WAFFI TV | Feature

Delta Among Largest Economy In Nigeria~ SSG

The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, has ranked Delta State’s economy among the top four largest in Nigeria. Speaking at the 2025 Public Lecture and Awards Ceremony of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, on Thursday in Asaba, Emu emphasized the state’s impressive economic growth. He described the event’s theme, The Role of Professionals in the Successful Implementation of the Delta State Government MORE Agenda, as timely, crediting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s strategic leadership, infrastructural investments, and a vibrant private sector for Delta’s progress. He said, “Whether you denominate in naira or dollar, Delta is the 4th largest economy in Nigeria and the highest oil producer in the country today. “Oil revenue today accounts for only 48.7 per cent of our GDP; services and all others account for 51.25 per cent. “This tells you that even though oil and gas are our main revenue earners, services and others account for money. “It means that as an economy, we are diversifying, even though oil accounts for the highest revenue; it does not account in terms of the provision of jobs for our people. “The agriculture sector has grown year-on-year at 13.3 per cent for over six years now, while services and manufacturing have also grown significantly. “We have diversified and created huge jobs for our people, totalling over 257,000 jobs, and that is very significant.”

3/20/2025, 7:14:18 PM

Court Rejects EFCC’s Additional Proof Evidence On Emefiele

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) attempt to introduce additional proof of evidence in the fraud trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Ruling on Emefiele's objection, Justice Muazu noted that the EFCC had initially submitted extra evidence on February 12, 2024, incorporating statements from former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Bamayi Haruna Mairiga. However, he ruled that allowing further evidence after multiple amendments to the charge would violate Emefiele’s right to a fair trial. The judge emphasized that the prosecution had not confronted Emefiele with the new evidence during the investigation, making the move unlawful. Describing the EFCC’s action as “trial by ambush” and “fishing for evidence,” Justice Muazu stated that charges should be based on completed investigations, not ongoing inquiries. However, he declined to strike out the case, reasoning that the trial was already well underway. He also refused Emefiele’s request to remove Mustapha and Mairiga’s testimonies from court records, despite arguments that their statements violated constitutional fair hearing rights. The EFCC’s latest filing, dated October 15, 2024, sought to introduce fresh evidence over a year after the initial charges and to call two new witnesses, Tommy Odama John and Ifeanyi Omeke, whose statements were made in August 2024. Emefiele's legal team, led by Mathew Burkaa (SAN), argued that the EFCC had failed to present these statements during the investigation, further compromising due process. Justice Muazu has scheduled the trial’s continuation for June 3, 2025.

3/20/2025, 5:57:01 PM

NYSC Will Pay N77,000 Corps Members’ Allowance March~ DG

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has assured corps members that the revised monthly allowance of N77,000 will take effect from March 2025. He gave this assurance during an interactive session with corps members at the Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices in Abuja, reaffirming the commitment of both the NYSC and the Federal Government to their welfare. This development follows the NYSC’s announcement of an increase in corps members' stipends from N33,000 to N77,000, aligning with the new minimum wage of N70,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024. The last adjustment, made in 2019, raised the allowance to N33,000 after the minimum wage was reviewed to N30,000. According to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the NYSC confirmed that the approval was detailed in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. The letter, dated September 25, 2024, was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. Brigadier General Nafiu reassured corps members that their welfare remains a priority and urged them to stay calm, dedicated, focused, and disciplined in their service to the nation. “With effect from March, you are going to receive the sum of Seventy-Seven Thousand Naira as your monthly allowance. NYSC is good at record-keeping, and I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the Scheme appreciate you,” he stated. He also commended the vision of the NYSC’s founding fathers, describing the scheme as an essential institution that fosters national unity by exposing graduates to diverse cultures across Nigeria. He assured corps members that NYSC management would continue to instil values such as patriotism, discipline, leadership, and teamwork in each new batch.

3/20/2025, 5:52:04 PM

Senate Approves Emergency Rule, Suspends Rivers Governor

The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. Additionally, the upper legislative chamber sanctioned a six-month suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This decision followed a closed-door session where lawmakers deliberated on the issue. Earlier, the House of Representatives had also approved the emergency rule through a voice vote. Tinubu’s proclamation sparked controversy and condemnation from various stakeholders. However, despite the backlash, both legislative chambers gave their final approval on Thursday.

3/20/2025, 2:36:54 PM

Reps Pass Tinubu’s State Of Emergency Rule In Rivers

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved President Tinubu's proclamation through a voice vote, with 243 members present. Additionally, the House made recommendations, including the establishment of a national committee to restore peace in Rivers State. It also advised that the National Assembly assume control of the state Assembly’s activities for six months.

3/20/2025, 12:27:26 PM

Minimum Wage: NYSC To Spend N307.6bn On Corps Members' Allowances

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could spend up to N307.6bn on mobilising and paying allowances to corps members, according to 'The PUNCH'reports. This estimate follows the increase in corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, as announced by the NYSC in September 2024. The raise came after the signing of the new minimum wage bill into law in May 2024. Annually, the NYSC mobilises corps members in three batches—A, B, and C—across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Each orientation exercise includes between 1,200 and 1,500 participants per camp, resulting in an average of 55,500 corps members per batch and a total of 333,000 corps members yearly. With the new N77,000 allowance, each batch will receive a total of N25.64bn, bringing the annual expenditure on corps members’ allowances to N307.6bn. In the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly in December 2024, President Bola Tinubu allocated N430.7bn to the NYSC—the highest in five years. Of this, N372.9bn (86.5%) was designated for corps members’ allowances. Despite the announcement in September 2024, the Federal Government has yet to implement the new payment rate, five months later. After the failure to commence payments in February, NYSC’s Acting Director of Press and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, stated that the scheme was still awaiting the necessary cash backing.

3/20/2025, 7:44:03 AM

ECOWAS Court Rejects Suit Seeking Creation Of Sixth State In South East

The ECOWAS Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Nigeria’s decision not to create a sixth state in the Southeast geopolitical zone. The case, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Prince and Princess Charles Offokaja Foundation (Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/32/23), claimed that the omission was discriminatory and deprived the region of key developmental benefits such as infrastructure, revenue allocation, and jobs, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). However, the court ruled that state creation falls under Nigeria’s constitutional prerogative and does not violate regional or international human rights laws. Presiding Judge, Justice Dupe Atoki, emphasized that the Southeast remains adequately represented in the country’s governance structure. It ruled, “The respondent state has not breached its obligations under Article 19 or Article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights nor under Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” The NGO filed the suit under Article 19 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, arguing that the alleged imbalance violated Article 22 of the African Charter. Additionally, a Switzerland-based NGO, initially listed as a co-applicant, was removed from the case due to a lack of jurisdiction. The three-member ECOWAS Court panel was led by Justice Dupe Atoki, with Justice Edward Asante as judge rapporteur and Justice Gbéri-Bè Ouattara as a member.

3/19/2025, 11:10:48 PM

Senate Postpones Debate On State Of Emergency In Rivers

The Senate has suspended its plenary and deferred the debate on President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to Thursday, March 20, 2025. The postponement followed a delay in the commencement of plenary on Wednesday, March 19. The debate was initially set for 3 PM, but Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who proposed the motion, stepped it down, citing Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended). Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), seconded the motion. In presenting his motion, Senator Bamidele voiced concerns over the security situation in Rivers State. The motion read, “Worried that there is a clear and present danger of the crises as some militants had threatened fire and brimstone, with security reports indicating disturbing incidents of vandalization of oil pipelines. “Convinced that there is the need to provide adequate and extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order, and security in Rivers State.”

3/19/2025, 5:25:07 PM

Rivers Allocation Goes To Sole Administrator~ FG

The Federal Government has confirmed that funds allocated to Rivers State will be directed to the state’s Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas. Defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to impose a state of emergency in Rivers, the government stated it was necessary to prevent a total collapse of order. It also dismissed allegations that former Rivers Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was involved in the political crisis that led to the emergency declaration. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made these remarks while speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. When asked if the state’s allocation would still be disbursed, Fagbemi confirmed that funds would be released upon the Administrator’s request. “And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things,” he said. Defending Tinubu’s intervention, he added, “We have about two years into the administration in the state. Now, when do you think he should have acted? Should he have waited until everything was destroyed? I don’t think so. “I think the President acted at the right time. He gave all parties a chance to resolve their differences. Before then, he had called them together and tried to mediate,” Fagbemi stated.

3/19/2025, 3:42:08 PM

Don’t Dare FG~ AGF Fagbemi Warns States

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has cautioned state governments against actions that could jeopardize national security and stability. Speaking on Wednesday, Fagbemi accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of allegedly inciting militants to sabotage oil pipelines in the state. His remarks came while defending President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State amid the ongoing political crisis. According to the AGF, even if Governor Fubara did not directly order the attacks, his failure to denounce the militants’ threats made him complicit. “We are in a democracy. The governor was seen telegraphing militants, suggesting he would let them know when to act. Even if that was misinterpreted, did he disown them? No. A week later, pipelines were vandalized,” he asserted. Fagbemi emphasized the strategic importance of Nigeria’s oil sector, warning that any attack on critical infrastructure is not just an assault on Rivers State but on the entire nation. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s judgment formed the legal basis for Tinubu’s declaration of emergency, adding that the decision was necessary to protect vital assets and restore governance in the state. “The governor and the state house of assembly members had to be suspended because they failed to ensure a conducive atmosphere for governance,” he explained, pushing back against claims that the federal government acted hastily.

3/19/2025, 2:19:43 PM

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