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Fundamentals of Journalism course available for aspiring journalists 

Joshua Ovorumu
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Fundamentals of Journalism course available for aspiring journalists 

The NBCU Academy is currently presenting its ‘Fundamentals of Journalism’ course. 

The course teaches the fundamentals of journalism and assists aspiring journalists in laying a solid basis for news gathering and storytelling.

Participants may expect a hands-on, engaging learning experience.

The course includes news collection and reporting, journalistic ethics, news writing and storytelling, interviewing techniques, and pitching.

Young journalists can enrol for a free online course.

Applications are rolling. Interested individuals can register here

Why we seek inclusion in conditional cash transfer – mobile money agents

Harrison EDEH
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Why we seek inclusion in conditional cash transfer – mobile money agents

THE National Vice President of Mobile Money and Bank Association of Nigeria (MMBAN), Obiora Oti, said money wallet bankers would improve their capitalisation and liquidity if the government included them as facilitators in the conditional cash transfer scheme.

Oti told The ICIR exclusively on Wednesday, November 8, that many young people involved in the money wallet business could be supported with a seed capital of about N50,000 and become part of the Federal Government’s cash transfer scheme.

This development, he said, would ensure enough liquidity for them to stay in business since many of them have undergone financial inclusion training under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy guidelines.

Oti recalled how he supported someone with seed money of N20,000 in 2020, during the COVID year, and how the person has become an aggregator and now manages N15,000,000 capital.

“This is how financial inclusion works, and it is one of the fastest ways of removing people from poverty,” he said.

“Typically, you don’t grow the gross domestic product (GDP) by throwing money to people through interventions. When there is a channel for such distribution, it stimulates the economy’s growth,” he added.

He also argued that empowering money wallet agents was a sure way of driving Nigeria’s financial inclusion and economic base.

According to Oti, Nigeria has many lessons from Kenya in its financial inclusion success story because of the Kenyan government’s involvement and facilitation through policy direction and incentives to operatives.

Agency banking allows customers to deposit and withdraw money instead of going to the bank or using automated teller machines (ATMs.)

Currently, there is one agency banking agent for every 80 Nigerians and one bank branch for every 27,000, according to a 2023 report on the Nigerian Financial Services Market.

Controversy trails Senate’s confirmation of RECs

Ijeoma OPARA
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Controversy trails Senate’s confirmation of RECs

CONTROVERSY has trailed the Senate’s confirmation of some Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Thursday, November 1.

The confirmation of Abubakar Dambo and Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq as RECs for Zamfara and Niger states instead of Ismaila Kaura Moyi and Mohammed Yelwa, earlier appointed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu generated protests from residents of the states.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale on Wednesday, October 25, disclosed that Tinubu transmitted a list of nominees to the Senate for approval, and those appointed include Etekamba Umoren for Akwa Ibom and Oluwatoyin Babalola for Ekiti state.

Others are Isah Shaka Ehimeakne for Edo, Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aji for Gombe, Shehu Wahab for Kwara, Bunmi Omoseyindemi for Lagos, Aminu Kasimu Idris for Nasarawa, Mohammed Yelwa for Niger, Anugbum Onuoha for Rivers and Isma’ila Kaura Moyi for Zamfara state.

However, during the screening and confirmation exercise, the Senate confirmed Dambo as the Zamfara REC and Sadiq for Niger state instead of Yelwa, and this sparked protests from residents of the states.

Zamfara youths petition INEC

In Zamfara state, the Youth Alliance for Community Development petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a letter shared with The ICIR, dated November 5, querying Dambo’s confirmation as REC despite not being included in the transmitted list and his political affiliations. The ICIR could not independently verify if the letter was delivered to INEC.

Dambo had served as a Commissioner under the immediate past governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle.

“Mr. Chairman, it is on record that Mr. Abubakar Sarkin Pawa Dambo, the nominee cleared by the Nigerian Senate instead of the names transmitted by Mr. President, is a card-carrying member of ruling APC, having served in various capacities in the previous administrations of the state.

“Mr. Dambo contested and won a chairmanship position in Bakura Local Government Area between 2007 and 2011 under the administration of Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi. He also served as Special Adviser (SA) to Governor Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar during his tenure between 2015 and 2019. He was also the immediate past commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs to the former governor of the state, Muhammad Bello Matawalle,” the letter read.

Similar concerns had been raised by the Executive Director of Civil Society Organisation Yiaga Samson Itodo, who faulted the confirmation of the RECs based on their political affiliations.

The petition also disclosed that Dambo was the party representative of the APC at the Bakura Local Government Area of the state during the 2019 and 2023 general elections, which it said made his nomination as REC an affront to the 1999 Constitution, which requires that persons appointed as INEC RECs be non-partisan.

“In view of this, we, the undersigned as well-meaning citizens of Zamfara state, implore you to use your good office to revisit the issue of substitution of Mr. Dambo against the candidate earlier nominated by Mr. President as resident electoral commissioner from Zamfara State,” the petitioners demanded.

Claiming that those responsible for the substitution had plans to sabotage the current government, the petitioners called on INEC to facilitate Tinubu’s involvement in the issue to “fish out the perpetrators of this illegal substitution.”

Senate confirms politically-exposed RECs

Apart from the Zamfara REC member, some other officers confirmed had previously held political offices or are affiliated with politicians.

In Akwa Ibom, Etekamba Umoren had served as Chief of Staff to the Senate President Godswill Akpabio when he was governor of the state between 2007 and 2014. He joined the APC in 2018.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) vehemently opposed his confirmation, describing it as an imposition.

Also, Edo state REC Isah Shaka supported Tinubu during the 2023 general elections. The Lagos state and Rivers states Omoseyindemi and Onuoha have also been found to have political affiliations with politicians, including Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.

This runs afoul of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

Third Schedule of the Constitution, Paragraph 14 provides that persons to be appointed as RECs “be persons of unquestionable integrity” due to the delicate nature of the position.

In Nigeria, RECs are in charge of the election body, INEC, at the state level and are expected to provide proper, unbiased verification and transmission of election results.

We did not substitute nominee’s names – Senate

It remains unclear why the Senate confirmed names different from the list transmitted by the President.                                      

The ICIR sent a text message to the Spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, asking if a subsequent list was transmitted by the President or what other reasons may have been responsible for the change.

On Wednesday, November 8, Adaramodu said he was in a meeting and would respond after the meeting. However, he has yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.

However, he had been quoted as saying that those screened were identified by Senior Special Assistant(SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel.

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“It is those that were brought by the SAA with all their papers that will be screened, and he will identify them physically. The nominees do not come from the Senate. We screened as they were brought with their CVs, security clearance, and code of conduct clearance,” Adaramodu said.

Also, he absolved the Senate of blame for confirming the individuals as RECs.

“It’s not for us, it’s not for me, it’s not for anybody to suggest that you are likely to be a member of a party. But whoever has facts is supposed to bring the facts before the Senate,” he said.

‘How CBN can cut-off speculators from Nigeria’s currency market’

Harrison EDEH
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‘How CBN can cut-off speculators from Nigeria’s currency market’

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) can cut off speculators from the country’s currency market if there is consistency and clarity in its foreign exchange (FX) policy reforms.

The naira has been experiencing mild appreciation against the dollar, but experts are worried that the interventions in the FX market by the CBN may drop with time, which could give speculators a foothold.

“Naira is gradually regaining its strength. As of today, a little over 12 banks had their foreign exchange backlog cleared, and that is a good development for the market. However, we want the CBN to come clear with its reforms policy to enable speculators to stop betting on the currency market,” a senior financial analyst with Financial Derivative, Dumebi Oluwole, said on Tuesday, November 7, in Lagos while reacting to Nigeria’s currency market.

“We are not sure to what extent the CBN would continue to supply dollars to the official FX window. We need this clarity, and if there’s none, the speculators will continue to bet against the naira and keep influencing the market,” she added.

She called on the CBN to adhere to FX market fundamentals and reforms to dissuade speculators.

“Once the government is not consistent with its interventions and reforms in the FX market, addressing price distortions and the gap between the official and the parallel market rate would be difficult,” she said.

The ICIR observed that at the official window on Tuesday, November 7, the naira depreciated to close at N809.02/$1, representing a 4.06 per cent increase from the N776.14/$1 recorded on Friday, 3rd November day.

The intraday high recorded was N1100/$1, while the intraday low was N720.50/$1, representing a wide spread of N379.50/$1.

According to data obtained from the official NAFEM window, forex turnover at the close of the trading was $87.65 million, representing an 11.30 per cent decrease compared to the previous day.

NBC Broadcasting Codes infringe on human rights – ECOWAS Court

Bankole ABE
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NBC Broadcasting Codes infringe on human rights – ECOWAS Court

THE Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice has ruled that some of the Nigeria Broadcasting Codes infringe on Nigerians’ rights, including freedom of expression.

The court made the pronouncement on October 23 in the case brought by the Incorporated Trustees of Expression, currently known as the Human Rights Initiative.

The applicants claimed that some of the provisions of the codes violated human rights enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution. 

The respondent – the Nigerian government – disputed any infringement on the applicant’s right to free speech and agreed with the imperative of making citizens enjoy their rights.

It argued that the codes were developed to support regional content, stop monopolistic activities, and increase advertising income for regional broadcasters and content creators.

According to the respondent, stations that air content that encourages hate speech or public disturbances might face penalties from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

 It denied utilising the code to harass the applicants and restrict citizens’ freedom of speech.

According to a statement posted on its official website, the ECOWAS Court, in its judgment, declared that the codes “contravene Article 9 (1) & (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).”

The affected provisions of the law, the Sixth Edition, are Articles 3 (1) (1), 3(1) (2), 15(2) (1) of the NBC and Article 15 (5) (1) of the Amendments to the Code.

Consequently, it directed the Respondent (the Nigerian government) to align Articles 3 (1) (1), 3(1) (2), 15(2) (1) of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) and Article 15 (5) (1) of the Amendments to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) with its international commitments.

Furthermore, it mandated the respondent to refrain from implementing Articles 3 (1) (1), 3 (1) (2), 15 (2) (1), and Article 15 (5) (1) of the amendments to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code (6th Edition) until the same have been aligned.

It rejected all of the applicants’ other claims.

The judges that heard the case include Dupe Atoki, the presiding judge; Sengu Mohamed Koroma, the judge rapporteur; and Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves.

The counsel for the applicant is Solomon Okedara, while the respondent is Maimuna Lami Shiru.

The ICIR reported in 2020 that the group filed a suit at the ECOWAS Court against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the N5 million penalty imposed on Nigerian Info 99.3 FM station, Lagos, for granting an interview to Obadiah Mailafia, former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The rights group argued that the Federal Government’s action was against Article 9 (1) (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 66 of the (2) of the revised ECOWAS Treaty.

It also kicked against some provisions of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Code, noting that those sections breach the fundamental principle of a free press.

According to a copy of the suit obtained by The ICIR, the group asked the Court to declare as void Articles 3.1.1, 3.1.2, and 15.2.1 of the NBC Code 6th edition.

It stated that since NBC is not an independent judicial body, it could not exercise Article 15.5.1 of the amended code, including other penal provisions in the regulation.

The NBC sanctioned the Nigeria Info FM station over allegations by Mailafia on the state of insecurity in the North East. He alleged that a northern state governor was a commander of the Boko Haram group.

Mailafia’s claims were aired on the “Morning CrossFire” radio programme on August 10, 2020.

“Dr Obadiah Mailafia’s comments on the southern Kaduna crisis were devoid of facts, and by broadcasting the same to the public, Nigeria Info 99.3 FM is in violation of the following sections of the NBC code: 3.1.1 No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or certain offensive reference to any person or organisation, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity,” a statement by the NBC read.

However, stakeholders criticised the sanction, describing it as an assault on media independence.

The Incorporated Trustees of Expression, now Human Rights Initiative, is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on defending Nigerian citizens’ online and offline freedom of expression.

Polls: NPFL shifts Heartland FC vs Bayelsa match

Dotun OMISAKIN
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Polls: NPFL shifts Heartland FC vs Bayelsa match

AHEAD of the gubernatorial elections in Imo and Bayelsa states, the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL board has postponed the matchday eight fixture between Heartland FC and Bayelsa United FC.

The match, earlier billed to be held on Saturday, November 11, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, coincidentally falls on election day in Imo and Bayelsa states, respectively.

A statement signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, dated Wednesday, 8, 2023, said the match had been postponed till Wednesday 15th November.

“Sequel to the governorship elections in Imo and Bayelsa state, kindly be informed that the above matchday eight fixture has been rearranged for Wednesday 15th November 2023.

“Please ensure that necessary logistics are in place for a hitch-free game. The above is for your information and continuous compliance. Accept the assurances of our warm and esteemed sporting regards,” the statement read.

Heartland FC is currently at the bottom of the table with four points resulting from four draws, three losses, and zero wins.

Similarly, Bayelsa United is in the 19th position, with six points. The club has lost five and won two matches.

All banknotes remain legal tender, CBN says as Supreme Court’s December deadline nears

Ehime ALEX
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All banknotes remain legal tender, CBN says as Supreme Court’s December deadline nears

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said all Nigeria’s banknotes remained legal tender as the Supreme Court’s December deadline for the bank to phase out the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes from circulation draws near.

CBN said this in a statement issued by its Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, on Wednesday, November 8, to allay fears over the legality of the old notes and reiterate the availability of sufficient banknotes nationwide.

“We wish to state unambiguously that every banknote issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) remains legal tender and should not be rejected by anyone, as stipulated in Section 20(5) of the CBN Act, 2007.

“There have also been reports of anxiety among some members of the public over the legality or otherwise of old naira banknotes,” it stated.

The apex bank had in October 2022 announced to phase out designs of the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes, introduced new designs into circulation, and later gave a February 10 deadline to end the use of the old notes.

However, on Wednesday, February 8 this year, the Supreme Court suspended the deadline after the bank’s handling of the new naira notes policy had thrown the nation into crisis.

In a seven-man panel of justices led by John Okoro on March 3, the apex court ruled for an extension of the validity of the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes till December 31. 

Sixteen states of the Federation had instituted the suit against the Federal Government and CBN to challenge the legality of introducing the naira redesign policy. 

The apex court held that it was unlawful for former President Muhammadu Buhari to use executive powers to inflict unprecedented economic hardship on the citizens.

It also held that Buhari breached the nation’s Constitution in the manner he issued directives for redesigning the naira notes by the CBN.

In the statement on Wednesday, the apex bank advised members of the public to accept all CBN-issued banknotes currently in circulation and guard against panic withdrawals.

CBN had, in a circular on November 2, denied reports of alleged scarcity of cash at the banks.

“Our attention has again been drawn to reports of a scarcity of cash across some major cities in the country despite assurances of sufficient cash stocks in all locations across the country.

“Accordingly, branches of the CBN across the country have been directed to continue to issue different denominations of old and redesigned banknotes in adequate quantities to deposit money banks (DMBs) for onward circulation to bank customers,” it added.

While the apex bank has yet to start canvassing for the gradual return of the old notes to the banks, with barely 51 days left, the official statement suggests that it might not go ahead with phasing out the old naira notes by the December 31 deadline.

A recent report by BusinessDay unanimously quoted a CBN’s senior official that there is no need to worry about the December deadline.

According to the official, Nigerians should continue to accept and spend the old and new notes as phasing the former out would be gradual to avoid causing additional hardships for the masses.

Nigeria launches e-CRVS, geospatial data repository

Mustapha USMAN
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Nigeria launches e-CRVS, geospatial data repository

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (e-CRVS), alongside the National Geospatial Data Repository and the National Coordination Committee on CRVS.

The launch was conducted in partnership with the National Population Commission (NPC), United Nations Population Fund (UNICEF), and Barnksforte Technologies Limited at the State House on Wednesday, November 8.

Tinubu emphasised that the launch signified another important stride in his administration’s commitment to producing precise and dependable demographic data in Nigeria, adding that it would improve the ability of the federal agencies to generate vital statistics.

According to him, the CRVS system is the fundamental cornerstone of an identity ecosystem that will enhance service delivery, care, and information for Nigerians.

It is set to become a crucial source of identity data across federal agencies, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), and other security organisations.

While pledging support for the NPC to conduct the planned national population census exercise, Tinubu said the nation’s population should be its greatest asset.

The President further urged government ministries, departments, and agencies to cooperate more in providing adequate data needed for planning and appealed to development partners for their support.

Tinubu hoped that the current drive to reposition the vital registration system would provide the basis for the complete attainment of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets by the country with respect to real-time identity management and population data.

“For me, at this time, the commission has made substantial progress in its quest to deliver the first digital population and housing census. It is my hope that the result of the census will provide the nation with much-needed data for development planning and the enthronement of good governance.”

He further called on the NPC to deploy its cutting-edge technology, especially the geospatial data collected through the enumeration area, and demarcation in implementing the -CRVS.

“Collecting accurate and reliable information on the size distribution, composition, and characteristics of the population is an essential governance activity which is also consistent with our renewed hope agenda.

“The commission will, therefore, be supported in the conduct of this next census,” he added.

Similarly, a statement by UNICEF today said the launch marked a decisive step toward enhancing Nigeria’s civil registration and vital statistics system, underpinning the nation’s commitment to achieving SDGs 16.9.2 for legal identity for all.

Speaking at the launch, the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, expressed delight over the development, noting that the “digitizing civil registration in Nigeria transcends technology; it’s a pledge to future generations.” 

According to her, every child’s existence will be acknowledged, marking a new era where every significant life event informs the nation’s development.

The statement added that the initiative aligned with the United Nations Legal Identity Agenda and the African Ministers’ Conference resolutions in Addis Ababa, advocating for a technological shift in data generation. 

Earlier, in his remark, the NPC chairman, Nasir Kwarra, said the event was to emphasize the current government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capturing, collation, and processing.

“The aim of this high-level event is to emphasize the commitment of the current government and leadership to strengthen civil registration data capturing, collation, processing, dissemination, and timely access to vital statistics in the country.

“It is to accelerate the improved civil registration and vital statistics systems in Nigeria over a period of ten years, from 2023 to 2030, in a bid to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG):16.9.2 – legal identity for all, including birth registration”.

Court grants former CBN governor, Emefiele bail

Bankole ABE
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Court grants former CBN governor, Emefiele bail

A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, bail.

The judge, Olukayode Adeniyi, ordered that Emefiele be released immediately to his lawyers, who will need to bring him into court for his arraignment the following week or on any other day.

“Detention without trial must end,” the judge declared, emphasising that the decision was reached due to the Economic and Financial and Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) defiance of a November 2 court order.

Additionally, the court decided that Emefiele could not be detained due to the Federal Government’s claim that he would be charged with a new offence on November 15.

It determined that the claim was speculative since no evidence supported the idea that the scheduled arraignment would proceed as planned.

Furthermore, the court took note of the inconsistent dates on a remand order that the Federal Government’s attorney had presented to it and signed by an Abuja chief magistrate.

According to Adeniyi, while awaiting his arraignment, the former CBN chief was told to deposit his travel documents with the chief registrar of the court.

The judge ruled that incarceration without charge or trial must end.

According to the court, the Federal Government and the Attorney-General of the Federation are to obey the court’s ruling, stressing it would not ignore the fact that the defendant has been detained for 151 days.

The hearings on the substantive motion on notice and the preliminary objection were postponed to November 17, 2023.

The ICIR reported that the EFCC, on Monday, November 6, failed to produce Emefiele in court for the hearing of his motion on fundamental rights enforcement.

The action violates Adeniyi’s directive to the anti-graft agency to either present the former CBN governor in person for the hearing of a request on his bail or release him unconditionally.

This came days after the State Security Service (SSS) released him in October, and the EFCC later arrested him.

The court adjourned till Wednesday, November 8, to hear Emefiele’s application on notice and gave his lawyers time to provide more documentation.

Additionally, the judge reiterated his directive from November 2, calling for Emefiele’s unconditional release.

Emefiele, detained since June 9, filed a request with the court to uphold his fundamental human rights.

In addition to pleading for his quick release from EFCC custody, he is asking the court to grant him N5 million in damages.

A High Court in Abuja on July 14 nullified the arrest, detention, and interrogation of Emefiele by the SSS.

The court, presided by Bello Kawu, ordered his release and described his arrest and detention as illegal.

The court also granted an injunction restraining the security agencies, particularly the SSS, from interfering with his liberty and freedom of movement or taking other steps against him.

The judgment came barely 24 hours after another High Court in Abuja had ordered the release of the suspended CBN governor.

The ICIR had reported that the Abuja High Court ordered the SSS to file charges against Emefiele or release him within one week.

The ICIR reported that the SSS confirmed the arrest of the former apex bank governor, whom President Bola Tinubu suspended on June 9.

Tinubu signs N2.17trn supplementary budget into law

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu signs N2.17trn supplementary budget into law

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has signed the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budget, recently passed by the National Assembly, into law.

Tinubu assented to the supplementary appropriation bill at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, November 8, with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, in attendance.

Others at the brief event include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji.

The supplementary budget, reviewed and approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, aims to finance projects related to National Defence and Security and those in the offices of the President and the First Lady.

On Tuesday, November 2, The ICIR reported that the Senate passed the N2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary appropriation bill amid controversies surrounding its allocations.

The passage followed the adoption of the report of the harmonised sittings of the Senate and House of Representatives on the bill as submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Solomon Adeola.

Adeola had presented the committee’s report, which was adopted and debated before lAkpabio put it to voice vote, and senators across party lines voted in favour.

The supplementary appropriation bill successfully underwent the first and second readings in both chambers of the National Assembly during the legislative session on Tuesday, October 31.

The lawmakers, while passing the bill, identified the need to enhance the critical needs of the people and subsequently referred it to the Committee of Supply for consideration.

Although there were sections of the budget breakdown that Nigerians labelled as ‘misappropriation of funds,’ the House of Representatives said it had only scrapped the N5 billion appropriated in the budget for a presidential yacht.

Addressing journalists after the Senate passed the budget, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi, explained that the lawmakers considered public interest in scrapping the provision for the yacht and transferring the sum to add to the 5.5 billion naira student loan.

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