N’Assembly plans N28.77tn budget review over naira fall.

N’Assembly plans N28.77tn budget review over naira fall.

The National Assembly would need to revisit the N28.77tn 2024 budget, the Senate has said.

The Red Chamber explained that there was a need to revisit the budget following the incessant fall of the naira against the United States dollar.

The National Assembly has passed a harmonised 2024 budget Appropriation Bill totalling N28.77tn which was eventually passed on January 1, by President Bola Tinubu.

The National Assembly increased the bill by a total of N1.2tn, moving the budget from N27.5tn to N28.7tn.

The Senate also benchmarked the exchange rate at N800 per dollar, moving it from the initial N750 per dollar initially pegged by the Federal Government.

Proffering reasons for the increment, in December, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola, explained, “The current price of the dollar at the black market is between N1200 and 1300, and in the Central Bank of Nigeria, it is between N950 and N1000 and we have a budget which was pegged at N750, if you look at the gap, you’d realise that has covered a lot of gaps already.

“Again, we did some external consultations, most especially in the area of oil benchmark and petroleum resources, if we had gone in that line, we’d have pegged it at N850/N900 to a dollar and we agree that we want to be conservative in our approach, so that nobody will think that we want to increase the budget for any ulterior motive, that was why we left it at N490bn out of which N44bn is for statutory transfer, so effectively, the increment is about N446bn that is going into the Federal Government pocket as consolidated revenue.”

In an exclusive interview with newsmen on Saturday, Senator Adeola said certain actions need to be taken concerning the 2024 budget as the variables upon which the budget was built could no longer stand.

He said, “Yes, it is true that the budget was passed at N800 to a dollar but as we speak, it’s no longer visible as the dollar currently stood at N1450 to a naira.

“And I can tell you that there is a need for us to revisit the budget as the variables upon which the budget is predicated are no longer there. So all we need to do is just take our time and do some internal workings within the landing cost of petroleum product per litre of fuel.

“After this, we can now collaborate with the current budget that we have so that we can give NNPC what the actual figure for this landing cost will be, and then any savings arising from that can be planned upon for a supplementary budget or reallocation of some project within the budget,” he added.

Fubara praises citizens’ support, preaches peace.

Fubara praises citizens’ support, preaches peace.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has lauded the support and feeling of liberation from the citizens of the state, stating that they appreciate the tenable sacrifices and commitment of his administration.

The governor said this at the special event organised by the Okrika Council of Chiefs and the people of Okrika to honour the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, at the Okrika National School field on Saturday.

The amanyanabo (king) of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom was bestowed with the honour of Be Se Poku by the apex body of traditional rulers and the people of Okrika.

Fubara stated, “If you love your state, you will not be any part of anything that will bring destruction to it. It doesn’t matter who the person is. That is what people should understand.

“And for those of us who chose peace, it is not because we are weak but because we know and value this state. Whatever achievement has been recorded by the previous administration, we must sustain it. And that is the reason why we toe the path of peace.

“Look at what is happening in the 23 local government areas in the State. I am not asking anybody to go around to do thanksgiving as some of you might be thinking. These are people who wake up in the morning and say, we have been liberated. We want to tell people that we exist.”

Enugu signs new master plan bills into law.

Enugu signs new master plan bills into law.

The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has signed the New Enugu City Development Agency Bill, Enugu State Geographical Information System Service Bill, and Enugu State Independence Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill into law.

Mbah, who signed the bill on Friday evening, in the presence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Uchenna Ugwu, at the government house, said the New Enugu City Development Agency Law had an administrative authority to manage the development of a new city master plan that would cater for the present and future generations.

He also noted that the Enugu State Geographical Information System Service Law was for the automation and digitalisation of processes for service delivery, starting with lands.

Mbah, in a statement issued by his media office, quoted him as saying, “We know that we are very futuristic in the way we view and approach governance. We are essentially already thinking about our tomorrow. As you all know, Enugu is gradually getting to an implosion level.

“Since the city of Enugu was created, there has not been any attempt to expand the city to be able to accommodate more people. What we have witnessed today is a legal framework that allows us and even future governments to continue to expand the city.

“What we are going to do with the passage and signing into law of this bill is to have a master plan of the New Enugu City. We may not be able to execute or fully implement this master plan, but at least, there is a master plan for our children; those who will come after us will not get to a situation where they will be wondering, did our parents not think about us?

“Therefore, what we have done today is to think about our future generations. We now have an area that is today cited and called the New Enugu City. By signing this bill into law, we now also set up an administrative authority that is going to manage this new city.”

Mbah also commended the House of Assembly for their support for his administration’s development

“We cannot progress, and we cannot go on this journey without the support of the State House of Assembly. So, we want to thank you for the speedy passage of these executive bills,” he added.

Tinubu urges universities to channel knowledge on economic crisis.

Tinubu urges universities to channel knowledge on economic crisis.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday urged Nigerian universities to channel their knowledge, through research, towards solving the socio-economic and security challenges in the country.

According to the president, the intellectual scholarship of the universities should be used as solution to reduce poverty and create jobs in the country.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister for Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, spoke at the 38th convocation ceremony of Bayero University, Kano.

BUK on Saturday awarded degrees to 11,284 students in 18 faculties during its convocation.

180 students graduated with First Class degree.

The institution also conferred higher degrees and post graduate diplomas on 5,432 graduands who successfully completed their studies.

BUK also awarded the president of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibril with honorary doctorate degrees of Business Administration and Law respectively for their contribution to national development.

Tinubu said: “Universities are expected to define their roles and carve out a niche for themselves by designing programmes that will assist the government in poverty reduction, creating employment opportunities, and health promotion.

”We must also apply new technologies in the advancement of knowledge and prosperity, protecting the environment, promoting sustainable development as well as sustaining democracy and good governance without missing out on the quest towards the attainment of global sustainable development goals”.

Tinubu said a renewed commitment to revive the 970 Tsangaya integrated schools has been completed to cater for the needs of out of school children in Northern Nigeria.

The revitalisation of Tsangaya schools may reactivate integrated education system of Almagiria system, including the N15billion integrated centres established by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012 now abandoned.

The president also assured of his readiness to improve investment at all levels of education, adding that special focus will be on skills acquisition, technology and vocational education as core drivers of his administration’s policy.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged the national assembly’s commitment to support the Federal Government’s policy on education. He said the Senate under his leadership will run a people-centric legislature that improves the lives of Nigerians.

EKSG Sets for Vaccination of Girl Child Against Cervical Cancer.

EKSG Sets for Vaccination of Girl Child Against Cervical Cancer.

The government of Ekiti State has unveiled plans to initiate a vaccination program aimed at safeguarding female children against cervical cancer in the state.

Scheduled to kick off in May this year, the vaccination program is poised to combat the prevalence of cervical cancer among young girls.

To ensure the seamless execution of the vaccination program, a technical working group has been constituted and formally inaugurated to spearhead the necessary planning processes.

Inaugurating the group in Ado Ekiti, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, delineated the group's terms and responsibilities. These include mapping out all pertinent stakeholders involved in HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination, coordinating and managing stakeholder meetings, overseeing budget allocation and fund disbursement, and providing guidance during the vaccine introduction process.

Dr. Filani, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, affirmed the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, urging parents to consent to their children receiving the vaccination.

The vaccination will be administered to female children aged between nine and fourteen initially, with plans to extend coverage to other age groups in subsequent phases.

Various stakeholders, including religious leaders, market women, and civil society organizations (CSOs), lauded the government's proactive approach in planning for the vaccination program. They rallied public support for the initiative, encouraging widespread participation to combat the scourge of cervical cancer among young girls in Ekiti State.

Ekiti First Lady To Launches "Adire Ekiti Hub" To Boost Youth Empowerment.

Ekiti First Lady To Launches "Adire Ekiti Hub" To Boost Youth Empowerment.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji will tomorrow, Monday, 4th of March, 2024, launch the “Adire Ekiti Hub” as part of efforts at empowering the youth of Ekiti State by providing them with essential skills and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

The initiative was designed, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Youth Development, under Her Excellency’s pet project “Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH)” scheme to address unemployment challenges by offering comprehensive training programmes focused on the traditional craft of Adire dyeing and textile production. 

The venture is to serve as a platform for youth development, fostering entrepreneurship and preserving Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage where 200 unemployed youth would, for starters, be trained and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge free of charge to become proficient in Adire craftsmanship.

Participants will receive hands-on training from skilled artisans, learning traditional techniques alongside modern practices to ensure their competitiveness in today’s market.

The programme launch is scheduled to hold at Senator Ojudu's Residence, Opposite NNPC along Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti at 10am prompt.

Shettima to launch adire factory in Ogun Tuesday.

Shettima to launch adire factory in Ogun Tuesday.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, will declare open the Expanded National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Business Clinics in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Tuesday.

Shettima, who will embark on a one-day visit on Tuesday, will be hosted at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The Expanded National MSMEs Business Clinic is an initiative of the Federal Government executed in collaboration with state governments.

The clinic, the government said, would allow small business owners to meet regulatory bodies like the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and others as well as feature grant presentations to qualified MSMEs.

It was also learnt that the Vice President, would also be opening the Fashion Hub project at the Old OGTV auditorium, where over 150 pieces of state-of-the-art tailoring equipment have been provided for stakeholders in the fashion industry.

Shettima will also unveil the Adire shared facility at Asero, Abeokuta.

Meanwhile, Shettima was in Katsina State on Saturday during which he met former president, Muhammadu Buhari, the Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq, and the Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumin Usman.

Although it was said to be a private visit, the Vice President was welcomed to the state by Governor Dikko Radda at the Musa Yaradua International Airport shortly after which he moved to Daura.

The Vice President arrived at the former President’s residence around 1 p.m. and stayed with him for about 30 minutes.

Those who accompanied the Vice President to the former President’s residence included the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Muhammad Abubakar, and former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

The team later left for the Emir of Daura’s palace where the Vice President also briefly met the royal father.