Unending Controversies Surround Lawmakers’ Jumbo Pay

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August 17, 2024

The remuneration of Nigerian lawmakers has long been a contentious issue, sparking debates across the country and beyond.

Despite Nigeria’s status as a developing nation grappling with significant socio-economic challenges, its lawmakers have been rated as being among the highest-paid in the world.

This disparity has led to widespread criticism and accusations of insensitivity and corruption, as the gap between the political elite and the average Nigerian continues to widen.

Nigeria operates a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The 469 lawmakers—109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members—are tasked with creating laws, representing their constituencies, and performing oversight functions.

However, over the years, the focus has increasingly shifted from their legislative duties to the massive financial rewards associated with their positions.

The secrecy surrounding the earnings of the lawmakers has continued to fuel public outcry and condemnation.

n the eighth Assembly, the controversy was stirred by Senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna Central, who publicly disclosed that each senator collects a monthly running cost of N13.5 million in addition to the monthly N750,000 prescribed by the commission.

The remuneration package for Nigerian lawmakers is composed of several components, including basic salary, constituency allowances, furniture allowances, hardship allowances, and other perks.

The basic salary, while substantial, is only a small fraction of the total package.

The allowances, many of which are seen as unnecessary or inflated, make up the bulk of the earnings.

For instance, lawmakers receive a “wardrobe allowance”, despite already having access to substantial funds for their official duties.

The “hardship allowance” has also been particularly contentious, as many Nigerians question what hardships lawmakers face that justify such compensation.

Additionally, the “constituency allowance”, has often been criticised for lack of transparency and accountability, with little to show for the huge sums allocated.

An analysis of the 2024 budget shows that 109 members of the Senate will receive N8.67bn in salaries and allowances, while 360 members in the House of Representatives receive N24.43bn in salaries and allowances.

A breakdown reveals that the annual basic salary of the President of the Senate is N2.48m each year (about N9.92m in four years), while that of the Deputy President is N2.31m yearly (about N9.24m in four years).

Out of the 19 allowances assigned to the Senate President and his deputy, only five were assigned a specific figure.

The disclosed allowances include constituency allowance (250 per cent of the basic annual salary), duty tour allowance (N50,000 per night), estacode ($1,300 per night), recess (10 per cent of the basic annual salary), and severance gratuity (300 per cent of the basic annual salary).

The allowances of the Senate President will amount to about N33.29m, which includes a N6.21m annual constituency allowance, N248,424.25 annual recess allowance, and N7.45m for severance gratuity, which is paid at the end of the tenure.

The allowances of the Deputy Senate President are expected to cost the nation about N30.94m, which includes N5.77m annual constituency allowance, N230,916.70 annual recess allowance, and N6.93m for severance gratuity.

Other senators receive N2.03m as a basic annual salary (a total of N8.12 million in four years) and a total allowance of N72,137,440 for each of them.

The salaries of the 107 senators will cost N868.3m, while their allowances will cost N7.72bn.

In the section for the salaries and allowances of other senators, out of the 20 allowances mentioned, only 15 were disclosed.

Similarly, the Speaker of the House receives an annual salary of N2.48m (about N9.92 million in four years), while the Deputy Speaker receives N2.29m (about N9.16m in four years).

The allowances of the Speaker are about N18.33m, which includes N2.48 million annually for constituency allowance, N247,711 annual recess allowance, and N7.43 million for severance gratuity.

The allowances of the Deputy Speaker were pegged at about N17.16m, which includes N2.29m annually for constituency allowance, N288,703 for recess, and N6.86m for severance gratuity.

Other members of the House of Representatives receive N1.99m each as a basic annual salary (a total of N7.94m in four years), while each receives N58.76m as an allowance.

The salaries of the 358 House of Representatives members will cost N2.84bn, while their allowances are estimated at N21.04bn.

These extravagant earnings have not gone unnoticed by the public and there has been consistent backlash from various quarters, with many Nigerians expressing outrage at the disparity between the earnings of their elected representatives and the average income of citizens.

Last week, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, chided federal lawmakers for fixing their salaries and emoluments during a meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with six members of the House of Representatives led by Ikenga UgoChinyere.

In response to Obasanjo’s claim, the body responsible for allocating the salaries and allowances of lawmakers, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, openly disclosed that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06 million in salary and allowances per month.

RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, clarified that each lawmaker earns N12.72m annually, and the Federal Government spends a total of N1.4bn annually on all senators.

A breakdown of their monthly earnings revealed that each senator collects a monthly salary and allowances totalling N1,063,860, consisting of a basic salary of N168,866.70; motor vehicle fueling and maintenance allowance of N126,650; and personal assistant allowance of N42,216.66.

Other components include domestic staff allowance (N126,650), entertainment allowance (N50,660), utility allowance (N50,660), newspaper/periodical allowance (N25,330), wardrobe allowance (N42,216.66), house maintenance allowance (N8,443.33), and constituency allowance (N422,166.66).

Shehu noted, “The commission also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008, should be explained by the person who made the allegation.

AGN Lifts Suspension On Adanma Luke, Permits Riverine Filming

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Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2024

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The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has lifted the suspension on Adanma Luke, the producer of the ill-fated movie ‘The Other Side of Life’, in which the deceased Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, starred.

The media reported how Junior Pope and four other crew members drowned after their boat capsized at the waterside of River Niger Cable Point, Asaba, Delta State, while returning from the movie (The Other Side of Life) set on 10 April.

Following the incident and tragic deaths, the AGN indefinitely suspended Ms Luke for breaching safety protocols and prohibited its members from working with the embattled producer until further notice.

The guild also banned films involving riverine areas and boat riding to ensure the safety of actors and crew members by preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.

She was pardoned four months after being barred from participating in any film production.

AGN’s National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, revealed this in a statement obtained by newsmen.

The secretary noted that this decision was revealed during the guild’s National Executive Council meeting.

The statement reads, “The National President of the Guild, Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas, MON, use this opportunity to announce the lifting of the suspension placed on Adanma Luke, producer of the movie ‘Another Side of Life,’ where star actor Junior Pope and four other crew members lost their lives in Anam river.”

“The President also lifted the ban on filming in riverine areas but cautioned members to apply all safety standard measures recommended in the AGN Bylaws.”

‘Jagun Jagun’, two Iranian Films Top Nominee List At IIFF

By

Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2024

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The Ibadan International Film Festival (IIFF) organisers have announced the official selections for its third edition, which will take place this September.

With over 3,000 submissions from more than 150 countries, the organisers say the 2024 IIFF promises to be an extraordinary celebration of global cinematic talent, strongly emphasising Nigerian and African storytelling.

This year, Jagun Jagun (The Warrior), a powerful Nigerian feature, leads the nominations with seven nods. It is followed closely by the Iranian film ‘Pregnant’, with five nominations, and ‘Golden Blood’ from Iran, with four.

These nominations, ranging from Nigerian features to Iranian films, reflect the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse voices and narratives from across the globe, promising a rich and varied cinematic experience for the audience.

Usman Blackky Ogunlade, a renowned filmmaker and the Convener of IIFF, expressed his excitement about the calibre of films selected this year.

“The diversity and depth of the films we’ve selected are truly remarkable. Each submission underwent a rigorous screening process, and the final selections are a testament to the global talent in the film industry. We’re particularly proud to see Nigerian films like Jagun Jagun leading the nominations, as it highlights the strength and potential of African cinema on the world stage.”

Festival Director Babatunde Ojobaro, a well-known comedian, actor, and theatre practitioner, spoke on the significance of this year’s festival.

“The 2024 IIFF is not just about showcasing films; it’s about creating a space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration. We have an incredible lineup of panel discussions, workshops, and networking events that will allow filmmakers and attendees to engage with the industry meaningfully. This festival celebrates cinema in all forms, and we’re excited to welcome everyone to Ibadan.”

The Ibadan International Film Festival is a premier event dedicated to celebrating the art of filmmaking in Nigeria and beyond.

It offers a platform for filmmakers worldwide to showcase their work, promoting cultural exchange and elevating African cinema on the global stage.

The festival is committed to recognising a broad spectrum of talent, with categories covering various aspects of filmmaking, from feature films to animation and student projects.

Nigerian Breaks Guinness Record For Most Restaurants Visited In 24 Hours

By

Koko Lawrence

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August 16, 2024

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The Guinness World Records (GWR) has confirmed Nigerian content creator and food consultant Brian Nwana as the new record holder for the most restaurants visited in 24 hours.

The 22-year-old started his attempt on 24 April and set the record on 25 April after visiting 150 restaurants in Abuja.

GWR, on its website on Wednesday, stated that the Abuja-based food consultant smashed the previous record held by American YouTuber Eric Decker, better known as Airrack, who set the record in 2023 after visiting 100 restaurants.

According to GWR, Brian walked over 25 kilometres (15 miles), starting at Chicken Republic in the Gwarinpa residential area and ending at Kilimanjaro, a fast food chain in the city centre.

Furthermore, GWR stated that the content creator began and ended his walk at 5 p.m., taking a nine-hour break from midnight to 9 A.M for sleep.

Additionally, GWR added that the food consultant adhered to all record attempt rules and regulations.

“No forms of private transport can be used while attempting this record, and due to the city’s limited public transportation infrastructure, Brian completed his entire route on foot. To successfully achieve the record, at least one food or drink item must be purchased and consumed at each restaurant, with the requirement that at least 75 per cent of the orders are food.

“Brian says he ate probably enough to last a week and tried to taste something – even a mouthful – from most places he visited. The remaining food was all consumed by his team and members of the public.”

More so, GWR said during the attempt, he (Brain) ate a variety of foods, including shawarma, pizza, fried chicken and burgers, despite his favourite meals being moin moin (bean pudding) and Àmàlà (a dough-like swallow food).

Brain, in a video shared on his Instagram page on 29 March, said he attempted the record to promote Abuja’s food industry.

He said, “You might be wondering why I’m doing this; I’m doing this for three primary reasons. First, I want to put Nigerian foods, more specifically Abuja foods, on the map by showing the country’s different kinds and varieties of food. Secondly, I’m an Abuja-based food content creator and work with many Abuja food businesses, so I have seen how the economy has negatively affected them.

‘I aim to use this opportunity and attempt to promote the food businesses. I also want to use my opportunity to give back to my community. I will do this by collaborating with the spots I visit to give free food to the community members who need it.”

Furthermore, GWR said Brain encouraged global food enthusiasts to explore Nigeria’s culinary scene, noting that his achievement highlighted its potential.

NCS Address Smuggling, Other ills in New Movie ‘Beyond the Badge’

By

Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2024

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The Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) has ventured into the movie industry by producing “BEYOND THE BADGE,” a movie that highlights their fight against smuggling in the country and how it affects their lives as officers beyond their badges and uniforms.

The Nigerian customs service, with its unwavering dedication, has the duty and responsibility to provide adequate clearance of goods crossing the borders and anti-smuggling services in ways that maximise revenue collection and promote trade competitiveness.

They made this public on their X account with a post captioned, “The Nigeria Customs Service debuts “Beyond the Badge,” a blockbuster gripping movie highlighting the bravery and challenges of customs officers in the fight against smuggling.”

The movie tells the story of an undercover officer who infiltrated a gang of notorious kidnappers, which led to the arrest of their kingpin. While cheers were up and high, celebrating his bravery with such daring conquest, the wife of the officer gets kidnapped.

The movie, which also focuses on themes of love, faith, acts of service and dedication, was produced by Agozie Ugwu. It features the likes of Francis Duru and Ray Adeka.

Though there’s no specific release date and whether or not it will be on streaming platforms or in cinema, the trailer has sparked concerns of excitement and anticipation, while some think this a plot to sway Nigerians from the long-seated opinion that the NSC is corrupt.

Miss Universe Nigeria: Chidimma Not Given Preferential Treatment, Underwent Rigorous Screening — Guy Murray-Bruce

By

Koko Lawrence

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August 16, 2024

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Guy Murray-Bruce, president of Silverbird Group and organiser of Miss Universe Nigeria, says Chidimma Adetshina received no special treatment and underwent the same rigorous screening process as all other contestants.

Earlier, it was reported that Adetshina accepted an invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant this August after withdrawing from the Miss South Africa pageant amid several controversies.

While the Miss Universe Nigeria’s invitation is commendable, there have been growing concerns around fairness due to the 23-year-old’s new-found fame vis-à-vis the fate of the already qualified contestants.

Despite the public sympathy and Adetshina’s intimidating fanbase, the organisers insist she will be treated like any other contestant.

Shanty Town: NCC rules in Nworah’s favor, dismisses Ini Edo’s petition

By

Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2024

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The Nigerian Trademark Registry (NTR) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), responsible for trademarks and copyright regulation, respectively, have dismissed actress Ini Edo’s petition over the ownership of the hit Netflix series, ‘Shanty Town’ and ruled in filmmaker Chichi Nworah’s favour.

Edo and Nworah, an acclaimed filmmaker, real name Chinenye Nworah, have been locked in a legal battle over the ownership rights of the hit Netflix series “Shanty Town’ released in January 2023.

Released on 20 January 2023, the six-part crime thriller with its star-studded cast featuring Chidi Mokeme, Ini Edo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sola Sobowale, Nancy Isime, Shaffy Bello, and Ali Nuhu, among others, was a hit.

Edo was credited as executive producer on the film’s IMDb page, while Ms Nworah held the roles of both executive producer and producer.

Ms Nworah’s legal team, Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), in a statement, announced that the NTR and NCC confirmed their client (Nworah) and her production company, Giant Creative Media Limited (GCM), owned the trademarks and copyrights of Shanty Town.

The statement partly read: “In a significant legal victory for filmmaker Chinenye Nworah and her production company GCM Giant Creative Media Limited, both the Nigerian Trademark Registry and the Nigerian Copyright Commission have ruled in their favour. This follows a series of legal battles initiated by Ms Iniobong Edo Ekim (Ini Edo) and Minnie Empire Productions Limited (MEP), who attempted to claim ownership of the trademarks and copyrights associated with ‘Shanty Town’.

“Trademark Dispute: ‘Shanty Town’ and ‘Scar’ belong to Giant Creative Media. The Trademark Registry rejected a petition filed by Ini Edo and MEP regarding trademarks ‘Scar’ NG/TM/O/2023/121745 and ‘Shanty Town’ NG/TM/O/2023/97482 on 10 January 2024, declaring the petition baseless and without merit and confirming Mrs Nworah’s exclusive ownership of these trademarks.”

Chidimma Adetshina Agrees To Compete In Miss Universe Nigeria After SA Rejection

By

Koko Lawrence

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August 16, 2024

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Chidimma Adetshina, the Miss South Africa contestant who recently faced controversy, has confirmed her participation in the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.

The 23-year-old model, whose eligibility for the Miss South Africa competition was questioned due to nationality concerns, withdrew from the competition following an investigation by the South African Ministry of Home Affairs.

The controversy began when Chidimma, who qualified for the round of 16 in the Miss South Africa pageant, faced social media backlash over her nationality.

The debate intensified with calls for her disqualification, leading to an official inquiry into her citizenship.

Born in Soweto, South Africa, Chidimma Adetshina is of Nigerian and Mozambican heritage.
The South African Department of Home Affairs recently alleged that preliminary evidence indicated potential fraud and identity theft by Chidimma’s mother.

In response, Chidimma chose to withdraw from the Miss South Africa final, held on August 10, citing concerns for her family’s safety.

Following her withdrawal, Chidimma was extended an invitation to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.

On Wednesday, she announced her decision to accept the invitation. In a social media post shared by Ben Murray-Bruce, founder of Silverbird Group, Chidimma Adetshina expressed her enthusiasm for participating in what she described as “Africa’s most prestigious” beauty pageant.
“With great excitement, I have decided to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 beauty pageant,” Chidimma stated.
“Now, I understand the expectations and responsibilities that come with this title and I’m so excited to be back on this journey. I just want to say thank you so much for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to participating in Africa’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Universe Nigeria.”

Inkblot film ‘The Betrayed’ earns ₦14.7 million after 1 week in cinemas

By

Emenike Agu

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August 16, 2024

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According to a report published by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) detailing the highest-grossing films at the box office between August 2 to August 8, The Betrayed finished in second place, making ₦14.7 million in its first week of release.

The Zulomoke Oyibo film follows a young woman going through a psychological journey under the thumb of a mysterious figure who suspects her husband of stealing millions from a crime syndicate.

The film, starring Uche Montana, Gabriel Afolayan, Adunni Ade, Ibrahim Suleiman, Jemima Osunde, Vine Olugu, and Stephanie Zibili, was the highest-grossing Nollywood film for the week.

The Hollywood film, Deadpool and Wolverine, starring Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, finished top of the list with ₦127 million this past week. Its total gross in two weeks is ₦354.5 million.

Pastor Emmanuel Iren’s ‘what about us’ grossed ₦9.9 million, placing it in third place. Its total gross since its release on July 12 is about ₦87.5 million.

Despicable Me 4 finished fourth on the list. The American animated comedy film, produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination, and distributed by Universal, has grossed ₦74 million since its release on June 28. This past week, it grossed a total of ₦9.3 million.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die ranked fifth with a weekly gross of ₦7.5 million. The action comedy, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, has grossed a total of ₦455.5 million since its release.

Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Falls, First Time in 19 Months

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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August 15, 2024

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Nigeria’s headline inflation rate decreased to 33.40% in July 2024, down from 34.19% in June 2024.

This marks the first decline in the headline inflation rate in 19 months – December 2022, when it last dropped to 21.34%.

The National Bureau of Statistics disclosed this in its latest Consumer Price Index and Inflation for July released on Thursday.

According to the report, the headline inflation rate decreased by 0.79 percentage points in July 2024 compared to June 2024.

On a year-on-year basis, the rate was 9.32 percentage points higher than in July 2023, when it stood at 24.08%. This indicates an increase in the headline inflation rate on a year-on-year basis for July 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.

Additionally, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in July 2024 was 2.28%, slightly lower than the 2.31% recorded in June 2024.

The decline was in line with the expectations of financial analysts who projected that the country’s inflation would cool off from July to August.

“The picture is that the rate of increase in price level has begun to slow. Hence, we are projecting that information will begin to decline from July to August”, the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives said in June.

CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso had earlier assured that the Monetary Policy Committee would do everything to tame inflation.

As part of measures to ensure inflation is tame, CBN through MPC has continued to raise interest rates.

The latest was in July when it raised the rate by 50 basis points to 26.75 percent from 26.25 percent in May.

Additionally, the Nigerian government had recently introduced fiscal measures including zero import duties on selected staple foods to tackle inflation.

Also, recall that Defence Headquarters recently said that it had deployed its troops to farmsz especially in the North East and North Central to ensure a hitch-free farming season in Nigeria.