Osinabjo meets National Assembly leadership over 2017 budget (Read full details)

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday met with the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) in continuation of consultations between the executive and legislative arms of government over the 2017 Budget.

The meeting, held behind closed doors in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, had the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and some cabinet ministers in attendance.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Senate President said they discussed issues relating to the nation’s economy, including the 2017 budget proposal before the NASS.

Saraki, who described the meeting as fruitful, revealed that they were updated on the proposed government’s economic recovery plans, the road show for the sales of bonds and the 2017 budget.

According to him, the National Assembly has so far not encountered any problems with the 2017 budget.

“We are meeting on the economy and the budget; myself, the Vice-President and the Speaker, minister of budget and minister of finance.

“We are aware that the economic team will soon be going on a roadshow and just to brief us and let us know the issues and just carry us along.

“We have just started the defence so there are no issues; these are just consultations,’’ he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Dec. 14, 2016, presented a budget of N7.30 trillion for 2017 before a joint session of the National Assembly.

The president explained that N2.24 trillion, representing 30.7 percent of the budget, would be committed to capital expenditure aimed at pulling the economy out of recession as quickly as possible.

The capital expenditure was increased from N1.8 trillion in 2016 to N2.24 trillion in 2017 while N2.98 trillion was announced as recurrent expenditure for the 2017 fiscal year.

Vandalism erupts at anti-Trump protest (Read full details)

Protesters display anti-Trump placards as they wait to get to the National Mall for the inaugration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2107.<br />Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States Friday — capping his improbable journey to the White House and beginning a four-year term that promises to shake up Washington and the world. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD

Police fired gas to disperse protesters after stones were thrown and windows broken in Washington on Friday ahead of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.

As Trump, his supporters, former presidents and other dignitaries gathered on the National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony, opponents marched in nearby streets and were confronted by a heavy police presence.

Most of the noisy protests — including those by an array of anti-racist, feminist, pro-immigration, anti-war and marijuana legalization groups — were peaceful.

But in at least one incident, black clad youths emerged from the crowds to smash windows in a bank and fast food outlet and throw stones, as riot police deployed pepper spray.

Marchers chanted: “No deportation, no KKK, no fascist USA!”

A 27-year-old financial worker from Tampa Bay in Florida, who did not want to give his name for fear of retaliation by his employer, said Trump’s election victory had left him fearful.

“There is nothing to hope for except for grassroots efforts to oppose him,” he told AFP.

Public interest lawyer Renee Steinhagen, 61, came down from New York to protest against Trump’s inauguration.

“I’m doing this to express resistance to the change that await us,” she said.

“This administration seems more extreme than any other. This is a simple act of resistance. It’s better than staying at home.”

A few blocks away, Trump’s supporters chanted “USA! USA! USA!” as the president-elect arrived at the Capitol to be sworn in as the 45th US president.

Vandalism erupts at anti-Trump protest