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INEC Submitted 2019 Election Budget to Presidency Since February–PDP

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Nigeria’s main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) submitted its budget for the 2019 general elections to the presidency since February 2018.

The party made this allegation via a statement signed on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan.

Business Post reports that after the 2018 budget of N9.1 trillion was passed by the National Assembly in June 2018 and ‘reluctantly’ signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, he sent a supplementary budget to the parliament for the next year’s polls for approval.

However, the National Assembly went into recess last month to resume next month without attending to the supplementary budget.

The presidency had begged the parliament to reconvene to pass the budget to allow INEC prepare for the elections but there are fears that the presidency is planning to use the opportunity to effect a change in leadership of the Senate because of the defection of the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP.

In the statement released today by the PDP, it has unraveled fresh facts confirming that the pressure by the Presidency for the reconvening of the Senate is out of a sinister motive and not for any emergency in the approval of the budget of INEC for the 2019 election.

The party also said it has again uncovered a plot by the APC and the cabal in the Mr Buhari Presidency to use “compromised security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to invite, arrest and detain Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.”

It alleged that the fresh plot to detain the two presiding officers is part of renewed design to keep them out of circulation, ahead of Senate resumption, so as to enable the heavily induced APC senators, who are now in the minority, to throw up two of their members as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively on the excuse that Saraki and Ekweremadu failed to show up for proceedings in the Senate.

“The PDP notes that the new plot to cage Saraki and Ekweremadu, in devilish rehash of the Tuesday July 24, 2018 hostage-taking and invasion of their official residences by security agencies is coming after the August 7, 2018 failed attempt to use security forces to take control of the leadership of the Senate.

“Apart from plots to arrest and detain Saraki and Ekweremadu, the PDP has also been made aware of plans to use the EFCC and security forces to clamp down on their family members, including their wives and siblings as well as close associate, all in the effort to weaken their resolve.

“Moreover, investigations by the PDP further confirm that the insistence of the APC-led Federal Government on the emergency reconvening of the National Assembly, ostensibly to consider INEC’s budget for the 2019 election, is part of APC’s thicker plot to execute their premeditated ‘coup’ on the leadership of the Senate.

“PDP was further informed that contrary to claims by the APC and the Presidency, INEC actually submitted the budget to the presidency since February 2018, only for the Presidency to submit it to the National Assembly in July when the legislature was already going on recess; with a view to enmesh it in a needless controversy.

“Furthermore, the PDP counsels Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to stop acting saint, as Nigerians are aware that he is part and parcel of the actors behind the sordid developments playing out in the National Assembly.

“The PDP invites Nigerians and the international community to note the activities of the APC and the Buhari Presidency, which have continued to put the unity and stability of our nation as well as our hard-earned democracy under serious stress.

“In all, the PDP cautions the APC and power mongers at the Presidency to know that Nigerians have seen through their evil intentions and will continue to firmly resist them by standing for democracy and the unity of our nation at all times,” the statement said.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Lagos Assembly Cautions Obasa Over Speakership Claims

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lagos assembly land use charge

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State House of Assembly has warned its former Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, to stay clear of the position because his impeachment on on January 13 remains sacrosanct.

A statement signed by Mr Ogundipe Olukayode on behalf of the Assembly said it was imperative to clarify that over two-third of the legislative arm of government in the state are solidly behind the new Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda.

The lawmakers said nothing could change the decision taken to remove Mr Obasa, who was in the United States at that time.

On his return last week, Mr Obasa addressed the media and said he remained the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. At the briefing at his residence in the GRA area of Ikeja on Saturday, he challenged any leader in the state to tell Lagosians when and where he told them he wanted to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He also said it was not a sin not to nurse an ambition to lead the state come 2027.

“Having (an) ambition to become a governor is not a sin. Is it, however, I said it on the floor of the house when the budget was presented that I had no thoughts of governorship but that does not mean I am not qualified or that I lack experience and I still maintain that,” he said.

In response, Mr Olukayode said as elected representatives of the people of Lagos, the assembly members owe the public good governance and harmonious relationship with other arms of government.

Mr Obasa had reportedly kept the Lagos State Governor delayed for one hour before the budget presentation to flex his powers.

On his part, Mr Sanwo-Olu said he had no hand in the removal of the Agege lawmaker.

“The position of the house remains the same and nothing has changed. The position being canvassed by former Speaker, Mr Obasa is uncalled for and unparliamentary,” the House statement on Sunday said.

Mr Olukayode further explained that the majority of members elected Mr  Obasa as speaker for the 10th Assembly and later took a majority decision to remove him.

The lawmakers’ mouthpiece appealed to the former speaker to toe the line of peace and harmony as being followed by others.

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JMG Offers Solutions for Greener Environment

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JMG Clean Energy

JMG Limited, a premier provider of electro-mechanical solutions in Nigeria, joins the world in celebrating this year’s International Day of Clean Energy, which promotes the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Observed annually on 26th January, the global event was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.

Marking this year’s event, JMG Limited, a leading company that caters to a wide array of business and industrial requirements, reaffirms its commitment to meeting the needs of its customers through solutions that add value to their operations and the society.

The company’s Group General Manager, Rabi Jammal, stated that commemorating the global day is crucial as it inspires individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to adopt sustainable energy solutions and their attendant economic and social benefits.

He said this helps to foster environment conservation and palliate the crisis with non-renewable fuels, such as gas and oil, which aligns with what JMG’s product offerings enable.

According to him, JMG’s specialised solutions are eco-friendly and can upgrade the places where people work and live. Its slogan, “from power to plug,” emphasises the transformation by highlighting its wide range of clean energy solutions for homes and businesses.

He averred that the company’s products can be used to power structures, cool environments, transport people in buildings, enhance industrial output, and expand its portfolio with products that offer more energy efficiency to help reduce their electricity bills and save on fuel expenses, thereby curbing the issue of emission.

In line with its clean energy initiative, the company prioritises sustainable power solutions, offering solar and cost-effective hybrid options, including Lithion inverters and batteries since 2018 and Livfast inverters & batteries in 2022.

In 2024, the company expanded its solar power offerings with LONGi solar panels, Deye lithium batteries, and Must solar inverters, providing a comprehensive range of alternative power solutions to customers.

JMG Limited has attained significant milestones in its commitment to excellence, environmental responsibility, and occupational health and safety by acquiring three key ISO Certifications, 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018, which attests to its dedication to maintaining high standards in its operations.

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Olam Agri to Sustain Significant Investments in Workforce, Food Value Chain

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Olam Agri food commodities

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The managing director of Olam Agri in Nigeria, Mr Anil Nair, has assured us that more investments in the company’s workforce will be made for economic growth.

He gave this assurance while reacting to the recognition of the organisation as a Top Employer for the fifth consecutive time by the Top Employers Institute.

“As we celebrate this recognition, we also look to the future. Olam Agri is committed to scaling our HR practices to ensure alignment with global standards.

“We will continue to make significant investments in our people and the food value chain, enriching lives and driving economic growth.

“Our goal is to create an environment where our employees can excel and thrive, and we are dedicated to achieving this.

“Olam Agri’s continued success as a Top Employer reflects its unwavering dedication to fostering growth, well-being, and excellence in its operations,” he stated.

Also commenting, the firm’s Regional Head of Human Resources, Jaideep Biswas, said, “Our people-centric strategy aligns with the dynamic demands of the global talent landscape, embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core of our operations.

“This certification validates our approach, but we’re not stopping here. We remain committed to helping our workforce thrive in a rapidly evolving work environment.”

In the annual HR Best Practices Survey of the Top Employers Institute, Olam Agri in Nigeria was named the Top Employer because of its exceptional workplace culture, innovative HR strategies, and growing appeal to talent locally and globally.

“Consistency in a not-so-consistent world is remarkable. Amidst technological advances, economic shifts, and evolving social landscapes, it’s inspiring to see organisations like Olam Agri rise to the challenge.

“This year’s certification celebrates those who continue to lead with people-first strategies, setting the standard for enriching the world of work,” the chief executive of Top Employers Institute, Mr David Plink, said.

The institute evaluates organisations based on a comprehensive survey covering six key HR domains and 20 topics: People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Wellbeing.

Since 2020, Olam Agri’s operations in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and the Africa region have consistently earned top rankings, solidifying its reputation as an employer of choice.

As a leading agribusiness in food, feed, and fibre, Olam Agri is deeply committed to making a positive impact on its workforce, customers, host communities, and stakeholders.

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