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Binniyat Emerges Chairman Of Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna State Chapter

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Kaduna State chapter of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), the umbrella organisation of all ethnic nationalities in Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Saturday, July 13, 2024, elected Mr Luka Binniyat as its chairman.

The election which took place in Kaduna, was conducted by representatives of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Forum headed by Mr Emmanuel Alamu (Kebbi States) National Organising Secretary,National Legal Adviser and his deputy, Mr Mark Jacob Esq., from Kaduna State and Mr Ziggy Usman Esq., from Kebbi state.

Binniyat, who was nominated for the position of chairman of the Forum was returned unopposed as well as Mr John Haruna from Kogi State who re-elected as Secretary of the MBF.

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Others officers that emerged included; Zakaria Haruna – Deputy Chairman, Stephen Samuel – Assistant Secretary, Elder Solomon Danbaki – PRO, Larai Shekari – Treasurer, Tinzwang Cephas – Auditor, lsaac Tanko – Youth Coordinator and Joseph John Pama – Deputy Director, Research and Planning.

Other elected officers were Daniel Ejembi – Vice Chairman (1), Mrs Mary Zaka – Woman Leader, Ezekiel Baba-Karik – Organising Secretary, Raphael Gwazah – Deputy Organising Secretary, Rhoda Emmanuel Dajuma – Assistant Chairman (2), Dauda Sunda Gwagzwang – Director, Research and Documentation, John Yashim – Deputy Youth Coordinator, lshakun Yohana Madaki, Evangelist Daniel M Mashan – History and Documentation, Ibrahim Aminu Kobo – Vice Chairman (3), Haruna Demon – ex-officio and

Nicodemus B Bakuyaye – Assistant PRO.

After the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections, Mr Mark Jacob, administer oath of office and allegiance on the new executive committee members of the MBF, Kaduna State chapter and later inaugurated by Mr Emmanuel Alamu on behalf of the National President of the Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu.

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Present at the election, was Hon Jonathan Asake, a former Youth leader of the Forum who was also the former president of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU).

In his remarks, Hon Asake said that the MBF was a continuation of the struggle of the ethnic nationalities of Northern Nigeria for justice, equity and development against domineering tendencies of a section of the country since post independent Nigeria.

In his words; “I am happy to see that today, the seeds of the struggle sowed by the founders of the MDF are still alive and thriving. I have known Luka Binniyat for over 40 years since we were boys and what has kept our friendship over the year is our stand against tyranny and the oppression of our people.

“I can vouch that he will give the MDF, Kaduna state Chapter the desired leadership if he gets the cooperation of his executive and members”.

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Speaking in turn, Mr Mark Jacob urged the Binniyat-led executive committee not to think that they are going into having a tea party.

Jacob said; “I have lost a lot of clients and many friends because of my stand for the Middle. If you are not ready to make sacrifices and take risks as Luka Binniyat, who has been to jail for our people, then you have no business in this executive.

“The President of the MDF, Dr Bitrus Pogu and the NWC regards Kaduna state as a very vital part of the MBF and believe that we shall not disappoint them”.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Binniyat said that all residents of Kaduna state and natives to the 14 states of the Middle Belt States will get fair representation as well as all the ethnic groups of Kaduna state spread across 13 Local Government Areas.

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In the words of Binniyat: “I want to continue with the courageous leadership of Dr Bitrus Pogu, our National President, to project, promote and defend the interest and values of the Middle Belt in Kaduna States.

“We have a government in Kaduna state today that is not belligerent and hateful to our people and the Middle Belt unlike the immediate past one. We shall encourage it to do more, but we shall not be timid in pointing out its areas of deficiency,” he said.

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FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

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“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

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Nigeria to get 6,000 power generation by December-Power Minister vows

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed his unwavering optimism that the government will successfully meet its ambitious target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024, despite the numerous challenges currently affecting the power sector.

The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, conveyed this assurance at the fourth edition of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s annual workshop, themed “Ending the Talk, Moving the Action,” held on Thursday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s power generation currently ranges between 3,500 and 4,000 MW for a population of approximately 200 million people. For instance, on Thursday, the country’s power generation was 3,556.38 MW as of 8 am.

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Earlier this year, Adelabu pledged that power generation in Nigeria would reach 6,000 MW by the end of the year, citing improvements in the sector over the past year.

However, the frequent collapse of the nation’s electricity grid and the vandalisation of towers have raised concerns about the stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and its ability to achieve the target.

In his goodwill address, the Special Adviser emphasised that the minister’s primary focus remains on achieving the goal of increasing generation and ensuring its efficient distribution to consumers.

Tunji said, “The minister aims to achieve what seems to be an intractable goal—improving generation and ensuring that what is generated reaches the final consumers. There are challenges, but they are surmountable.

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“The minister has promised that by December this year, we will reach 6,000 megawatts; yes, we still hope to get there.

“We are confident that we will get there, but we are aware of the current issues with grid collapse. Efforts are being made to resolve these problems. Day and night, teams are being dispatched to address the various issues, and we remain hopeful that we will achieve the 6,000 MW target by December.”

The Director of Renewable Energy, Sunday Owolabi, also reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring 24-hour power supply for Nigerians.

Owolabi, another representative of the minister, stressed that the government’s policies are focused on resolving the challenges facing the country’s electricity transmission, distribution, and generation sub-sectors.

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“We are fully committed to transforming the country’s power sector. We are focused on ensuring that our policies are practical and sustainable. We are resolute in ensuring power supply for every Nigerian.

“The government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through meaningful and actionable reforms.

“We are focused on ensuring that our policies are not only visionary but also practical, impactful, and sustainable. From the ongoing efforts to address infrastructure gaps, enhance power generation, and improve transmission networks, to vital reforms in distribution and the full implementation of the electricity market, we are resolute in our mission to improve power supply for every Nigerian.”

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Just in: Wike sends FCDA Executive Director on indefinite suspension

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has suspended the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad indefinitely.

According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.

The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, in the FCDA.

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Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the construction of houses for judges in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said the project is part of the government’s plan to provide secure housing for judges and strengthen the judiciary’s independence.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, the former Rivers Governor clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative.

Wike explained that the housing scheme was included in the 2024 budget, approved by the National Assembly, and is not his personal decision.

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He added that judges currently live in rented homes, which could make them vulnerable.

He compared this to similar projects he carried out as Rivers State governor and expressed surprise at the criticism, especially from legal professionals.

Wike insisted the project is lawful and should be welcomed as a step in the right direction.

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