News

Reps Committee To Embark On Intensive Oversight Of FCTA Agencies

Published

2 months ago

July 13, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, has said it will embark on intensive oversight on agencies in charge of all Area Councils in the FCT.

The Chsirman of the Committee, Rep. Frederick Agbedi, explained that this was occasioned by the refusal of some agencies to honour the Committee’s summons to present their budgetary expenditures.

He promo to sanction the Social Development Secretariat of the Area Councils for not honouring its invitation in the past year.

He said: “After a budget cycle, you spent money, you need to account for it before you get other monies. But when you’re not responding to such, it means you’re running away from accountability. It means you have something to hide, and for us as a Committee, we’re prepared to work and ensure a better service is rendered to the people.

“As a Committee, the constitution provides that every public office holder must give account of stewardship. Some of the agencies submitted their reports, many others did not do anything for about a year, we’ve been waiting.

“Henceforth, we will invoke our powers because once you hold an office, you are supposed to render account. Any agency which failed to do so is evading accountability, which the law provides for actions to be taken, including to cause an investigation of the agency concerned”.

Rep. Agbedi noted that the House can also report to President Bola Tinubu about some of the agencies refusing to be accountable.

He therefore directed all affected agencies to liaise with the Committee’s secretariat with a view to developing schedules of oversight visits, even as he warned that they will not accept excuses anymore.

The chairman also frowned at the failure of Chief Executive Officers of the a few agencies which appeared before the Committee, to personally attend the very important meeting.

The Committee Chairman expressed displeasure with the representative of the Area Councils Public Service Board, Suleiman A, who reported that the office was unable to attend earlier meetings because it was carrying out verification of pensioners.

The Committee Chairman resolved that the concerned agencies should arrived at dates for oversight engagements, and insisted must fall within the next three weeks.

Some of the agencies which were represented at the meeting include the Auditor General for the FCT Area Councils, FCT Area Coucils Pension Board, FCT Area Councils Universal Basic Education Board, FCT Area Councils Public Service Board, Area Councils Resettlement and Compensation Secretariat, FCT Area Councils Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat and the FCT Area Councils Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.

News

New video of Zinoleesky gets tongues wagging

Published

9 mins ago

September 20, 2024

Austin Ojomah

……“E remain small make breeze blow am away”

By Ojomah Austin.

Nigerian singer, Zinoleesky stirs a buzz online due to a recent video of him circulating on social media.

In the video, Zinoleesky dons a white shirt alongside black trousers as he brags about being worthy to be used as a Valentine’s gift.
Reacting to the video, netizens commented on his skinny appearance.

Famous musician, Oniyide Azeez, better known as Zinoleesky trends online due to a new clip serving the rounds on social media.

In the video, the ‘Element’ hitmaker is spotted wearing a white shirt and a stylish black trouser. While being filmed, Zinoleesky bragged mightily about his looks.

He reiterated that he could be used as a Valentine’s gift to any girl.

The video generated a buzz online with a large number of netizens commenting on his thin body shape. Some swiftly leveraged it to make fun of the artiste.

One @janicekate_x wrote: “E remain small make breeze blow am away 😂.”

soromotoochukwu wrote: “I like how music can take you to another place. For example, this restaurant is playing Zinoleesky so now I’m going to a different restaurant.”

dave.dexter27 wrote: “Make breeze sha no blow as we wan deliver the valentine gift😂😂😂.”

oluwatamilore_xx wrote: “Bro,drank all the whole slimming tea and nothing is left to slim down.”

isco_west_whil wrote: “Chaii dem don set this Guy up for dragging again😂😂.”

scheargoon wrote: “Try put stone for your pocket guy”

bouncequotes wrote: “My boy 😂😂😂😂 slim daddy for dem girls.”

just_eniola_olayemisi wrote: “No be your fault zino, u no just get choice that to continue to dey craze 🥺 I feel for u my bro.”

zaza_mula112 wrote: “Zino Dey enjoy, while seyi vibe Dey cry under record label 😂😂.”

jamesmike7837 wrote: “See person be like broom stick😂.”

sheis_shuga wrote: “Who Dey decive you werey 😢😢see as u slim like who get HIV 😢😔🙄🥺Dooh.”

News

AU Agenda 2063: Nigeria Recommends Key Implementation Strategies, Capacity Building

Published

22 mins ago

September 20, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria has recommended some strategies to support the realization of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063, ans among these are the creation of regional centres of excellence to strengthen technological capacity, development of innovative financial models, and introduction of incentives to encourage public-private partnerships (PPP) for infrastructure development.

These were the suggestions highlighted by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, during his speech at the 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments held at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, South Africa.

Naijablitznews.com reports that Agenda 2063 is a 50-year strategic plan aimed at transforming Africa into a global powerhouse, adopted in 2013 and it outlines the continent’s aspirations for inclusive and sustainable development. The agenda also identifies key flagship programmes designed to accelerate Africa’s economic growth and transformation.

Kalu stressed the importance of making Agenda 2063 widely recognized across Africa and highlighted the need for sufficient funding to ensure its success.

“We are pursuing this agenda, but there are challenges, especially around financing. The question is, how do we make Agenda 2063 a household project without adequate funding?” Kalu remarked.

He emphasized that Africa cannot rely solely on external sources and must take ownership of financing the agenda.

The Deputy Speaker also proposed that Africa explore public-private partnerships (PPP) to raise funds for infrastructure projects aligned with Agenda 2063, possibly offering tax incentives to participants. He also suggested that Africa establish centres of excellence across the regions to build capacity in technology and knowledge, ensuring that the continent can fully own and implement the project.

Furthermore, he pointed out the potential overlap between Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in areas such as healthcare, and urged that Africa prioritize objectives outside the SDGs to enhance efficiency.

“To drive Agenda 2063, we must have the necessary capacity. We cannot borrow knowledge from outside the continent to implement our own agenda,” Kalu added.

News

Govt cites security threats, bans Telegram for officials

Published

3 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

Ukraine on Friday restricted the use of Telegram for its government, military and security officials, citing “threats” to national security on the app founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov.

“The National Security and Defence Council decided to restrict the use of Telegram in government agencies, military formations and critical infrastructure facilities,” the council said in a statement on Facebook, saying it was a “matter of national security.”