Tinubu's Wife Splashes N25 Million Cash Largesse On Ekiti Elderly Citizens.

Tinubu's Wife Splashes N25 Million Cash Largesse On Ekiti Elderly Citizens 

......Excited Beneficiaries Got N100,000 Each, Pray for Nigeria's First Lady for Gesture.

The Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS) of Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has supported 250 vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 years and above in Ekiti State with N100,000 each.

The President's wife's largesse to the elderly in Ekiti was aimed at cushioning the effects the economic situation of the country and alleviate their burden during the festive period.

Senator Tinubu's financial support for the elderly which was tagged "Better Days Ahead" is an economic empowerment borne out of a steadfast commitment to the wellbeing of the elderly citizens and it marks a significant stride in the nation's collective pursuit for a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Presenting the cash support to the Ekiti beneficiaries in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Senator Tinubu disclosed that the sum of N950 million was earmarked for disbursement to the elderly citizens in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers' Wives Association (DEPOWA).

Represented by the wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, Senator Tinubu explained that N25 million would be shared to elderly citizens in each of the states of the federation and the FCT as approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Senator Tinubu said: "This scheme is to support Two Hundred and Fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers' Wives Association (DEPOWA).

"These selected beneficiaries will receive a sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) each. This is to cushion the effect of the economic situation and to alleviate to the burdens of our esteemed elders during this festive period. 

"We are committed to ensuring that each state receives this gesture, without discrimination. As we approach the festive season, it becomes very important to emphasize the significance of prioritizing our elderly citizens in our initiatives.

"By reaching out to the people who elderly this festive period, we not only honour their contributions but also acknowledge the unique encounters they face." 

The President's wife appreciated the wives of the Governor's,State Coordinators of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and partners who have supported with free medical screening and the distribution of other sundry items to the beneficiaries.   

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Oyebanji, also advocated for prayers for President Bola Tinubu for him to lead the nation aright and for his wife (Senator Remi) to keep on making the difference in the lives of Nigerians especially the less privileged.

The benefiting elderly citizens were full of praises and prayers for Mrs Tinubu for doling out N100,000 to each of them as financial support at a time they least expected. They also hailed Dr Oyebanji for her acts of kindness to the less privileged.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders' Forum, Prof. Muyiwa Igbalajobi, hailed Senator Tinubu for what he described as "her uncommon care for the elderly and prioritizing their welfare."

Another senior citizen, Chief Ronke Okusanya, said it was fulfilling for governments at both federal and state levels to take interests in the matters of the elderly.

She said: "The welfare of the elderly is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative. Help us appreciate Mrs. Remi Tinubu for this gesture and we also appreciate our First Lady in Ekiti for what she has been doing for us."

The beneficiaries offered words of prayers for President Tinubu, Mrs Tinubu Governor Oyebanji and Dr Oyebanji for giving them hope and making them happy at the Yuletide season.

Offering prayers both in Christian and Islamic ways, they prayed for the success of the Tinubu Administration to make a difference in the country and also prayed long life for the President and First Lady.

Oyebanji Enlists Monarchs' Backing to Tackle Rising Land, Chieftaincy Tussles.

Oyebanji Enlists Monarchs' Backing to Tackle Rising Land, Chieftaincy Tussles.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has enlisted the support and ingenuity of the traditional rulers in resolving some of the knotty issues bordering on exponential increase in cases of land and chieftaincy tussles in the state.

Oyebanji made the request in Ifaki Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of the State, on Thursday, at the end of the year get- together organised by traditional rulers under the umbrella of the Majority Obas of Ekiti Land (MOBEL).

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said the government will be banking on the experiences of traditional rulers, as prescribed authorities in their domains, in settling some of the crises resurging in their areas of jurisdictions to entrench peace and stability. 

He said: "Your royal majesties, let me appeal once again that you should continually deploy your wealth of experiences and skills in resolving some of the challenges bordering on land and chieftaincy disputes that are rearing their ugly heads and threatening the stability of the state. 

"We have that faith that your involvement will stem these tides and return normalcy where necessary. We appreciate God that all the over 140 autonomous towns in Ekiti and their villages are witnessing peace without any form of violence. 

"This was made possible because Ekiti enjoyed divine protection throughout the year and the government of Biodun Oyebanji was not also shirking in its responsibility of ensuring peace through diligent protection of lives and property of our dear citizens.

 "Let me say that the administration of Governor Oyebanji has great respect for our royal fathers, regardless of classes and sizes of their towns. This was why we have not been interfering with selection of obas in towns where there are vacancies in their traditional stools". 

Speaking further on the government's favourable disposition towards traditional rulers, Oyebanji added: "Our dear governor also demonstrated further respect and honour for tradition by his desire to complete the ultramodern Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers that had been adjudged as a masterpiece and best in the Southwest Nigeria. 

"This project that was rated as a flagship would give comfort to our traditional rulers in terms of administration and holding of statutory council meetings for smooth operation of the chieftaincy issues".

She saluted the patriotism of the traditional rulers in terms of support for the current administration, saying the government will continue to acknowledge your contributions to the accomplishments of the numerous developmental programmes being undertaken under the Biodun Oyebanji's government. 

"You have been performing wonderfully well and we are soliciting for more. Let me once again appreciate our royal fathers for their support and wish you good and sound health on the thrones of your forebears".

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of MOBEL and the Olomuo-Oke of Omuo Oke Ekiti, Oba Valentine Otitoju, challenged his members to be patriotic enough in dealing with issues bordering on administration of traditional matters that breaks to stabilise the system.

"We really appreciate the state government for the ways they have been administering issues in Ekiti State. We are happy in particular with the choice of Olojudo, Oba Idowu Faboro as the Chairman of traditional council.

"In terms of performance, Governor Oyebanji has been doing marvelously well. If he should continue this way, his second term is guaranteed. We salute his selfless service to our dear state and he should count on us all the time".

In his submission, the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ilori Faboro, commended the government for prioritising the welfare of his people.

Oba Faboro, who requested more dividends of democracy for his members, stated that the monarchs will continually back the policies and programmes tended toward bring economic prosperity and security of lives and property.

Ondo Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa Presents N384.5B 2024 Budget to Assembly.

Ondo Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa Presents N384.5B 2024 Budget to Assembly.

The Acting Governor Of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has on Thursday presented the 2024 appropriation bill of the state to the State House of Assembly.

The 2024 budget details presented by Aiyedatiwa says a sum of three hundred and eighty – four billion, five hundred and thirty- three million naira (N384,533,000,000.00) only was projected for the year.

Out Of Which The Sum Of One Hundred And Seventy- Two Billion, Five Hundred And Eighteen Million, One Hundred And Forty Thousand, Three Hundred And Fifty Three Naira (N172,518,140,353.00) Only, Is For Recurrent Expenditure, While The Balance Of Two Hundred And Twelve Billion, Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred And Fifty -nine Thousand, Six Hundred And Forty Seven Naira (N212,014,859,647.00) Only, Is For Capital Expenditure For The Services Of Ondo State.

The budget presentation is being witnessed by 26 State lawmakers and members of the State Executive Council including the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu as well as other top politicians and government’s officials.

Ekiti Workers To Get N15,000 Wage Award For Six Months.

Ekiti Workers To Get N15,000 Wage Award For Six Months. 

......As Oyebanji pays one month salary arrears to LG workers, primary school teachers. 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved payment of N15,000 wage award for all workers in the state as part of measures put in place to cushion the effect of current economic situation in the country. 

The payment will run for a period of six months pending the time an agreement is reached on minimum wage for workers. 

According to a statement signed my the Special Adviser, Media to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, pensioners in the state will also receive N10,000 wage award for six months as approved by Governor Oyebanji. 

The wage award takes effect from this month. 

Similarly, Governor Oyebanji has also approved payment of July 2018 salary arrears to local government workers and primary school teachers across the 16 local government areas of the state. 

The payment is in fulfillment of the Governor’s promise to prioritize workers’ welfare and wellbeing as well as his pledge to ensure all outstanding entitlements of workers, owed by previous administrations, are paid to them. 

The Governor had earlier put in place some palliative measures for workers at the wake of the subsidy removal. This include payment of some outstanding entitlements, extension of the minimum wage to senior workers on level 14 to 17 as well as provision of shuttle buses for workers and students in the state. 

Describing Ekiti workers as dedicated,reliable and understanding, the Governor urged them to continue to live up to expectation as the engine room of the government, adding that his administration would continue to take care of their welfare within available resources.

Supreme Court reserves judgement in Kano governorship dispute.

Supreme Court reserves judgement in Kano governorship dispute.

The Supreme Court has reserved judgement in the Kano State governorship election dispute between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The apex court said the date for the judgement would be communicated to both parties.

Earlier, a five-member panel of justices led by Justice Inyang Okoro had listened to closing arguments from the lawyers representing both parties and accepted a cross-appeal filed by APC.

Yusuf had appealed the November 17 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which nullified his victory in the March 19 governorship election.

He also notified the apex court of the contradictions in the CTC judgment, which upheld the governor’s election and awarded the sum of N1 million in his favour.

Recall that a three-member panel of justices of the appellate court led by Justice Moore A. Adumein upheld the appeal of Gawuna.

The panel held that Yusuf was not a registered member of NNPP and, therefore, ineligible to contest the election.

However, in the long argument before the apex court on Thursday, parties raised issues concerning the jurisdiction of the court in political party membership of a candidate.

The lawyers also argued over whether the court could “visit the sin of INEC’s failure to sign over 160,000 ballot papers on the voters in Kano State.”

Borno State Government pledges continued support to the military.

Borno State Government pledges continued support to the military.

....Launches this year Emblem Appeal week.

Borno State Government has pledged to support the Nigerian military to continue to sustain the existing relative peace and rapid return of normalcy in the state.

Borno State Governor Prof Babagana Umara Zulum stated this today during the occasion of the launching of this year Emblem Appeal week at the Government House Maiduguri.

The state Governor was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman kadafur said the present administration will continue to render its assistance and support to the Nigerian Legion during their annual launching of Emblem Appeal week.

Borno Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman.

The state Government later announced a donation of 15 million naira, a car donation, 100 bags of 50kg rice, approval for provision of permanet office accomodation and 2 Hajj seats to the Nigerian Legion and widows of the fallen heroes as appealed by Chairman Nigerian Legion Borno State Council.

The Governor said, while we remember our fallen heroes and those with permanent disability, it is also pestinent to commend and appreciate gallant soldiers and other security forum members operating in the state for their relentless efforts which brought relative peace.

Earlier in his address the chairman Nigerian Legion, Borno State col. Williams Adamu (rtd) said since this year's event started with the launching of the emblem appeal week, the Nigerian Legion in Borno State has found it necessary to place on record that the present administration has tremendously assisted the Nigerian Legion in various ways, recalling that Governor Zulum has donated More than 15 Million Naira and two hundreds bags of rice in the last year's armed force remembrance day celebration.

He then equally appealed to the state governor to provide them with toyoto Hilux vehicle for office administration, two seats for Hajj pilgrimage for the year 2024, two seats for holy pilgrimage to Jerusalem and a permanent office accomodation.

As part of the event, over 5.3 million naira was realized with the Borno State Government giving the highest donation of 15 million, 1 million by theartre commander operation hadin Kai, five hundred thousand Naira from Garrison commander, five hundred thousand by the Secretary to the State Government and 1.8 million from members of the state executive council.

Port Harcourt refinery reopens after years of closure.

Port Harcourt refinery reopens after years of closure.

The Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State has resumed operations, in line with the federal government’s commitment, aiming to produce refined goods at the plant by December 2023.

The plant underwent turnaround maintenance and underperformance for many years prior to its development. 

The total processing capacity of four Nigerian refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, is 445,000 barrels per day (bpd). However, in 2019, they were shut down.

But in August, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), said that the refinery will start up again in December.

Lokpobiri said this during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the PHRC Ltd. plant

“Our objective in coming here today is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria stops fuel importation. From what we have seen here today, Port Harcourt Refinery will come on board by the end of the year,” he said during the visit.

More than two years have passed since the federal government authorized $1.5 billion (1.2 billion euros) in funds to rehabilitate one of its largest oil refineries, when activities at the Port Harcourt plant resumed.

The government selected Maire Tecnimont, an Italian company, to handle the facility’s repairs at the Port Harcourt location, which can produce about 210,000 barrels per day.

“We are happy to announce that the rehabilitation of productivity refinery will commence in three phases, the then-Minister of Petroleum (State) Timipre Sylva had told reporters.

“The first phase is to be completed in 18 months, which will take the refinery to a production of 90 percent of its nameplate capacity,” said Sylva, adding that the second phase would be completed in 24 months and the third in 44 months.

Nigeria has been dependent on petroleum product imports despite having the largest oil producer in Africa due to a lack of refining infrastructure within the country. Fuel shortages occur often.

However, the government has been attempting to increase capacity at the nation’s underperforming state-owned refineries as part of efforts to restructure the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The restoration of refinery operations at the plant and the start of a comparable project at the Dangote Refinery are expected to enhance fuel supplies in Africa’s top oil producer and enable savings on refined fuel and other petroleum products.