National
Presidency inaugurates citizens’ assembly to enhance community development
The Federal Government on Monday in Abuja inaugurated the citizens’ assembly to foster inclusivity and grassroots representation in governance.
Mrs Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Community Engagement (North Central), while inaugurating the assembly, said the initiative would bridge the gap between government and local communities.
Essiet explained that the citizens’ assembly was created to collectively tackle community problems and foster an inclusive society, where every voice is heard.
He added that the assembly offered structures across communities where residents could express their thoughts, share ideas, table pleas, and collaborate on lasting solutions to existing problems.
“While also planning proactively for future challenges, the Citizens’ Assembly provides a tremendous opportunity for citizen engagement, dialogue, collaboration, and peaceful resolution.
“It is committed to ensuring swift information dissemination, stakeholder engagement, project participation, and continuous deliberations for meaningful outcomes.”
She disclosed that nearly a thousand indigenes and settlers from the North Central region applied to volunteer for the assembly, which she described “as a noble cause.”
According to her, after a rigorous selection process, volunteers were chosen to represent at least one ward across the six states in the North Central Region and the FCT.
“These volunteers will serve as agents of change and influencers within their communities, developing actionable solutions and ensuring challenges are addressed at the highest levels.
“As we officially inaugurate The Citizens’ Assembly for the FCT today, and it will subsequently be inaugurated in Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau State.”
She urged other government appointees and elected leaders to take a cue from this initiative.
“Let us replicate this model in our respective communities, states, and regions for our collective prosperity as a nation.”
He added that the assembly underscored President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to integrating diverse voices and perspectives into decision-making processes.
Essiet stated that the initiative would foster dialogue, understanding, and collaboration and proactively address regional needs and concerns.
“This decentralised approach to governance signifies a strong commitment to grassroots engagement and tailored development initiatives.
“It will reflect the unique challenges and opportunities present in each geopolitical zone of Nigeria.”
She explained that community engagement played a crucial role in building trust between the Federal Government and its citizens.
She added that community engagement established a direct connection, ensuring that the voices of the people were heard and considered in the corridors of power.
“To gain a clearer insight into the challenges facing our grassroots, we conducted a survey in March 2024, involving 166 respondents from the North Central region.
“These include Abuja, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states. The findings revealed a significant disconnect between the Federal Government and local communities.
“For instance: 48.2 per cent of participants perceive a lack of engagement from the Federal Government, while 78.3 per cent feel unrepresented in the government’s policies and decision-making processes.
“62.1 per cent consider community engagement organisations effective. 68.7 per cent believe the government does not consult with local communities before implementing projects.”
She, however, said that nearly 90 per cent believed that co-creation could lead to more sustainable and contextually relevant solutions.
“These findings clearly indicate a substantial gap in trust and communication between the Federal Government and local communities.
“This is a gap stemming from unfulfilled promises by successive governments over the past 25 years since the return to democratic rule.”
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, said since assumption of office, President Tinubu’s led administration had been working round the clock to better the lives of Nigerians.
Dr Mohammad Bulama, represented by the Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), said the National Assembly passed the N70,000 minimum wage bill approved and transmitted by Tinubu.
He said,” the minimum wage will be reviewed every three years to reflect and reconcile fresh economic realities and living standards with workers’ remuneration.
“This will succeed the current N35,000 wage award that is being paid to all federal workers.
“To swiftly commence the payment of the new minimum wage, the National Assembly has also approved N6.2 trillion supplementary budgets sent to it by the Federal Government.
“Out of which, about N3 trillion will be expended to cover the minimum wage and augmented salaries payment.”
He said Tinubu’s landmark move to implement Local Government Autonomy by approaching the Supreme Court for a decisive verdict was a testament to his administration’s commitment to strengthen governance and development at the grassroots.
“With this game-changing institutional empowerment, local governments will witness unprecedented socio-economic transformation.
“The Federal Government will ensure that the Supreme Court judgment is enforced as intended.” (NAN
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.
The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.
In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.
The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.
The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.
The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.
While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.
ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.
Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo state, says 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Kano-bound travellers in Uromi LGA of the state have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
The suspects were detained after a mob attacked a group of hunters travelling to Kano for Sallah celebrations on Thursday.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a condolence visit to Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, Okpebholo condemned the attack and assured Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Okpebholo also announced that his government had set up a committee to support the families of those killed.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy,” Ismail Mudashir, media aide to Barau, quoted Okpebholo as saying.
“The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also.
“The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects.
“So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased.”
Responding, Barau said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction,” Barau said.
“And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.
“I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.”
He urged the Edo government to ensure all those involved were held accountable, adding that such attacks must never happen again.