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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has expressed the urgent need for local government administration reforms in Nigeria. He disclosed this in Abuja on Monday while declaring open a national dialogue on local government and constitution amendment. He was represented at the event by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. Abbas noted that it was part of the “Series of consultations to harness citizens’ views and preferences in our efforts at having a truly peoples’ constitution in the country.” He recalled that a similar dialogue was held to find constitutional pathways to open up the governance and political space to “accommodate the very resourceful Nigerian women in our decision-making processes.” He said: “Today’s dialogue focuses on a critical aspect of our governance structure: the local government system. Local governments are often referred to as the closest tier of government to the people. They play an essential role in delivering services, fostering community development, and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard at all levels of governance. “However, for local governments to fulfil these roles effectively, they must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities. “Sadly, despite the noble intentions of the drafters of our constitution in instituting the local government system, it is evident that there are significant challenges that hinder their effectiveness.” The speaker noted that issues such as inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, insufficient capacity, usurpation of its functions by other levels of government, corruption and many more have plagued local governments for decades. “These challenges not only stifle local governance but also impede national development. The need for reform has never been more urgent,” he stated. Abbas stressed that inadequate funding remains one of the most significant obstacles. “Local governments often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities,” he said, adding, “This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation.” As a result, the speaker said many communities continue to suffer from poor living conditions and lack access to basic amenities. He added: “Moreover, the lack of autonomy is another critical issue facing local governments in Nigeria. The current structure often places local administrations under the control of state governments, which can lead to interference in their operations and decision-making processes. This lack of independence stifles innovation and accountability at the local level. “Additionally, insufficient capacity—both in terms of human resources and institutional frameworks—has hindered effective governance at the local level. Many local government officials lack the necessary training and skills required for efficient administration. This gap not only affects service delivery but also erodes public trust in local governance.” One of the most pressing issues that the House must deal with, Speaker Abbas noted, is the poor quality of elections into local government councils across the states. He said this situation not only undermines the very essence of democracy but also raises serious concerns about the integrity and functionality of the local governance structures. “When elections are characterised by a lack of competitiveness—wherein the ruling party sweeps all positions—it becomes evident that we are witnessing a mockery of democratic principles. “This scenario is not merely an embarrassment; it poses a significant threat to our democracy. It fosters an environment where undesirable elements infiltrate these councils, often lacking the necessary capacity and vision to govern effectively. “Consequently, local governments become mere appendages of state governments or pawns in the hands of so-called godfathers who manipulate political outcomes for their own gain,” he said. While saying the House acknowledged and appreciated the recent efforts made by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in strengthening the local government system, he noted that the recent Supreme Court judgment mandating the conduct of elections into the councils and direct disbursement of funds to them has provided a significant legal framework that supports the autonomy and functionality of local governments across the country. “This landmark decision is a testament to our collective commitment to uphold democratic principles at all levels of governance. However, while we celebrate these advancements, we must also acknowledge that the need for comprehensive reform has never been more urgent as some nagging issues persist. “Constitutional reforms are essential to address these challenges comprehensively. We must advocate for greater financial autonomy for local governments by ensuring that they receive adequate funding directly from federal allocations without excessive state control. Additionally, we should explore mechanisms that empower local governments with more decision-making authority over their affairs,” he said. Noting that investment in capacity building for local government officials is paramount, the Speaker said training programs should be established to equip them with the skills required for effective governance and service delivery. He added: “Importantly, we must confront the disgraceful poor conduct elections into the councils. We must find a way of instilling transparency, fairness, and openness in the conduct of elections in local governments”CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Kobe Sanders scored 27 points, including five of six from the free throw line in the closing minutes, and Nevada pulled away late to beat Oklahoma State 90-78 for a fifth-place finish at the Charleston Classic on Sunday. Nevada's lone loss in its first six games came in the tournament's opening round when the Wolf Pack fell to Vanderbilt 73-71. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG between February 8, 2024 and October 29, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") and those who purchased Chipotle call options or sold put options during the Class Period, of the important January 10, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm. SO WHAT: If you purchased Chipotle securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Chipotle class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=30587 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 10, 2025 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Chipotle's portion sizes were inconsistent and left many customers dissatisfied with Chipotle's offerings; (2) in order to address the issue and retain customer loyalty, Chipotle would have to ensure more generous portion sizes, which would increase cost of sales; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Chipotle class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=30587 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40 th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.More than 3 0,000 Irish Citizenship decisions have been made in 2024, Ireland's Department of Justice said on Monday, December 2. The figure of more than 30,000 decisions represents a significant increase in the number of Irish Citizenship decisions made in 2023 (20,000) and is nearly double the number of decisions made in 2022. Ireland's Citizenship Division has held 24 Irish Citizenship ceremonies this year , an increase from the 15 ceremonies held last year, and the six that were held in 2022. This Monday and Tuesday alone, over 6,000 new Irish citizens will be granted citizenship in seven Ceremonies being held at the INEC Killarney in Co Kerry. The Ceremonies will see applicants from 140 countries around the world, and living in 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens. A post shared by Department of Justice Ireland (@dept_justice_ireland) Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in Ireland in 2011 marking the occasion of the granting of Irish Citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner. Since Irish Citizenship Ceremonies were first introduced, there has been a total of 197 Ceremonies (inclusive) with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalization. To date, over 191,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011. The figure of 191,000 includes Monday and Tuesday's attendees and applicants who received citizenship via the Declaration process introduced in response to the COVID pandemic, as well as minors who are not required to attend a Ceremony. Speaking ahead of Monday and Tuesday's Irish Citizenship Ceremonies, Ireland's Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said; “I would like to congratulate all of our newest Irish citizens, as well as their family and friends joining them on this special day. "I encourage our new citizens to continue to contribute to building inclusive communities. In forging connections between our cultures, we can enrich our social fabric. "Our new citizens play an essential role fuelling growth in our economy. They also contribute immensely to industries where we have labour shortages like construction, agriculture and healthcare. They also make our workforce more diverse and inclusive.” The ceremonies will see applicants from 140 countries around the world, and living in 32 counties on the island of Ireland, being conferred as Irish citizens. Congratulations to one and all. pic.twitter.com/ajCAs2YXKR The Presiding Officers at the Irish Citizenship Ceremonies on Monday and Tuesday are retired Justice Paddy McMahon and retired President of the High Court Mary Irvine. They will confer the attendees with Irish Citizenship and will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State. The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values. Ireland's Department of Justice noted on Monday that "significant changes" have been introduced in its Citizenship Division "to speed up the application process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting." Going forward, the Department envisions that the majority of applications based on residency will receive a decision within 12 months. The department cautioned that "no two applications are the same, and some take longer than others to process." Applicants are required to have five years reckonable residence in the Irish State prior to making an application. More information on the application process is available online here .

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Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid mixed trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday after closing November at an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared after saying an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or the company’s board. Retailers were mixed coming off Black Friday and heading into what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. On Monday: The S&P 500 rose 14.77 points, or 0.2%, to 6,047.15. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128.65 points, or 0.3%, to 44,782. The Nasdaq composite rose 185.78 points, or 1%, to 19,403.95. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 0.59 points, or less than 0.1%, to 2,434.14. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,277.32 points, or 26.8%. The Dow is up 7,092.46 points, or 18.8%. The Nasdaq is up 4,392.60 points, or 29.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 407.06 points, or 20.1%.AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:06 p.m. EST

Will President Joe Biden Deliver Eulogy At Jimmy Carter's Funeral? What We KnowDC Edit | Priyanka’s win a status quo verdictThe call for Treaty in this country stems as far back as European settlement. Now, the Victorian government has started negotiations in what will be the first time a state or federal government in Australia has sat down with Aboriginal people on equal footing to reachTreaty. But in the wake of the failed referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, the Victorian opposition has withdrawn support for the process, raising concerns Victoria’s Treaty process could be derailed after already coming so far. Today, Yorta-Yorta journalist and broadcaster Daniel James on what this moment means for Treaty, Truth and self-determination. : Stay in touch with us on and : Yorta-Yorta journalist and broadcaster, Daniel James.

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