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It’s time to stop financial indiscipline—Peter Obi rebukes FG
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over what he described as the fiscal indiscipline of the government.
Obi said it was unimaginable that the government budgeted N6 billion and N4 billion for the National Assembly car parks and recreational facilities, respectively, when the nation’s average tertiary school enrollment is less than 15 per cent.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State governor expressed displeasure that secondary school enrollment in Nigeria is at 28 per cent, while the global average remains at 80 per cent.
Obi stressed that it was time to stop financial indiscipline and embrace financial discipline by prioritising the allocation of resources to the critical areas of human and national development.
He said: “As the giant of Africa that we are, I remain concerned about our fiscal indiscipline as a nation. Imagine the situation in our education sector, where the global average of secondary school enrollment is above 80 per cent, while in Nigeria it is 28 per cent.
“The global average of tertiary school enrollment is above 55 per cent, while Nigeria is less than 15 per cent. Yet our budget for the National Assembly car parks is N6 billion. The budget for the National Assembly recreational facilities is N4 billion.
“Approved for the construction of hostels in 12 tertiary institutions is just N1 billion. It is time for us to stop this financial indiscipline and embrace financial discipline by prioritising the allocation of resources to the critical areas of human and national development.”
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Reps Direct Ministry of Health to Provide Detailed Report on Nutrition Interventions Amid Malnutrition Crisis
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Health to submit comprehensive information on the federal government’s and donor agencies’ nutrition interventions aimed at combating malnutrition in Nigeria.
Chairman Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Rep. Chike Okafor during a budget defense session eemphasised the need for detailed figures for 2024 and clear projections for 2025, including an overview of contributions from 27 development partners.
Members of the committee also questioned duplications in budgeted nutrition supplies, stressing the importance of transparency and effective utilization of resources to address the nation’s nutrition challenges.
The Ministry, led by Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom, proposed ₦2.9 billion for nutrition interventions in the 2025 budget, focusing on therapeutic supplies and expanding successful community-based programs. Efforts to reduce reliance on imported therapeutic foods and promote local manufacturing were also highlighted.
The committee underscored the need for effective collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to ensure better nutrition outcomes across the country.
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Speaker Abbas expresses sorrow over Niger tanker explosion, multiple fatalities
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Fear as Trump’s deportation raids in US to start in Chicago immediately afte inauguration
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
US President-elect, Donald Trump’s incoming administration plans to immediately order a series of deportation raids targeting illegal immigrants after his inauguration.
Chicago is expected to be the first major city targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as part of Operation Safeguard, the New York Times reported, citing two people familiar with planning the undertaking.
The massive deportation operation is expected to target criminals and gang members in the United States illegally and run for one week.
Trump has promised to conduct the largest deportation program in U.S. history.
Up to 200 ICE agents are being sent to Chicago to help kick off the operation on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported. The agency has already asked agents to volunteer for the post-inauguration raids.
“There’s gonna be a big raid across the country,” Tom Homan, who will be in charge of U.S. borders once Trump takes office, told Fox News in an interview.
Homan has previously said he will instruct ICE agents to carry out raids on illegal immigrants at their workplaces.
In addition to Chicago, the sweeping crackdown will also target other major U.S. cities with large immigrant populations.
Trump is set to take the oath of office on Monday, January 20, in an inauguration that will take place indoors.
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