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FG needs over N16 trillion to complete federal road projects he inherited: David Umahi

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Works minister David Umahi says President Bola Tinubu’s government needs over N16 trillion to complete inherited federal road projects nationwide.

Mr Umahi disclosed this when he briefed journalists on the works ministry’s achievements under Mr Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ on Thursday in Abuja.

The works minister said the Tinubu administration inherited 18,932.50 kilometres of ongoing road projects, totalling 2,064 contracts.

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The minister stated that the total value of all the ongoing projects as of May 2023 was N14.42 trillion. He also revealed that the amount certified was N4.73 trillion; however, N3.12 trillion was paid, and the amount owed contractors for certified works was N1.61 trillion.

“The funding gap to complete all the inherited projects is about N13 trillion as of May 2023 and will be more than N16 trillion when all projects are reviewed, in line with current market realities. This is due to the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.

“It is a very sound economic decision by this administration, considering the fact that some of the projects have lingered for between five and eight years. Consequently, the projects are being reviewed to match current market realities; this position excludes all the new projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the four legacy projects,’’ Mr Umahi explained.

He said, however, that over the years, budget provisions have seemed inadequate to address the challenges of highway development. Mr Umahi stated that to meet funding for road projects, the ministry embraced alternative funding mechanisms like the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) and Sovereign SUKUK issued by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

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The minister also said the funding included the Road Tax Credit Scheme (NNPCL, NLNG, Dangote, BUA, MIN, Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd., and GZI Industries) and multilateral loans. Others are the Public Private Partnership (PPP)/Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI) and the newly established Renewed Hope Infrastructure Funding model.
He said 82 projects were approved under the SUKUK fund, with N100 billion invested in road construction and rehabilitation in 2017.

Mr Umahi added that the projects included N100 billion in 2018, N162.55 billion in 2020, and N210.56 billion in 2021; for 2,812km of road, N110 billion was approved in 2022, and the approved 2023 SUKUK provision stood at N250 billion.

He said N2.59 trillion was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the funding of 65 highway projects under Phases I and II of the NNPCL Funding. The minister said that the projects were to cover a total of 6,358km, while the available funding for the projects up to 2025 was N2.59 trillion.

“The reviewed total contract sum due to inflation is N5.288 trillion. The funding gap for the completion of both phases I and II is N2.702 trillion. To date, the total payment made by NNPCL is in the sum of N840 billion, and the total outstanding funding approved by FEC is N1.750 trillion. The projects are spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country,’’ said Mr Umahi.

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Former House of Representatives Member Arrested Over Alleged WAEC Certificate Forgery

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Hon. Rita Odichi Orijifor, who represented the Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency between 2015 and 2019, has been arrested by the Nigerian Police over allegations of using a fake WAEC certificate during her tenure in the House of Representatives.

According to sources, Orijifor was apprehended earlier today at her residence in Wonderland Estate, Abuja, after police officers had waited for over five hours for her to come out. She reportedly locked herself in her bedroom and made calls to influential political figures in a bid to avoid arrest. However, none of the figures offered assistance in this high-profile scandal, and despite some attempts to intervene with the police, Orijifor eventually emerged from her hiding place and was taken into custody.

Before her arrest, Orijifor had reportedly been hiding in Akure to evade law enforcement, only returning to Abuja after believing the situation had cooled. However, unknown to her, the police were already on her trail.

Her legal troubles began when a judge in the Federal Capital Territory dismissed her application to stop the ongoing police investigation. The judge ruled that Orijifor failed to demonstrate that her rights had been violated by the authorities.

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Orijifor is currently being detained at the Force Headquarters in Abuja as investigations continue. The case is expected to be a significant development in Nigerian politics, given her previous role as a federal lawmaker.

This is a developing story, and more details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.

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I Looked At Myself In The Mirror And I Asked “Who Are You?” – Gov Adeleke

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Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Sunday, November 24, 2024 held his Thanksgiving Service at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State to celebrate his Second Year in Office as the Governor.

The officiating Pastor directed all guests and members of the church for a-minute-silence for three elders in the Adeleke dynasty who have passed away; Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, his mother, Mrs Nnena Esther Adeleke and her husband, Senator Ayoola Adeleke.

The officiating Pastor took his message from Psalm 23. He admonished the Governor to always put God first in everything he is doing and strike a balance between public and private interest.

The Priest said the Thanksgiving Service celebrant should be careful of sycophants and praise singers and he should let people see him as a man of God and be accessible.

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In his testimony, Governor Adeleke said, he still cannot believe what God is doing through him in Osun State, how God is able to turn things around for good for him in the State.

He remembered when his mother was on sickbed asked him to always sing three praise songs through which God will always answer his prayers.

One of the songs include a Yoruba song, “Ogo yi Oluwa ye Ogo yi, mase JE ko baje mase JE ko Daru…” and two other Igbo praise songs.

The governor who was filled with excitement said he woke up one day and went to the mirror and asked himself “who are you?”. The answer, the Governor of Osun State. He was surprised at how God works in the affairs of men

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The elder sister of Mr. Governor, Yeyeluwa, Modupe Adeleke-Sani admonished the awesomeness of God presence in Adeleke’s family.

She said it wasn’t time of Senator Ademola Adeleke to be the Governor in 2018 because God knows there was going to #ENDSARS and COVID-19 during the period, God made his governance possible at the appropriate time in 2022. “Adeleke’s family is God’s family, we will continue to serve and worship him for his goodness and mercies that endure forever.”

She donated the sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira Only) on behalf of Adeleke’s family.

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Bishop TD Jakes suffers health emergency during Sunday sermon

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Bishop T.D. Jakes, the renowned pastor, author, and founder of The Potter’s House megachurch, experienced a health emergency shortly after delivering a powerful sermon on Sunday.

The incident occurred following an extended sermon at the Dallas-based non-denominational church.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday, church officials confirmed that Bishop Jakes received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition under the care of healthcare professionals.

The statement reads, “During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour-long message.

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“Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community. Thank you for your understanding and continued prayers.”

Founded in 1996, The Potter’s House is one of the largest multicultural megachurches in the United States, boasting over 30,000 members.

The church, which is well known for its global influence, has consistently been ranked among the most impactful religious institutions in the country.

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