Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence Extends New Year Wishes for Progress and Unity.

Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence Extends New Year Wishes for Progress and Unity.

In a momentous event, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence, the Chairman-elect of Ifedara LCDA, extends heartfelt New Year wishes filled with positive change, progress, and fulfillment to the people of Ifedara LCDA and the entire Ekiti community. Addressing the residents, he underscores the vital importance of unity, peace, and love within the community.

Hon Ogunsanya encourages everyone to unite in prayer for the success of Governor Oyebanji's administration, emphasizing that Ifedara LCDA is their home, and Ekiti State is their state.

Engaging with the media, Hon Ogunsanya imparts valuable advice to the youth, urging them to seek meaningful pursuits in the new year. He assures them of Governor Oyebanji's administration's steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of youths across the state.

The Chairman-elect underscores the significance of fostering a sense of community, urging residents to collaborate towards the betterment of Ifedara LCDA and the broader Ekiti State! 🎉

In his unwavering belief, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday holds that the year 2024 is destined for accomplishments, blessings, and shared joy for everyone. With optimism in his heart, he raises a cheer to herald the new beginning that awaits Ifedara LCDA and the broader Ekiti community in the coming year.

In a heartfelt prayer, Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence fervently implores the Almighty to shower abundant knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, coupled with sound health, upon His Excellency Governor Oyebanji and his administration crew. The earnest desire is for divine guidance to lead Ekiti State to its zenith, ensuring a prosperous and thriving future for the entire community.

Mining to experience major leap in 2024, says Alake.

Mining to experience major leap in 2024, says Alake.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake said Nigeria’s mining sector would experience a major leap in 2024.

Alake said the leap would be towards contributing substantially to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The special assistant on media to the minister, Segun Tomori made this known in a press statement.

According to him, Alake said this in his new year goodwill message to Nigerians.

He added: “Alake reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s vision of diversifying the economy through renewed focus on solid minerals is on course, asserting that reforms in the sector will yield tremendous results in the new year.

“I felicitate Nigerians for making it through 2023 into the year 2024. It is pertinent that we collectively look forward to the horizon of the new year, with renewed hope, especially because it signposts the first fiscal year of the Tinubu administration.

“On our part in the solid minerals development ministry, we will be consolidating on reforms that commenced with our ambitious 7-point agenda, on assumption of office, four months ago. Nigerians are rest assured that an efficient governance structure that will transform the opaque nature of the mining sector will crystallise in the new year.

“It will be recalled that we had revoked 1,633 mining licenses of those that defaulted in the payment of annual service fees last year. More revocation is in the offing for other categories of defaulters in 2024”

“Our plans to tackle the menace of insecurity in mining areas alongside the activities of illegal miners through a rejigged security architecture is well on course. In a short while, we will see the result of months of engagement with heads of security agencies, as we are poised to rout those plundering Nigeria’s mineral resources. “the Minister affirmed.

On exploration, he said: “Efforts on exploration of critical minerals which started last year with the signing of an MOU with German firm, GeoScan GmbH for the deployment of proprietary technology to explore minerals up to 10,000m under the earth will be ramped up with renewed vigour by the federal government.

“This is crucial for the development of the sector as it will lead to the generation of big geo-data required for global players to make informed decisions about investing in the industry,

“Alake further urged Nigerians to keep faith with the Tinubu administration, emphasising that reforms in the mining sector and other areas will jumpstart the real sector and lead to immense jobs and prosperity for all Nigerians.

“We are prioritizing value addition for prospective investors in the mining sector. The era of just carting away our resources is over. We want to see practical plans to develop these raw materials into finished products or plans to add value to host communities before we even license new operators.

“This is pertinent, so that the mining sector can lead the way in industrialization, create massive jobs for our teeming young population, and contribute substantially to economic development in the new year” Alake added

Why we increased 2024 budget, by Reps.

Why we increased 2024 budget, by Reps.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi has explained why the National Assembly increased the 2024 budget from N27.50 trillion to N28.78 trillion.

Bichi also said that the increase was necessitated by the promise from Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) to increased their revenue generation in the 2024 fiscal year.

The House and the Senate passed a harmonised budget of N28.78 trillion on Saturday, December 30, an increase of about N1.27 trillion over the budget presented by the president.

Bichi explained that revenue-generating agencies have pledged a substantial revenue increase in 2024 to support the budget.

He said: “We had a meeting with the GOEs, we believe that their submissions are not enough. They have agreed to increase their revenue.

“That is how we are able to get that 1.2 trillion which we applied to capital”, Bichi said, adding that the budget increase in the appropriation bill is allocated to the capital component rather than recurrent expenditure.

“I believe this budget is brilliant and Nigerians will see a lot of impacts. This is the first time the capital (component) is bigger than recurrent.”

According to him, citizens made contributions in to the money bill at a one-day town hall meeting organised by the House, while the National Assembly joint committee on appropriations worked closely with the executive to arrive at the budget.

During budget defence early this month, Bichi told Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), to increase the agency’s revenue target for 2024 to N6 trillion from its proposed N5.79 trillion, stressing that the government needs money to finance several projects.

The appropriation committee chairman also urged the Nigerian Upstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to increase its revenue target to N6 trillion from the proposed N5.6.

Ekiti First Lady rescues 27 stranded patients, pays N3m medical bills.

Ekiti First Lady rescues 27 stranded patients, pays N3m medical bills.

Wife of Ekiti state governor, Olayemi Oyebanji, has rescued a total number of 27 indigent patients stranded at four government health facilities by paying their medical bills to facilitate their immediate discharge.

The gesture was extended to 13 beneficiaries at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti; 4 at State Specialist Hospital, Ikere Ekiti; 6 at State Specialist Hospital, Ijero Ekiti and four at state specialist hospital, Ikole Ekiti.

According to a statement on Sunday, December 31, by her senior special assistant on media, Odunayo Ogunmola, Oyebanji distributed cash support of over N3 million to bring relief to the patients who had been held back at the hospitals over their inability to pay their accumulated medical bills.

Speaking while performing the cash support scheme which was a component of her Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH) Project, Oyebanji urged the authorities of the hospitals to ensure immediate discharge of the beneficiaries.

The First Lady explained that she thought on the plight of patients stranded in government hospitals during this Yuletide period and decided to come to their aid.

She said: “While on holidays in Ikogosi Ekiti, it just came to my mind that we have patients in hospitals who are unable to go home during this period and we must do something to assist them to pay their bills for them to celebrate New Year in their homes.”

Oyebanji disclosed that her office had distributed over 700 bags of rice during this Yuletide season, all in a bid to bring relief to the people of the state and to likewise key into the Shared Prosperity vision of the Governor.

She called for more prayers and support for the governor Oyebanji led administration from the people of the state for it to continue to execute policies that will better the lives of the citizenry.

Earlier, EKSUTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Kayode Olabanji described Dr. Oyebanji and her husband as God-sent, noting that the couple had impacted lives positively since coming to office.

He revealed that paying medical bills of indigents patients had become an important area of intervention to the First Lady and a means to reach out to the less privileged and give them a sense of belonging.

Prof. Olabanji explained that the benefiting patients would never forget the gesture, which she described as a great act of kindness.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi described the governor and his wife as a blessing to the state judging by their pro-people initiatives and life changing programmes.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Sola Gbenga-Igotun, described the cash support for the indigent patients as timely and impactful on the lives of the beneficiaries.

Two of the beneficiaries, Salaudeen Idris and Mrs. Kemisola Bamigbola expressed gratitude to the First Lady and offered prayers for the first family and the administration in appreciation of the kind gesture.

ASOBA '95 Set Celebrates Presidential Aide, Tope Ajayi.

ASOBA '95 Set Celebrates Presidential Aide, Tope Ajayi. 

The Annunciation School Old Boys Association (ASOBA) '95 set hosted a joyous get-together in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State over the weekend, honoring the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Affairs, Temitope Ajayi.

Guests and well-wishers lauded the planning committee, chaired by Deji Olorunsola, with Ife Ogunlusi and Morakinyo Oluwamusanmi as members, for orchestrating a successful party for their former classmate, now a presidential aide.

Ajayi, addressing attendees, predicted a year of economic prosperity and breakthroughs for Nigerians through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's policies and programs in 2024. He assured the citizens that the president is committed to realizing his renewed hope agenda, addressing challenges across various sectors of the economy.

Despite acknowledging current economic challenges, Ajayi expressed optimism about the government's efforts to bring about positive change in the coming year. He urged citizens to trust the federal government, emphasizing the commitment to economic, social, and infrastructural transformation.

Ajayi stated, "Nigerians should look forward to a great year in 2024... It is going to be a year of prosperity, a year of abundance, a year for economic breakthrough, a year of a lot of social engineering."

He commended the old students' association for the event, noting that it would further encourage him in his responsibilities at the presidency.

Oladayo Orolu, the chairman of the 1995 set, commended President Tinubu for appointing their schoolmate as a media aide, expressing confidence in Ajayi's ability to assist the president in achieving his agenda.

The Obaleo of Erinmope-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi, congratulated Ajayi for the honor, describing it as a reward for his character, loyalty, and dedication to service. Ajayi expressed his gratitude, saying, "I feel so good and elated to be part of this event organized for me."

Anambra pensioners beg Soludo to pay N850m arrears.

Anambra pensioners beg Soludo to pay N850m arrears.

There’s no cause for alarm, gov insists

Anambra State health pensioners have begged the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo to pay them 850 million naira arrears owed them by the government after retirement.

The retirees lamented that four of their members had lost their lives as a result of the hardship they were facing.

While appealing to the governor, they used the moment to organize a prayer session for God to touch Soludo’s heart to remember them.

The Chairman of the retired health workers pensioners in the state, Comrade Rafael Okoye, said the problem might not be from Soludo but from his Commissioner for Local Government and Secretary of the Joint Account Allocation Committee JAAC.

He said there was a ‘consent judgement’ delivered by the National Industrial Court in Awka which was signed by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General that 10% of the monthly local government allocation should go to the pensioners.

He explained that rather than commence installment payment as ordered by the court, they reneged on the terms of settlement, claiming lack of funds.

Okoye, said the hardship was instrumental to the death of four of their members, adding that Soludo he knew would love to pay, saying that they believe few persons in his administration were responsible for their present situation.

During the prayer session, the pensioners carried placards with various inscriptions like, ‘Local Government Health Pensioners Are Not Dead Woods or Orphans, They’re Bona-fide Ndi Anambra.’

Others were, ‘Please governor direct JAAC to pay health pensioners as recommended by the Attorney-General and ordered by the court,’ Local Government monthly statutory Allocation is more than N5 billion,’ among others

Okoye said they had 127 Health pensioners who retired from the local government service of Anambra State from January 2015 to December 2019.

He added that they were owed 850 million naira, arising from the inadvertent omission of their names in the implementation of 60% consolidated Health salary structure(CONHESS)

However, one of the government officials who did not want to be mentioned, told The Nation that Soludo had them in his plans.

The source further said that very soon, their issue would be looked into, adding that there was no cause for alarm.

Obaseki signs six executive orders on investments.

Obaseki signs six executive orders on investments.

Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo state, has signed six executive orders aimed at further enhancing the state’s economic environment. 

He claimed that his administration has received $3 billion in investments during the last seven years.

He clarified that the executive directives will make it easier for Edo state residents to conduct business. 

One noteworthy item in the contents is a tax exemption for small enterprises whose owners make less than the state minimum wage.

He said: “We are very keen on supporting small and medium size businesses and we are also conscious of the fact that we don’t want to overburden them with tax while they are at their nascent stage of development.

“So the adoption of pre-emptive income tax regime for small businesses in Edo State now ensures that except you are earning above the minimum wage as a proprietor or an entrepreneur you will not be liable to tax and when you begin to make money then we expect that you meet your obligations.

“We have received in excess of $3 billion in the last seven years in various areas as investments, either in agriculture, in technology, in manufacturing, in services and this is just the beginning.

“With these executive orders I have just signed, I expect that we will see rapid increase in investors who want to take advantage of the opportunities which Edo offers.”