Connect with us

News

Nigeria @64: Makinde extends subsidised transport scheme by six months

Published

on

By Francesca Hangeior.

 

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has called on residents of the State to keep hope alive as Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Anniversary, noting that his government will continue to take decisions that serve the best interest of the people.

He spoke on Tuesday in an Independence Day address relayed on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

Advertisement

The Governor maintained that as part of decisions to mitigate the economic challenges facing the people, he has directed an immediate change in the guarantor system for the state’s agricultural credit loan for small farmers.

According to him, instead of the requirement that allowed only civil servants to guarantee farmers seeking the loan, residents who seek to access the loan can now be guaranteed by community associations, farmers and artisanal associations.

He also declared a six-month extension for the state’s Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) Transport Scheme, which has seen intra-city and inter-city transportation in state government-owned Omituntun Buses subsidised by more than half, noting that he has also directed that a similar subsidy be introduced on trucks for crop transportation across the state.

These measures, the Governor said, were introduced to reaffirm his government’s commitment to making decisions that will serve the best interests of the people amid the cloudy economic times in the country.

Advertisement

Makinde said: “Today, we celebrate another milestone in Nigeria’s history as we mark 64 years of nationhood. Our journey has been one of highs and lows. We have walked, crawled, run, stumbled, and risen again. We have experienced moments of pride and moments of reflection. But above all, we have demonstrated unwavering resilience.

“Here in Oyo state, you have exemplified that same resilience by supporting our administration over the past five years as we moved from accelerated development to sustainable development with a focus on moving the people of our dear state from poverty to prosperity.

“They say the darkest hour comes just before dawn. As we face these cloudy economic times, we must remember our resilient spirit. Rest assured, the sun will rise.

“As your government, we use this Independence Day celebration to reaffirm our commitment to making decisions that will serve the best interests of the good people of Oyo State.

Advertisement

“This is why I have directed that guarantors for small scale loans to agripreneurs through the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State will no longer be limited to civil servants but will now include Community Development Associations (CDAs), farmers’ associations and artisans’ associations.

“We have also extended the subsidy on transportation for another six months under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) scheme. The subsidy will now also include a subsidy on trucks for evacuation of farm produce. This subsidy will be implemented through the various trader and agriculture unions.

“Now is not the time to emphasise what divides us. Rather, we must hold fast to the things that unite us—our shared identity, our culture, and our history. We must always remember who our real enemies are, so we do not turn against our friends.

“We will, as a government, continue to give strength to democratic institutions because we believe this is one of the best ways to build stronger states and nations.

Advertisement

“I also want to take this opportunity to reassure you that the security of our people remains a top priority. During your celebrations, you may notice an increased security presence. Do not be alarmed—they are there to ensure your safety and guarantee a peaceful celebration.

“So, as we celebrate Nigeria at 64, let us not dwell on the difficulties of the present. Instead, let us use this period to reflect on what we can do differently, so that the future of our nation will be better than the past. Let us focus on the real hope that lies ahead.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

TETFUND threatens to cut financial support to non-performing institutions

Published

on

By

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has threatened to cut financial support to beneficiary tertiary institutions that fail to meet performance benchmarks or mismanage allocated funds.

The agency said it would de-list such tertiary institutions from its support programmes.

Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Sonny Echono gave the warning at a one-day strategic engagement with heads of institutions, bursars, and heads of procurement of the agency’s beneficiary institutions in Abuja on Monday.

Echono said the policy was not meant to punish, but rather safeguard the credibility and impact of TETFUND interventions.

Advertisement

He said: “Let me be clear, institutions that consistently fail to access, utilise or retire funds appropriately, or that fall short of enrollment and academic performance thresholds, risk being delisted as TETFUND beneficiary institutions.”

He also disclosed the intention of TETFUND to ensure that its resources were directed towards institutions that were committed to high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability.

Echono said the strategic engagement was targeted at addressing recurring challenges in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, improving project execution, and enhancing the quality of education.

A key focus, he said, was the Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) intervention.

Advertisement

He said due to rising costs and incidents of scholars absconding, the foreign component of the TETFUND Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) was suspended as of January 1, 2025 with emphasis now shifted to cost-effective, locally driven training.

Echono said this year’s intervention budget prioritises consolidation, sustainability, and the completion of abandoned projects.

He added: “This engagement is not merely a meeting but a strategic convergence. It is designed to address recurring issues of concern, streamline project implementation, and enhance the overall quality of tertiary education delivery in our nation.

“As we move forward, let us approach today’s discussions with openness, collaboration, and a shared vision to elevate our institutions and the students we serve.

Advertisement

“Together, we can strengthen accountability, drive innovation, and ensure that the legacy of TETFUND remains impactful, equitable and enduring for generations to come.”

Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu emphasised the importance of the meeting for evaluating the implementation and impact of TETFUND – supported projects in higher education institutions.

The NUC chief, who was represented by Dr. Joshua Atah appreciated TETFUND’s vital role in improving infrastructure, research, staff development, and academic quality, stating that without its support, public education would struggle to survive.

Prof. Ribadu acknowledged the adaptability of TETFUND’s policies, such as suspending international scholarships to reallocate resources more effectively.

Advertisement

He urged tertiary institutions to be more responsive and ensure that interventions were relevant and efficiently executed.

Ribadu encouraged judicious and timely use of funds and called for open and constructive dialogue during the engagement.

“This calls for greater responsiveness also on the part of the institutions. This responsiveness also includes the areas of the design and implementation of these interventions to ensure that they remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with the future of education in Nigeria.

“It’s also important that we judiciously utilise these resources, and not just judicious utilisation but also in a timely manner so that we don’t lose the fund,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Again, Boko Haram reportedly attack military base in Borno

Published

on

By

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have attacked a Nigerian Army base in Marte , the headquarters of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State with casualties

The terrorists attacked the 153 Task Force Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOab) at around 3am on Monday, according to the locals and security sources.

They said the terrorists also burnt armoured tanks and seized arms and ammunition from the base during the attack.

“ISWAP has taken over Marte. An unspecified number of soldiers were killed, some captured, and many others fled towards Dikwa.

Advertisement

“They are currently at the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa,” a source said.

Recent terrorist attacks have targeted several military formations in Borno and Yobe, including Sabon Gari and Buni Yadi, with the latest being the attack on the 153 Task Force Battalion.

Attempts to reach Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, were unsuccessful as he didn’t answer calls or respond to text messages.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Taraba Woos Global Investors Ahead of Landmark Economic Summit

Published

on

…Taravest 2025 to Unlock Opportunities in agric, energy, mining

…as state offers peace, resources, incentives

By Gloria Ikibah 

The Federal Government and Government of Taraba State have called on the international community and private sector players to partner with Taraba in unlocking the state’s massive investment potentials across agriculture, energy, mining, and tourism. 

Advertisement

This call comes ahead of the Taraba International Investment Summit (Taravest), with the theme: “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials, Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining and Industrialization for sustainable development “, scheduled for May 21, 2025, in Jalingo, Taraba state.

Speaking at the diplomatic preparatory briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who was represented by Ambassador Anderson Madubike commended the initiative, describing it as a platform that aligns with Nigeria’s economic diplomacy agenda.

“I wish to commend His Excellency and indeed the Government of Taraba State for convening this timely summit, particularly at this time when the whole world is in need of creating a travelling investment climate through co-location. There is therefore the need for partnership between governments, private sector players, and civil societies,” the Minister stated.

He emphasised that Taravest represents “a collective pursuit of development and prosperity, not only for Taraba State, but indeed for the whole world.

Advertisement

“They have enormous resources—we’re talking about gold, we’re talking about uranium, and many others, and of course agriculture, fertile land, which you know, food, is the way to go”, he added.

Ambassador Madubike noted that the theme for the summit, themed “Unlocking Taraba’s Investment Potentials: Advancing Agriculture, Energy, Mining, and Industrialization for Sustainable Growth,” is expected to attract both local and international stakeholders.

“Our presence here signifies a commitment to making Taraba a model of investment and sustainable development,” he said.

In his address, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and extended an open invitation to diplomats and investors.

Advertisement

Dr. Agbu highlighted the significance of the summit as the first of its kind since the state was created in 1991, and laid out three clear objectives.

“It is my great honor to welcome you to the Paivota Preparatory Meeting for the Taraba State International Investment Summit, Taravest 2025, in just nine days to come.

“To orient you to Taraba’s untapped potentials and the structure of the summit; to inspire your confidence in our security, infrastructure, and business environment; and to enlist your support in rallying investors, technical partners, and development agencies”, the governor said.

He emphasised Taraba’s strategic strengths, citing five core advantages, this is as he reassured guests about the state’s security readiness.

Advertisement

“Peace and security, over 44,000 km² of fertile land for agriculture, massive hydropower and solar capacity, rich mineral reserves including gold, barite, and lithium, and growing opportunities in tourism and the digital economy.

“I want to assure you that we have coordinated with the state security services, the Nigerian military, the Nigerian police, and our traditional rulers… to guarantee your safety”, he added.

The summit, he explained, will feature B2B and B2G matchmaking, policy dialogues, PPP frameworks, and guided site visits to model farms and mining zones.

“Taravest 2025 is more than a conference. It is a statement of fact that Taraba is open for transformative partnership. I invite you to leverage your good offices to mobilize your government and business communities,so that together we will convert promise into progress and unlock a future of shared prosperity”, Dr. Agbu added.

Advertisement

He also urged embassies to submit the names of participating investors and delegates by May 16, 2025, to ease logistics.

Taravest 2025, which will hold at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Jalingo, aims to attract capital, expertise, and innovation to transform Taraba into a thriving investment destination and economic powerhouse.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News