News

Complete ongoing projects, Oborevwori tells NDDC

Published

2 months ago

August 10, 2024

Admin

The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on the management of Niger Delta Development Commission to complete all ongoing and uncompleted projects in the state.

Oborevwori also urged the NDDC to embark on projects that will add value to the lives of the people of the region, just as he made case for a strategic and collaborative approach between the commission and Niger Delta states to address challenges confronting the people of the region.

The governor spoke at the Delta State Government House, Asaba, during a courtesy visit by members of the NDDC management team on Friday, according to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs of the commission, Seledi Thompson-Wakama.

Oborevwori pledged to collaborate and support the commission in its efforts to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region.

“I assure you that we are ready to collaborate with all development agencies committed to the development of the Niger Delta region and we are going to support you to enable you to discharge your duties”, he stated.

Responding to the NDDC’s request for collaboration on the execution of the Omadino-Okeronkoko-Escravos Road, Oborevwari said such a partnership was a welcome development.

The Governor advised the commission to avoid duplication of projects, stating that it is very necessary to consult the states before embarking on projects in their respective territories.

Speaking earlier, the NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, said that the commission would increase its collaboration with development partners, including the state governments and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives.

Ogbuku assured the Governor that the commission would work in synergy with governors in the nine states covered by the NDDC.

He stressed the need to re-activate the NDDC Advisory Committee as provided by its Establishment Act, to advise and monitor the activities of the commission.

News

Reps Panel Approves N288bn FCTA Supplementary Budget

Published

46 mins ago

September 25, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives’ Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has approved a N288 billion supplementary budget for the FCT Administration (FCTA).

Naijablitznews.com reports that in a letter transmitted from President Bola Tinubu to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the budget includes N8 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N280 billion from miscellaneous revenues. This supplementary budget aims to cover additional funds needed for FCTA projects.

During the budget defense meeting, Chairman House Committee on FCT, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, explained that the urgency of passing the budget was to support critical development projects in the FCT.

Betara further stated that the FCT Minister had confirmed that most of the budget’s requests for additional funds were already part of the 2024 statutory budget passed by the National Assembly. He also clarified that there are no new projects, except for two new line items.

The Committee agreed to present the report during Thursday’s plenary, as the projects need to begin immediately due to time constraints.

In President Tinubu’s letter to Speaker Abbas, he highlighted the progress made on ongoing projects in the FCT:

“Indeed, residents of the Federal Capital Territory are in high spirits and excited by the scale of ongoing projects within the City Centre and across the six Area Councils. The socio-economic impact is gratifying and shows that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is being fulfilled quickly”, the statement reads in part.

The President also emphasized the importance of capital projects in the 2024 budget of the FCT, which will significantly impact infrastructure and manpower development.

He stressed that some critical projects were left out of the 2024 budget and must be included to meet the 30 per cent procurement requirement under the law.

News

El-Rufai relishes Sanusi’s reinstatement, says “it’s among most important events of my life”

Published

2 hours ago

September 25, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Former Kaduna of State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has said that reinstatement of Muhamamdu Sanusi ll as the Emir of Kano is one of the most important events in his life.

El-Rufai stated this at the Arewa Tech Fest, held in Kano on Wednesday.

The event drew politicians and technocrats to discuss advancements in Northern Nigeria

The festival was attended by key figures, including the governors of Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states.

El-Rufai said, “The reinstatement of his highness is one of the most important events in my life and I want to congratulate you once again.”

News

Lagos Rep. Appointed Chairman, UNN Alumni Organising Committee

Published

3 hours ago

September 25, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Member representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State, in the House of Representatives, Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has been appointed Chairman of the National Organising Committee of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association.

This appointment was made during the inauguration of the committee for the Founder’s Day celebration at the University of Nigeria Liaison Office in Abuja on Friday, September 24, 2024.

In his acceptance speech, Rep. Onuakalusi emphasized the significance of the Founder’s Day, which is to honour the institution’s founding fathers who established the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He noted that UNN, which was modeled after the University of Michigan in the USA, is Nigeria’s first indigenous university, designed as a beacon of educational excellence and a symbol of restoring the dignity of the black race.

The lawmaker highlighted that the committee’s main objective is to spearhead the construction of a Grand Research Institute, a 5,000-seat amphitheater, an Alumni Secretariat, and a Conference Arena as part of the Founder’s Tower project.

“This year marks the 64th Founder’s Day, and our primary goal is to build the Founders Tower, which will include a Hall of Fame to celebrate the university’s distinguished alumni. To achieve this, we aim to raise N5 billion and complete the project within 48 months,” Onuakalusi stated.

The National Organising Committee will have several sub-committees tasked with different aspects of the project:

1. Infrastructure and Works – ESV Ben Okoronkwo

2. Finance – ESV Mike Ezechukwu

3. Media and Publicity – Prof Charles Nwekeaku

4. Legal – Mr Monday Ubani (SAN)

5. Administration – Barr Juliet Ukoha

6. Welfare and Logistics – Barr Chioma Okeke

7. Contact and Mobilization – Chief Osita Chidoka

8. Security – ESV (AIG) Ben Igweh

9. Vice Chairman – Dr Ben Onwudinjo and Lady Stella Maduka

Rep. Onuakalusi also mentioned that the Alumni Association will collaborate with the university to establish an Endowment Fund that will support research and aid lecturers in curbing brain drain in the educational sector.

Key figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minister of Education, are expected to support the initiative during the celebration scheduled for December 4, 2024.

The UNN motto, “To Restore the Dignity of Man,” which was derived from the famous oration “De Dignitate Hominis” by 15th-century philosopher Count Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, underscores the university’s foundational ideals.