise in voice and data revenues, attributed in part to increased data subscriptions and the devaluation of the naira. In the corresponding period of 2022, Airtel generated $1.41 billion from airtime and data, equivalent to N647.71 billion at the exchange rate of N461/$. In 2023, with a different exchange rate of N777/$, the company’s income from these sources amounted to N1.003 trillion.

MTN, on the other hand, experienced robust revenue growth driven by an impressive 36.36% increase in data revenues year-on-year. Voice revenues grew by 10.64% in the same period, indicating a notable rise in internet usage across the country.

MTN commented on this growth, noting, “Data revenue grew by 36.4% on increased usage and data conversion in new and existing base.” Data usage on the MTN network increased by 29.1%, reaching 8.6GB per user. The number of smartphones on the network increased by 7.6%, resulting in a smartphone penetration rate of 53.4%.

The surge in data consumption, particularly due to increased video streaming, contributed to telecom consumers spending N3.86 trillion on telecom services in 2022, marking an 18.74% increase from the N3.25 trillion spent in 2021. Data usage in the country experienced a significant 46.77% increase, reaching 518,381.78TB in 2022.

The telecommunications sector anticipates continued growth in data consumption, with predictions that data revenues will surpass voice revenues in the coming years. The World Bank attributes growth in the ICT sector to increased consumption of data services by households and businesses, coupled with higher subscriber numbers.

According to the Ericsson Mobility Report (June 2023), Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to witness the highest growth in total mobile data traffic, rising by 37% annually between 2022 and 2028. This growth will be driven by increased investment in 4G networks and the migration of customers from 2G and 3G. The report forecasts a fourfold increase in smartphone traffic, with average data per active smartphone reaching 19GB per month in 2028.

Adeolu Ogunbanjo, the President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, emphasized the significant impact of online activities in 2021, driven by factors such as remote work and increased online transactions, contributing to the growth of telecom infrastructure.

Violent Clash Mars Nasarawa Protests as Army Vehicle Injures Demonstrators Amidst Appeal Court Decision

Tensions boiled over in Nasarawa as an army vehicle, accompanied by armed soldiers, forcefully collided with a group of protesters, resulting in injuries to three individuals.

The chaotic incident unfolded during a demonstration that commenced at the city gate of Welcome to Lafia around 11:30 am on Tuesday. As the protest progressed towards the Stadium Junction, situated a few kilometers from the PDP Secretariat, the army vehicle forcefully plowed through the crowd.

Expressing dismay over the military’s actions, Keffas Tigga, the convener of the protest, highlighted that three elderly women sustained injuries, requiring immediate hospitalization, while others were visibly traumatized.

“What kind of country is this?” Tigga lamented, condemning the military’s intervention. “Nasarawa belongs to all of us, and we must protect this mandate. Our mothers, children, and widows are here, and the military will just appear and run through them.”

Despite the escalating tensions, James Alu, the group’s leader, steadfastly affirmed their commitment to their cause, declaring a determination to continue protesting until justice prevailed, regardless of the risks involved.

In a solemn tone, Gambo Baba, a widow among the protesters, decried the harsh treatment they faced. “They are beating us like kids, and we will not relent. We know who we voted for; it is David Ombugadu, and we want him to be reinstated.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, Juliana Abimuku, a farmer among the demonstrators, emphasized Ombugadu’s significance to their livelihoods: “I am a farmer, my children are farmers now, my husband is late, and no one cares about us except Ombugadu, who supports us now.”

The distressed protesters urgently appealed to influential figures both locally and globally to intervene. Specifically naming individuals such as Reuben Abate, Husseini Rufai of Arise TV, Seun Akinboloye of Channels TV, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Harris Kamala, Barack Obama, and Prof. Lumumba, among others, they sought assistance in rescuing Nasarawa State from its current turmoil.

Amid the tension, Nasarawa remains in a state of unrest as the protesters persist in their fervent plea for justice, remaining undeterred by the recent clash with the military. They continue their call for support and intervention from influential personalities to aid their pursuit of electoral justice and preservation of democratic rights.

Groom Shoots Bride and Family Members Dead on Wedding Day in Thailand

A tragic incident unfolded in north-east Thailand as a Thai para-athlete, Chaturong Suksuk, shot his bride, her mother, and sister dead before taking his own life on their wedding day. The 29-year-old former soldier married 44-year-old Kanchana Pachunthuek on Saturday. Chaturong left the wedding unexpectedly, returned with a gun, and opened fire, fatally shooting his wife and two family members.

  • Casualties and Injuries: Chaturong’s stray bullets also hit two guests, both of whom were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, one of them succumbed to their injuries. The police reported that Chaturong was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
  • Legal Firearm: Chaturong had legally acquired the gun and ammunition last year. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police are investigating the incident. Some reports suggest that the couple had an argument during the party, possibly related to Chaturong’s feelings of insecurity about the age gap between him and Kanchana.
  • Three Years of Living Together: The couple had lived together for three years before getting married. Chaturong was a successful para-athlete who had won a silver medal in swimming at the 2022 Asean Para Games in Indonesia. He was expected to compete in the World Abilitysport Games in Thailand the following month.

This tragic incident has shocked the community, and authorities are working to determine the factors that led to the violent turn of events on what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.

Lecturers Shortage Hits Nigerian Universities, ASUU Points to Japa and IPPIS

Nigerian universities are facing a severe shortage of staff as thousands of lecturers leave for opportunities abroad, compounded by a high number of retirements. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) confirmed the shortage, attributing it to the surge in lecturers leaving Nigeria and concerns around the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

  • Departures and Shortages: ASUU branches from various universities revealed the extent of the issue. For example, about 100 lecturers have left Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, while the Federal University in Gusau, Zamfara, reportedly needs about 1,000 lecturers to fill vacancies. The University of Ilorin has around 500 academic vacancies, and the University of Lagos has witnessed the departure of 27 lecturers.
  • Causes of Shortage: The reasons behind the shortage are multifaceted. The “Japa” phenomenon, where individuals seek opportunities abroad, has contributed significantly. Additionally, retirements are not being adequately replaced, and concerns related to IPPIS are impacting recruitment.
  • IPPIS Challenges: The introduction of IPPIS, designed to address ghost workers and multiple salary issues, is facing resistance, especially from university workers. Many argue that it limits the ability of institutions to employ staff, contributing to the shortage.
  • ASUU’s Perspective: ASUU leaders emphasize that inadequate funding, bureaucratic hurdles, and interference by the Federal Government are exacerbating the problem. They argue that the government’s failure to prioritize funding and restrictions on employment are stifling universities and contributing to a brain drain.
  • Impact on Universities: The shortage of academic staff is affecting the quality of education and increasing workloads on existing faculty members. The situation varies among universities, with some experiencing more significant challenges than others.
  • Calls for Government Action: ASUU leaders are calling on the government to address the issue urgently by providing adequate funding, allowing universities more autonomy, and scrapping or amending the IPPIS system.

The shortage of lecturers in Nigerian universities highlights the complex challenges facing higher education institutions, including funding issues, bureaucratic obstacles, and the impact of global opportunities on the local academic workforce.

Iyabo Ojo Expresses Views on Marriage: “It’s Overrated”

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has shared her perspective on marriage, emphasizing that she is content in her relationship with partner Paulo Okoye, also known as Paulo, despite not being married. The actress referred to marriage as “overrated” and highlighted that her partner shares the same sentiment.

Speaking on her TV show, Iyabo Ojo TV, with veteran singer Charly Boy as a guest, the actress expressed her satisfaction with the current status of her relationship. She mentioned that both she and Paulo don’t believe in the traditional institution of marriage.

Charly Boy, agreeing with Ojo, shared a conversation with his son who suggested the idea of having a contract for a specified duration, suggesting a renewal option if both parties are happy. He acknowledged the changing dynamics of marriage, noting that contemporary marriages differ significantly from those of previous generations.

The conversation reflects evolving perspectives on relationships and marriage, with individuals reevaluating traditional norms and exploring alternative ways to structure their commitments.

Companies Increase Salaries by N4.6 Trillion in Response to Rising Inflation, Says NBS

In a bid to address the impact of surging inflation, companies in Nigeria raised their employees’ salaries by 18.35%, totaling N29.45 trillion in the first half of 2023. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that compensation of employees, encompassing remuneration in cash or kind, increased from N24.88 trillion in the first half of 2022 to N29.45 trillion in the corresponding period of 2023.

Despite the challenging economic conditions, with heightened prices and increased living costs, businesses took measures to mitigate the effects on their workforce. The NBS reported a year-on-year growth in Compensation of Employees by 15.08% in Q1 and 19.41% in Q2 of 2023 in real terms. These figures surpassed the rates recorded in the same periods of 2022. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, there was a 3.33% decrease in Q1 but an 11.25% growth in Q2 of 2023.

The NBS further explained that the Compensation of Employees refers to the total remuneration payable by employers to employees for their work, encompassing both cash and non-cash benefits.

During the reviewed period, companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), witnessed an 11.93% increase in operating surplus, amounting to N67.56 trillion, compared to N60.36 trillion recorded in the first half of 2022. Operating surplus, defined as the profit that remains for firms after covering costs, saw growth amid economic challenges.

The report comes amid concerns about the erosion of purchasing power and increased poverty in Nigeria due to record-high inflation. The World Bank had previously warned that inflation had significantly reduced the real value of the minimum wage and contributed to a rise in poverty levels.

As inflation continues to impact Nigerians, the report highlights the efforts made by companies to address the economic challenges faced by their employees through increased compensation.

A glimpse into express packaging box‘s carbon reduction journey in China

By Han Xin, People’s Daily

In recent years, China has constantly promoted the minimization, standardization and recycling of express packaging, continuously reducing energy consumption while boosting the green development of its express delivery sector.

China’s express delivery sector has maintained rapid growth over the past decades. During the annual “Double 11” online shopping spree(from Nov. 1 to Nov. 16), express delivery enterprises across the country collected a total of about 7.77 billion packages, surging 25.7 percent from a year earlier, according to the State Post Bureau.

How can such a burgeoning industry accelerate its transition to green logistics services? A whole-process tracking of the warehousing, packaging, delivery and recycling of an express packaging box by People’s Daily may offer a glimpse into the efforts.

At 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 5, a woman surnamed Wang who lives in Dongxihu district, Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei province, placed and confirmed an order for some products on an e-commerce platform.

Nearly at the same time, an order with a serial number ending with 7205 was officially created 50 kilometers away in the largest logistics park in central China – a smart logistics park of Cainiao, the logistics arm of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, in Jiangxia district, Wuhan.

After intelligent stacker cranes accurately picked up goods one by one from racks ten stories high in a warehouse, automated guided vehicles standing by steadily transported them along a preset route to a packing platform.

When all the goods, which included laundry detergent, yogurt, and facial masks, were ready, an instruction suggesting a customized packaging solution appeared on the computer screen at the packing platform: use No. 8 box, which is 26 centimeters long, 20 centimeters wide, and 20 centimeters high.

“We used to rely solely on experience for packaging. To avoid changing boxes midway and affect efficiency, we tended to choose bigger boxes, resulting in waste to some extent,” said Lin Fang, a packer who packed the goods ordered by Wang.

The problem has been effectively solved by the intelligent box recommendation system of the logistics park, which can automatically generate a packaging plan encompassing box size, product arrangement and protection measures, according to Lin, who added that the system has also greatly improved box space utilization.

While talking to People’s Daily reporters, Lin completed the packaging and skillfully pulled out a tape, and then neatly cross-sealed the cardboard box and affixed a waybill to the package. At 11:30 a.m., the package was officially released from the warehouse.

The adhesive tape used at the warehouse now is much “slimmer” than the one used before, according to Yi Qing, manager of the warehouse.

“The width of the tape was reduced from 60 millimeters to 48 millimeters, the cross-shaped sealing avoids excessive wrapping, and the adoption of waybills using thermal paper instead of regular paper can further reduce material usage,” explained Yi.

It is estimated that the above-mentioned measures can reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated during the packaging of each cardboard box by about 65 grams.

After departing from the warehouse, the securely packaged goods went through a 100-meter-long corridor via a conveyor belt and entered an automatic sorting line along with many parcels.

While improving efficiency, automation also results in growing energy consumption, according to Tang Anxin, an executive in charge of the distribution center of the logistics park.

“Our fully automated parcel sorting system can save 70 percent of manpower, but has also become the main electricity consumer of the logistics park,” Tang said.

“Although our electricity consumption has increased, the electricity is greener,” said Tang, leading People’s Daily reporters to the roof of a warehouse to show that nearly two thirds of the rooftops of the logistics park are covered with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.

“The distributed rooftop solar PV system has a total area of over 50,000 square meters. By directly converting sunlight into electricity, it not only meets the power demand of the distribution center, but can also feed the surplus into power grid,” Tang said.

Since it was put into operation in September 2020, the rooftop PV power system of the logistics park generates about 4.1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, which is equivalent to a reduction of 2,500 tonnes a year in carbon dioxide emissions. This means that by using electricity produced by PV power system, handling each package can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 grams.

At 12:57 p.m., Wang’s package rolled off the sorting line and was loaded onto a vehicle driven by Xiang Jun, leaving for a distribution station of Cainiao in a residential area in Dongxihu district.

The driver told People’s Daily that he switched to a new energy vehicle for cargo transportation early last year. The vehicle travels an average monthly mileage of 4,500 kilometers, saving 50 percent of the operating cost per kilometer compared to a similar fuel vehicle, Xiang said.

New energy logistics trucks shuttling between distribution stations and electric two-wheelers running on streets are facilitating the transition of the express delivery sector toward green transportation.

Compared to fuel vehicles, new energy vehicles are estimated to be able to help express delivery service providers reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 percent, equivalent to a reduction of about 70 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per parcel delivery.

At 5:45 p.m., with a crisp doorbell ring, the package with a serial number ending with 7205 was successfully delivered to Wang.

Instead of discarding the packaging box right away as usual, Wang took it to a nearby express distribution station together with several other express packaging boxes for recycling as she took out the garbage downstairs. She received 0.5 yuan ($0.07) as a reward for the eco-friendly choice.

“By sending boxes to the distribution station, I can get rid of waste while participating in a public-benefit endeavor. The recycling serves a double purpose,” she said.

Since consumers were encouraged to participate in packaging recycling, express distribution stations have seen a greatly increased number of boxes recycled.

According to an industry insider, nearly half of the cardboard boxes recycled at express distribution stations are reused for express delivery, and boxes that cannot be reused anymore are turned into paper pulp and made into exercise books, which are then given to students across the country by public welfare organizations.

It is estimated that recycling a used express cardboard box can result in a reduction of about 37 grams of carbon dioxide emissions on average.

With concerted efforts of various links of express delivery services, from warehouses using electricity generated by PV power system to intelligent system-empowered packaging, transportation by new energy vehicles, and box recycling, an express packaging box finishes its carbon reduction journey as if finishing a “green relay race”.

Effective management of disagreements reduces risk of conflict, confrontation in China-U.S. relations

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

China and the United States are different in history, culture, social system and development path. They have encountered, are currently encountering, and will continue to encounter differences and disagreements. How to view these differences and responsibly manage the disagreements tests the wisdom of both countries.

During the summit meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and the U.S. should manage disagreements effectively, and put forward it as one of the five pillars for China-U.S. relations.

Disagreements should not be a chasm that keeps the two countries apart. Instead, the two sides should look for ways to build bridges to help them walk toward each other, Xi said.

It is important that they appreciate each other’s principles and red lines, and refrain from flip-flopping, being provocative, and crossing the lines. They should have more communications, more dialogues and more consultations, and calmly handle their differences as well as accidents, said Xi.

Xi’s remarks provide crucial guidance for China and the U.S. to efficiently manage disagreements.

Difference and disagreement in itself is no cause for alarm; the key is to have the vision and layout to seek common ground and resolve differences.

For 22 years, there were estrangement and antagonism between China and the U.S. Converging interests enabled the two countries to rise above differences and make the handshake across the Pacific Ocean.

The Shanghai Communique released in 1972 ended the long-standing isolation between China and the U.S. and launched the process of normalizing the China-U.S. relations. It showed that the two major countries with different social systems were willing to coexist peacefully.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once praised the Shanghai Communique as a new example of diplomatic document that respects the different views of both countries, and this preservation of divergent opinions adds greater significance to the document.

Over 50 years ago, both sides were able to correctly view their differences and responsibly manage their disagreements. Today, it is imperative to show similar wisdom and courage.

Difference and disagreement in itself is no cause for alarm; the key is not to let them overshadow the relationship between China and the U.S.

Although the two countries are different in history, culture and social system and have embarked on different development paths, they have made many achievements－$760 billion of annual bilateral trade and over $260 billion of two-way investment, 284 pairs of sister provinces/states and sister cities, and over 300 scheduled flights every week and over five million travels every year at peak time.

Despite the differences, the two peoples are both kind, friendly, hardworking and down-to-earth. They both love their countries, their families and their lives, and they both are friendly toward each other and are interested in each other.

It is the convergence of many streams of goodwill and friendship that has created a strong current surging across the vast Pacific Ocean, it is the reaching out to each other by the peoples that has time and again brought China-U.S. relations from a low ebb back onto the right track. History has repeatedly proved that China and the U.S. are capable of rising above differences and managing disagreements.

In recent years, some people in the U.S. have been viewing China through a biased lens, magnifying the differences and disagreements between China and the U.S., and defining their relationship solely in terms of competition. Such practices are irresponsible to history, to the people, and to the world.

China remains undeterred by any containment or suppression, and is resolute in defending its legitimate interests, upholding its principles, and safeguarding its bottom line.

China consistently engages in planning for the China-U.S. relationship with a focus on the future of humanity and Planet Earth. The country is firmly committed to managing differences and addressing sensitive issues in a constructive manner, striving to foster a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with the U.S.

Mutual respect and equal treatment provide an important foundation for China and the U.S. to effectively manage disagreements. In an atmosphere of mutual respect, the two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development in San Francisco.

Xi elaborated on the essential features of Chinese modernization and its significance, China’s development prospects, and its strategic intention. He also elaborated on China’s principled position on the Taiwan question, and made clear China’s position on issues related to economy, trade, and technology.

The summit meeting in San Francisco reached more than 20 deliverables in such areas as political affairs and foreign policy, people-to-people exchange, global governance, and military and security. These achievements demonstrate the significance of Xi’s proposal for “more communications, more dialogues and more consultations” between China and the U.S.

Observing the basic norms of international relations and the three China-U.S. joint communiques is vital for managing differences and preventing conflict. It serves as the most important guardrail and safety net for China-U.S. relations. Seventy-eight years ago, China and the U.S. initiated together with others the San Francisco Conference, which helped found the United Nations. Starting from San Francisco, the postwar international order was established.

During the San Francisco meeting, the two presidents endorsed the efforts of their respective diplomatic teams to discuss principles related to China-U.S. relations since the Bali meeting and the common understandings arising from those discussions. They stressed the importance of all countries treating each other with respect and finding a way to live alongside each other peacefully, and of maintaining open lines of communication, preventing conflict, upholding the United Nations Charter, cooperating in areas of shared interest, and responsibly managing competitive aspects of the relationship. These seven points of common understanding are very important in that they provide a solid foundation for deeper discussions going forward.

The San Francisco meeting between the two presidents showcased the willingness of the two countries to manage differences in a constructive way. It is crucial for stabilizing the China-U.S. relationship.

Moving forward, both countries should uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while resolving differences, and remain unperturbed by individual incidents or particular comments, thus jointly ensuring that the giant ship of China-U.S. relations stays on the right course

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

Coalition Calls For Intelligence Gathering Against Terrorism Financing

A group, Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) has called for strategic intelligence gathering and collaboration among security agencies in the country to end alleged connivance on terrorism financing.

The chief of defence staff, General Christopher Musa, had earlier disclosed that some Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East planned attacks from the prison in connivance with prison warders.

However, addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the president of CSGGG, Chief Ogakwu Dominic, while acknowledging the gravity of the information shared by General Musa during a public hearing, expressed concern over the public nature of such allegations.

Dominic said the CSO believes that inter-agency collaboration is crucial in the fight against terrorism, and discreet engagement between the military and NCoS would have been more effective in addressing the issue.

“Coordination, management, and utilisation of information are key in waging the war against terrorists, and public disclosure hampers the covert operations necessary for success,” he said.

Dominic urged Musa to refer to the National Crisis Management Doctrine (NCMD) for coordinated crisis management.

Acknowledging the swift response of the minister of interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in launching an investigation into NCoS officials, Dominic also commended the initiative to free 4,000 inmates, relieving pressure on current NCoS manpower for better performance.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to support the infrastructural revolution of the nation’s correctional facilities, emphasising the need for modernisation to align with international best practices.

While commending the sacrifices of the military in ensuring internal security and sovereignty, he called for collaboration on de-radicalisation efforts, emphasising the NCoS’ exclusive right in this regard.

Addressing the National Assembly, Dominic called for a reconsideration of their approach to security issues, stressing the importance of avoiding the public disclosure of sensitive information that aids insecurity.

Dominic asserted that “security is a collective business requiring collaboration among various stakeholders. It behooves the military to collaborate with the NCoS and save the nation from embarrassment.”

COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ( CSO), GIVES MAGAJI CLEAN BILL , ALLEGES BLACKMAIL


As National Assembly Management sets Committee to Investigate Alleged false Bill submitted to Tinubu

BY Lateef Taiwo

Over 40 coalition of Civil society has described recent media reports on the ongoing reforms by the management of the national Assembly management led by the Clerk of the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambuwal, as an unfortunate development .

The group expressed concern on the negative story sponsored by some individuals and group in National Assembly management without proper investigation by media houses before going to the press.

“ while the management of the National Assembly is not immune from investigations, the media practitioners should not allowed itself to be used as pawn in the political chess game by those who lost out in any contest in National Assembly management leadership “

National trail investigation at the Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau revealed that there is no registered company or entity traced to the Clerk of the National Assembly

The Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Societies, and Coordinator of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO), Comrade Adams Otakwu has disclosed plans of collaboration between the Civil Society, Armed Forces, Security and Intelligence Community to clamp down on Subversive Groups and Elements who operate under the guise of Civil Societies and other platforms.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday the 25th November 2023, Comrade Otakwu said “the activities of these individuals and groups who hide under the umbrella of Civil Societies to blackmail and extort public officials, perpetrate heinous crimes and indulge in reactionary and fraudulent activities, portray a bad image of the civil society, and undermine national security”

He expressed concern over incessant blackmails of the Armed Forces, Security Agencies, National Assembly and other critical institutions in the country, by subversive elements and so-called ‘coalition of civil societies’ or ‘concerned citizens groups’.

Otakwu who further described such needless and mindless machinations as “inimical to the country’s

progress” also cautioned against them, and disclosed plans by the Conference of Civil Societies to collaborate with the Armed Forces, Security and Intelligence Community to clamp down on these elements in the interest of National Security and development.

The group in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, also warned against attempts by “some so-called civil society groups from distracting the CNA through blackmail and spurious allegations that are unfounded and misleading” in the performance of his duties.

National coordinator of the PYF, Otunba Bamidele Adigun, and National Organising Secretary, Musa Isah, stated that since Tambuwal’s assumption of office as the CNA, there have been a telling improvement in staff welfare and communication in the National Assembly bureaucracy.

“It is a fact that since Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal’s emergence as the CNA in November, 2022 and his eventual confirmation in March this year, there have been marked improvement in staff welfare and communication with top management within the National Assembly bureaucracy,” Adigun and Isah stated in the statement.

According to the group, “the payment of N3.7bn CON-PECULIAR and other outstanding entitlements within a few months in office and the upgrade of the NASS clinic with plans for the state-of-the-art equipment, easing the transportation needs of workers with eight new buses and effecting the payment of N35, 000 palliative grant, from September,2023 are few of the pragmatic leadership of Mr. Tambuwal this past one year in office.

“We wish to further state that, we have diligently followed his leadership and management style, it is gratifying to know and see that all outstanding workers welfare packages and entitlements are been cleared as well as increase in trainings and retraining for all cadres of staff in the NASS service.

“It is on this note and many more, we call on Mr. Tambuwal to remain focused, accountable and ignore mischief makers and those given to blackmail and trading in spurious allegations.”People should be guided by their conscience in all that they do so as not to impugn on the integrity and reputation of honest leaders, desirous for the right things to be done.”

Informed sources told National trail that recent attempt at drawing the clerk of the National Assembly Magaji, into what is strictly a responsibility of the Clerks of the upper and lower legislative Chambers fell on its face.

A media report ( not Aljazirah Nigeria had reported how the Clerk Sani Magaji Tamuwal , allegedly sent a false real estate regulatory council Bill of Nigeria ACT 2023 to President Tinubu , and was rejected.

investigation revealed that nothing has exposed the traducers of the Clerk of the National and put the media on the spot like the report of the rejected Bill.

National trail gathered that despite the manifest ignorance displayed on the process of lawmaking by the media House , the management has set up a high powerful Committee to unravel the allegations.

National trail checks revealed that Bills from the Senate or the House are sent to the office of the Clerk, from the office of the Clerk it is sent to the legal department , the department scrutinized it if there are glare areas they send it back to the Clerks of either the Senate or House, for harmonization.
After the harmonization it is sent back to the legal department in the National, then the Clerk of the Assembly before the Clerk sends it to the presidency for assent.

“ In the presidency the legal department also subject the Bills to scrutiny to ensure the Bill does not conflict with extant laws, the president either decided to send such Bill back to National Assembly for corrections or amendment where necessary”
The question is who sent the Bill to the president?
National trail investigation reveaed that the Clerk Sani Tambuwal is not in a position to influence the passage of any Bill as alleged by the media.

National trail gathered that President Buhari in the dying days of his administration signed 16 constitution amendment bills out of the 35 bills transmitted to him by the ninth National Assembly.

One of the constitution review bills that President Muhammadu Buhari refused to assent to is a bill to empower the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to summon the President and governors.

The President Buhari refused to assent to which include “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 48, 2022 (Power to Summon the President and Governors – Sections 67 & 108).

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Empower the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to summon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governors of States to answer Questions on issues on which the National and State Houses of Assembly have the Powers to make Law.”

Other bills the President failed to assent to include: “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 65, 2022 (Food Security – Section 16)

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to require the Government to Direct its Policy towards ensuring Rights to Food and Food Security in Nigeria.”

The President also failed to assent to the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 54, 2022 (State of the Nation and State of the State Address – Sections 67 & 108).

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for a State of the Nation and State of the State Address by the President and Governor.

“Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 55, 2022 (Composition of Members of the Council of State – Part I, Third Schedule).

“A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Include Former Heads of the National Assembly in the Council of State.”

See the full list of the 19 rejected bills below:

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 10, 2022 (Enforcement of Legislative Summons – Sections 89 & 129)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to compel persons to obey or comply with Legislative Summons

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 24, 2022 (Expansion of the Interpretation of “Judicial Office” –Section 318)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to expand the Interpretation of Judicial Office to include Courts or Tribunals created by an Act of the National Assembly or a State Law of the House of Assembly.

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 29, 2022 (Devolution of Powers [Airports] – Part I & II, Second Schedule)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Move Airports from Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 39, 2022 (Power to Enforce Compliance of Remittance of Accruals into the Federation Account and Review of Revenue Allocation Formula – Section 162 & Part I, Third Schedule)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Empower the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to Enforce Compliance with Remittance of Accruals into and Disbursement of Revenue from the Federation Account and Streamline the Procedure for Reviewing the Revenue Allocation Formula.

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 41, 2022 (Removal of Transitional Law-making Powers of the Executive – Section 315)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Remove Transitional Lawmaking Powers from the Executive Arms of Government

  1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) Bill, No. 66, 2022 (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps – Section 213 & Part III)

A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Reflect the Establishment and Core Functions of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.