News
FG Starts Recruitment Into North-West, South-East Development Commission

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Government has begun recruitment into the newly established North West and South East development commission.
A top source privy to the information told Saturday Punch that both commissions were not enshrined in the 2024 budget but would be added to the next budget cycle.
Similarly, the source noted that recruitment, however, into various positions in the commission had started.
The source said, “The commissions are not in the current appropriation. It is likely to be in the next budget to be presented in October/November.”
The source further stated “The commission will be recruiting for the time being. We don’t know when the inauguration will be for now.”
Another source who pleaded anonymity told the newspaper that the commission will be situated in Kano and Enugu respectively.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu signed into law bills creating two new regional development commissions.
The bills are the North West Development Commission, sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and the South East Development Commission, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The two bills were passed by both chambers in June and transmitted to the president for assent.
According to Senator Barau, when established, the North West Commission shall “formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the North West Zone where security shall prevail.
He added that the agency would also, “conceive, plan and implement, following the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the North-West in the field of roads, education, health facilities, employment, industrialisation, agriculture, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity, and commerce.
“It will Identify factors inhibiting the development of the region and assist the member states in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of resources of the North West Zone.
“As well as tackle ecological and environmental problems that arise from desertification problems and other related environmental challenges in the zone.”
“The enactment of this bill will help to rebuild the North West Zone and shall provide the opportunity for the people of the zone to display their talents and contribute immensely to the development of the country,” he stressed.
Likewise, the commission when formerly established will be charged with the responsibility of “receiving and managing funds from the allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effects of the civil war, 54 years after it ended.
“The commission will also tackle ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Southeast states, which include Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi,” the statement reads in part.
(Punch)
News
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
News
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
News
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