The award, which is expected to be an annual event, will honor an up-and-coming journalist who tells important stories through quality reporting.
Michael Elliott distinguished himself as an editor at various media organizations, including The Economist, Newsweek and Time.
He was awarded an OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire – in 2003 for his services to international journalism,
Elliot would eventually become the Chief Executive Officer of ONE, a campaigning and advocacy organisation that is working to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.
Contest for the maiden award is open to journalists working in the print, broadcast and online news media based in Africa, however, only English language submissions or translations will be accepted.
“Applicants, who are in the early stages of their career, are expected to submit a well-reported piece or series that reflects top-notch storytelling about important issues in Africa,” a statement by Joyce Barnathan, President of the ICFJ read.
“Submissions can include feature stories; in-depth, investigative or explanatory pieces; multimedia reports or documentaries.”
The eventual winner of the award will receive “a $5,000 cash prize to pursue an in-depth reporting project.”
“The winner will also spend time in U.S. newsrooms to learn new skills and receive mentorship from ICFJ, helping to catalyze additional reporting that engages and empowers Africans,” Barnathan added.
He noted that “a distinguished jury will select the inaugural honoree” and “the winner will be recognized at ICFJ’s Board Dinner in New York on May 31, 2017.”
Deadline for submission of entries is 11:59 p.m., U.S. Eastern time, Monday, January 30, 2017.
Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has called for the immediate prosecution of suspects arrested for alleged stealing of bags of rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the state.
In a statement issued by spokesman of the governor Isa Gusau, Shettima directed the state’s commissioner of police to expedite action on the issue of the officials of an IDP camp who were reportedly caught by occupants of the camp while trying to steal about 50 bags of rice.
He insisted that if found guilty, the culprits should be sentenced to jail immediately.
Reports had it that hundreds of IDPs on Tuesday morning apprehended an official of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, BOSEMA, over alleged theft of food items meant for displaced persons at the Bakassi IDP camp.
Four other officials of the agency were subsequently arrested by the police after the IDPs held them.
Governor Shettima noted that the food items was procured by the Borno State Government with support from the World Food Programme for the feeding of IDPs in the month of December, pending supplies from NEMA.
The statement further read: “Governor Shettima approved funds for the food stuff at the IDPs camp and he is deeply pained by this development.
“The Governor regards any attempt to divert food meant for IDPs as a crime against humanity which must not go unpunished.
The Governor has promptly asked the Commissioner of Police in Borno State to expedite action that should ensure the prosecution of anyone arrested whether officials or anybody at all, in order to secure conviction by the court.”
According to the governor’s spokesman, Shettima would like the culprits to be sent to jail as a deterrent to others who might be involved in similar acts.
Gusau stated further: “The Governor assures Internally Displaced Persons that his administration will continue to take measures that would enhance their welfare.
“As part of these measures, the Bakassi IDP camp where the incident was said to have occurred, has between 3 to 4 Divisional Police Officers of the respective local government areas living at the camp.”
He explained that the idea of having D.P.Os and policemen living at the IDP camps “was part of measures introduced by Governor Shettima since 2014 in order to maximize security of lives and property as well as the protection of human rights across all IDPs camps and other parts of Borno State.”
President Muhammad Buhari has presented a 2017 budget proposal of N7.298 trillion before the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja.
The budget is based on an exchange rate of N305 per dollar which is against N197 to a dollar in the 2016 budget.
The budget is also projected on a benchmark of $42.5 per barrel of oil, as against $38 in 2016.
The budget which is expected to bring about economic stability in the country is 20.4 percent higher than that of N6.06 trillion in 2016.
Stressing the need to bring the country out of recession, Buhari said 30.7 percent is allocated to capital expenditure.
He said that “based on these assumptions, aggregate revenue available to fund the federal budget is N4.94 trillion. This is 28% higher than 2016 full year projections. Oil is projected to contribute N1.985 trillion of this amount.
“Non-oil revenues, largely comprising Companies Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Customs and Excise duties, and Federation Account levies are estimated to contribute N1.373 trillion. We have set a more realistic projection of N807.57 billion for Independent Revenues, while we have projected receipts of N565.1 billion from various Recoveries. Other revenue sources, including mining, amount to N210.9 billion.
“With regard to expenditure, we have proposed a budget size of N7.298 trillion which is a nominal 20.4% increase over 2016 estimates. 30.7% of this expenditure will be capital in line with our determination to reflate and pull the economy out of recession as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile the 2017 budget is based on a deficit of N2.36 trillion for 2017 which is about 2.18% of GDP.
Buhari pointed out that the “deficit will be financed mainly by borrowing which is projected to be about N2.32 trillion. Our intention is to source N1.067 trillion or about 46% of this borrowing from external sources while, N1.254 trillion will be borrowed from the domestic market.”
A breakdown of the budget includes statutory transfers of N419.02 billion; debt service of N1.66 trillion; sinking fund of N177.46 billion to retire certain maturing bonds: non-debt recurrent expenditure of N2.98 trillion; and Capital expenditure of N2.24 trillion (including capital in Statutory Transfers).
Infographics of the 2017 budget
As expected, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has the biggest share of the budget, at N520 billion for capital projects.
Transportation followed Power, Works and Housing in the biggest capital expenditure with N262 billion while Special Intervention Programmes and Defence have N150 billion and N140 billion respectively.
The Ministry of Agriculture is also getting a record-high of N92 billion, while the Ministry of Interior will boast of a capital expenditure allocation N63 billion.
On the recurrent expenditure, the Ministry of Interior leads the rest with N482.37 billion followed by N398.01 billion for Ministry of Education, N325.87 billion for Ministry of Defence, and N252.87 billion for Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile the amnesty programme, which was slashed to N20bn in 2016, leading to unrest in the Niger Delta, has been tripled in the 2017 budget.
Buhari said that “The allocation of the presidential amnesty programme has been increased to N65 billion in 2017 budget. Furthermore, N45 billion in funding has been provisioned in funding for the rehabilitation of the northeast.”
Just like the 2016 budget, the 2017 budget retains the allocation of N500 billion to the Special Intervention programme consisting of the Home-grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Empowerment programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme to provide loans for traders and artisans, Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest families and the new Family Homes Fund for social housing scheme.
The judiciary has an increased allocation from N70 billion in 2016 to N100 billion.
Buhari explained that, “This increase in funding is further meant to enhance the independence of the judiciary and enable them to perform their functions effectively.”
Meanwhile, the president noted that the implementation of the 2016 Budget was hampered by the combination of relatively low oil prices in the first quarter of 2016, and disruptions in crude oil production which led to significant shortfalls in projected revenue.
He disclosed that “As at 30 September 2016, aggregate revenue inflow was N2.17 trillion or 25% less than pro-rated projections. Similarly, N3.58 trillion had been spent by the same date on both recurrent and capital expenditure. This is equivalent to 79% of the pro-rated full year expenditure estimate of N4.54 trillion as at the end of September 2016.”
Buhari added that the amount of N753.6 billion had been released for capital expenditure as at the end of October 2016.
However, the president said that the implementation of the 2017 budget will be based on economic recovery and growth strategy, stressing that measures have been put in pace for a clear road map of policy actions and steps designed to bring the economy out of recession and to a path of steady growth and prosperity.
Victim Support Fund, VSF, has begun the reconstruction of 10 public structures in Bama, one of the major towns in Borno State, which was under the occupation of Boko Haram at the peak of insurgency in the North East.
The estimated cost of rebuilding the structures is put at N370 million.
The public structures include eight primary schools, the council secretariat complex and a maternity clinic, destroyed by insurgents between 2013 and 2015.
Flagging off the reconstruction projects at Bama, the Executive Director of VSF, Sunday Ochoche, a Professor, said that he had confidence in the partnership with the Borno State government in rebuilding the destroyed public structures in Bama.
Ochoche, who commended the state government for the rebuilding work done so far on destroyed houses and markets in Bama, he said the Fund has assisted in the movement of N295 million worth of building materials to the town for the reconstruction work.
He said the building materials include cement, iron rods, ceiling boards, buckets of paints, doors and windows and other basic building materials required to complete the 10 projects.
Governor Kashim Shettima, who was represented by his deputy, Usman Durkwa, in a brief remark admitted that N295 million worth of building materials have been procured and delivered by VSF.
He said: “Due to the good work being undertaken by the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR), VSF will immediately release N74 million to the projects, as cost of transportation of materials and wages of labourers at sites.”
He also commended the Fund for the rehabilitation of 40 public buildings at Dikwa town at the cost of N250 million.
He said that the state government is investing in the rehabilitation of infrastructural facilities in order to transform the lives of returning Internally Displaced Persons to liberated communities.
He called on the communities to ensure that such facilities are protected against vandalism.
The trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode was on Wednesday stalled as the defendant could not attend trial due to ill health.
Fani-Kayode was arraigned on November 10 before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was accused of diverting the sum of N26 million to which he pleaded not guilty and was subsequently granted bail.
When the case resumed on Wednesday for continuation of hearing, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Wale Balogun, informed the trial judge that his client has taken ill and could not attend the hearing.
Balogun presented a doctor’s report to the Judge, asking for an adjournment to a later date to allow his client access proper medical treatment.
The prosecution team did not oppose the application, prompting Justice Tsoho to adjourn the case to February 6, 2017.
Recall that Fani-Kayode is also facing separate corruption trials at the federal high court in Lagos.
He, alongside former finance minister, Nenadi Usman, and one Danjuma Yusuf were sued by the EFCC on a 17-count charge of money laundering to the tune of over N4 billion.
That trial had been stalled in November following Fani-Kayode’s detention at the time by the EFCC.
Fani-Kayode was the spokesperson of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential campaign in 2015, and he has maintained that the federal government was persecuting him because of his outspoken criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has warned the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, also called the Shiite Islamic sect, against carrying out any protest in the FCT.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Manzah Anjuguri, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer.
“The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to the plan by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria to carry out mass protest at the Three Arms Zone, Abuja on Wednesday, 14th, December, 2016,” the statement read.
“The Command wants to state unequivocally that the action of the group is illegal as they have neither written to notify the Command of their planned action nor have they secured any approval from the Commissioner of Police to go on with the planned protest.”
Anjuguri warned the IMN “to immediately stay action on their planned protest or be prepared to be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate sections of the law.”
There have been several court judgments to the effect that Nigerians do not need to obtain a police permit before embarking on peaceful protests, but the police have always maintained that such permits were required, especially for protests considered unfavourable to the government in power.
Reacting to the police statement, Abdullahi Musa, one of the leaders of the IMN in Abuja told newsmen that the group has no plans to embark on any protest on Wednesday as alleged by the police.
Musa, who is the Secretary General of the Academic Forum of the IMN, said that members of the group have not held any protest since a federal high court in Abuja ordered the release of the leader of the sect Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
“We took the case to court. And the court ruled in our favour and said that they should release our leader in 45 days. What sense will it make if we start protesting before that time?” Musa queried.
“We have not protested and we will not protest till the 45 days elapses; if he is not released.”
He added that “a group protested yesterday, but I am telling you that we, the Shiite members whom I speak for, have not protested and will not protest now.”
Recall that Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on December 2 ordered the federal government to release El-Zakzaky within 45 days from the judgment day
The Shiite leader has remained in custody since the clash between members of the IMN and soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna State, in December 2015.
The clash led to the death of more than 300 members of the group. One soldier was also died in the violence.
The Senate has called for the suspension and prosecution of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, for alleged abuse of office and complicity in the award of contracts by the Presidential Initiative for the North East, PINE.
This followed the presentation of a report by a Senate ad-hoc committee led by Shehu Sani on the mounting humanitarian crisis in the North East.
Sani reported that PINE awarded dubious contracts to companies owned by top government officials for outrageous sums of money.
One of the companies allegedly belonging to the SGF, was said to have been awarded a contract worth over N200 million for the removal of ‘invasive plant species’ in Yobe State.
According to Sani, the SGF was the director of the company as at the time the contract was awarded in March this year, adding that he only resigned this September. But he remained the signatory to the company’s account.
The senate committee also noticed that the company, Global Vision, was registered in Nigeria in 1990 as an ICT company, wondering how it was awarded a contract to clear grass in 2016 while the owner is a senior government official.
Reacting to the report, Dino Melaye, the chairman of the Senate committee on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT said that the SGF, “Babachir Lawal is a disgrace to the All Progressives Congress.”
“This is disgraceful, this is abominable, this is condemnable, this is unheard of and this is an embarrassment to we members of the All Progressives Congress, APC,” Melaye blurted.
“Babachir Lawal has exhibited anti-Buhari tendencies.
“This is gross abuse of office”, he said.
Another lawmaker, Isah Misau, supported the call that Lawal should resigned immediately or be suspended and be prosecuted afterwards, saying that the efforts of the present administration led by President Buhari was being sabotaged by “people like the SGF”.
Sani’s report also revealed that the contracts awarded by PINE have not had commensurate effect on the lives of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, scattered in camps all over the region.
The Senate therefore directed that PINE should turn in all documents pertaining to contracts it had awarded, and that all government officials found to have contravened law be prosecuted.
“The message clearly coming from the Senate to all those in charge of these fund is that we cannot continue with business as usual,” said Senate President Bukola Saraki
“For those who have contravened the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, I believe that this government that stands on the issues of fighting corruption is seen to do the right thing,’’ he said.
The Presidency has promised to pay members of the Super Falcons the allowances owed them by the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, after winning the African Women Cup of Nations, AWCON, in Cameroun.
Members of the team had taken their protest to the premises of the National Assembly on Wednesday, in order to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is scheduled to be at the assembly complex to present the 2017 budget proposal to the lawmakers.
Some of their placards read, “We are your children, pity us”; “Let us respect women”; “female football deserves respect.”
They, however, could not meet with the President as he had changed the time for his visit from 10am to 2pm.
Nevertheless, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who addressed the footballers promised that all their entitlements would be paid on Friday.
The Super Falcons beat host Cameroun1-0 to lift a record 8th AWCON trophy and had hoped to return home to a proper reception and appreciation.
Their hopes were dashed after they were reportedly dumped at the Agura Hotels in Abuja with the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung not doing anything to offset their allowance arrears.
Reports say each of the players is entitled to about $25,000.
The girls, however, returned to their hotel after the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari, addressed them and promised to offset their bills in two days.
The treatment meted out to the falcons is in sharp contrast to that received by the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon which finished second at the tournament.
The social media has been awash with pictures, videos and stories of the lavish ceremony organized by President Paul Biya to honour the Cameroonian ladies.
The Senate Committee on Communications has approved the proposal by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to increase the price of internet data, saying that the commission acted in national interest.
Vice Chairman of the committee, Adeola Olamilekan, after an oversight visit to the NCC headquarters, urged Nigerians to cooperate with the commission.
Olamilekan, speaking on behalf of the committee members, said that the data price hike was one of the commendable steps taken so far by the NCC, to sanitize the telecom industry.
He recalled how the Umar Danbatta-led NCC handled the recent issue of the N1.04 trillion fine against one of the largest telecoms operator in Nigeria, MTN, saying that the NCC did not disappoint Nigerians.
“Each time we invited the leadership of the agency to the National Assembly, they honoured our invitation and responded to our inquiries, particularly during the MTN issue, and of recent the data price floor,” Olamilekan said.
“They have acted in national interests and Nigerians should see NCC as being on their side.”
Olamilekan praised chairman of the NCC, Danbatta, for turning the telecom industry around since assuming office.
He urged the NCC to make details of its 2017 budget available on time to enable members go through and approve to avoid the delay occasioned by the 2016 budget.
Members of the Senate Committee on Communications include: Gilbert Nnaji – Chairman, Adeola Olamilekan – Vice Chairman, Abu Ibrahim, Joshua Dariye, Eyinnaya Aberibe, Isa Misau and Abiodun Olujimi.
Members of Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have staged a peaceful protest at the gates of the National Assembly to demand for the payment of the allowances due to them in the just concluded African Women’s Cup of Nations, AWCON, which held in Cameroun.
Recall that Nigeria emerged champions in the tournament but since the team arrived the country, they have been allegedly dumped in a hotel in Abuja without any word on how their allowances were to be paid.
The players have remained at the hotel, refusing to hand over the trophy to officials of the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, until they have received their payment in full.
However, some senior members of the team who ply their trade outside the shores of Nigeria have since rejoined their respective clubs.
The ladies say they were at the National Assembly Complex in order to bring their ordeal to the notice of President Muhammadu Buhari who is expected to visit the National Assembly today to present the 2017 budget proposal before the lawmakers.
Reports have it that each of the Falcons players is owed about $16,500 for winning the tournament in Cameroon, but have only been paid a total sum of N600, 000 – approximately $1, 900.
It was gathered that the players are also owed bonuses and allowances from the qualifiers leading up to the AWCON.
