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Economic Downturn: Government Asked to Reduce Cost of Govenance

Economic Downturn: Government Asked to Reduce Cost of Govenance
By: Michael Mike
Government has been asked to reduce the cost of governance in the country not only in reduction of pecks of office but also the retinue of appointees.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the Lead Director of Speak out Africa initiative, a Non governmental Organisation, Kenneth Eze said government needs to look beyond politics now and reduce the cost of governance.
Eze called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prune the government spending including streamlining ministerial , commissioner, adviser portfolio to sizeable numbers with particular call to abolish minister for state position and cut down on their luxurious convoy.
He said: “As part of our mandate in deepening democracy and promoting good governance through accountability checks and evidence-based advocacy, Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) has yet again kick-start a “Governance Tracker called CRIG.ng” project on a mission to torchlight government activities, checkmate and promote cost effective governance at federal, state and local government amongst public office holders with overall goal to reducing cost of governance in Nigeria”.
He added that: “It is notable that Nigerians are groaning under the effect of the untold hardship inflicted upon them by successive leaders ranging from subsidy removal of premium motor spirit (PMS) without fixing of the existing refineries and no proactive provisions to cushion its effect, to unimaginable school fees hike with direct impact on the poorest of the poor who are faced with option to drop out of school, to already perfected planned electricity tariff increment and, many other cacophonies of unpleasant difficulties without no solution in sight.
“Sadly, the reverse is the case as we see political office holders/our leaders enjoying barrage of benefits without recourse to the plight of the ordinary citizens, example is the self-allocation of the N70billion from the World Bank loan which should have been channeled to the poorest of the poor- a situation that is best described insensitive and unjustifiable.”
He recommended that as matter of urgency the government should povide measures to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on the ordinary Nigerians, noting that subsidy removal has hiked the price of PMS which has in turn raises inflation to an unbearable 22.79% as at June 2023 (NBS), thereby reducing cost of living and increasing hardship.
He also advocated for the streamlining of the list of cabinet ministers (for Federal government) to sizable number with complete abolishing of minister-for-state cabinet positions; called on the current administration to stop postponing the raining day and implement the Oronsaye report to merge ministries, departments & agencies (MDAs) for those their jobs overlap with each other as we can no longer sustain it.
Eze also called on state governors to reduce/cut down list of commissioners and appointment of advisers to sizable number to reduce cost of governance, urging political/public office holders to cut down on barrage of convoy/entourage; and insist of reversal of the purported increment of public office holders’ salaries by 114% as such move is anti-people since Nigerians are in serious difficult time currently.
Economic Downturn: Government Asked to Reduce Cost of Govenance
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Nigeria aims at strengthening conflict-sensitive climate adaptation

Nigeria aims at strengthening conflict-sensitive climate adaptation
By: Michael Michael
The Federal Ministry of Environment, through its Department of Climate Change, in collaboration with the NAP Global Network, has launched an inception workshop aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for conflict-sensitive climate adaptation while unveiling a new report on integrating peacebuilding into the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.
The event, held in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, development partners, security experts, and representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). It marked a critical step in mainstreaming conflict-sensitivity into Nigeria’s climate policies and development planning.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Director, Department of Climate Change, Dr. Mrs. Eviano Aguirre-Awe, Deputy Director Johanna Baruge stressed the urgency of addressing climate impacts that are increasingly exacerbating insecurity across Nigeria.
“Climate change is already driving extreme weather events, threatening biodiversity, damaging infrastructure, and fueling security challenges.
While mitigation efforts continue, adaptation is equally crucial so that we can adjust systems without undermining daily life,” she said.
She explained that Nigeria’s ongoing NAP formulation will provide a medium to long-term strategy for addressing climate vulnerabilities in a transparent and participatory manner.
Representing the NAP Global Network, Ms. Katrina underscored the importance of linking adaptation with peacebuilding.
“Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and resource stress often intersect with social and political tensions. If poorly managed, these pressures can worsen inequalities and deepen conflicts.
But if addressed thoughtfully, they can foster cooperation, dialogue, and peace,” she noted, adding that Nigeria’s leadership in this space sets an example for other countries grappling with similar challenges.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, in his opening remarks, recalled Nigeria’s commitment under international agreements such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, highlighting the country’s pledge under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 47% with international support.
He explained that beyond mitigation, Nigeria’s NAP process—supported by the Green Climate Fund—is focusing on adaptation strategies in 13 thematic areas, including climate risk and vulnerability assessments, to strengthen community resilience.
He emphasized that conflict-sensitivity is vital, given Nigeria’s security challenges such as farmer-herder clashes, cattle rustling, and banditry.
“Ignoring medium and long-term adaptation needs in a fragile, conflict-prone context would be a mistake.
Climate action, if conflict-sensitive, can break cycles of fragility by tackling root causes, improving social well-being, and promoting peace,” he said.
The new report launched at the workshop outlines practical guidance for integrating peacebuilding into adaptation processes, identifying enabling factors such as leadership, data, financing, institutional arrangements, stakeholder engagement, and skills development.
Stakeholders were urged to provide meaningful input into the materials being developed and to ensure that climate activities undertaken by their institutions are conflict-sensitive.
The workshop concluded with a call for stronger collaboration, capacity building, and inclusive approaches that position Nigeria as a global leader in linking climate resilience with peacebuilding.
Nigeria aims at strengthening conflict-sensitive climate adaptation
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Armed men ambush patrol team, kill guard in Benue

Armed men ambush patrol team, kill guard in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
A member of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard has been killed following an ambush by armed men in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Aug. 25 at about 6:30 p.m. along Uikpam–Umenger road, when military personnel and the Civil Protection Guard were on joint patrol.
Sources disclosed that the patrol team came under ambush by gunmen suspected to be armed herders.
“One victim, identified as Terna Ioryoosu of Umenger village and attached to the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, was shot dead in the attack,”said sources.
The sources said security operatives were mobilised to the scene. The corpse was recovered, photographed, and later released to family members.
Armed men ambush patrol team, kill guard in Benue
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Gunmen abduct driver conveying corpse in Kogi

Gunmen abduct driver conveying corpse in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted a driver who was conveying a corpse in a vehicle along Ojodu Ojakeshi area of Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi.
Sources said that security operatives received a distress call on Tuesday evening that a blue Golf 2 car had been abandoned on the road.
It said that when security operatives, including army troops, police personnel and local hunters, mobilised to the scene, they discovered the vehicle with a corpse inside a casket.
“Two of the three occupants of the vehicle managed to escape from the abductors and later informed the police that they were transporting the corpse from Kwara to Benue when the hoodlums stopped them.
“The assailants whisked away the driver while leaving the corpse and the vehicle behind,” it added.
Bush combing operation is ongoing to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.
End
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