President Tinubu: Security, Job Creation, Poverty Reduction Top Priorities Of 2024 Budget.

President Tinubu: Security, Job Creation, Poverty Reduction Top Priorities Of 2024 Budget.

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria's national defence and internal security, local job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security are some of the top priorities of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope.

Addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2024 Federal budget proposal on Wednesday in Abuja, President Tinubu said the nation's internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities with a view to safeguarding lives, property, and investments across the country.

He said the proposed budget prioritizes human capital development, with particular attention given to children, because human capital remains the most critical resource for national development.

"To improve the effectiveness of our budget performance, the government will focus on ensuring value for money, greater transparency, and accountability. In this regard, we will work more closely with development partners and the private sector.

"To address long-standing issues in the education sector, a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education will be implemented, including the Student Loan Scheme scheduled to become operational by January 2024," the President affirmed.

Speaking on the economy, President Tinubu said a stable macro-economic environment is crucial in his administration's bid to catalyze private investment and accelerate economic growth; hence, his government shall continue to implement business and investment friendly measures for sustainable growth.

"We expect the economy to grow by a minimum of 3.76 percent, above the forecasted world average. Inflation is expected to moderate to 21.4 percent in 2024. In preparing the 2024 Budget, our primary objective has been to sustain our robust foundation for sustainable economic development. A critical focus of this budget and the medium-term expenditure framework is Nigeria's commitment to a greener future.

"Emphasizing public-private partnerships, we have strategically made provisions to leverage private capital for big-ticket infrastructure projects in energy, transportation, and other sectors. This marks a critical step towards diversifying our energy mix, enhancing efficiency, and fostering the development of renewable energy sources. By allocating resources to support innovative and environmentally conscious initiatives, we aim to position Nigeria as a regional leader in the global movement towards clean and sustainable energy.

"As we approach the COP28 climate summit, a pivotal moment for global climate action, I have directed relevant government agencies to diligently work towards securing substantial funding commitments that will bolster Nigeria's energy transition. It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to attract international partnerships and investments that align with our national goals. I call upon our representatives to engage proactively to showcase the strides we have made in the quest to create an enabling environment for sustainable energy projects.

"Together, we will strive for Nigeria to emerge from COP28 with tangible commitments, reinforcing our dedication to a future where energy is not only a catalyst for development but also a driver of environmental stewardship," he said.

The President said a conservative oil price benchmark of 77.96 U.S. Dollars per barrel and a daily oil production estimate of 1.78 million barrels per day were adopted after a careful review of global oil market trends, and that a Naira to U.S. Dollar exchange rate of 750 naira per U.S. Dollar was adopted for 2024 as well.

Giving a breakdown of the 2024 Appropriation Bill, the President said: "Accordingly, an aggregate expenditure of 27.5 trillion naira is proposed for the Federal Government in 2024, of which the non-debt recurrent expenditure is 9.92 trillion naira while debt service is projected to be 8.25 trillion naira and capital expenditure is 8.7 trillion naira. Nigeria remains committed to meeting its debt obligations. Projected debt service is 45% of the expected total revenue.

"The budget deficit is projected at 9.18 trillion naira in 2024 or 3.88 percent of GDP. This is lower than the 13.78 trillion naira deficit recorded in 2023, which represented 6.11 percent of GDP. The deficit will be financed by new borrowings totaling 7.83 trillion naira, 298.49 billion naira from Privatization Proceeds, and 1.05 trillion naira draw down on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific development projects."

President Tinubu said his administration remains committed to broad-based and shared economic prosperity, adding: "We are reviewing social investment programmes to enhance their implementation and effectiveness. In particular, the National Social Safety Net project will be expanded to provide targeted cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households."

He also said efforts will be made to further contain financial leakages through the effective implementation of key public financial management reforms.

The President commended the patriotic resolve of the 10th National Assembly to collaborate with the Executive on the mission to renew the hope of Nigerians and deliver on the promises made to Africa's largest population. 

"As you consider the 2024 Budget estimates, we trust that the legislative review process will be conducted with a view to sustaining our desired return to a predictable January-December fiscal year. I have no doubt that you will be guided by the interest of all Nigerians. We must ensure that only projects and programs with equitable benefits are allowed into the 2024 Budget. Additionally, only projects and programs that are in line with the sectoral mandates of MDAs and those which are capable of realizing the vision of our administration should be included in the budget," the President declared.

Appeal Court dismisses Cole’s, Ekwu’s, Itubo’s, Briggs’ suits against Fubara’s victory.

Appeal Court dismisses Cole’s, Ekwu’s, Itubo’s, Briggs’ suits against Fubara’s victory.

The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos has affirmed the election of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18 governorship poll.

In a unanimous decision, the court dismissed four separate appeals filed by Tonye Cole of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Beatrice Itubo of Labour Party (LP), Innocent Ekwu of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), and Lulu Briggs Dumo of Accord Party (A).

In the lead judgment, Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe held that all the appellants failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act against Fubara.

The court faulted the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for dismissing Cole’s appeal on the ground that the APC that sponsored him had withdrawn its petition against Fubara’s victory.

The court also held that the fact that APC withdrew its petition against Fubara’s victory did not prevent Cole from pursuing his appeal.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Fubara, who polled 302,614 votes, the winner of the election.

Cole came second with 95,274 votes, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Senator Magnus Abe, and Itubo came a distant third and fourth with 46,981 and 22,224 votes.

Not satisfied with the declaration of Fubara as the winner of the election, Itubo, Cole and Ekwu filed petitions before the tribunal challenging the result.

They want to assassinate me for supporting Fubara, says Rivers factional Speaker

Fubara inaugurates project, opens hospitals in Rivers

Delivering judgment on Cole’s appeal, Justice Adegbehingbe held that APC and Cole did not file a joint appeal, adding that a political party cannot compel its candidate to file an appeal, neither could a candidate compel a political party to do the same.

Also, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the appeal of Sani Yahaya of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) challenging the election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Kefas Agbu, as governor of Taraba State.

Yahaya and his party had challenged the result of the March 18 governorship election on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

The NNPP candidate also alleged that Agbu did not score the majority of lawful votes cast.

But delivering judgment yesterday, the appellate court held that the reliefs sought by the NNPP candidate were inconsistent, having faulted the outcome of the polls on grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, yet praying the court to declare him the winner of the same election.

In a unanimous decision, the court dismissed the appeal of the NNPP for lacking in merit as did the tribunal on September 30.

Senate passes N57b Police Trust Fund budget.

Senate passes N57b Police Trust Fund budget.

The Senate yesterday passed N57,014,287,532.00 as this year’s budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund. Of the amount, the Capital Expenditure is N47,024,803,541.18 while the Total Recurrent Expenditure is N9,989,483,990.00.

The passage of the 2023 NPTF budget followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Police Affairs on this year’s budget proposal of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund by the Senate.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Ahmed Mallam-Madori, presented the report on the floor during plenary.

The joint committee said: “This is the fourth budget of the NPTF since its inception in 2019.

“That the NPTF is currently carrying on with the implementation of its 2022 approved budget.

“That the 2023 accrued revenue of the NPTF is as follows: 0.5 per cent of total revenue accrued to the Federation Accounts amounting to N56,205,355,774.00, while 0.05 per cent of the net profit of companies in Nigeria is N308,931,758,00; and Aids, Grants and Donations generated the sum of N500,000,000.00.”

Also, the Senate has passed a Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences at Iyin, in Ekiti State.

This followed the consideration and adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) yesterday at plenary.

The report was presented by Mohammmed Muntari (APC, Katsina).

In his lead debate, Muntari recalled that the Senate at plenary on October 26 debated the general principles of the Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the university, which was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti).

Muntari said the Bill sought to provide a legislative framework to support the establishment of the university.

The lawmaker said the school was designed to develop and offer academic and professional programmes leading to the award of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate research and higher degrees.

Also, the Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of Professor Tunji Olaopa for appointment as the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

The Red Chamber’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of screening the nominee and approval of the recommendations of its Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters at plenary. Committee Chairman Oluwole Fasuyi Cyril presented the report.

The Senate also confirmed for appointment as members of the FCSC are: Dr. Daudu Ibrahim Jalo, member representing Adamawa/Gombe/Taraba; Obot Ededet Eyoma (representing Akwa Ibom/Cross River), Dr. Chamberlain Nwele (representing Anambra/Ebonyi/Enugu) and Mr. Rufus Godwins (representing Rivers/Delta/Bayelsa).

Others are: Dr. Adamu Hussein (Niger/FCT), Mr. Aminu Nabegu (Jigawa/Kano), Ms. Hindatu Abdullahi (Kaduna/Katsina), Mr. Shehu Aliyu (Kebbi/Sokoto/Zamfara), Ms. Odekunle Rukiyat Aduke (Kogi/Kwara), Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan (Lagos/Ogun) and Dr. Festus Oyebade (Osun/Oyo).

In his remarks after the confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked the committee for doing a painstaking and wonderful job and wished the nominees a patriotic service to their fatherland.

Soun to receive staff of office Dec 19 – Planning C’mtee.

Soun to receive staff of office Dec 19 – Planning C’mtee.

The official coronation of the new Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, will hold from December 14 to December 19, an organising official said on Tuesday in Ogbomoso.

Chairman of the coronation’s Central Planning Committee, Prof Adesola Adepoju, who disclosed this in a statement, said the dates were agreed upon after a court approval.

”This followed the approval of the motion of stay of execution by the Oyo State High Court against the nullification of the selection process which enthroned Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III.

“The date of December 16, as published by some news media, is incorrect.

“Rather, the events associated with the coronation will commence on Dec. 14 and culminate in the official presentation of Staff of Office on Dec. 19 by the Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso had on Monday granted a stay of execution of an October 25 judgment.

The judgment had ordered the removal of the traditional ruler following a suit filed by a Prince of Ogbomoso, Kabir Olaoye.

He had alleged there were irregularities in the process which led to Oba Olaoye’s emergence as the new Soun of Ogbomoso land.

Justice Kareem Adedokun ruled in favour of the plaintiff, sacking Oba Afolabi Olaoye and asking for the selection process to be done again.

But, displeased with the judgment, Oba Afolabi Olaoye and the Oyo state government had filed an appeal as well as an application for a stay of execution.

The judge granted the application for a stay of execution and directed all the parties to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing and determination of the appeal already filed.

NAN reports that the Oyo State Government had announced Afolabi, a pastor, as the new Soun on Sept. 8.

This was about two years after Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, joined his ancestors in December 2021 at the age of 95 years after reigning for 48 years.

NAN

Over 46,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun, says Commissioner.

Over 46,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun, says Commissioner.

Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, on Tuesday disclosed that 46, 143 people were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in the state out of which 33, 489 had been identified and placed on sustained treatment

Coker said 12, 654 are yet to be reached and they form the individuals living across the communities in the state.

The commissioner disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities lined up to mark the year 2023 World AIDS Day in Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to Coker, out of a total of 782,005 people tested between year 2020 and 2023, 21,083 tested positive for HIV/AIDS.

She added that the state has a prevalence rate of 1.6 per cent while 12,654 HIV positive persons have no access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy.

Coker said the state has been making significant efforts to rapidly achieve HIV treatment saturation and meet the UNIADs 95-95-95 2030 goal of zero HIV infection.

Speaking on the theme of the 2023 World AIDS Day celebration: “Communities: Leadership To End AIDS by 2030”, Coker said the state has established 400 testing centres across the 20 Local government areas of the state to increase the state’s testing capacity.

“Sadly, in Ogun State, 46,143 persons are estimated to be living with HIV while 33,489 of them have been identified and placed on sustained treatment.

“However, 12,654 are yet to be reached. These individuals are spread within the communities. Hence the need for our communities to now take the lead in our response to ending HIV.

“Our communities are pivotal to any successful response to HIV/AIDS because they are well-positioned to address both the social and cultural factors that contribute to HIV transmission.

“Our health facilities currently providing HIV services have been increased from 198 in 2019 to 497 as of November 2023.

“About 300 communities’ testers have been engaged and spread across the communities within the 20 LGAs for HIV case finding while our comprehensive treatment centres have been increased from 22 to 43”, Coker said.

The Executive Secretary of Ogun State Action Committee of HIV/AIDS, Dr Kehinde Fatungase said, the state had set up HIV test centres in some tertiary institutions across the state for testing and counselling of students.

Fatungase urged the people, especially the youths to get tested and know their status so as to prevent the spread of the virus.

Repentant B’Haram insurgents now 160,000 – Zulum.

Repentant B’Haram insurgents now 160,000 – Zulum.

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, said on Tuesday that the number of repentant Boko Haram insurgents in the state had risen to 160,000.

The governor said though there were still Boko Haram insurgents around, “they are not strong.”

 “Generally, the security situation in Borno State has tremendously improved,” he declared.

Zulum spoke on Tuesday when he received the Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Abubakar, and his entourage, who paid him a courtesy call in Maiduguri.

He said, “About 160,000 Boko Haram (insurgents) have so far repented. This could not have been possible without the continuous onslaught of the military on them.”

He, however, called for the control of light arms proliferation in the Lake Chad basin, saying it had the potential of reversing the gains made in the counter-terrorism war.

 

“The influx of ISWAP and proliferation of light arms from the Sahelian region through the porous borders of the Chad Basin countries, especially Borno State, is worrisome.

“The Sahel is now our major problem. We have to make sure that there is no safe haven in Borno State to succeed in the terror war.

“The only way we can degrade the insurgents and clear the Chad Basin of insurgency is by upscaling and continuous military operations,” Zulum said.

He added “We have to be very careful about the way we disseminate the terror war information.”

Earlier, the Defence Minister said he was in Borno State, accompanied by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and all the service chiefs to assess the progress in the terror war.

Fubara promises jobs for veterans’ children, donates N30m.

Fubara promises jobs for veterans’ children, donates N30m.

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to provide jobs for legionnaires’ children in the state civil service.

The governor said he understood that people were looking forward to enjoying an improved personal economy in a peaceful environment, saying his administration would not do anything that would take away such hope from them, but work to actualise it.

Fubara stated this at the 2024 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund Launching held at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He noted that without hope, it would be difficult for anybody to find any reason to live with optimism, saying it was why President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was instructive.

He stated, “For us as a government, we believe, understand, and also appreciate that the only thing that keeps a man going is when he has hope. When you don’t have hope as a human being, you are gone.

“The government of today did not make a mistake by christening their mantra, ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’. This hope is what we, as a government, will not take away from you. Rather, we will give you everything to see that there is hope.”

Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the war veterans, both fallen and living, for making invaluable sacrifices that had kept Nigeria as a united country.

Identifying with the legionnaires, Fubara said as a child of a soldier, he recalled how his late mother used to benefit from such welfare donations made on days like this.

The governor, on behalf of the state government, launched the emblem with N30m and promised to also redeem previous financial grants made to them.

“It’s a support for your children’s education, scholarship and taking care of your widows too. So, I think when we do that, the problem cannot be completely solved but somehow we have touched you.”

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said war veterans, fallen and living, had shown greater love by defending the territorial sovereignty of Nigeria and ensuring that its citizenry live in peace.

The Chairman, Rivers State Command of Nigerian Legion, Area Controller General, Rev.Canon Charles Hart, remarked that the emblem appeal launch event kick-started the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration to honour military officers who had paid the supreme price while enthroning and sustaining peace, unity, freedom and protection of Nigeria.