Zamfara gov promises relief packages for terror attack victims.

Zamfara gov promises relief packages for terror attack victims.

In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in parts of Zurmi Local Government Area and surrounding communities, the Zamfara State Government has offered to extend assistance and emergency relief materials to the affected people in their respective areas.

The government also expressed gratitude to the military forces and other security agencies for their relentless efforts to contain the situation.

Governor Dauda Lawal’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, conveyed the government’s commitment to providing assistance and emergency relief materials to individuals and communities adversely affected by the attacks in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.

Idris reassured the people of Zamfara of the government’s dedication to ensuring their safety.

The statement read, “The state government will extend assistance and emergency relief materials to the affected people.

“We want to assure the people of Zamfara that we are fully committed to ensuring their safety. We are aware of the sacrifice of the security forces in their efforts to protect the people’s lives. “The state government will provide them with all the necessary logistics and support to fight banditry. We will not rest until Zamfara is completely secure.”

The governor expressed sympathy for the communities impacted by the bandit attacks and commended the troops for their commendable efforts.

The statement continued, “Zamfara State government is deeply concerned over the recent attacks in communities across the state, particularly in Zurmi, Maru, and Tsafe Local Government Areas.

“Governor Lawal further commended the efforts of the security forces for neutralizing scores of leaders of the bandit groups across the state.”

He stated that positive reports highlighted the progress made by troops in the fight against banditry in the ztate, acknowledging the sacrifices and efforts of the security forces.

The governor called for continued support and prayers for the security forces engaged in restoring peace and security to the state

Ekiti Livestock Development Center Trainees Commence Culling Of 10,000 Table-Size Chickens.

Ekiti Livestock Development Center Trainees Commence Culling Of 10,000 Table-Size Chickens. 

......Govt vows to continue empowering youths.

Youths undergoing training at the Livestock Development Center site of the Ekiti State Government Agricultural hub at Erifun have commenced culling of the 10,000 table-size chickens that were hatched about five weeks ago.

Speaking during a monitoring visit to the site, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun described the development as the fruition of a strategically planned scheme with support from donor agencies that was designed to train and empower youths in the State.

Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun stressed that the five-week period from hatching to maturity of the birds coupled with the readymade market makes the scheme a short-time enterprise and very profitable for youths to venture into.

Olatunbosun reiterated the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to the welfare of people in the State particularly the youths, assuring that the administration would continue to initiate and implement programmes designed to make youths self-reliant and employers of labour.

He urged youths in the State to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the State Government to make themselves financially independent and possible employers of labour.

He said “we were here about five weeks ago, just like we were here to witness the first set of broilers that were raised at the centre. Today after five weeks, we are here again to witness the broilers that we saw as day old chicks now fully grown enough to be eaten or consumed.

“The joy of it is that our trainees have received a lot of practical and expertise training that can make them to stand on their own. One of the things that Government is doing through the Ministry of Agriculture is the promotion of short term business enterprise that can earn them resources that can give them good money within a short period of time. 

“The choice of broilers as against production of layers that would take minimum of one year plus. Within a period of five weeks, you can have your business and have your gains and reinvest again. This is very good. It shows that our Government is getting it right”. 

“Having trained and setting up the current group, it is our believe that our young ones can take advantage of this opportunity with the Government Agric Ministry to participate in the entrepreneurship training”.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade recalled that a set of 9,000 birds had been culled at the center in September before the current set was hatched and raised.

Assuring of Government’s constituency in implementing the scheme, Boluwade said that the trainees who have become more informed, experienced and exposed would be assisted to set up their own pens and become entrepreneurs in their own rights.

Boluwade disclosed that the State Government had acquired several hectares of land that would be allocated to the graduates of the Center to be used as pens in order to achieve the desired goal of making them successful entrepreneurs.

He assured interested youths of the Agricultural hub’s capability to take in as many of them that are ready to learn and work, adding that there is no excuse for youths in the State to be unemployed with all the initiatives put in place by the State Government.

Èkìtì State Chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress Congratulates Ààrẹ Adedara Temitope Moses on New Appointment.

Èkìtì State Chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress Congratulates Ààrẹ Adedara Temitope Moses on New Appointment.

The Èkìtì State Chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress extends heartfelt congratulations to Ààrẹ Adedara Temitope Moses, the Executive Chairman of the youth congress, on his recent appointment as the Special Adviser Domestic to the Executive Governor of Èkìtì State, His Excellency Biodun Abayọmi Oyebanji.

Ààrẹ Topmost's exceptional leadership qualities and style in guiding the Èkìtì youth have garnered well-deserved recognition. As a testament to his commitment, Ààrẹ Adedara Temitope Moses emphasizes, "Leadership does not exist for itself," assuring the people of Èkìtì that he will dedicate himself to the purpose of this new assignment in accordance with the guiding provisions of the office.

In the press statement released by the Youths Congress through the office of the Public Relations Officer, Greatolasoji Gabriel expressed confidence in Ààrẹ Topmost's ability to fulfill this new role effectively.

His Excellency, Biodun Abayọmi Oyebanji, is commended for acknowledging and appointing youths like Adedara Temitope Moses. The entire youth congress expresses gratitude for the appointments, including Maxwell Oluwasegun Olu-Ajayi as the SA Youth Development and Mary Ọrẹ Adetiba as the SSA Student Affairs. Expectations are high for these appointees to unite, foster unity, and strengthen the bond between the state government and Èkìtì youth and students.

The youth congress congratulates all the appointed youth leaders and emphasizes their responsibility to channel leadership toward inclusiveness and effectiveness.

In reaffirming their commitment, the youth congress declares its dedication to the development of Èkìtì State, transcending political affiliations and religious beliefs.

Gombe lawmakers pass N208bn 2024 budget.

Gombe lawmakers pass N208bn 2024 budget.

The Gombe State House of Assembly has passed the state’s 2024 budget estimate of N208.064bn.

It was reported that the budget reflects an increase of N300m as against the N207.750bn earlier submitted by the state governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Yahaya.

A statement signed by the Chief Information Officer of the House, Mr Umaru Ma’aji, on Wednesday contained the breakdown of the budget estimate.

The Speaker of the House, Abubakar Luggerewo, as quoted in the statement, thanked the lawmakers for their support, cooperation and the manner with which the appropriation bill was handled.

Presenting the report of its committee, the Chairman, Appropriation Committee, Alhaji Aliyu Manu, representing Gombe North said his committee observed that most of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ budget officers were not conversant with the budget provisions which is guided by Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

“Therefore we recommend that henceforth budget office should transmit executive council’s approved budget to ministries and as well as consider and approved N208, 064,000,000.00, as total budget size of Gombe state,” the statement partly read.

Ma’aji said the 2024 budget, tagged ‘Budget of Continuity and Consolidation’ focus on completion of all ongoing projects starting from the first tenure of the present governor, adding that 43 per cent of the budget goes to economic sector while 11 per cent goes to social sector .

He added, “After a clause by clause consideration by the Speaker, Abubakar Luggerewo, at the committee of the whole and contributions by the members, the bill was read for the third time and passed into law.”

Luggerewo lauded his colleagues for the support and cooperation given to the committee members.

Meanwhile, the House has passed a resolution to write a letter of reminder to members of the National Assembly representing Gombe North to do a follow up at Federal Ministry of Works on the dilapidated road condition of Gombe Funakaye – Nafada Road which has been previously awarded but not funded.

Presenting his committee’s report to this effect, the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transportation, Mustapha Hassan, said his committee has interacted with Federal Ministry of Works Area Office Gombe, FERMA and State Ministry of Works and Transportation where they found out that the project was captured in the 2024 budget of the Federal Government

Rivers assembly declares seats of 27 defected lawmakers vacant.

Rivers assembly declares seats of 27 defected lawmakers vacant.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has declared the seats of the 27 members who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party the All Progressives Congress vacant.

The 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, defected from the party recently amid moves to impeach the state governor, Sim Fubara.

The affected lawmakers were not present at the sitting where their seats were declared vacant.

The four-member Assembly, led by factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, loyal to the state governor, on Wednesday, said the decision to declare the seats vacant was in line with Section 109 (1) (g) and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The Speaker, who read the names of the lawmakers affected, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct fresh elections within the time frame provided by law.to fill the positions.

“Distinguished colleagues, the House will duly inform the Independent National Electoral Commission of the vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly and indeed, to conduct a fresh election to fill the above vacancies,” he declared

Fubara hails Wike on 56th birthday amid Rivers crisis.

Fubara hails Wike on 56th birthday amid Rivers crisis.

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State has congratulated his predecessor, Nyesom Wikeon his 56th birthday.

The sent his birthday message to Wike, who is the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday, December 13, amid the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly. 

The governor wrote in a birthday post on his verified X page: “Your Excellency, my dear wife and I, and the good people of Rivers State, join your family and friends to facilitate you on this day.”

About two months after a fire destroyed the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, the state government dismantled it on Wednesday under heavy security.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara led a convoy of around ten bulldozers transported on heavy-duty flatbed lorries onto the Assembly grounds at roughly 6:45 a.m. to begin the demolition exercise.

At the same time as the demolition was happening, the governor subsequently gave the Edison Ehie-led committee the N800 billion 2024 budget projections in Government House.

The court acknowledged Ehie as the Speaker of the House and prohibited Martins Amaewhule from posing as the speaker.

Present at the budget presentation were members of the House loyal to Ehie. None of the members who recently moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was in attendance.

The crisis in the 32-member Assembly had begun as a result of a rift between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja

President Tinubu Unveils Plan For Massive Investments In Health Sector, Says Healthcare Back On Front Burner.

President Tinubu Unveils Plan For Massive Investments In Health Sector, Says Healthcare Back On Front Burner.

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is prioritizing and improving Nigeria’s health sector through massive investments and the allocation of increased funds to the sector in the proposed 2024 budget. 

The President made this declaration at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by Federal, State Governments, and Development Partners in Abuja on Tuesday. 

The event was a part of activities marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, observed annually on December 12. 

"Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. That hope is ignited here today with the support of all multilateral partners and agencies; health is back on the front burner.

''This occasion marks an opportunity for collective reflection and action as we recommit ourselves to the noble pursuit of health for all. The theme for this year 'Health for All: Time for Action' encapsulates the urgency and the determination with which we must approach this noble goal. 

''Health is not merely the absence of disease but the embodiment of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is a fundamental human right and Nigeria's commitment to achieving Universal Health Care Coverage is reflected in the unwavering dedication of my administration to uphold this right for every individual, young or old, in rural or urban areas," the President said.

Noting the importance of primary healthcare in building a resilient, integrated healthcare system, President Tinubu announced plans for a comprehensive revamp of physical infrastructure, equipment, and the re-training of frontline health workers starting from 2024. 

To address the high cost of healthcare, President Tinubu said the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) will be redesigned to enhance access to essential healthcare services as outlined in the National Health Act (2014). 

The President emphasized the coordination and implementation of these initiatives must be non-partisan.

Highlighting several key policy actions of the administration in the health sector, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate explained that the BHCPF has been redesigned as the foundational basis for a sector-wide approach. 

He added that the BHCPF, comprising at least 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, is expected to receive at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled financing from 2024 to 2026 to improve the primary health system nationwide.

The Minister outlined plans to double the number of fully functional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027 across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that these PHCs will be linked to a comprehensive emergency care system.

Emphasizing the importance of transparent reporting, Prof. Pate stated that the federal government will make resource allocation, releases, and results transparent to all stakeholders, including government bodies, non-governmental partners, civil society organizations, and citizens.

He noted that the increased allocation in the proposed 2024 budget for health and social welfare sectors has demonstrated the political will of the Tinubu administration to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improve the health of Nigerians. 

''Thanks to Mr. President, the Federal Government is making significant investments in health infrastructure and equipment for our hospitals, as well as the provision of critical commodities, the expansion of health insurance, alongside heightened attention to the welfare of the health workforce,'' he stated.

Addressing the rising prices of pharmaceuticals, Prof. Pate announced the federal government's plan to establish a mechanism for the pooled procurement of critical pharmaceuticals in 2024. This initiative aims to lower costs and guarantee quality, making life-saving medications more affordable for the poorest Nigerians. 

''In the medium term, Mr. President’s initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain will see Nigeria manufacturing increasing share of its generic drugs, medical devices, and associated content, such as vaccines over time. This will reduce our dependency on those only keen to exploit our markets,'' the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare affirmed.