Headline

I’ve no excuse not to perform as minister — Jisalo

Published

2 months ago

September 20, 2023

Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, says he has no excuse not to discharge his duties as assigned to him by President Bola Tinubu.

Jisalo said this during his second familiarisation visit to the Management and Staff of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

The visit was the second familiarisation tour by the minister to the agencies under his ministry.

Interacting with members of staff of the agency, the minister explained that his visit was in line with the policy trust of the president to achieve his 8-points agenda which include job creation.

Jisalo urged the agency to key into the president’s agenda through its capacity as a revenue generating agency.

He added that this could only be achieved through team work by the agencies under his ministry.

“Our visit is in line with the policy trust of President Tinubu, with his 8-points agenda, the agenda which includes job creation and I want team work of the agencies under the ministry to achieve this.

“I owe him a duty and I have no excuse not to perform, I will do my best to give Nigerians what they deserve and I urge the NLTF’s management and its staff to key into this agenda.

“My hope is that in the next one year, my ministry will emerge first when he comes for evaluation, ” the minister said.

Earlier, Dr Bello Maigari, Executive Secretary NLTF, expressed delight over the visit by the minister, saying it was ground breaking as it had never happened since the agency’s establishment in 2005.

“As far as I can recall, the trust fund has never had an honourable minister visiting the agency officially until now.

“We are indeed honoured and grateful for the opportunity to rob minds and extend valuable conversations beyond the usual meetings in the ministry, ” he said.

Maigari expressed hope that the minister’s visit would usher a new era of cooperation and understanding to build a strong commitment to deliver on the aspirations of Nigerians through the lottery industry.

He listed some of the major achievements by the agency to include: provision of healthcare facilities/potable water supplies across the six-geopolitical zones, intervention to support government’s efforts to respond decisively to COVID-19 pandemic among others.

“I am pleased to inform the minister that our commitment to implement projects in this vital sector has helped to strengthen our fragile healthcare delivery systems across the six-geopolitical zones, ” he said.

Maigari however highlighted some of the challenges faced by the agency including lack of befitting office accommodation.
In her contribution, Mrs Ibiene Roberts, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the visit was not for formality but a genuine effort to strengthen the bonds between the ministry and NLTF.

“Let us use this time wisely, sharing knowledge, building connections and laying the foundation for a more productive and collaborative future, ” she said.

Headline

President Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval For Fresh $8.6billion, €100million Loans

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Olakunle Adeniyi

The president made the request through a letter to the Senate, read during the plenary by the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, on Tuesday, noting that the fund was to execute critical projects in different sectors.

The President Bola Tinubu-led administration has sought the approval of the Nigerian Senate for $8.6billion and €100million borrowing plan.

The request was said to be part of the federal government 2022-2024 external borrowing plan approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, according to the letter.

Tinubu explained that the projects to be funded with the loan cuts across different sectors of the economy, and were selected based on economic evaluation and the expected contribution to the country’s development.

The letter reads in part;, “I write in respect of the above subject and to submit the attached the federal government 2022-2024 external borrowing plan for consideration and early approval of the National Assembly to ensure prompt implementation of the projects.

“The Senate may wish to note that the past administration approved a 2022-2024 borrowing plan by the federal executive council (FEC) held on May 15, 2023.

“The project cuts across all sectors, with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, water supply, roads, security, and employment generation as well as financial management reforms.

“Consequently, the required approval is in the sum of $8,699,168,559 and €100 million.

“I would like to underscore the fact that the projects and programmes in the borrowing plan were selected based on economic evaluations as well as the expected contribution to the social economic development of the country, including employment generation, and skills acquisition.

“Given the nature of these facilities, and the need to return the country to normalcy it has become necessary for the Senate to consider and approve the 2022- 2024 external abridged borrowing plan to enable the government deliver its responsibility to Nigerians.”

In August, the National Assembly approved President Tinubu’s request for over $800 million loan to finance the National Social Safety Network Programme.

The National Assembly had also approved the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act of N819 million “for the provision of Palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal”.

Headline

Tinubu Should Review RECs Appointment – Ex-INEC Chairman, Jega

Published

11 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Ifunaya Emeka

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has called on President Bola Tinubu to review the appointments of the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

Jega said Tinubu should review their appointments due to concerns that some of the RECs are partisan.

About a month ago, Tinubu had nominated 10 RECs, with the Senate confirming their appointments.

However, some of the RECs have been accused of being involved in partisan politics.

Reacting to the criticisms, Jega said the non-review of their appointment sends the wrong signal.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Jega said: “I think there is no doubt that if the President were listening, my advice would be to immediately review the appointment of the Resident Electoral Commissioners that was passed by the Senate recently.

“It’s very, very important because clearly, not only does it send a wrong signal about the government’s intention to improve the integrity of elections, it also suggests, you know, that there is indifference with regards to protecting the independence and impartiality of the election management body.

“I would want to believe that Mr President was either misinformed or is not really furnished with all the necessary details with regards to these appointments.”