FG commences construction of Kaduna-Kano rail Agency Reporter

In a bid to link the country through rail, President Muhammadu Buhari will do the ground breaking of the Kaduna-Kano standard gauge by Thursday. Dr Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. Read Also: Why PH-Maiduguri, Kano-Maradi rail projects are stalled, by Amaechi The statement by Eric Orjiekwe, Director, Press and Public Relations, said the event would be at Zawaciki, Dawaki Local Government Areas, Kano at 10.a.m. According to her, the project will further boost the president ‘s programme of linking the country through rail in order to enhance economic growth of the Nation. She added that major stakeholders in the transport sector have been invited for the occasion.

‘Nigerians in Positions of Authority Fail to Realise They are in Those Positions to Serve’ by Nseobong Okon-Ekong

Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a conversation with Mr. Joko Okupe, the Main Source of Mindshift; a new movement set to evangelise and educate Nigerians to change their mindset from ‘me’ to ‘we’ Can you point to a few examples of awkward ways the mind of an average Nigerian works? I believe that a major root cause of our problem as a nation is our unprogressive mindset as Individuals, as a society and as a nation. A mindset is a set of beliefs or a way of thinking that determines one’s behavior, outlook, and mental attitude. As we all know, mindsets influence the way we think, the way we do things and ultimately, our behaviour. Our wrong mindsets have brought about wrong orientation, eroded value system and a thwarted worldview of ourselves and issues. The way we have become, or should I say, the way we have made ourselves, due to our wrong mindsets, has been coined “the Nigerian factor”; a horrible phenomenon, which has given a shameful image of Nigerians as a people and Nigeria as a country, with the rest of the world. In as much as there are many Nigerians doing great things the world over, these negative mindsets and the attendant outcomes seem to drown the goodness of the country and accentuate the ugly sides. There are many negative mindsets of Nigerians across all social divides, rich, poor, educated, illiterate, young or old. If we are to catalogue the mindsets of Nigerians, it can be the subject of a whole book. This is because wrong mindsets permeate almost every sphere of our lives. Be it in the family or home front, in business, in education, in relationships, just in about everything we do. Because these mindsets are majorly anti-progress, we can see indications of continuous underdevelopment all around us as visibly manifested in increasingly worsening governance, leadership standards. We now have more persons of low substance, who lack vision and purpose finding their way to positions of leadership. What about our increasing culture of wastefulness, high level of poverty, and the list can go on and on. I’ll go on to highlight a few major mindsets that influence the behavior of Nigerians at all levels. The first one I’ll like to talk about is what I call “short-cut mindset”. Most Nigerians believe in the short cut method to success. This makes our people shun hard work, merit and all similar positive values. Unfortunately, this mindset is further strengthened by the explosion of seemingly successful people, who achieved the so-called success by taking the short cut route. This mindset fuels laziness, lethargy, immorality, exam malpractices, forgery of results/certificates, stealing, embezzlement, fraud, corruption, get-rich-quick syndrome, amongst others, and it destroys the fabric of society. It makes people want to cut corners wherever and whenever possible. People now want money without working for it; want certificates without studying hard, some even want the certificates without seating for exams; politicians want to win elections without the required hard work; employees want promotion without meriting it, etc. Worse still, some of our cultural values seem to support this mindset. One may believe that this mindset is pervasive among the low-income group of society, who are desperate for survival, but it’s not so. Experience and observation indicate that the attitude that stems from this mindset, cuts across all strata of society. Otherwise, what can we make of an executive, who already earns six figures who cuts corners to get promotion? Or a top-grade contractor who bribes a Procurement Manager to secure a juicy contract? Can we say these categories of people are desperate to survive? Definitely not! The gains people derive from the initial experience, fuels greed and increases its propensity. It’s like the act of gambling, which in itself, is a short cut. Once you win a jackpot, it lures you to want to keep trying. This mindset promotes the ideology of “the end justifies the means” and spells disaster for the entire society. When some of our people exhibit this mindset in sane societies outside of the shores of Nigeria, they get into trouble big time and give the country a bad image. We see this “short cut” mindset at work everywhere. Another one is the “National cake mindset”, where Nigerians perceive appointments or opportunities to serve or represent their people, as their own chance or time to have their own “share of the national cake”. One wonders where the mentality behind the concept of “Juicy Ministries” or “Juicy Appointments” comes from. Many complain when people from their tribes, their relatives, or their associates are not appointed into “Juicy Ministries or Departments”. This mindset traverses both the rivate and public sectors and is closely linked with the tribalism mindset. The third mindset I’ll like to talk about is the “Merit does not matter” mindset. In this case, choices of appointments, job placements, asset acquisition, contracts awards and any other decision are not based on merit, but on other variables and sentiments, which sometimes may include tribal, religious or family ties. What do we get? Mediocrity, in high and low places. We see mediocrity all around us. Square pegs are put in round holes in both public and private sectors. Excellence is sacrificed whenever you shun merit and you promote mediocrity. When mediocrity is enthroned, the house falls. This is very obvious in the Nigerian situation. A well -functioning Public Service is a catalyst for the development and growth of any nation. When public officers are appointed on any other basis other than ability, competence and capability, we all get messed up. In some countries of the world, only the best in education, qualifications and competence get recruited into the public service and enrolment is through open examinations, strict review, competition on equal opportunity and merit-based selection. Promotion is a rigorous exercise based on performance. In those countries, for anyone to serve in public positions, such must be first class brain. Nothing less. What do we have in Nigeria? It is obvious. recruitment, retention and promotion are based on the “Nigerian factor”, therefore, such institutions cannot function as they ought to. If we are serious about development, we need well- functioning public institutions that run on merit and excellence to drive the process of implementation of policies. When merit is relegated in the process of recruitment in such institutions, then the future is bleak and development is just a mirage. The entire concept of the type of “Quota System” we practice and the method of implementation needs to be reviewed and overhauled, if we are to make any serious progress. It sacrifices merit and promotes the culture of mediocrity. Should it matter where capacity is available? The last one I’ll like to talk about is “You’re under me” or “I’m your master” mindset of the leaders. This mindset makes most Nigerians in positions of power, authority or leadership, power-drunk. They fail to realise that they are in those positions to serve people. Rather, they believe they are above the followers and these followers are under them to be oppressed and trampled upon. Leadership across board have this wrong mindset, especially the political leaders. They see the citizens as subservient to them and as people they should push around. They actually see themselves as “Lords and Masters” over the citizens. What do you think influences the thoughts of the average Nigerian on issues concerning the country? Is it religion, ethnicity or personal welfare? It is all of the things you have mentioned. But the issue is not really those things you mentioned, rather, how the average Nigerian mindset works – in relation to ethnicity, religion, or personal welfare. It’s just greed and self-centeredness. If he thinks about ethnicity, or religion, it is on how it benefits him and how it improves his lot. It is about ‘Self.’ Although there are some exceptions, there are still Nigerians who are selfless, but the majority are self-centered, and this drives their everyday lives, and everything about them – whether in government or in other spheres of life. When Nigerians talk about religion it is not in respect to spirituality and service to God. It is as it can be a tool to foster self-interest, mislead, manipulate and oppress others. Our religious leaders are also guilty of this self-centeredness. Just watch their lifestyles against the standard of living of their followers. It all says the same thing. Except for a few of them who are truly focused on serving God and humanity, others are just using the platforms to enrich themselves and their families. This is the situation in all our spheres of life. What do you think assures peace to the average Nigerian – money, position or power? The average Nigerian wants to be an oppressor – whether he’s a gateman or a managing director – he wants to be an oppressor. For him, it is all the above – money, position, and power. He is not thinking of general peace but his own peace and security. He wants to lord it over the next man. So, you go to a place where a gateman unilaterally begins to decide who goes in and who comes out. He sets the rules and does what he likes. You get to such a place to see his boss and he tells you; “sorry, sorry. He’s not available”. You cannot see him”. And you can’t reach him to know whether he’s available or not. And right there in your very own eyes, somebody else comes and asks for the same person and the gateman will open the door and let them in. This oppressor mentality in Nigeria cuts across every class. When some people do not have access to money, position or power, these traits are subdued in them. Once they have access to power, money or position, like when a driver becomes the ‘Chief Driver’, you will see a different animal. This is not supposed to be the case, but that is the case, with very few exceptions. What do you wish Nigerians to understand about themselves that you think they currently don’t? I would appreciate Nigerians to know that they are gifted and resourceful. They need to know that they do not need excess wealth, position, or power to live the good life. They need to know that contentment is the juice of life – that they should be content with what they have, and also to be joyful in the process. For the leaders or those that occupy political positions, they need to know that the production and equitable distribution of public goods for the common good is the essence of politics and leadership. Political office holders need to know that they are in those positions to serve the citizens. Nigerians should hold one another up for the development of the country. In Mindshift we are set to evangelise and educate Nigerians to change their mindset from ‘me’ to ‘we.’ We should meditate on our national anthem and pledge and internalize the ideals to direct our actions. What is the most negative experience you have had as a Nigerian? Also state your most positive experience Those doing the terrible thigs that give this country a bad image do not realise how much damage they are doing to the rest of us, and how terrible their deed and action hurt others. In 2004 or so, I applied to join the Design Management Institute, the frontline institute for Design Education in the world. I was to attend an Annual Conference of the Institute but the Institute refused to give me a letter of invitation, because according to them, they had previously over some years given similar letters to quite a number of Nigerians, who were granted visas, came into the country and never attended the conferences. Worse, still, they flouted Immigration regulations by coming in and overstaying. It took the President then, to stick his neck to sign the letter. When they saw me at the conference, they were surprised and embarrassed. They kept apologizing to me all the way. Interestingly, one of the most positive experiences was also attached to this event. A couple of days after the conference, the President invited me out for lunch at a very exclusive and expensive restaurant in Boston to commend my conduct, contrary to their experience. I was quick to tell him, that there are millions of honest and credible Nigerians. It was quite elating that I was able to change that image. Tell us about Nigeria’s most vivid failure as a nation? Lack of elite leadership. The political elite with the support of the other segments of the elite class are supposed to be the leading light of the society, or the Nigerian nation in every ramification – cultural, political, economic, spiritual, and otherwise. What gives any one the right to lead others? You lead because it is expected that you know better than the people you are leading. The elites unfortunately are responsible for many of Nigeria’s problems. Each elite has a long list of contacts for different needs, which they utilize majorly to by-pass the law and for personal advantage. The primary responsibility of leadership is to lead the people – to protect their lives and to take care of their wellbeing. The Nigerian nation has failed in this. Our failure manifests most in our lip service to our national symbols. There are not many national anthems in the world that have the richness and the value system that the Nigerian National Anthem has, but what have we made of it? Does it really mean anything to us as a people? Does it really mean anything to those in authority? Does it mean anything to those in positions of leadership? If only they can lead by example what we utter and recite every day. We need to transmit those words of our Anthem and Pledge from our mouths to our minds and hearts and begin to live and express those virtues and values in them. Perhaps, then, we may begin to have some light at the end of the tunnel. Leadership means a lot and to some school of thought, leadership means everything. If you take to lead by example, some people will begin to follow. Again, part of politics is the resolution of conflicting interests amongst the people, and the various groups in the society. But, right now, there are various issues bedeviling the nation to the point that some people are agitating for one thing or the other. This has heightened insecurity and increased poverty in the land. So, the inability of the political elites to resolve these issues constitutes failure of politics, and by implication failure of the nation. However, Nigeria is a resilient country. What pushed to you to play this role of instigating Mindshift among Nigerians? We murmur and complain a lot in Nigeria, without taking any action. We live under so many illusions. We blame every other person for our woes and misfortunes, but ourselves. We are masters at the blame game. We blame our colonial masters. We blame foreign powers. We blame our past leaders. We blame our ancestors. I believe it’s about time we stopped the blame game and take action. We need to face the brutal facts of our situation and address our collapsed value system and deal with our wrong mindsets, individually and collectively, instead of continuing the finger pointing game and take action. We need to realise that no one can help to solve our problems if we don’t solve them ourselves. I decided to take the path of taking some action. QUOTE I would appreciate Nigerians to know that they are gifted and resourceful. They need to know that they do not need excess wealth, position, or power to live the good life. They need to know that contentment is the juice of life – that they should be content with what they have, and also to be joyful in the process. For the leaders or those that occupy political positions, they need to know that the production and equitable distribution of public goods for the common good is the essence of politics and leadership. Political office holders need to know that they are in those positions to serve the citizens. Nigerians should hold one another up for the development of the country

NAF Fighter Jets Neutralise 120 Bandits In Zamfara Forest by Chris

At least 120 armed bandits were eliminated in multiple airstrikes executed by the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) fighter jets at Sububu Forest in Zamfara State. According to PRNigeria, the airstrikes were executed on Monday, after some locals alerted security personnel on the arrival and movements of a large number of bandits within Sububu axis. An intelligence operative told PRNigeria that a reconnaissance aircraft was deployed for spotting, collection of imagery and observation of the bandits before precision airstrikes were carried out on the targets. “Following an intelligence, on 12 July 2021, that groups of bandits were amassing around SUBUBU, JAJANI and DAMMAKA, a reconnaissance aircraft was dispatched to recce the area for confirmation before carrying out the airstrikes. “Accordingly, the A-Jet conducted air recce over the said locations and observed several bandits arriving in droves and taking cover over large trees at the southwestern part of SUBUBU settlement. These targets were subsequently engaged and hit. “The few surviving bandits were seen fleeing the area. It is estimated that over 125 bandits were neutralized in the attack based on the information we received from our sources around the area,” he said. When contacted by PRNigeria, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the multiple airstrikes on the hideouts of the bandits, and the destruction of their motorcycles. He, however, did not give further details on the human casualties recorded. Commodore Gabkwet only specified that the military carried out “the precision airstrikes on the armed bandits after an intelligence and identification of the locations to avoid collateral damages.” Nigerian troops under Operation Hadarin Daji, comprising operatives of the Nigerian military, security and intelligence services are jointly involved in the fight against bandits in North-West.

Senate Passes Bill To Establish Electoral Offences Commission by Bode Gbadebo

* Okays 20-yr jail term for candidates caught snatching ballot materials The Senate on Tuesday passed a Bill seeking to establish the Electoral Offences Commission. The passage of the Bill followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), in his presentation, said the Bill became imperative in view of INEC’s inability to prosecute electoral offenders in accordance with the provisions of a section 149 and 150(2) of the Electoral Act (as Amended). “By the foregoing statistics, it is unrealistic to expect INEC to conduct free, fair and credible election and simultaneously prosecute Offences arising from the same elections. “Indeed, INEC has at several occasions admitted that it lacks the wherewithal to cleanse the system. “Its failure to prosecute even one percent 870,000 and over 900,000 alleged electoral Offences in 2011 and 2015 general elections respectively is an affirmation of the necessity for a paradigm shift on how we deal with electoral offences”, the lawmaker said. According to him, as a result of electoral flaws in the system, the Justice Uwais Electoral Committee; Sheik Nurudeen Lemu Committee; and Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee were constituted. He recalled that the Committees in their final reports recommended that for INEC to function efficiently, some of the functions currently performed by it should be assigned to other agencies. Accordingly, the Senate during consideration of the INEC Committee report, approved the establishment of the National Electoral Offences Commission. The Commission’s membership consists of the Chairman, Secretary and representatives from the Justice, Interior, Defence, and Information Ministries. The function of the Commission includes investigating electoral Offences created in any laws relating to elections in Nigeria; prosecution of electoral offenders; and maintaining records of all persons investigated and prosecuted. Others are to liaise with the Attorney-General of the Federation and government security and law enforcement bodies and agencies in the discharge of its duties; liaise with other bodies within and outside Nigeria involved in the investigation or prosecution of electoral Offences; and adopting measures to prevent, minimize and eradicate electoral Offences throughout the federation. The Senate in Clause 12 of the bill approved at least five years imprisonment or a fine of at least N10 million naira or both, for any officer or executives of any association or political party that engages in electoral fraud that contravenes the provisions of clauses 221, 225(1)(2)(3) and (4) and 227 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The upper chamber adopted the Committee’s recommendation of fifteen years imprisonment for any person involved ballot box snatching, supplying voter’s card to persons without due authority, unauthorized printing of voters’ register, illegal printing of ballot paper or electoral document, and importation of any device or mechanism by which ballot paper or results of elections may be extracted, affected or manipulated, and voting at an election when he is not entitled to vote. It also approved ten years imprisonment for any person who sells voter’s card, or in possession of any voter’s card bearing the name of another person, or prepares and prints a document or paper purporting to be a register of voters or a voter’s card. The Senate also gave its nod to a term of at least ten years upon conviction for any election official who willfully prevents any person from voting at the polling station, willfully rejects or refuses to count any ballot paper validly cast, willfully counts any ballot paper not validly cast, gives false evidence or withholds evidence, and announces or declares a false result at an election. The upper chamber in Clause 20(2) approved at least fifteen years imprisonment for any judicial officer or officer of a court or tribunal who corruptly perverts electoral justice, during or after an election. It also gave at least fifteen years jail term or N30 million naira fine for any security personnel or election official engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission or State Electoral Commission who attempts to influence the outcome of an election. In addition, any person found to disturb the public peace on Election Day by playing musical instruments, singing or holding an assembly where a polling station is located shall be guilty of breaching electoral peace and liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of at least N100,000 or both. Also, any person acting for himself or on behalf of any organization or political party or candidate or his agent with the intention of prejudicing the result of an election, damage or defame, in any manner, the character of any candidate in an election or his family member by making, saying, printing, airing or publishing in the print or electronic media false accusation on any matter shall be guilty of serious corrupt practice and liable on conviction to a term of at least ten years or a fine of ten million naira or both. Any person soliciting or giving votes for or against any political party or candidate at an election, or found to affix campaign materials on any private house, public buildings or structures, or prints posters and banners without the name and address of the political party to which the candidate or person belongs contravenes sub-clause (1) to (5) and guilty of an offence and liable to at least five years or a fine of at least ten million naira, or both. The National Electoral Offences Commission Bill, 2021, prohibits any campaign against national interest. It provides a twenty years jail term without option of fine for any person who propagates information that undermines the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, or unity of the federation. Also, any candidate or agent who damages or snatches ballot boxes, ballot papers or election materials before, during and after an election without the permission of election official in charge of the polling station attracts at least twenty years imprisonment or a fine of at least forty million naira. The Senate approved at least fifteen years imprisonment for any person who conveys voters to and from the poll; and three years imprisonment for any employee who directly or indirectly exerts undue influence on a voter in his employ. The upper chamber approved three years and not more than five years imprisonment for any person who provide false information in any material particular to a public officer. It also gave the nod for at least ten years imprisonment or at least twenty million naira fine or both for any person who uses hate speech to stir up ethnic, religious or racial hatred, social or political insecurity or violence against anyone or group of persons.

Abducted Bethel student, two others rescued in Kaduna Godwin Isenyo

Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have rescued three kidnapped victims, including one of the 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna State. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said this in a statement in Kaduna on Tuesday. Jalige said the rescue took place on Monday about 3pm, saying a combined team of the police and Civilian Joint Task Force were combing the forest when they stumbled on the three kidnapped victims. The statement gave the names of the victims as Zaharaddeen Ibrahim, Nura Nuhu that were kidnapped recently along Kaduna – Kachia Road and Abraham Aniya one of the students of Bethel Baptist Secondary School. The statement said, “The Kaduna Police Command’s mission to rescue all kidnap victims through intelligence-led Policing and rigorous patrol had yesterday yielded a positive result with the rescue of three victims to safety. “On the 12th July, 2021 at about 1540hrs the Operatives of the Command alongside Civilian JTF on routine rescue patrol around the forest of Tsohon Gaya village of Chikun LGA of Kaduna State stumbled on three kidnapped victims roaming the bush extremely exhausted and weak. “The victims were safely evacuated and rushed to Police Clinic Kaduna were they are currently being resuscitated and will subsequently be handed over to their immediate families. “During the course of investigation, the three (3) victims were identified as Zaharaddeen Ibrahim, Nura Nuhu that were kidnapped recently along Kaduna – Kachia Road and Abraham Aniya one of the students of Bethel Baptist Secondary School, Kujama that were kidnapped the previous week.” The police spokesman said the force won’t relent efforts in ensuring that more kidnapped victims were rescued within the shortest possible time.

BREAKING: Imo govt seals Rochas Foundation College in Owerri by Chidiebube Okeoma

The Imo State Government on Tuesday sealed Rochas Foundation College, Orji, in Owerri, the state capital. Government officials arrived at the location which is the old quarters of the staff of Imo Broadcasting Corporation and sealed it. Our correspondent, who visited the scene, saw that the massive property had been taken over by the state government. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Print Media, Modestus Nwamkpa, who confirmed the development, said that the governor, Hope Uzodinma, was committed to recovering properties of the state allegedly “looted by Okorocha and his family members”. Nwamkpa said that the governor was implementing the recommendations of various White Papers by committees set up by the state government. When asked, the governor’s aide told The PUNCH that the seal off “is true”, adding that “Governor Hope Uzodinma is committed to recovering all the properties of the state stolen. This is not a personal war it is just the implementation of the recommendations of the whitepapers of the various committees set up the government.” But Okorocha’s spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, when contacted said that Uzodinma was jolted by Okorocha’s enormous political capacity. Okorocha’s aide said, “This is the fourth time Imo State Government has announced that they are sealing that place. EFCC had also announced that they had sealed it but the truth is that Uzodinma should wake up. There is hunger in the state. “This is just the renewal of his war against Okorocha after Okorocha and other strong APC chieftains in Imo State visited APC National Secretariat. Each time Uzodinma realises that the people are not happy with his style of governance, he using Okorocha’s name to distract the people but the truth is poverty and hunger pervade the atmosphere. He should be humble enough to consult Okorocha on how to govern the state."

Nigerian govt moves to control media, allocates N4.8bn to monitor WhatsApp, phone calls

A total of N4.8 billion was allocated to NIA to monitor in the 2021 Supplementary Budget approved by the National Assembly last week. ByQueenEsther Iroanusi July 12, 2021 3 min read A total of N4.8 (4,870,350,000) billion has been allocated to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to monitor WhatsApp messages, phone calls, text messages, among others. Of the figure, N1.93 billion was earmarked for “WhatsApp Intercept Solution” and N2.93 billion for “Thuraya Interception Solution” – a communications system used for monitoring voice calls or call-related information, SMS, data traffic, among others. This was contained in the supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly last Wednesday. The lawmakers had approved and passed a supplementary budget of N982 billion (982,729,695,343) for the 2021 fiscal year, against the N895 billion proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari – indicating an increase of about N87 billion. While N123.3 billion was fixed for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, N895 billion was earmarked for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2021, Another N45 billion was approved for foreign aid/loans. This budgetary allocation comes amidst several attempts by the federal government to limit freedom of expression in the country – an act many have described as a means to gag the media. It comes barely a month after the federal government suspended the operation of Twitter in the country on June 4. Besides, the National Assembly, particularly lawmakers at the House of Representatives, are in the process of amending several media bills with the aim of “regulating the media.” Some of these bills include the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act and the Press Council Act. The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had in June asked the House of Representatives to include internet broadcasting under the control of the NBC. He said all online and internet broadcasting entities should be included in section two (c) of the bill – which gives powers to the NBC to “receive, process and consider applications for the establishment, ownership of radio and television stations including…….” “I want to add that internet broadcasting and all online media should be included in the bill,” Mr Mohammed said at a public hearing. Similar proposals are contained in the Press Council Amendment bill. And the bills, if passed with the recommendation of Mr Mohammed, online media entities will have to get approval from the NBC before operating. Many have opposed and rejected the proposed amendments, describing the prescriptions as draconian, ill-advised and an attempt to gag the media on all fronts. In protest of the proposed amendments, major newspapers on Monday, published the same headlines calling on the National Assembly to halt the amendments. It was sponsored by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Nigerian Guild of Editors and Newspapers’ Proprietors Association of Nigeria. “Information Blackout: This is what the National Assembly wants to achieve with the NPC and NBC (media) amendment bills,” read the front pages of papers like Punch, Vanguard, the Nation, Daily Sun and the Guardian. There were also previous attempts to control the social media space via bills introduced by two Niger senators at the Senate. More details of the budget In the supplementary budget seen by PREMIUM TIMES, N11.48 billion was also allocated to the Defence Headquarters for the purchase of ammunition and another N15.8 billion for the purchase of vehicles and generators. While the Nigerian Army headquarters got N37.6 billion for ammunition, N14.8 billion for arms and N 48.6 billion for “vehicle requirement.” Another N96.5 billion was given to the agency for “payment for purchase of defence equipment”. The equipment was, however, not clearly stated. In the same vein, the Nigerian Navy was given N36.5 billion for “arms and ammo requirement” and N140.7 billion was allocated to the Nigerian Air Force for “additional aircraft requirement.” Under the budget of the Department of State Security, a total of N6.5 billion was earmarked for the construction of multipurpose gatehouses and installation of integrated security systems of the National Assembly. While N1 billion was approved for constitution review, N6.7 billion has been allocated for procurement and installation of new oxygen plants nationwide and repairs of oxygen plants in hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory. The federal government had said the budget is specifically meant to enhance the capacity of the military and paramilitary agencies to tackle the various security challenges in the country. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, admonished relevant committees of the upper legislative chamber to carry out oversight and ensure that the funds are properly utilised.