The Benue State Government led by Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has announced the successful clearance of the outstanding 35 months of Earned Allowances and Earned Academic Allowances for staff at Benue State University, (BSU), Makurdi.

A statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday said that varsity workers’ struggle for Earned Allowances and Earned Academic Allowances had a history dating back to 2010, when an agreement was reached for commencement of implementation.

It said successive administrations did their best but the matter lingered for long with a series of industrial actions, until Governor Hyacinth Alia recently intervened.

According to the statement, “This notable accomplishment reflects the Governor’s unwavering commitment to fostering the quality of education and ensuring that our educators are adequately remunerated for their inestimable contributions.

“The Earned Allowances vary based on the length of employment, recognizing the diverse tenures of our lecturers.”

It explained that while some have been with the university since the commencement of the contract, others joined the institution after the arrangement was established.

“We recognize that not every lecturer received the same amount, but the administration is committed to making sure all educators receive their due endowment.

“Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia’s vision for quality education in Benue State is steadfast.

“By prioritizing the welfare of our educators, we are enhancing a society where they can focus totally on delivering the best educational experience to our students. This action is among a broader strategy to redefine governance and enhance the educational landscape in our state.

“We fervently invite all stakeholders, parents, community leaders, educational bodies, and the public to support the governor’s unwavering energies to redeem and redefine Benue State.

“Together, we can reconstruct a hearty educational system that properly certifies both our lecturers and students to deliver. This way, we have worked towards a brighter tomorrow for our state and its populace,” the statement said.

The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, said Nigeria needs to invest $20 billion annually to achieve its economic targets by 2030.

Edun disclosed this on Friday during the Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement on the Implementation of Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, held in Abuja.

Edun stressed the urgency of the investment, noting its role in driving economic growth and facilitating infrastructural development.

According to him, an additional $20 billion per year is required to grow the economy by an average of 6.3 percent in the medium term.

“We need significantly more growth,” Edun stated. “An additional $20 billion is the target we need for social infrastructure to facilitate logistics for agriculture.”

This comes as President Bola Tinubu in 2023 announced a $1 trillion gross domestic product, GDP target by 2030.

In 2023, Nigeria’s economy stood at $363 billion. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS puts GDP for the first three quarters of 2024 at $134 billion. In line with the data by NBS, Nigeria needs to add at least $866 billion between October 2024 and December 2030. This equates to increasing GDP size by 7.5 times within six years. This means the $134 billion GDP figure in 2023 must increase by 8.4 per cent by 2024, reaching approximately $145 billion.

A State High Court has ordered the restoration of the suspended local council chairmen in Edo State.

The court, presided by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, issued the order on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Justice Ikponmwonba gave the order while ruling on a suit filed by the embattled 18 council chairmen and the Edo State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON.

The defendants are the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, Deputy Governor, the Attorney-General of Edo State, the Accountant-General of Edo State and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The judge granted the claimants/applicants prayers by restraining the defendants from acting on the resolution of the Edo State House of Assembly suspending the claimants.

The court also ordered that the status quo as at December 12, 2024 be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on December 12, 2024.

The judge adjourned the suit to February 17, 2025, for hearing and ordered that a hearing notice be issued and served on the defendants.

Gatekeeper reported that the Edo State House of Assembly had suspended the 18 LG chairmen and their deputies over alleged misconduct and insubordination.

The lawmakers took the decision following a petition filed against the LG chairmen by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Okpebholo had in the petition, accused the local council bosses of insubordination for failing to submit their LGAs’ financial statements to him.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had faulted the suspension of the LG chairmen, describing it as unconstitutional.