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Regional Govt: Bill Lands President’s Table Friday
It might just be that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would go down in history as the king of reformers, with the bill on return to regional system of government set to land his table this Friday.
Biztellers reports that the proposed law was authored by a chieftain of the Yoruba socio-cultural association, Afenifere, Akin Fapohunda, and titled, “A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.
It seeks, inter alia, new extant laws to be cited as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.”
It was gathered that Fapohunda told The PUNCH on Thursday that the bill would be transmitted to the President on Friday.
He revealed, “I’m submitting my letter (draft bill) today but I will wait for seven days before releasing it to the public.”
Fapohunda also represents the Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities (CIEN) was cite by The PUNCH that the organisation is proposing the division of the country into eight geo-political regions with approximate interim boundaries.
He listed the proposed regions, thus Southern Region to be made up of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, and Cross Rivers States and “Optional inclusions of the Annang, Effik, Ekoi, Ibibio, Oro Ohaji/Egbema in Southern Imo, the Adonia, Efemia, Ijaw, Ogoni, Bini, Ishan, Isoko, Urhobo and the Ijaw-speaking people in Northern Ondo State with land contiguity.”
He continued, “The South Eastern Region consists of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. The Western Region comprises Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, and Ekiti States, incorporating the Yoruba-speaking people in Kogi and the Igbomina people in Kwara State. Additional options would be the Itsekiri people of Delta State and Akoko-Edo people of Edo State to make their respective choices.”
Others include the Mid-Western Region, “Made up of Edo and Delta States, possibly incorporating the Anioma people and the Eastern Middle Belt Region comprising Northern Cross River, Southern Kaduna, Southern Borno, Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba States.”
The Western Middle Belt Region comprises Southern Kebbi, parts of Kwara and Niger States while the North Eastern Region will be made up of parts of Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, and Yobe States.
The North Western Region, according to the Afenifere chieftain, comprises Kaduna, parts of Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
Fapohunda said the coalition envisaged a two-tier government, federal and regions, adding that the latter would be at liberty to manage her affairs, “Including the creation of sub-entities, based on the stipulations that are agreed upon and embedded in their respective constitutions.”
In its proposed governance stipulations, CIEN stated that “In the quest for re-configuration and downsizing, an option to consider might be to retain the present boundaries of the 36 States, as would have been adjusted, but to creatively downgrade the paraphernalia of political administration as follows:
“To introduce a new regional government framework with executive and legislative functions and bodies with the headship title of Premier.
“In the new dispensation, the present States (for example the six in the Western region) would be converted to provinces. Governance at this level shall be by Provincial Councils that integrate executive and legislative functions, with Chairman and Support Specialist Administrative Officers. The regions shall be at liberty to create provinces, subject to viability and self-sustainability.
“The present Local Government Areas are to be transformed into divisions, with divisional managers and specialist administrative officers; to operate as socio-economic development institutions. The new provinces shall also be at liberty to create divisions, subject to viability and self-sustainability.”
The coalition also proposed a new constitution to embody novelties including freedom of the regions to “Create, merge and or re-configure their sub-political units and may adopt provinces, divisions or districts as may suit their circumstances without interference from any other authority.
“Regions and sub-regional entities are to be reconfigured such as would reduce the cost of public and civil service administration to less than 20 to 30 per cent of generated revenue.
“In drafting their Constitutions, the peoples of the respective regional territories will take a cue and also dismantle any arrangement or configuration that will favour the politicians and the political class; with a focus on freeing resources for true development.
“A uni-camera federal legislature comprising members that are elected at the discretion of the regions for which they would be representatives at Abuja.
“Decentralization of federal power in favour of not more than 10 regions on which there is a general national consensus, rather than the presently unwieldy number of 36 States. These old States are inconsequential indeed in being a viable unit of a truly federal system of government.”
In all, the coalition proposes that the Federal Government “Shall comprise not more than nine Ministries and Ministers,” adding that “The very big United States has just 15 Cabinet Ministers, while Nigeria is not even up to just a State of Texas or New York.”
The group is also advocating a return to the parliamentary mode system of government “Built-in statutory rotation of headship among the regions.”
A fire outbreak on Tuesday night severely damaged a two-storey commercial building on Iweka Road, near Ochanja Main Market in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Anambra State Fire Service said it received a distress call at around 9:35 p.m. and immediately dispatched firefighters to the location.
Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
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“We don’t know the exact cause of the fire, but we were called to respond, and we did,” he said.
He further disclosed that four shops, mainly dealing in furniture materials such as leather and foam, were affected.
“These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam, and other items,” he added.
The firefighting team worked tirelessly through the night, eventually withdrawing from the scene around 3:05 a.m.
In the aftermath, residents and traders gathered at the site, attempting to salvage whatever remained of their goods.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has declared a State of Emergency on public schools across the state.
This was contained in a government house statement in Benin City on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, who cited his principal as saying that “the schools are in very bad shapes”.
It was gathered that the Governor, made the declaration while on an inspection tour of some schools in Ikpoba-Okha and Egor Local Governments area of Edo South Senatorial District.
He lamented the sorry state of facilities in the schools located in urban areas and expressed displeasure over the state of the schools visited.
He said, “Edo children deserve a better schooling environment that will bring out the best in them.
Gov Okpebholo noted that while campaigning for the votes of the electorate, he promised to declare a State of Emergency on schools across Edo State that lack modern facilities and conducive environment for learning.
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He added that visiting Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area and Evbareke Secondary School in Egor Local Governments Area, he was not pleased with what he saw and had no choice but to begin his action from the schools.
“I feel very bad about the situation of the schools I inspected today. Look at the type of school that our children are attending; it is not acceptable at all.
“When I was campaigning, I told Edo people that I would declare a State of Emergency in our schools across the State. I will start from this school Evbareke secondary School in Egor Local Governments area and the previous one we inspected today, Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, both in Edo South.
“We stopped on the road on our way to the school because erosion has cut off the road. This is not good for our children as we want the best for them.
“From tomorrow, work will commence here as the school visited has no fence, and the road leading to Army Day Secondary School has been washed off by erosion. We must give Edo children quality education to set them for the future.
“The road leading to Army Day Secondary School is known as Boundary Road, off Lucky Way. The road leads to Temboga.”
On his part, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said information got to the Ministry on the harsh conditions facing students of the school.
Iyamu said the Governor is visiting schools to see things for himself because he wants to feel the plight of the students and ensure that every Edo child has access to good structure and teachers in their schools.
“The Governor is here this morning to see for himself because he wants to feel the plight of the students of the average Edo child so that together we can all proffer solutions to the problem facing Edo schools. The Governor is here on practical governance to show Edo people they deserve the best.
“The Governor has given us the order to ensure that everybody in Edo State must have access to quality education whether they are able or physically challenged. The challenges are very obvious; dilapidated structures, with no chairs, in schools in urban areas. With the kind of governor Edo has, things will change,” Iyamu said.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has extended its Food Intervention Programme to Kwara State with 25,000 bags of 10kg rice set to be distributed across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The ADF team led by the Group General Manager Human Resources, Dangote Cement PLC, Ahmed Gobir, was received by the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Tuesday.
At the event, Abdulrahman was represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi.
Abdulrahman expressed that the unwavering commitment of the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr Aliko Dangote, in alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable is a great inspiration and one that is worth emulation.
He assured that, “The rice, which will be distributed to indigent families across the state, comes at a crucial time, as our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the sacred month of Ramadan and our Christian brothers and sisters are in the season of Lent. It is an act of compassion that will provide much-needed relief to those who are fasting and in need.
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“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this kind and selfless contribution. This gesture not only complements the ongoing efforts of the Kwara State Government to support vulnerable communities, but it also demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in lifting our people out of hardship.
“We remain deeply grateful for the Dangote Foundation’s continued support for indigent people across the country. This generosity serves as a reminder of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the critical role philanthropists play in addressing poverty and hardship.
“I encourage other individuals and corporations to follow in the footsteps of the Dangote Foundation and similar bodies, as we work together to build a better, more inclusive society for all.”
A representative of the Chairman of the Aliko Foundation, Malam Gobir, stated that the ADF decided to partner with state government in the 2025 food intervention programme distribution to foster relationship between the private and public stakeholders, noting that out of the one million bags of rice for the 774 local government areas of the federation, Kwara State has received 25,000 bags for its 16 local governments which is aimed at cushioning the effect of economic hardship.
“The ADF is the philanthropic effort of Mr Aliko Dangote, and has been consistent in delivering different humanitarian projects across the federation.
“This is the second year in a row that the ADF is donating one million bags of 10kg rice worth N16bn for the 36 states and the FCT.
“This is not just a gesture of charity; it is a demonstration of our commitment to set Nigerians and Africans up for success, it is a testament to further foster the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s four-pillar goal in nutrition, health, education and empowerment. By providing these bags of rice, we aim to alleviate the immediate hunger and hardship experienced by many and contribute to the broader goal of food security in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
“As we move forward, the Aliko Dangote Foundation remains committed to identifying and addressing the pressing needs of our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly to support vulnerable populations, create opportunities for growth and development, and build a brighter future for all Nigerians.”
While giving the vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, AbdulAfeez Abolore, described the event as “historic,” adding that “the gesture of the Chairman of ADF is in consonance with the instruction of the Holy Book. With the Christians and Muslims observing Lent and Ramadan in this holy month, together with the continuous efforts of the Kwara State government, this will go a long way in solving some food deficit problems.”
Fire Ravages Two-Storey Commercial Building In Anambra
State Of Emergency Resonates In Edo State
ADF Donates 25,000 Bags Of Rice In Kwara Under Annual Food Intervention Scheme
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