Makinde presents N434.2bn budget for 2024.

 Makinde presents N434.2bn budget for 2024.

......Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presenting 2024 budget proposal to the State House of Assembly in Ibadan 

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, presented a budget of N434.2bn for 2024 to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Tagged, “Budget of Economic Recovery,” it has N222.3bn capital expenditure and N211.8bn recurrent expenditure.

Makinde said when implemented, it would cushion the harsh effect of fuel subsidy removal on the people of Oyo State.

He noted the capital expenditure was 2.4 per cent higher than the recurrent expenditure.

The education sector got the largest share with N90.6bn or 20.8 per cent of the budget, followed by infrastructure with N74.3bn or 17.1 per cent.

The health sector got N40.9bn, which is 9.4 per cent, while Agriculture had N15.8bn, being 3.6 per cent of the total budget proposal.

Makinde said his administration would continue to use technology to block loopholes. He, however, said his government had no plan to increase taxes.

He urged the House of Assembly to see to the speedy passage of the budget proposal to ensure speedy economic growth for the state.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr ‘Debo Ogundoyin, assured the governor of speedy consideration of the Appropriation Bill.

LG autonomy: Afenifere chieftain seeks partnership with Ohanaeze, ACF.

LG autonomy: Afenifere chieftain seeks partnership with Ohanaeze, ACF.

A chieftain of Afenifere, Adebayo Odunowo, has said that the socio-cultural group must learn to evolve and move with time to continue to be relevant.

Odunowo also lamented the neglect and relegation of Yoruba Language warning of its dire consequences on the preservation of the tribe’s rich history and cultural identity.

The APC stalwart, according to a statement on Tuesday, spoke while receiving members of Afenifere from Ikenne and Odogbolu Local Governments.

Odunowo was quoted to have said that “the Nigerian political landscape is evolving, and Afenifere needs to evolve too if they want to continue to remain relevant. Some of their political agenda has been overtaken by events, hence the need to craft new political agenda that will be in line with present realities.

“To achieve their new political agenda, Afenifere will have to embrace inclusiveness and collaboration, they will have to liaise with other socio-cultural groups like Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other ethnic nationality groups.

He added, “If they come together, they will be able to present a common front that will help each ethnic nationality get what they deserve from the centre. Joining hands together with other groups in the country will not only speed up the process by the Federal Government to hands off the control of local governments and grant local government autonomy but it will smoothen the process of creating new states.”

He advised the Afenifere members to take urgent steps to ensure that the Yoruba language does not become extinct, expressing disgust at the current situation whereby the Yoruba language is categorised as a vernacular in schools across Yorubaland.

He said his vast travelling experience to some foreign countries had shown that these countries do not joke with their local and indigenous languages saying “When our children travel to study in such countries, they are required to learn their language for six to twelve months before they can attend classes. Why can’t we learn from them?”

Odunowo also urged the group to organize seminars and create awareness of political consciousness, formulation of ideology, and regular contributions to national issues.

Governor Oyebanji's Unwavering Commitment to Ekiti Youths Shines Through.                               By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi.

Embedded within Governor Oyebanji's comprehensive six-pillar development agenda is the pivotal focus on "Youth Development and Job Creation." This strategic emphasis underscores the Governor's recognition of the vital role youths play in propelling Ekiti towards progress.

Governor Oyebanji's commitment to youth empowerment manifests through innovative initiatives designed to nurture and propel Ekiti's young talents toward excellence. The administration has created a conducive environment that fosters growth, unlocking latent potentials and instilling a culture of achievement among Ekiti youths.

Under the leadership of this youth-centric Governor, Ekiti's young population has not only flourished but has also emerged as trailblazers in various fields. The transformative impact of these youth-focused policies is evident in the remarkable strides made by Ekiti's younger generation.

In a momentous celebration of this upward trajectory, Governor Oyebanji joyously welcomed and honored two outstanding Ekiti youths, Ogunleye Oluwatobi Mathew from Igbara-Odo and Dr. Ige Ayodeji Ezekiel from Omuo Ekiti. These exemplary individuals received the prestigious Presidential Awards of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The recognition of these exceptional Ekiti youths not only highlights their individual achievements but also symbolizes the success of Governor Oyebanji's vision for youth development. It showcases a new dawn of greatness, where the Governor's unwavering commitment to Ekiti's youths translates into tangible accomplishments and national recognition.

This celebration serves as a testament to the transformative impact of Governor Oyebanji's youth-focused initiatives and sets the stage for even greater achievements by Ekiti's young talents under his visionary leadership.

Ekiti Connects State Owned Radio, TV Stations To National Grid After 24Years Of Existence.

Ekiti Connects State Owned Radio, TV Stations To National Grid After 24Years Of Existence. 

The Ekiti State owned Radio and Television stations; the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) has been connected to the National Grid after operating for 24years on diesel generating sets.

The stations will also be connected to the newly commissioned Independent Power producer (IPP) with the recent approval of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for the extension of the transmission grid of the power plant to the BSES and Ekiti State University (EKSU).

Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the Stations at Ilokun in Ado Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun stressed that the  connection of the stations to the  dedicated 33KV lines  from the 132/33KV substation at Omisanjana  would guarantee  at least 16 hours of electricity per day, adding that the development would also relief the stations of the burden of high cost of diesel which had seriously reduced the transmission hours of the stations and had almost crippled the media outfits financially.

Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun assured that BSES would soon have the benefit of an uninterrupted power supply with the connection to the IPP which would be done in a jiffy. 

He said that the stations would now be able to compete favourably with their counterparts globally with the sustainable solution to the prolonged problem of power supply.

Describing the progress as a result of the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to the general well-being of the people and inclusive governance, Olatunbosun noted that it would boost effective information dissemination with appropriate feedback mechanism.

The Commissioner said that the stations is now capable of effectively informing, educating and entertaining with news, opinions, commercials and entertainments, adding that they would serve as veritable tools to bridge the gap between Government and the people as well as project business climate in the State towards investors and tourists. 

 

Recalling that the Oyebanji led administration successfully connected most parts of Gbonyin/ Ayekire and Ekiti East as well as the tourism corridor of  the Ikogosi /Erijiyan axis to the National Grid after almost 13 years of being in total Black out, Olatunbosun solicited continued support of the people for efforts at developing the State and improving the lot of all strata of the society.

Uzodimma: Supreme Court slams N40m cost on Ozekhome

Uzodimma: Supreme Court slams N40m cost on Ozekhome.

The Supreme Court yesterday came hard again on another senior lawyer.

It slammed a N40million cost on Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) for aiding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2019 governorship election in Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, to file what the court termed a frivolous motion.

This comes three years after it fined Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) and Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) N30 million each for filing a frivolous application.

In a ruling yesterday, Justice Tijani Abubakar dismissed the motion by Ihedioha and the PDP.

The applicants had prayed the court to set aside its January 14, 2020 judgment replacing Ihedioha with Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor.

Justice Abubakar gave the lead ruling by a seven-man panel headed by Justice John Okoro.

In their motion, Ihedioha and the PDP argued that Uzodimma was not validly nominated by the APC to contest the 2019 election.

They urged the court to invalidate the years Uzodimma spent in office as governor.

The applicants were joined as interested parties in an appeal originally filed by Uche Nwosu, who was the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the 2019 election.

Ihedioha and the PDP also urged the Supreme Court to give effect to its 2019 judgment that disqualified Nwosu on the ground that he had dual nomination, having been nominated by both the AA and the APC for the same governorship election.

They argued that since the apex court recognised Nwosu as a candidate of the APC, there was no legal basis for the judgment sacking Ihedioha and declaring Uzodimma (who it also found to have been sponsored by the same APC and for the same election) as the actual winner.

The applicants urged the Supreme Court to restore Ihedioha to office since the APC could not legally sponsor two candidates for the same election.

They argued that since Uzodimma did not contest the election as an independent candidate, there was no basis for him to be recognised as the validly elected governor.

Ihedioha and the PDP argued that there was no rationale for the November 11 governorship election because Ihedioha had yet to conclude his tenure.

When the case came up yesterday, the court noted that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain a motion filed over a governorship election held four years ago.

Members of the court’s panel drew Ozekhome’s attention to the futility of his clients’ efforts and why he should withdraw the motion.

Ozekhome ignored the Justices’ body language and proceeded to move the motion.

But the court dismissed it for being without merit and “highly vexatious and frivolous.”

The Justices awarded a cost of N40 million against Ozekhome. They insisted must he must pay it.

It was not the first time the Supreme Court would censure senior lawyers so heavily.

The Supreme Court, in February 2020, fined Chief Babalola and Chief Olanipekun N30 million each for agreeing to apply for the review of its judgment on the Bayelsa election.

Justice Amina Augie, now retired, announced the fine while reading the lead judgment in the applications for a review of its February 13, 2020 judgment which overturned the APC’s victory in the governorship poll.

With tears in her eyes, the justice regretted that “very senior” lawyers were responsible for filing the applications.

The Supreme Court awarded the costs of N10m to be personally paid by Chief Babalola, who represented David Lyon, and Chief Olanipekun, for APC.

It ruled that each of the SANs must pay N10 million to each of the three respondents – the PDP, Governor Duoye Diri, and the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhruojakpo, bringing the total amount to be paid to N60 million.

Justice Augie said the applications amounted to an inviting the apex court to sit in appeal on its judgment in violation of the Constitution.

A seven-man panel of the apex court led by the late Justice Sylvester Ngwuta described the applications filed by the APC and Lyon as vexatious, frivolous, and constituted a gross abuse of the court process.

Justice Augie held that granting the applications would open a floodgate for the review of decisions of the Supreme Court.

“There must be an end to litigation,” she said, adding, “the decision of the Supreme Court is final for ages in a matter”, adding that only legislation could change it.

Chief Babalola and Chief Wole Olanipekun protested the N60 million fine.

In protest letters addressed to the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), they insisted that they did no wrong by asking the court to take a second look at its judgment.

“We did no wrong, committed no error and do not deserve the harsh comments in the leading ruling of Justice Amina Augie…

“There is no nexus or proximity or even bearing between the processes filed by us and the most unfair and least expected stern expressions of her lordship, Amina Augie,” Olanipekun wrote.

Babalola faulted what he described as “disparaging remarks” made against him in the ruling.

He insisted that he had a duty under the rules of professional conduct to devote his “attention, energy and expertise and subject to any rule of law, and to act in a manner consistent with the best interest of his client”.

Nasarawa enrols 130 Almajiris in health insurance scheme.

Nasarawa enrols 130 Almajiris in health insurance scheme.

The Nasarawa State Government has disclosed that no fewer than 130 Almajiri teenagers have been enrolled into the state’s Health Insurance Agency as part of its efforts at improving their health status.

Arewa PUNCH recalls that in May 2020, the state government repatriated 788 Almajiris in the state to their various home states in a bid to ensure they got proper education and care from their parents.

Speaking with our correspondent in Lafia on Monday, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Aishatu Ibrahim, explained that the gesture was to ensure that young residents of the state who are part of the Almajiri system, get adequate healthcare coverage at all times.

She added that the state government had also enrolled 80 of the Almajiri children in public schools in order to ensure that they achieve sound education.

Ibrahim said, “What we are doing is mainly to ensure that children in the state, including the Almajiris, get good healthcare and sound education.

“The Nasarawa State Government embarked on pragmatic programmes and policies geared towards impacting positively on the lives of the Almajiris.

“This is why apart from enrolling the Almajiris in the health insurance scheme, over 80 of them were recently enrolled into public schools in the state in order for them to acquire basic western education,” he remarked.

The Commissioner stressed that measures have been put in place towards ensuring that the Almajiris are engaged in meaningful ventures for their future instead of roaming the streets and begging for alms.

Therefore, she called on good-spirited individuals and organisations to key into the efforts of the state government in rendering assistance to the Almajiris in every way possible in order to ensure a guaranteed future for them.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Yahaya Bawa-Ubam has disclosed that the agency is targeting to enrol 500,000 residents of the state into the scheme by the year 2027.

Bawa-Ubam, who was recently appointed by Governor Abdullahi Sule, informed Arewa PUNCH that over 218,000 persons had enrolled into the scheme and are currently benefiting from the quality out-of-pocket healthcare services.

He added that the beneficiaries were registered under different packages such as public sector, informal sector, vulnerable, students, among others.

He called on healthcare providers in the state to be professional in thier conduct, and give their enrollees the desired services in order to increase the confidence of the people in the scheme.

“The benefits of health insurance schemes to ensuring a healthy society can not be over emphasised, hence the need for all residents of the state to enrol in the programme,” Bawa-Ubam insisted.

Speaking on the development, the Director of Education, Almajiri Liberation Movement in the state, Abdullahi Mohammed, commended the Nasarawa State Government for taking steps towards protecting the health of the Almajiris and for enrolling them in public schools across the state.

He revealed that the Non-governmental organisation had also been making arrangements towards enrolling a minimum of 260 Almajiris in schools in order to boost their knowledge and learning capacities.

However, Mohammed, lamented that a major challenge that the NGO is facing in its quest at helping the Almajiris is that most of their care-givers (Mallams) have not been cooperating with the organisation in getting the details of the new entrants in their respective locations.

“The Almajiris are not only those seen on the streets begging for food. There are also Almajiris who do not go out on the street to beg. The major reason for this is that most parents do not want to take care of their responsibilities,” Muhammad stated.

Continuing, he maintained, “We have been making efforts for the Almajiris in Nasarawa State, but the mallams have not been meeting up with our expectations because most of them they go ahead to take them (Almajiris) without any proper documentation.

“Some of the Almajiri children do not even know their states of origin. We told them (mallams) to collect the details of parents who bring their children to learn from them, but they have not been cooperating with us.

“Helping the Almajiris without knowing about their parents and other details has not been easy because while collaborating with the government to offer assistance to them, we would have to explain why we want the assistance for the Almajiris.

“So, I am calling on the mallams to henceforth give the needed cooperation to us so that we can collectively help the Almajiris to have better futures,” he pleaded

FG promises support for ‘entrepreneurship village’ project.

FG promises support for ‘entrepreneurship village’ project.

Food entrepreneur Essie Bartels buys spices from trader Aisha Ibrahim at Makola market in Accra AFP.

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has announced its willingness to support the Entrepreneurship Village (E-Village) project, which is being planned for Akure, Ondo State.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, disclosed this during a meeting with the stakeholders of the E-Village in Abuja on Tuesday.

The minister, who acknowledged the pivotal role such an initiative like E-Village will play in driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth, noted that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s vision for a tech-driven future.

“The Entrepreneurship Village aligns with our vision for a tech-driven future, and I am excited to endorse and support this endeavour wholeheartedly,” the minister said.

Also, Nnaji stressed that the initiative represents a crucial step towards positioning Nigeria as a hub for technological innovation and added that the ministry will not hesitate to make collaborative efforts and policy initiatives aimed at propelling the Entrepreneurship Village to greater heights.

Speaking earlier on behalf of other stakeholders, the President of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs, Dr. Summy Francis, explained that e-village is a social impact and legacy project that addresses the need that the African economy currently faces in the education, entrepreneurship, and infrastructural sector.

In addition, Francis disclosed that the entrepreneurial ecosystem provided by e-village ensures that budding entrepreneurs are identified, trained, supported, and produced to help the economy create jobs and solve the many challenges currently experienced and yet to be experienced on the continent.

The E-Village will house institutions such as the New York Institute of Finance, the London Academy Business School , the Metropolitan School of Business and Management, UK, and the School of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Also, it will house the Octagon Business Hub, Megamindz Creative Academy, and Research Cube, amongst other institutions that would enhance human capacity development.