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I am the first Christian, Islam Gov. in Osun —Adeleke
The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday disclosed that he is the first executive Governor of Osun State to practice both Islam and Christianity, reports Thecitypulsenews
Adeleke made this known while answering questions at the public enlightenment tagged IPADE IMOLE, second edition held in Ilesa.
According to him, “I go to the mosque and church to worship God. I believe that we worship the same God and there must be no room for religious bigotry and dichotomy.”
The governor, who jokingly said he would soon become Alhaji and Prophet, added that all religions would be taken care of in his administration. He assured both Christians and Muslims in the state that no religion would be neglected in the delivery of dividends of democracy.
Adeleke promised Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council that it would further enjoy assistance of the present administration with a view to make their work easier, urging them to be objective and truthful in their reportage.
He said his administration has done a lot in the area of infrastructure development, workers welfare, pensioners, education, women affairs, health sector, cooperative and empowerment, among others.
He promised the people of the state to continue to support government efforts in changing the face of the state. The governor also flagged-off dualisation of Ilesa-brewery Akure express road and fly-over at roundabout, Ilesa.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has proposed the establishment of a National Security and Intelligence Trust Fund as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s security funding challenges.
Chairman of House Committee on National Security and Intelligenc, Rep. Ahmad Satomi, stated this at a public hearing on “A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ESTABLISH NIGERIAN SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE TRUST FUND TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SECURITY RELATED ISSUES, APART FROM USUAL BUDGETARY PROVISIONS FROM THE FEDERATION, INTERVENE IN COMBATING SECURITY ISSUES IN NIGERIA AND FOR RELATED MATTERS”, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Rep. Satome who is sponsor of the bill emphasised that the current funding model for intelligence agencies was inadequate.
Rep. Satome stated that while California University operates on a $100 billion budget—30% of which is allocated to research and development—Nigeria’s entire security budget remains significantly lower despite its larger population and pressing security concerns.
According to the piece of legislation, the proposed trust fund is expected to provide alternative financial support for intelligence operations, reducing reliance on annual budgetary allocations. Funding sources for the trust include:
- 1% of the consolidated revenue from the Federation Account.
- Airspace revenue generated from Nigeria’s airspace.
- Unclaimed funds (still under debate due to constitutional concerns).
- Donations and gifts (some stakeholders suggest removing this option to prevent corruption).
The bill is seen as a crucial step toward strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture by ensuring sustainable and efficient funding for intelligence agencies.
The Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has stated that despite the 205 colleges of education which included federal, state, and privately owned is insufficient to address the country’s educational needs.
Speaking at a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Speaker emphasised that the rising demand for education in Nigeria makes it necessary to establish more colleges of education.
The Speaker who noted that human capital is the foundation of any society’s development, explained that while material resources are valuable, they remain untapped unless harnessed through human knowledge, skills, and innovation to drive national progress, social mobility, and economic growth.
He further stressed that education was central to human capital development, and a key way to sustain the education system was by continuously producing well-trained and highly skilled teachers for primary and secondary schools.
“To achieve this, we must strengthen teacher education in Nigeria by expanding access to quality institutions that will equip the next generation of educators,” he said.
Speaker Abbas added that the bills under review demonstrate the lawmakers’ collective commitment to ensuring that all regions of the country have fair access to quality teacher education.
According to Abbas, public hearings are a crucial part of the legislative process, giving opportunity for stakeholders to refine proposed bills, and that the discussions would help lawmakers better understand the education sector’s needs and expectations.
He reiterated the commitment of the House to inclusive governance and values stakeholder engagement, and encouraged policymakers, education experts, community leaders, and the public to actively participate by offering insights that could shape policies to strengthen Nigeria’s education system.
Chairman of the House Committee on Colleges of Education, Rep. Adamu Tanko, reaffirmed that education remains the foundation of national development, and assured that the House was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality teacher education.
Tanko further highlighted that establishing new federal colleges of education is key to addressing gaps in teacher training, improving the education sector, and building a skilled workforce to drive national development.
He noted that the public hearing provides a platform for policymakers, education experts, and community leaders to engage in meaningful discussions.
House Leader and sponsor of ten related bills, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, expressed concern over the shortage of qualified teachers in many schools across the country. He stressed the urgency of establishing more teacher training institutions to meet the demand for skilled educators.
Rep. Anamero Dekeri, who is sponsoring a bill to establish the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Ogute-Oke, Okpella, highlighted the importance of technical education in driving national development. Representing Etsako Federal Constituency in Edo State, he stated that the proposed institution would harness the area’s potential and contribute to workforce development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters, Rep. Bashiru Dawodu, has called for tax exemption for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), insisting they should not be required to pay taxes.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by PWDs in Abuja, Rep. Dawodu also urged the government to grant tax relief to companies employing PWDs and those manufacturing facilities for their use.
The Chairman who acknowledged the need for tax reforms identified loopholes in existing bills, and stated that the committee would push for tax credits and waivers for companies producing equipment for PWDs.
Dawodu also advocated scholarships for teachers involved in special education and the establishment of a disability trust fund to protect the interests of PWDs.
He expressed concern over the poor implementation of the 2018 Disability Act, which has a five-year moratorium, stating that both government agencies and the private sector have not diligently enforced its provisions. He revealed that the House was working on amendments to impose stricter penalties for non-compliance.
The lawmaker highlighted some key provisions of the Act, including accessibility to public buildings, transport terminals, education, and healthcare facilities. He noted that despite the creation of the Disability Commission, only 22 states have domesticated the Act, urging others to follow suit.
Dawodu criticized the inadequate budget allocation of about N2 billion to the Disability Commission, describing it as a sign of the government’s neglect of PWDs. He stressed the need for collaboration with NGOs and other organizations, noting that with over 35 million Nigerians living with disabilities, the country must do more.
Director of the PWD’s Potential Unhinged Project, Valentine Ugochukwu Zion, stated that the MoU includes a nationwide medical access support initiative for PWDs in underserved areas. He added that it also covers talent discovery, a reality TV show showcasing the resilience of PWDs, and an inclusive musical concert.
Reps Push for National Security Trust Fund to Boost Intelligence Funding
Reps Push for More Colleges Of Education to Strengthen Nigeria’s Education Sector
Reps Advocate Tax Exemption, Better Support for Persons With Disabilities
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