Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

By Rita Iliya

Niger Government said it had defrayed the N205million backlog owed the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) for Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Ms Aisha Wakaso, Special Adviser to Gov. Umaru Bago on Print Media, disclosed this at a press briefing in Minna on Tuesday.

She said that the payment was to enable  WAEC to release the results of students withheld, which had now been released.

Wakaso also said that the state government had received samples of Compressed Natural Gas (CGN) buses to be purchased by the state goverenment to ease the transportation difficulties of the residents.

She added that 200 of such buses ordered by the state government were still being awaited.

NAN

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representative has urged President Bola Tinubu to allocate part of the fuel subsidy removal savings to funding healthcare service for the vulnerable.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Bashiru Dawodu (APC-Lagos) at plenary in Abuja.

The motion is titled, “Call on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover vulnerable Nigerians.”

Presenting the motion, Dawodu said that socio-economic development was not achievable without access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

He said that the World Health Assembly in 2005 adopted universal health coverage as part of the
Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) Agenda 2030.

He said that after 23 years, only 5million Nigerians were enroled by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

He said that over 83 million vulnerable Nigerians including pregnant women and children under five, persons with special needs and the elderly were not captured by the NHIS.

He said that this made Nigeria unable to meet the targets of universal coverage, adding that it therefore increase the rate of out-of-pocket health expenditure.

He said that the health care crisis would not be resolved without Universal Health care coverage which cannot be achieved without meeting the target of the National Health Insurance.

He said NHIA Act of 2022 mandated health insurance for all citizens and legal residents which had failed, adding that in 2022 NNPC Ltd spent N.4 trillion on fuel subsidy and N3.6 trillion in 6 months of 2023.

He said that it cost about N5 billion to cover N5 million persons annually at the rate of NI5,000 per person.

He also urged NHIA to ensure implementation and monitoring, while mandating the House Committees on Health Institutions and Finance to ensure compliance.

NAN

By Ismail Abdulazeez

President Bola Tinubu says a sustained collaborative approach is significant in the fight against poverty in Nigeria and the world at large.

He said this at the commemoration of the international Day for the Eradication of Poverty and Launch of the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash transfer (CCT) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr  George Akume, urged Nigerians to key into all the programmes aimed at alleviating the pains of fuel subsidy removal.

The president said that the programmes were opportunities for Nigerians to enjoy the poverty alleviation of the administration as enshrined in the eight point agenda.

‘’Our objective is to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Yet, this will only be possible with the cooperation of the people we seek to help. Let us continue to work together to achieve our collective goal of eradicating poverty in Nigeria.

‘’Our plans for food security, ending hunger, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creation are all means by which we shall fight poverty and help the most vulnerable members of our society. In this vital pursuit, we have already taken several important steps,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the steps included the restructuring of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to include Poverty Alleviation and providing the policy framework for an aggressive poverty alleviation drive.

Developing the Renewed Hope Agenda for Humanitarian Response and Poverty Alleviation which is a 7-Year roadmap for Poverty Alleviation and expanding the National Social Register to capture Nigerians living below one dollar per day, via a phased approach.

Restructuring the National Social Investment Programme and repositioning it for quick and efficient delivery that is transparent and accountable in line with the fight against corruption.

The others were partnering with the World Bank Group and other development partners to implement conditional cash transfers, business grants and other forms of support for the most vulnerable households via the National social safety net expansion programme.

Tinubu said that in line with the 2023 theme of the day, which was in tune with the Renewed Hope agenda, the administration would ensure that all Nigerians have opportunities decent for dignified work and sustained social protection.

‘’Today, my administration is launching the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme for vulnerable groups as an immediate intervention to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and other economic shocks. However, the government is working to develop and deploy several more solutions and interventions to help Nigerians of all walks of life.’’

The other interventions were investment of N100billion to purchase 3,000 units of 20-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses for cheaper transportation and Investment of N200billion to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland to improve food security.

Also, the release of 2,000 metric tonnes of grains from the strategic grain reserves to households across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory and distribution of 225,000 metric tons of fertilizer and seedlings to farmers committed to the nation’s food security.

The release of N75 billion to support 100,000 SMEs and start-ups and the Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for the Poor, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons targeted at one million households.

The Renewed Hope Business Grants and Loans for Vulnerable Market women, farmers, and traders to expand their business (GEEP) targeted at 2 million beneficiaries and the Renewed Hope support to MSME to cover one million MSMEs.

The Renewed Hope Skill Acquisition Programmes for young Nigerians who express interest for different clusters targeted at 5 million Nigerians over 5 years and the Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme providing school meals for 10 million school children.

The Renewed Hope Alternate School Programme to provide transit learning education for 10 million out of school children who are out of school following internal displacement or issues of insecurity;

The Renewed Hope for At-Risk Children Programme, Renewed Hope Community and Social Development Programme for community grassroots projects and Renewed Hope Job Creation Scheme.

NAN

By Kingsley Okoye

Chief Whip of Senate, Sen.Ali Ndume on Tuesday left the plenary, after President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio ruled him out of order.

Ndume had raised a point of order citing Order 54 of Senate rule, saying that it was the responsibility of the Chief Whip to remind and guild Senate on procedure and processes of plenary.

Ndume through the order attempted to draw the attention of the Senate President to matters relating to proceedings of Senate.

But President of Senate, shortly after listening to Ndume’s point of order said the section quoted by Ndume was not the same with the content of Order 54 cited.

Akpabio consequently ruled him out of order.

At this point, Ndume left the plenary and went to his office, as Senate President called for a closed session.

However, Ndume on receiving a call from a colleague that the Senate resolved into close session returned back to join proceedings in the closed session.

NAN

By Hamza Suleiman

Borno Governor Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday ordered the demolition of illegal brothels and black spots in the state capital.

Zulum gave the directive during a visit to the scene at ‘Bayan Quarters’, a settlement around railway staff quarters, known for habouring criminals, prostitutes, and illicit drug traders among others.

The governor expressed concern over the rise in criminal activities associated with these illegal brothels and directed government agencies to dismantle them within 72 hours.

He noted that these activities not only pose a threat to the security of the state, but also perpetuate social vices that undermine the well-being of communities and the dignity of the individuals involved.

Zulum explained that while the settlement, which harbours criminals and minor girls in commercial sex activities will be demolished within 72 hours, the illegal brothels, however, have 12 hours to vacate.

“The government has been duly informed of the activities that are going on here, this settlement is completely illegal. People are killed here, this place serves as a breeding space for insurgents. Therefore, I have directed that everybody should vacate the place,” Zulum said.

Zulum also announced the revocation of the land titles where such criminal activities were perpetuated, which he said, was initially approved for use by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“I understand that this land was approved by Borno State Government to be used by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), but unfortunately, it’s been rented out illegally with all forms of criminal activities taking place.

“For this reason, the government has revoked the earlier approval and henceforth, the land belongs to Borno State Government,” Zulum said.

NAN

By Sunday Bassey

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved additional N1.6 billion to clear some arrears owed retired teachers, local government workers and civil servants in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ekerete Udoh, said this in a release, made available to newsmen in Uyo, on Tuesday.

“In line with his promise to continue to pay the arrears to retired workers, Gov. Eno has approved the prompt release of an additional N1.6 billion,” Udoh said.

He said that the governor had previously released the sum of N3 billion for the same purpose, bringing the total amount so far released for this purpose to N4.6 billion.

Udoh said the amount was designed to continue to pay the arrears of gratuities of retired primary school teachers, local government workers and civil servants in the state.

He said the governor had promised organised labour in the state during their one-day national protest march, to regularly set aside funds for the payment of gratuities.

NAN

By Raji Rasak

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced tracking of 111 constituency projects in Lagos.

The Resident Anti-corruption Commission Coordinator in Lagos, Mr Kabir Elelu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the monitoring team commenced the exercise on Monday.

According to him, the team will visit all the local government offices in Lagos State for the exercise.

Elelu said that the tracking would focus on constituency projects, executive projects and captive funds.

NAN reports that the commission says it will commence tracking of 1,932 constituency projects, valued at N500 billion in 26 states.

Its spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

She said the objectives of the exercise included improved service delivery to the people by investigating fraudulent procurement practices in the award of public contracts.

Others are to ensure full execution of all public funded projects; execution to specification of all projects funded by government and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

“It is also to ensure that government gets value for monies spent on projects,” she said.

NAN