2024 budget will improve lives, says minister.

 2024 budget will improve lives, says minister. 

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris-Malagi, on Saturday, expressed optimism that the 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion will mark a transformative era in the country upon passage by the National Assembly.

President Bola Tinubu had, on Wednesday, presented the first full-year budget of his administration to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The minister, while declaring open the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations 2023 Annual Public Lecture/AGM/Awards & Election, noted that the budget signified a pivotal step towards the realisation of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In addition to its focus on development priorities, the minister noted that the budget demonstrated a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

According to him, Tinubu’s administration recognises the importance of prudent financial management as the foundation for long-term economic stability.

The minister said, “Just this week, he presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly, the first full-year budget of his administration.

“The budget as presented signifies a pivotal step towards the realisation of his Renewed Hope Agenda, by aligning fiscal strategies and priorities with broader national development objectives.

“As the 2024 Appropriation Bill moves through the legislative process, we are very optimistic that its passage will mark the beginning of a transformative era, bringing tangible improvements to the lives of Nigerians.

“Before this week’s budget presentation, President Tinubu had assented to an equally important supplementary budget, signed some landmark Bills and Executive Orders into law, and inaugurated special presidential initiatives on fiscal policy reform, Compressed Natural Gas, Food Security, MSME support, and other critical areas of the economy.

“The goal has been to deliver relief to the Nigerian people, and lay the groundwork for true and lasting prosperity.”

Idris-Malagi continued, “At this juncture, let me remind us that one of the pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight-point agenda is “Inclusivity,” which means inclusive policies and programmes for all segments of the population, especially youth and women.

“You can see manifestations of this even in the array of appointments made by the President so far, and the prominence given to young people and women. This is not to say we have done enough, and can therefore rest on our oars. No!”

“We can still do better, and I can assure you that President Tinubu will continue to push the envelope in this regard,” he noted.

In addition to appointments and representation, the Tinubu administration has very importantly been rolling out policies targeted at creating an enabling environment for Nigerians to thrive across all demographic categories.”

The Minister also expressed readiness to support the development of NIPR, where he is a member.

He said, “Let me address a most germane issue that I am very familiar with, which has to do with the need for a permanent secretariat for the Kaduna Chapter of the NIPR. I am committed to supporting the effort to ensure that this is realised in a timely fashion.

“As the Minister of Information and National Orientation, I reaffirm the commitment of my Ministry, and the entire administration to fostering robust and transparent public communication, that empowers citizens with accurate, timely and useful information. In this mission, the NIPR is a much-valued partner, and I expect you to continue to live up to this responsibility.”

Three Oyo monarchs die in auto crash.

Three Oyo monarchs die in auto crash.

Residents of Oriire local government in Oyo State have been thrown into mourning over the death of the three monarchs from the area on Friday night.

They died in an auto crash involving Benz E230 with registration number OLODOGBO and a commercial Scania Truck with registration number 301 XF at Aje Iye in Oriire local government area.

Two of the affected monarchs died on the spot while the third one died few hours later at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

Six passengers were involved in the crash but the three survivors are undergoing treatment at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.

They were going for a social function at the nearby community when the accident occured.

The affected monarchs, as reliably informed are: OLODOGBO of Odogbo, Onibowula of Bowula and Alayetoro of Ayetoro in Oriire local government area 

Confirming the road mishaps, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Joshua Adekanye, said it was a head-on collision involving a private and commercial vehicles along Ogbomoso-Oyo expressway.

He said the survivors are undergoing treatment at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital while the corpse of the victims have been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

In another development, Adekanye said nine out of 13 passengers suffered varies degree of burnt when DAF brand of a Truck caught fire along Ogbomoso-Oyo expressway on the same day 

He added that no life was lost but the injured ones are receiving treatment in the hospital.

Motorists driving with earphones risk six months in jail –FRSC.

Motorists driving with earphones risk six months in jail –FRSC.

The Federal Road Safety Corps says it is illegal to receive or make telephone calls while driving, regardless of any wireless gadget used for such communication.

The FRSC also said drivers who make or receive calls behind the wheels with AirPods, EarPods or any form wired or wireless earphones and handsfree mode risk six months in jail.

FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said driving requires total concentration and road users should not take any risk on their lives.

He said it is illegal to make calls or receive same while driving, according to the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012.

Kazeem said, “It is illegal. Driving entails 100 per cent concentration so you cannot be distracted. It is there in the regulation.

 “It is clear from the provisions of Reg 166 (1) that it is illegal to make phone call using EarPods earphone or whatever means. 

“It is also clear that phone call is not restricted to telephone conversation between two or more people.

“Anything that will distract you while driving must be avoided. When we do public enlightenment, we even discourage drivers talking to passengers which could cause distraction.

“The law may not make it an offence but at the same time, it can distract you, even changing your cassette (while driving) can distract you and result to accident.”

Conduct of Ekiti LG Poll Improving, Deputy Gov Praises SIEC.

Conduct of Ekiti LG Poll Improving, Deputy Gov Praises SIEC.                                                                      .......Lauds impressive turnout of voters.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has commended the State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC) for bringing radical and remarkable  development to the conduct of the 2023 Local Government Election in the State.

Mrs Afuye said the large turnout of voters and violence-free atmosphere that marked the conduct of the local government election today, were loud testimonies that there was tremendous  improvement on that of 2021 poll.

The Deputy Governor gave the observations while voting at unit 003, Atiba/Aafin Ward, in Ikere Ekiti,  in today's local government poll in Ekiti State.

Mrs Afuye, who cast her vote around 9.32am,  said the local government election was more competitive at the party's  primary, because of financial independence being savoured by the council under Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration.

She applauded the voters in Ikere Local Government Area and across the state, for demonstrating confidence and trust in the electoral process, by their impressive participation in the LG poll.

"The election has so far  been peaceful and violence-free. And you could see how people are  trooping out and queue to cast their  votes. We are witnessing a remarkable improvement in our local government election.

"I know that today's election shall be a success because all the stakeholders are ready to comply with the rules". 

She commended the Justice Cornelius Akintayo-led SIEC for bringing transparency and openness to the electoral process at the third tier of government.

"Going by what we have seen and information across the state, the process has been adjudged peaceful and transparent. 

"The SIEC officials and observers  were on ground in time and that further propelled the voters to come out to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. This is highly commendable. 

"The atmosphere was serene and voters were not being coersed to vote for a particular candidate. They are given the freedom to vote for candidates of their choices; that is the beauty of democracy.

"With all these, those who will  emerge in today's election will know that they will be there to serve the people, so that our people can become more interested to participate in elections, especially the local government poll".

Mrs Afuye praised the security agencies for their remarkable roles in the election, exuding confidence that the poll shall be a success.

NSE seeks involvement in revamping Ajaokuta Steel.

NSE seeks involvement in revamping Ajaokuta Steel.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers has urged the federal government to focus on simplifying regulatory processes, providing incentives for innovation, and infrastructural upgrades, and ensuring consistency to foster an enabling environment for manufacturing growth.

This was as it identified infrastructural limitations, limited access to funds, technology, innovation, skill gaps, policy inconsistencies, regulatory hurdles, and global market dynamics as seven challenges inhibiting the growth of the sector.

The society in a communique arrived at the following discussions and symposium held during the just concluded National Engineering Conference, Exhibition, and Annual General Meeting, also observed the challenges associated with accessing funding that includes high interest rates, stringent collateral, administrative bottlenecks, multiple taxes, instability in foreign exchange, as factors, among others that hinder growth and investment.

Reading the communique on Friday in Abuja, the President of the society, Tasiu Wudil, highlighted the need to reduce the gross deficit in skilled labour to meet the demands of re-engineering the manufacturing sector, promoting competitiveness, and enhancing economic growth.

He lamented that the existing policy framework affects the re-engineering of the manufacturing sector to enhance inclusive growth and competitiveness and called for a proper review.

Wudil said, “Nigerian manufacturing sector faces challenges including infrastructural limitations, limited access to funds, technology, innovation and skill gaps, policy inconsistencies, regulatory hurdles, and global market dynamics.

“The conference observed the significance of human capital development to achieve sustainable growth and development in any economy. It also noted the gross deficit in skilled labour to meet the demands of re-engineering the manufacturing sector, promoting competitiveness, and enhancing economic growth.”

Wudil, while acknowledging recent efforts of the government to rehabilitate the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex, called for the involvement of the engineering body to accelerate the reactivation, rehabilitation, and modernisation to drive the much-needed industrialisation of the country

Fed govt targets 96-hour timeline for passport issuance.

Fed govt targets 96-hour timeline for passport issuance.

The Federal Government yesterday unveiled technologically driven reforms for international passport issuance for its citizens by setting  a  96 hours  processing timeline ,   insisting that the production of the travel document should not be seen as a privilege, but a fundamental right of its nationals.

Besides the revolutionary timeline, the government said, it will effective February 2024 start the implementation of Electronic Gates at the Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu international airports to facilitate the entrance of Nigerians into the country without submitting themselves to clearance  relying only on Advanced Passenger Information for their pre- profiling as it is practiced in other countries.

But, the government put a caveat : ” only  persons of interest ” –  will have to go through the route of bio-metric checking and counter processing.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo disclosed this during the handing over and grand opening of the Remodeled Clearance Area of the E-  Arival Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA), Lagos.

The Minister said working with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the government will spare no effort to scale up technology in assisting Nigerians get their travel documents with ease , saying the era of backlog of passports at Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), offices is now a thing of the past.

He said effective this month, the only reason Nigerians may have to visit NIS Passport Offices is to undergo bio- metric fingerprints.

Ojo said the Tinubu administration is not resting on its oars to ensure Nigerians get a fair deal, in the way and manner they are treated trying to get their travel document.

He said women, who desire to effect a  change of their names on account of marriage;  do not need henceforth to travel thousands of kilometres and subject themselves to avoidable hassles going  to Abuja to achieve such an objective.

The minister said as part of the reforms in the Renewed Hope Agenda Of the Tinubu administration, such Nigerians will henceforth only make an application and submit supporting  documents , which will be investigated by personnel of NIS and approval sent to the nearest Immigration office for them to collect their international passport.

While lauding the efforts of the NIS in deepening partnership to achieve the improved airport facilitation equipment, Ojo said the Tinubu administration will continue to extend its hands to the private sector to assist in the development/ improvement of infrastructure that will improve travel experience and put Nigeria in the league of global players.

Significantly, the Minister urged Immigration personnel to be alive to their responsibilities, urging them to go beyond issuance of travel documents and visas to consolidate efforts to protect the nation’s borders.

As the lead agency in charge of border management and security , Ojo urged NIS personnel to ramp up efforts in tackling porous borders.

Speaking at the Zone A Headquarters of the NIS, in Ikeja GRA, where he commissioned the Remodeled Gate/Guard House and other facilities, the minister lauded personnel of the Service who have equipped him with knowledge to discharge his duties.

Ojo praised the personnel for their gallantry in discharging their border management responsibilities.

He expressed the gratitude of the Federal Government to private sector players, who have assisted with facilities, saying the government will continue to deepen such ties in the spirit of collaboration for national development.

He charged NIS personnel not to lower the bar in the task to foster improved internal security , which he said remains central to the government as it positions Nigeria to take its rightful place in the global arena.

He charged the NIS to pursue an aggressive maintenance policy of the assets / critical infrastructure placed in its hands, urging them to treat them with affection.

 The Minister of Interior challenged the Service to put in place a mechanism to address the lack of uniformity in the clothing used as uniforms.

Inability to address the challenge, he said could encourage impersonation , while urging NIS personnel as image makers at the country’s numerous borders to treat Nigerians and foreigners with respect.

While commending the efforts of partners that assisted in improving infrastructure at the Lagos Airport and Zone A Headquarters, newly confirmed Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI)  of NIS, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju said collaboration will improve efficiency in service delivery.

Coordinator of Zone A Headquarters , Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACG), Wale Sadiq urged the CGI to provide  operational facilities, including vehicles for the unit.

He enumerated the strides thus far achieved in the Zone A Headquarters, to  include  regular human capacity development programmes.

On her part, Comptroller of Murtala Muhammed Airport,  Adeola Adesokan said the remodeled facility at the Lagos Airport will not only elevate the entire travel experience , by improving efficiency, bringing about faster processing time and seamless clearance, it will eliminate long queues for arriving passengers

She said : ” We now have dedicated clearance counters for persons with reduced mobility, senior citizens, members of the diplomatic corp.

FG inaugurates committee to probe NDE programmes.

FG inaugurates committee to probe NDE programmes.

The federal government has set up a committee to investigate programmes carried out by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Speaking at the Inauguration of the committee, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated that the committee was tasked with the responsibility of investigating the current programmes of NDE between January till date to meet with President Bola Tinubu’s expectation for job creation.

In a statement by her special adviser (media), Emameh Gabriel, the minister explained that any employment programme that does not change the status of the employee, economically, was not employment.

According to her, an employee is supposed to add value and have a target.

She said the National Directorate Employment (NDE) is a federal government agency that is responsible for the implementation of employment programmes and policies and is also charged with the responsibility to provide a variety of services to job seekers, including vocational training, job placement, and entrepreneurship development.

The minister urged members of the committee to interact with the beneficiaries of the NDE programmes to know their needs and scope.

She also charged the committee to come out with a report on the present state of NDE, which will be used to improve the effectiveness of the Directorate’s programmes.

The Committee has one week to submit its report.

Members of the Committee are Chris Amadi, Director, Policy, Research and Analysis – Chairman; Isaac Okehi, Director, Finance and Accounts – Secretary and others.

The minister also expressed her appreciation to the President for his commitment to job creation.