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Abia Govt Partners With Chinese Company To Launch Light Rail Project

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has disclosed that his administration is currently engaging in discussions with a Chinese company to initiate a groundbreaking light rail construction project that will span the entirety of the state.

This significant announcement was made public during an interview on the Thursday edition of “Politics Today” on Channels Television, which took place on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Governor Otti revealed this ambitious plan in response to a question from the program’s anchor regarding the fulfillment of one of his key campaign pledges to undertake the construction of a light rail system if he were to be elected as the governor of Abia State in the recent gubernatorial elections.

“We are discussing with a Chinese company and the discussions are going on well.
“It is not going to be easy, but it is going to be done.
“It is not something that you will just start and finish today,” Otti stated.
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Elaborating further, Governor Otti articulated that currently, the designs for the light rail project are in the process of being developed.
Following the completion of the design phase, the focus will shift towards addressing the commercial aspects related to the project.
He also added a layer of reassurance, emphatically stating that the light rail project in Abia State is destined to become a reality, affirming his commitment to seeing the project through to successful completion.
“The designs are being done.
“We will move from there to commercial issues and at the end of the day we will do it,” he said.

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Niger State: Gov Bago sacks 30 special advisers

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Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has approved the disengagement of 30 special advisers in a move aimed at restructuring the state’s governance framework.

The development was disclosed on Tuesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, who explained that the decision forms part of efforts to revamp the administration and improve efficiency in line with the governor’s New Niger agenda.

According to the statement, details of fresh appointments or possible reassignments were not provided.

The governor reportedly made the announcement during his maiden State Executive Council meeting with the newly inaugurated commissioners at the Government House in Minna.

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Bologi explained that, “the termination of their appointment was to allow the governor to rejig and reposition their portfolios with a view to making them more effective and efficient in line with his New Niger agenda.”

He added that the governor expressed gratitude to them for their sacrifices and contributions to the success of his administration, while wishing them success in their future endeavours.

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Senate okays Oke, Are, Dalhatu for appointment as ambassadors

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The Senate on Tuesday approved the nomination of three ambassadorial nominees—Ayodele Oke, Colonel Kayode Are (rtd), and Amin Dalhatu for appointment as envoys.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs presented by its chairman, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, during plenary.

Oke, a former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and ex-Nigerian Ambassador to the Commonwealth Secretariat in London; Are, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); and Dalhatu, Nigeria’s immediate past Ambassador to South Korea, were unanimously endorsed by lawmakers when the Senate President Godswill Akpabio put their nomination to a voice vote.

In his comment, Akpabio urged the ambassadors-designate to bring to bear their wealth of experience in their new roles.

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Senate Passes MTEF/FSP, Says 2026 Budget To Be Presented This Week

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The Senate has passed the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, indicating President Bola Tinubu is expected to present the 2026 Appropriation bill of N54.4 trillion this week.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage on Tuesday following the consideration and debate on the report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sani Musa.

Akpabio described the MTEF as a prerequisite for the presentation of the national budget, underpinning that the document does not represent a final position of the legislature.

“The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is only a prerequisite before the presentation of the budget. What we are discussing here is not a finality. If circumstances change, it will be brought back to us to rejig, react or act,” the former governor of Akwa Ibom said.

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Senator Akpabio explained that the passage of the MTEF would enable the National Assembly to receive the 2026 budget proposal between now and Thursday.

According to him, the framework is not cast in stone, as reviews can still be made when the budget is formally laid before the Senate.

He expressed hope that the projections contained in the framework would be realistic enough to support the effective implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

During a brief debate, Senator Mohammed Monguno noted that the MTEF clearly outlined key fiscal parameters, describing them as realistic.

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Monguno cited the projected daily crude oil production benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day as achievable, and the reduction of the oil price benchmark projection to 60 dollars from 64 dollars per barrel as circumspect, given current realities.

Following the deliberations, the Senate adopted the recommendations contained in the MTEF/FSP report through a voice vote.

On Thursday, the upper chamber received the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Tinubu, signalling the launch of the 2026 budget cycle.

In a letter addressed to the lawmakers, Tinubu said the submission complies with statutory requirements and sets out the fiscal parameters that will guide the preparation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

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President Tinubu explained that the MTEF/FSP outlines the macroeconomic assumptions, revenue projections, and spending priorities that will shape Nigeria’s fiscal direction over the next three years.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who read Tinubu’s letter during plenary, urged the lawmakers to expedite consideration of the document.

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