I will fight infrastructure battle in Benue, says Alia.

I will fight infrastructure battle in Benue, says Alia.

Benue state governor, Hyacinth Alia, has promised to intensify the infrastructure battle in the Northcentral state next year.

The governor, who signed the 2024 budget passed by the House of Assembly in Makurdi, the state capital, described it as a budget of infrastructure, job creation and poverty alleviation.

He said: “Infrastructural development is the backbone of any thriving society. It lays the foundation for progress and economic growth. With this budget, we are investing significantly in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and other vital infrastructure.

“We recognize that well-connected communities are empowered communities. To this extent, we are determined to enhance accessibility, connectivity, and overall livability for our citizens.”

Alia added: “The Budget of Infrastructure, Job Creation and Poverty Alleviation, which draws life from our Policy Document tagged “A Strategic Development Plan for a Greater Benue” after revision from the Benue State House of Assembly, has an aggregated financing to the sum of N225,727,395,206.97K) only.

“The disaggregated sum of the total 2024 budget comprised of a total recurrent expenditure of N110,511,233,965.99K) only which represents 48.9% of the total budget.”

The governor explained that the capital head stood at N115,240,361,240.99, representing represent 51.1per cent of the total budget.

However, he said the deficit financing stood at N34,691,000,000.00, which represents 15.3% of the budget.

Alia said the estimate represented a clear and unwavering commitment to the well-being of tje people and the growth of our great stat, adding that “it is a roadmap that charts the course for a future where our communities thrive, our economy flourishes, and our citizens enjoy an improved quality of life.”

He stresed: “This budget is a beacon of hope for job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs. We understand the importance of job creation in fostering a dynamic and resilient economy.

“By allocating resources to various sectors, we aim to stimulate economic activities that will, in turn, generate employment opportunities. Whether through public works projects, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, Agriculture or investments in emerging industries, in which we are committed to creating a conducive environment for job growth. Reiterating his determination to fight poverty in the state, the governor said: “Poverty alleviation remains at the forefront of our agenda.

“We acknowledge the challenges faced by our fellow citizens, and we are resolute in our determination to address them. This budget reflects a comprehensive approach to poverty reduction by focusing on education, healthcare, and social welfare programs. By investing in the well-being of our people, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and create a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Exemption of ASUU from IPPIS unfair, say civil servants.

Exemption of ASUU from IPPIS unfair, say civil servants.

Some civil servants have criticised the exemption of university lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The civil servants expressed their reservation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

THe IPPIS was created in 2006 as part of the reforms of the Federal Government to enhance the storage of personnel records and streamline the administration of monthly payroll.

But over the years, the leadership of ASUU had agitated for the Federal Government to exempt university lecturers from IPPIS and create an alternative payment platform for them.

The agitation by ASUU resulted in an eight-month long strike by union in 2022.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), in a meeting on December 13, finally approved the removal of public tertiary institutions from IPPIS.

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the development meant that staff members of public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have been taken off IPPIS.

Mrs. Grace Uzor, a civil servant, said IPPIS was created to eliminate unauthorised personnel workforce (ghost workers) from government payroll.

According to Uzor, IPPIS was also created to make retrieval of personnel information of public servants seamless.

She said allowing the university lecturers to exit the system was unacceptable, adding that the system only needed to be monitored and sanitised.

“If the policy that was put in place to prevent corruption cannot work, it is a problem.

“And if any group of people can choose to exit a laid down policy, it also means that there is a problem,” she said.

An accountant, Mr. Emmanuel Isa, said the scheme programmed automatic stoppage of payment to personnel due for retirement as a result of length of service, age and tenure, thus reducing wastage or unauthorised payments.

He said under the IPPIS, unapplied and unutilised funds were easily monitored and tracked.

“Monthly emoluments are paid to public servants on the scheme same day, no matter the location within the country without delay.

“From all indications, the scheme is good but the Federal Government only needed to sanitise it,” he said.

Another civil servant, Abbas Aliu, said the government should scrap IPPIS if it was no longer desirable, rather than its selective application.

“If IPPIS has not lived up to expectation, it should be scrapped, rather than its selective application; after all, we are employees of the same government,” he said.

A financial expert, Mr. Okechukwu Unegbu, said it was regrettable that even with IPPIS, incidents of ghost workers had not abated.

Unegbu, a past president of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), urged the Federal Government to scrap IPPIS if it was not able to sanitise it and make it function optimally. 

Governor Aiyedatiwa Signs N395.25 Billion 2024 Budget.

Governor Aiyedatiwa Signs N395.25 Billion 2024 Budget.                                                                   ......Pledges Commitment to Economic Resilience and Project Completion.

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Friday signed into law the 2024 Appropriation bill of N395.257 billion, christened Budget of Economic Resilience.

The Governor, who assented to the bill shortly after it was passed by the State House of Assembly, said the budget will focus on economic growth and development of the State. 

In his speech, Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted the budget's focus on human capital development, environmental sustainability, rural development, and completing ongoing infrastructural projects initiated by the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. 

The governor said that “the size of the approved Budget for 2024 stands at Three Hundred and Ninety-Five Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven Million Naira (N395,257,000,000.00). Out of this amount, a sum of Two Hundred and Twenty-Two Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N222,259,827,500.00) only, representing 56.23% is for Capital Expenditure while a sum of One Hundred and Seventy-Two Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N172.997,172,500.00) only, representing 43.77% is to cover the Recurrent Expenditure.”

He added that "the focus of this Budget is human capital development... we would keep meeting salary, pension and gratuity obligations... Emphasis would also be placed on climate change, clean and sustainable environment, rural development, and food security."

The Governor expressed gratitude to members of the State Assembly for their swift passage of the bill and emphasized the need for transparency in implementing the budget, stressing that "the Executive Arm of Government will put its shoulder to the wheel to implement the 2024 Budget with the required probity and transparency it deserves."

Acknowledging the recent petrol subsidy removal's impact, Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the people of the State on measures to mitigate effects, affirming: "this administration would continue to put measures in place to cushion the effects until we are able to weather through the storm, hopefully shortly."

The signing of the N395.25 billion 2024 Budget marks a significant step towards advancing Ondo State's economic agenda, prioritizing human development, and ensuring fiscal sustainability.

In his remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Ondo State, said the budget will offer much-needed relief and economic prospects to the people of Ondo State, adding that "this budget of economic resilience aims to provide the people with the succor and economic hope they deserve."

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, led members of the Assembly to the event while the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladuni Odu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa and other members of the State Executive Council were present.

Governor Oyebanji Holds Crucial Development Meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Oyebanji Holds Crucial Development Meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In a notable development, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, 29th December. The meeting, occurring just days after a Christmas visit by state Governors under the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, underscores the strategic focus on Ekiti and national development when these two influential figures convene.

The meeting, characterized by its significance in shaping the trajectory of development in both Ekiti State and the nation at large, emphasized the collaborative efforts required for comprehensive progress. Governor Oyebanji and President Tinubu, often referred to as a father-son duo due to their close relationship, are renowned for their commitment to advancing socio-economic and infrastructural growth.

While the exact details of the discussions remain undisclosed, it is expected that key issues related to Ekiti State's development agenda, national governance, and strategic initiatives were on the agenda. The timing, just days after the collective Christmas visit by state Governors, suggests a continuity of dialogue and cooperation among leaders in steering the nation towards prosperity.

Governor Oyebanji, known for his dedication to good governance and sustainable development, has consistently sought guidance and collaboration with national leaders like President Tinubu. The meeting serves as a testament to the ongoing commitment to fostering a unified approach to addressing challenges and seizing opportunities.

The collaborative spirit between the Governor and the former Lagos State Governor is seen as a positive force for both Ekiti State's advancement and broader national development goals. As the details unfold in the coming days, the outcomes of this meeting, held on Friday, 29th December, are anticipated to have far-reaching implications for governance, policy, and developmental strides in the region and beyond.

Peseiro names 25 players as Super Eagles seek fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire.

Peseiro names 25 players as Super Eagles seek fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire.

Three-time champions Nigeria have picked a team of 25 players for their onslaught for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, with Head Coach Jose Peseiro settling for usual suspects in a roster that has three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and eight forwards.

Captain Ahmed Musa returns to the squad after he was left out of the starting games to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series, while South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili is picked alongside Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo.

2009 U17 World Cup star Kenneth Omeruo (the only other candidate in the team apart from Musa who was in Nigeria’s 2013 squad that triumphed in South Africa) leads the defenceline alongside William Ekong, as well as Olaoluwa Aina, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Wilfred Ndidi is also back in the roost after missing the World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, and will be expected to adequately feed the strike-force alongside Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Joe Ayodele-Aribo and Frank Onyeka.

Musa, Nigeria’s record goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup finals with a brace each in Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018, is in the forward-line alongside Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Boniface, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.

All the 25 players will depart from their different bases on Tuesday, 2nd January to fly into Abu Dhabi, capital city of the United Arab Emirates, for a one-week training camp that will last until Tuesday, 9th January. The team will fly back to Lagos on Tuesday 9th January, and then fly into the Ivorian capital, Abidjan on Wednesday, 10th January.

The Super Eagles, in their quest for a fourth continental title, will take on Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, 14th January in their first match

Zimbabwe President Donates 54 Bicycles To Village Heads As Christmas Gift.

Zimbabwe President Donates 54 Bicycles To Village Heads As Christmas Gift.

The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, on Tuesday, donated 54 bicycles to village heads in Zvishavane as a Christmas gift.

Also, the county's  First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, donated Christmas hampers to the wives of Village Heads present at the event.

This was made known by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting on its official X handle on Tuesday. 

The post read, "Today, His Excellency President Mnangagwa #edmnangagwa donated 54 bicycles to Chief Mapanzure, at Lundi Primary School in Zvishavane.

"The bicycles will be distributed to village heads."

Some Zimbabweans, however, react to the news by saying that it is an embarrassment to the country.  

 

An X user known as SinatraGunda, wrote, "Remove this, it's embarrassing. 54 bicycles and the cost of sending your Entourage there. Do you guys even do a cost-benefit analysis?"

Village_idiot7, wrote, "So next year you will buy ma VX for yourselves and you will claim kuti munhu wese akawana chekufambisa!"

Another user identified as SimonTshuma1, wrote, "In this age still distributing bicycles. Am sure the President can afford ma Honda Fit for every Village in the country."

Meekystoredaily wrote, "Gather here and see news on the Ministry handle."

Credit: X |  InfoMinZW

Gov. Adeleke signs Osun 2024 budget into law.

Gov. Adeleke signs Osun 2024 budget into law.

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun on Friday signed the state 2024 Appropriation Bill into law, promising to ensure its full implementation.

The governor’s spokesman, Malam Olawale Rasheed, said in a statement that the total approved budget was N273,908,997,410.

Adeleke said the budget, tagged: “Budget of Reconstruction and Recovery” was crafted to fasttrack the revitalisation of various sectors of the state economy.

“Our focus is to put the state on the path of sustainable development, hence we are rebuilding all the sectors namely education, health, sports, roads, agriculture, creative industry, digital economy ,general infrastructure alongside women and youth focussed programmes and policies.

“I commend the state Assembly for prompt processing of the appropriation bill. I also laud my team for their cooperation with the various assembly committees in the budgetary process.

“We will ensure implementation as stipulated to reconstruct the society and ensure recovery of critical sector,” the governor said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Osun House of Assembly, on Dec. 21, passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N273.9 billion after it was presented before it on Nov. 9 for consideration and approval.

(NAN)