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Nigeria@64: Tackle hunger, insecurity now, Ositelu urges FG

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

The Primate of the Church of the Lord Worldwide and President of the World Council of Churches from Africa, Rufus Ositelu, has called on the government to invest more in agriculture to arrest the widespread hunger in the country.

In a message to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebration, Ositelu stated that as an integral part of society, the church had a duty to contribute to national development.

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Speaking against the backdrop of the hunger protests that rocked the country recently, the popular cleric said, “The recent hunger protests that have gripped our nation is a sombre reminder of the deep economic challenges that many citizens are facing.

“These protests, while a cry for help, also represent a clarion call for urgent and comprehensive action. We must acknowledge that the root causes of these protests are intertwined with broader economic difficulties. I urge government at all levels to continually address the systemic issues that lead to poverty and hunger.

“It is imperative that we— government, citizens, private sector and civil society organisations— work together to create sustainable solutions that will ensure that no one goes to bed hungry. This means investing in agriculture and mineral resources, and creating an enabling environment for employment opportunities; as well as improving supply chains, and providing support for the most vulnerable in society.”

Ositelu also noted that the upward review of the minimum wage to N70,000 was a step in the right direction “Considering the current economic conditions, inflation and the rising cost of living.”

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He emphasised that the new wage would uplift the citizenry and protect the dignity of labour while fostering economic growth and stability.

Ositelu, who has PhDs in Computer Science and Religion, also tasked the government with providing adequate security for the citizenry because “it is the bedrock upon which the nation’s future is built.”

He called on the Federal Government to review and strengthen its security apparatus, while also addressing the root causes of violence. He asserted that building trust between communities and law enforcement agents, promoting dialogue, and ensuring justice were key components of a comprehensive peace strategy.

The cleric also described corruption as a significant challenge that undermined the nation’s progress. He stated that it eroded public trust and diverted resources away from crucial development projects, adding that all Nigerians must continue to support anti-corruption initiatives and hold accountable those who engage in corrupt practices.

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“A transparent and accountable government is essential for the effective functioning of our society. It is our collective responsibility to foster a culture of integrity and honesty at all levels,” he said.

Reiterating his stance on fiscal federalism, Ositelu stated that the principles of fiscal federalism and local government autonomy were vital for effective governance.

According to him, the former ensures the equitable distribution of resources, promotes regional development and empowers regional governments to address local needs effectively.

“The approval of local government autonomy by the current administration represents a positive step toward decentralising power and enhancing local governance. This autonomy empowers local authorities to address the specific needs of their communities more effectively. I hereby call on all local government chairmen to implement these reforms in a manner that promotes efficiency, accountability and development at the grassroots,” he added.

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The computer scientist-turned-cleric also stated that restructuring, regional governments and constitutional review were pivotal for the future of the country.

Stressing the importance of prayers, Ositelu stated that it is a source of strength and guidance.

“It is through prayer that we seek divine wisdom, solace and direction. As we navigate these complex issues, l urge you to be hopeful and turn to God with a grateful heart for support and inspiration as there will eventually be light at the end of the tunnel,” he concluded.

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2025 Budget: Reps Say Performance Is Criteria for Increased Funding

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HhouseBy Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education has reiterated that performance must justify any requests for additional funding by agencies in the 2025 budget.

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Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda, made this clear during the budget defence session of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), presented by its Executive Secretary, Professor Idris Bugaje.

Laguda acknowledged the funding challenges faced by polytechnics but emphasised the importance of demonstrating effective utilization of allocated resources before seeking more.

“Performance is very key. It is a known fact that polytechnics are poorly funded, but we need to justify why more resources are needed. To be honest, not all institutions have demonstrated this. The role of this committee is to ensure accountability and drive improvements”, he said.

He highlighted the importance of the NBTE’s role in technical education and urged the agency to foster better synergies among polytechnics and stakeholders. He also charged rectors to be proactive in introducing modern and relevant courses tailored to their environments.

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Professor Idris Bugaje, while presenting the NBTE’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal, called for increased budgetary allocation to address manpower shortages. He noted that the agency, responsible for supervising over 700 institutions, currently operates with only 330 staff, which he described as grossly inadequate.

“For personnel, we need improvement. Similar agencies with fewer institutions and more funds have more staff. We need more hands to adequately supervise these institutions,” Bugaje stated.

On internally generated revenue (IGR), Bugaje explained that earnings primarily come from service charges during accreditation visits. He revealed that the agency’s IGR for the year amounted to just N25 million, describing it as “dismally low.”

He further noted that the agency’s capital performance for 2024 stood at 50%, with the remaining half of the budget yet to be released.

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“We need to introduce more contemporary programs and improve funding mechanisms to better meet the demands of technical education,” Bugaje added.

The session underscored the lawmakers’ commitment to ensuring transparency and efficiency in funding allocations while challenging agencies to enhance their performance to secure additional resources.

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Increase Budgetary Allocations For 2025 MDA Appeal To Reps

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By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Ministry of Environment and its agencies have appealed to the House of Representatives for an increase in their budgetary allocations for 2025.
The MDAs stated this during 2025 budget defense session with members of the House Committee on Environment.
The ministry, alongside its agencies i.e the National Park Service, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) reviewed their 2024 performance and outlined projections for 2025.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, highlighted the ministry’s achievements and noted that a critical challenge was inadequate funding.
The Conservator-General of National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, reported 2024 expenditures, including ₦4.33 billion for personnel, ₦1.03 billion for overheads, and ₦1.95 billion for capital projects, with ₦633.46 million disbursed and utilized.
He appealed for a ₦5.01 billion intervention in 2025 to address funding gaps, insecurity, and illegal mining. The agency also proposed ₦180 million in internally generated revenue for 2025.
Similarly, Director-General, FRIN, Zacharia Yaduma, asked for increased funding, and cited budgetary constraints and delays in fund disbursement.
Registrar and CEO of EHCON, Dr. Mohammed Baba,  concerns about the council’s removal from budgetary allocations as of January 1, 2025, and appealed for its reinstatement.
Responding, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Julius Pondi, assured that the committee would work closely with the Minister of Environment to address EHCON’s funding concerns.
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SAD! Nigerian Dies In South African Police Custody

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The Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has condemned the alleged brutal killing of a 50-year-old Nigerian citizen, Jeremiah Okoye, by the country’s police, while in their custody.

Okoye, a native of Eziniffite Nnewi, in Anambra was said to have died while being detained in Limpopo Province, on Jan. 13.

NICASA President-General, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, said investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s death.

“We implore the police authorities to follow the rule of law in discharging their constitutional duties,” he said.

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Onyekwelu said that Okoye, who resided at No. 71, Magazyn Street, Polokwane, Limpopo Province, had lived in the country for 22 years.

He said NICASA had officially informed the Nigerian High Commission and Consulate in South Africa, as well as contacted the Okoye family and friends in Limpopo, following the sad incident.

“Nigerian citizens in South Africa say no to police brutality and killings and demand justice for the late Okoye.

“Our lives matter, nationality is not criminality.

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“We implore all our citizens to be law-abiding and allow the authorities to utilise all their resources, to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of Okoye,” he said.

Onyekwelu expressed hope that Okoye’s death would not become another statistic like others before him.

“The death of Nigerians in South Africa, particularly under police custody has become a recurring issue that needs to be stopped.

“We fear that these recurring deaths of Nigerians in police custody, if unchecked, will become a dangerous pattern. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” he added.

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