National News
FG, States, LGs Go Full Cashless March 1
FG, States, LGs Go Full Cashless March 1
Worried by the inflationary consequences of huge public sector cash withdrawals on the nation’s economy, the Nigerian Financial and Intelligence Unit (NFIU), yesterday, outlawed cash withdrawals from all government accounts effective March 1, 2023 warning that defaulters risk three-year jail term.
The NFIU, declared that such transactions would now be done electronically in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary policy.
It said defaulters who fail to heed the cash restriction order on public accounts risks collaborative investigation by the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
Director and Chief Executive Officer, NFIU, Modibbo Tukur, who confirmed the latest development at a press briefing, at the Unit’s office in Abuja, said defaulters risk spending three years behind bars.
He said “The NFIU had told banks and government agencies at all levels to go fully digital by moving online, as all transactions involving public money must be routed through the banks for the purpose of accountability and transparency.
“This is not reversible as we are only enforcing the law. As far as we are concerned, Nigeria will become a full non-cash economy by March 1, 2023 this year.
As a consequence, any government official that withdraws even one naira cash from any public account from March 1 will be investigated and prosecuted in collaboration with relevant agencies like EFCC, ICPC and the NPF,” he said.
Tukur clarified that under the guidelines, only the President can give a waiver for any cash above the approved daily threshold to be withdrawn for urgent or emergency reasons.
He said despite the introduction of the cash withdrawal limits in the country, state governments withdraw a total of N701 billion cash above the N225 billion withdrawn by the Federal Government and N156 billion withdrawn by the local governments in the country, bringing total public sector cash withdrawals between 2015 to date to N1.082trillion.
“With some states withdrawing up to N24 billion and then we also discovered that the Federal Government withdrew in cash up to N225 billion while the local governments withdrew up to N156 billion.
“So if we are to apply the law here, all the public servants involved in this withdraws are entitled to three years imprisonment. That’s what the law said,” he said.
The NFIU therefore directed federal, state and local governments in the country to put necessary measures in place to ensure the smooth operationalisation of the new policy.
He advised the different tiers of government in particular, to deploy technology and train their staff to be able to apply the new policy from the stipulated date.
Modibbo said: “With the implementation of this guideline, Nigeria has been taken into a non-cash economy with effect from March 1, 2023.”
Continuing, he said: “The rate of withdrawals above the threshold from public accounts has been alarming, over N701 billion has been withdrawn in cash from 2015 till date. So you are all aware of the inflation in the economy, public servants traveling ,this and that, so the mark of withdrawing above the threshold is becoming very frequent.
“For government exigencies, only the President has the power to grant any waiver to any government official considering the importance of the situation; either for national security, health, or other important reasons.”
“From the first of March 2023. If there is any cash withdrawal, it is going to trigger off money laundering investigation in either EFCC ICPC, the Nigerian police, or all the law enforcement agencies, depending on the relevance of the withdrawal.
“So it’s also understood, the cash in the system is limited. But with this guideline, we expect that cash withdrawal from the system will go down by about N1 trillion Naira out of the N3 trillion cash that is in circulation on a weekly basis now.”
In his reaction, Frank Onyebu, Chairman, MAN, Apapa Branch, said: “This measure is laudable, but I think it’s still a tall order based on so many militating factors, chief of which is infrastructural deficiency. We cannot be talking about going totally cashless when we still have problems with internet penetration.
Chairman, SMEs Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Daniel Dickson-Okezie said it was a welcome development.
“The more cashless we go, whether at governmental , organisational or individual levels, the better for the economy and society.
The issue of cashless economy was mooted for the first time during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. The policy is acceptable because it will check crime , money laundering, corruption in government, private and public sectors.
Businesses don’t thrive in a corrupt society, investors don’t want to invest in a corrupt environment and corruption affects government too. So cashless economy will tame corruption,” he said.
He however tasked the government to follow it up by improving information technology infrastructure saying “The whole thing is based on ICT and it is important that we are able to make payments seamlessly.”
An economist, Dr Nathan Owhor, lauded the directive by NFIU on MDAs to ensure that all receipts and payments on government transactions from March 2023 are cashless is good for the economy.
“The leakage in the MDAs are huge and not good enough for the economy. The Chief Executives in the MDAs must learn how to be accountable and show greater financial discipline.
Some of them who claim to have strong godfathers are actually reckless with government finances and they enjoy protection. This protection is usually sustained by huge cash rewards which is a drain on the economy.
“The new cashless policy for the MDAs will therefore achieve four broad objectives amongst others. In the first instance, which is perhaps key is the ability to track government receipts and payments.
Secondly, it has the capacity to reduce the high level of waste and mismanagement in the MDAs. It will also build trust in the domestic economy because of the level of transparency it will engender.
All of these possibilities in the final analysis will make more funds available for development projects,” he said.
FG, States, LGs Go Full Cashless March 1
SGBV Centre to be Established in All Wards in Kuje LGA
By: Michael Mike
Kuje local council of the Federal Capital Territory is set to establish Sexual and Gender Based Violence Centre in all its ten political wards to clampdown on the growing menace.
Delivering a speech at a one-day community advocacy/dialogue on issues of SGBV organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for stakeholders in Kuje, the Council Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sabo who noted that: “Violence against women and girls in any form is the manifestation of profound lack of respect and a failure by men to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women,” said that the council would set up response centres across the 10 political wards in Kuje Area Council to support the fight against SGBV.
The Chairman who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Abdullahi Sabo (Snr), said: “The time for complacency has long gone, it is time for action, we can no longer watch over 70 per cent of women in our communities face physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
” Therefore, for an effective response to this menace, the need for different sectors in the society to collaborate and work together cannot be overemphasised.
“We indeed pledge to do better for survivors of SGBV. As an institution, we need to do more to support victims and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“We have to do more to respond to the cry for justice for women and children who have suffered violence.”
On her part, the NAPTIP Director-General, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, said that the aim of the dialogue was to discuss the unique roles of all community stakeholders towards reducing SGBV in the FCT.
She said that it was also aim at empowering community members to recognize early signs of abuse, intervene effectively create a culture that does not tolerate violence.
“We must collectively continue to create a supportive environment where victims feel empowered to report cases of SGBV, this lies in the hands of the communities.
She said that parents are been complacent by failing to protect their children in abusive and exploitative situations.
The DG encouraged Nigerians to report cases of SGBV to NAPTIP, while also stressing the need to preserve evidence especially in cases of rape.
SGBV Centre to be Established in All Wards in Kuje LGA
President Tinubu flags off inaugural airlift of 2024 Hajj in Kebbi
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (CFR) has flagged-off the inaugural airlift of 2024 Hajji exercise from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The grand ceremony took place at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday with distinguished personalities in attendance.
The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity and progress of the country.
He charged the intending pilgrims to abide by all rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and urged them to avoid any illicit act capable of affecting the integrity of their Hajj.
“Mr president has been committed to this year’s Hajji due to the economic situation, he has also contributed the sum of N90 billion Naira to subsidise this year’s Hajj exercise in order to have a smooth and successful exercise.
”You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.
”President Bola Tinubu also work round the clock to control the downwards spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.
”A moved that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the released of N90 billion to subsidized the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj.”
He said that the government of Renewed Hope led by Tinubu attaches immense importance to religious pilgrimage due to the role its plays in transforming behavioral and social vices of the believers beyond performing the pilgrimage.
Delivering his speech, the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris said this year’s Hajji signifies a sacred journey for thousands of devoted pilgrims who embarked on a spiritual voyage to the Holy land.
He explained further that Hajj is a time to honoured tradition that holds great significance for Muslims around the world.
“It is a journey of faith, devotion and unity where believers come together to fufill one of the five pillars of Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca is a profound experience that fosters a sense of community, humility and spiritual renewal,” he said
The Governor urged the people that they should remember the significance of this sacred ritual, adding that Hajji remained a testament to the unity of Muslim Ummah, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences.
“It is a time for reflection, prayer and seeking forgiveness, as well as an opportunity for personal growth and self discovery,” he added.
He commended the Federal Government, National Hajji Commission and those that were involved for there commitments toward the successful exercise.
Gov. Idris noted with satisfaction that Kebbi was the first state to remit 2024 Hajj fare in Nigeria, adding the intending pilgrims from Kebbi were given special treatment by the present administration to confort them toward a successful Hajj exercise.
The governor said his administration had spent N900 for infrastrutural development of the Hajj Camp in Birnin Kebbi to make it more conducive for the intending pilgrims
In his remarks, the National Chairman, National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Jalai Ahmad Arabi thanked the President and Kebbi State Governor for their support and cooperation towards the success of this year’s Hajji exercise.
He described this year’s Hajji as the most innovative and special one, saying, “honestly, I am well over warm the way and manner the Kebbi State Goqqvernor committed all the resources for them to achieve.
President Tinubu flags off inaugural airlift of 2024 Hajj in Kebbi
National News
Nigeria Calls for Collaboration Among ECOWAS States to Develop Tourism Sector in West Africa
Nigeria Calls for Collaboration Among ECOWAS States to Develop Tourism Sector in West Africa
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria government has called for the collaboration among the counties of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to develop the tourism potential of the subregion and place West Africa in prime position to compete with other regions.
The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Folorunsho Coker, also called for the streamlining of policies on tourism in countries in the subregion while delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the meeting of experts and stakeholders of the private tourism industry on the monitoring and evaluation mechanism of ECOTOUR 19-29 and the ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation regulator in Abuja on Tuesday.
Coker said: “It’s the season to collaborate not to compete,” adding that: “It’s in the spirit of collaboration that we will grow pan-African tourism.”
He said: “I want to encourage the localisation of policies”, insisting that policies would only be successful when localised.
Coker said all the regulations in the region be streamlined into one that will guide activities in the tourism sector across the 15 ECOWAS member states, urging for the training of tourism operators in the region as well as the introduction of technology in tourism.
He said: “We must embrace technology or it will leave us behind.”
The Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, Massandjé Toure-Liste said the meeting drew aspiration from the ECOTOUR 19-29 action plan, adopted by the Authority of Heads of State and Government which was designed to serve as a roadmap for promoting responsible tourism.
She said: “To this end, our technical meeting today centres around drafting the operational modalities for two critical tools: the ECOTOUR 19-29 monitoring and evaluation mechanism and the ETAR – ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation Regulator.
“The ECOTOUR 19-29 Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism will involve developing operational guidelines and appointing dedicated members or focal points to oversee its implementation.
“Simultaneously, for the ECOWAS Tourist Accommodation Regulator (ETAR) we will define the composition and operational modalities in alignment with Regulation C.REG.2/07/23.
“Our focus on Private Sector Collaboration includes; facilitating dialogue among representatives from the private tourism sector and encouraging strategic alignment and collaboration at the regional level.
Massandjé, who was represented by the ECOWAS Commission’s Director of Private sector, Dr Anthony Elumelu, said: “Additionally, we aim to support private sector players in finalising the process of creating a regional confederation.”
The meeting is expected to end on Friday 17th May, 2024.
Nigeria Calls for Collaboration Among ECOWAS States to Develop Tourism Sector in West Africa
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