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Japan to spend $12m on Ex-PM Abe’s state funeral
Japan expects to spend around 1.7 billion yen ($12 million) on a state funeral for assassinated former premier Shinzo Abe, the government said Tuesday, despite controversy over the plan.
Abe was shot dead on the campaign trail in July, and the government expects dozens of current and former heads of state to pay condolences at the September 27 service in Tokyo.
But recent polls show about half of Japanese voters oppose the publicly funded event.
Security is expected to cost around 800 million yen, with another 600 million to be spent on hosting and 250 million for the ceremony, top government spokesman Hirozaku Matsuno said Tuesday.
“Delegates from more than 190 foreign (countries and regions) will likely participate,” he told reporters at a regular briefing.
The funeral will be held at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan, a venue used for concerts and sports events that also hosted Japan’s last state funeral for a former prime minister in 1967.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said the domestic and international accomplishments of Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister, make a state ceremony appropriate.
But state funerals for former politicians are rare in Japan, and a weekend poll published Monday by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper found that 56 percent of voters oppose the event, against 38 percent in favour.
Other recent polls have shown similar levels of opposition, and Kishida has said he is ready to answer questions on the issue in parliament.
His government’s approval ratings have taken a hit in recent weeks, in part due to the funeral decision.
Some opponents are against spending public money on an event honouring a politician, while others think a state funeral effectively forces public mourning or minimises Abe’s nationalist views and alleged links to cronyism.
Abe’s accused killer, Tetsuya Yamagami, who is in custody, targeted the former leader believing he was linked to the Unification Church.
Yamagami’s mother reportedly made large donations to the church, which her son blamed for the family’s financial difficulties.
A small private funeral for Abe was held at a temple in Tokyo shortly after his death, with thousands of people gathering outside to lay flowers and offer respects.
The Government of Ondo State has announced the death of Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025.
In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, it was revealed that the late Oluwatuyi had been involved in a severe road accident on December 15, 2024, while traveling along the Ife-Ibadan Road.
Following the incident, he was hospitalised but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
“It is with profound sadness that the Government of Ondo State announces the passing of Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), on January 4, 2025,” the statement read.
Describing the late politician as a dedicated public servant, Akinlosotu highlighted his significant contributions to the growth and development of Ondo State.
“Hon. Oluwatuyi was a committed public servant whose unwavering dedication to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation greatly impacted Ondo State. His loss leaves a void in our hearts and governance,” he said.
The Ondo State Government extended its heartfelt condolences to the Oluwatuyi family of Akure, as well as to his friends and associates.
“The Government of Ondo State extends its deepest condolences to the Oluwatuyi family, friends, and associates during this difficult time,” Akinlosotu added.
Further details regarding the burial arrangements of the late politician will be announced in due course.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has dissolved the state’s Executive Council, marking the end of the tenure for commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The announcement was made during an executive council meeting held on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Governor Sule expressed his appreciation to the outgone members of the council for their dedication and contributions to the administration and the people of Nasarawa State.
He wished them success in their future endeavors.
“I sincerely thank you for your services to this administration and the people of our dear state. I wish you the very best in your future pursuits,” the governor stated.
To ensure a smooth transition, the governor directed the outgoing commissioners to hand over all government properties and the affairs of their respective ministries to the Permanent Secretaries in their ministries.
Similarly, the outgoing Secretary to the Government is instructed to transfer responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, and Special Services.
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will face extended periods of power outages beginning Monday, January 6, 2025, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced.
In a statement shared via its official X handle on Friday, AEDC attributed the outages to the relocation of key power infrastructure, including the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and the 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers, along the Outer Southern Expressway.
The company disclosed that the relocation, facilitated by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), is scheduled to span from January 6 to January 31, 2025, with power interruptions particularly concentrated between January 6 and January 21.
“Please be informed that there will be power interruptions from January 6-21, 2025, due to FCDA relocating the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway,” the AEDC statement read.
Areas expected to experience power outages during the relocation period, Lugbe and its environs, Airport Road, Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Indoor Complex, Christ Embassy Church, American International School, Spring Court, American Embassy Quarters, EFCC Headquarters, Coca-Cola premises, Railway facilities and Federal Medical Centre (FMC).
Other parts are, Apo, Gudu, Gbazango, Kubwa, Bwari, Jahi, Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Keffi, and among others.
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