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Buhari Has Broken Many Jinxes Recorded —- Presidency

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3 years ago

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The Presidency, yesterday, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has broken many jinxes since coming on board in 2015.

According to the Presidency, the most recent of such landmark achievements is the net profit announced by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for the first time in the 44-year history of the corporation.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, stated that under President Buhari, who doubles as Minister of Petroleum Resources, the oil conglomerate announced a first-ever profit of N287 billion. Such had never happened before.

The statement said: “But that was by no means the only major jinx broken in the lifetime of the Buhari administration. They abound.”

On policies and legislation, it said: “Petroleum Industry Bill signed into law in 2021, after almost two decades in the works. It is aimed at reforming a Petroleum Act dating back to 1969, as well as other supplementary laws and regulations.

“Deep Offshore and Inland Basin (Production Sharing Contracts) Act, 2019, amended for the first time since 1993.

“More than $6 billion of inherited Cash Call Arrears now being cleared by the Buhari administration, since 2016. More than $3 billion of the arrears (payments due to International Oil Companies) have since been paid.

“The Buhari administration has overseen the first successful Marginal Fields Bid Round in almost 20 years.

“The Buhari administration has launched the first National Social Investment Programme in the country’s history. Today it is the largest Social Investment Programme in Africa and one of the largest in the world.

“Restoration of the Federal Budget to a January-to-December cycle, after more than a decade.

“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, was established in 2011, and for its first seven years did not have an enabling Act of the National Assembly, until 2018 when President Buhari assented to the NCDC Act.

“Nigeria Police Act, 2020: The first overhaul of the Police Act since it was originally enacted in 1943

*Nigeria Correctional Service Act, 2019, overhauled the existing Prisons Act, almost 50 years after it was first enacted.

“Finance Acts 2019 and 2020 – the first time ever that Federal Budgets are being accompanied by dedicated and specific reform legislation, to support implementation.

“Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Bill (SPOMO), 2019: The first of its kind in the entire Gulf of Guinea, dedicated to prosecuting maritime offenses.

“Police Trust Fund Act, 2019: First-ever legislation dedicated to addressing the financing of the Police Force

“CAMA, 2020 – the first overhaul of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) in 30 years

Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018: Another unprecedented piece of legislation in Nigeria.

“Treasury Single Account (TSA) started in 2012, expanded across the entire Government by President Buhari.”

On projects, the statement listed the Itakpe-Warri rail line, which started in 1987 but was abandoned for decades and finally completed in 2020

It added: “Completion of four standard gauge railway projects between 2016 and 2021: Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line, Abuja Metro Line, Itakpe-Warri Rail Line, and Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line.

“President Buhari is the first President to start and complete a rail project in Nigeria’s history (Lagos-Ibadan Rail).”

“The last NLNG Train project (Train 6) was completed in 2008. President Buhari has successfully flagged off Train 7 construction.

“Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway, undergoing full reconstruction for the first time since it was constructed in the late 1970s.

“Bodo-Bonny Bridges and Road: Construction finally kicked off in 2017, after several decades of planning, and three false starts.

“The long-awaited Ogoni Clean-Up kicked off under the Buhari’s administration. The Nigerian Navy has this year (2021) acquired its first new Landing Ship Tank (LST) in more than 40 years.

“The Nigerian Air Force has enjoyed the largest investment in fleet renewal in decades, under President Buhari, acquiring more than two-dozen new aircraft since 2016. Construction of the first full-scale private refinery and the first privately financed Deep Sea Port in Nigeria’s history both started under President Buhari’s watch.

“Only one modular refinery in the country pre-2016. Since 2018, there have been several either under construction or already completed. Maritime University, Delta State, licensed by the NUC and operationalized in 2018.

“Completion, since 2016, of twelve (12) inherited Dam projects across the country: Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, Taraba; Ogwashi-Uku Multipurpose Dam, Delta; Adada Dam, Enugu; Sulma Earth Dam, Katsina; Gimi Earth Dam, Kaduna; Amla-Otukpo Dam, Benue; Amauzari Earth Dam, Imo; Ibiono-Ibom Earth Dam, Akwa Ibom; Gadau/Lafia Zigau Dam, Bauchi; Alajue Small Earth Dam, Osun; Kampe Omi Dam, Kogi (Rehabilitation) and Kargo Dam, Kaduna (Rehabilitation)

“Completion of three (3) inherited Hydropower Projects, accounting for more than 100MW of electricity in total: Gurara Hydropower Project, 30MW, Kaduna State – completed and concessioned in 2020; Kashimbila Hydropower Project, 40MW, Taraba, Dadin-Kowa Hydropower Project, 40MW, Gombe.

“Completion, since 2016, of seven (7) inherited Irrigation projects and 30 Water Supply Projects inherited by the Administration, including the Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa State, Northern Ishan Regional Water Supply Project and the Ojirami Dam Water Supply Scheme and Reticulation Network, both in Edo State; Sabke, Dutsi and Mashi Water Supply Project in Katsina State; Vom Water Supply Project and Mangu Regional Water Supply Scheme in Plateau State; Takum Water Supply Project in Taraba State; Gambaki/Chinade/Hardawa/Bulkachuwa Water Supply Project in Bauchi State; Inyishi Regional Water Supply Project in Imo State; Ilobu Water Supply Scheme and Osogbo Water Supply Scheme in Osun State; Idanre Water Supply Project in Ondo State; Ofeme Water Supply Project in Abia State; Uburu Water Supply Scheme in Ebonyi State; Gashua Water Supply Scheme in Yobe State; Kwami Gadam and Bojude Water Supply Project in Gombe State; the Saki Town Water Supply Project, Oyo State; and the Zobe and Kazaure Water Supply Projects in Katsina and Jigawa States respectively.

“NDDC HQ Complex started in the mid-1990s, completed in 2021; EFCC HQ Complex, construction started in 2011, completed in 2018; and Zik Mausoleum started in 1996, completed and commissioned 2018.”

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BIG STORY

UPDATE: Uncover Negligence, Deliberate Actions Behind Ibadan Stampede — Tinubu To Security Agencies

Published

12 hours ago

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December 19, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the incident at the children’s funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the death of 35 persons.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy, the president called for a “thorough” inquiry to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to the stampede.

“In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event,” the statement reads.

“President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly. He emphasises that it is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful incident, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.”

“The President urges the Oyo State Government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring.

“Among the essential actions are a comprehensive review of all public events’ safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues.”

The president also called on event organisers to prioritise the safety of all attendees, especially children.

He noted the importance of integrating professional security, protocol, and logistics at events to ensure the safety of all participants.

“Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives,” he added.

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BIG STORY

2025 Budget Proposal Scales Second Reading At National Assembly

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12 hours ago

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December 19, 2024

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The 2025 appropriation bill has passed the second reading at the national assembly.

The budget cleared the second reading during plenary on Thursday following an extensive debate by legislators in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu presented a record N49.7 trillion as the proposed budget for 2025 to a joint session of the upper and lower legislative chambers.

The lawmakers, during plenary on Thursday, took turns discussing the general principles of the money bill, offering recommendations that included thorough scrutiny of the budget breakdown during engagements with heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

Leading the debate, Julius Ihonvbere, majority leader of the green chamber, said the budget would improve the nation’s economy and consolidate the achievements of the president.

In his debate, Kingsley Chinda, minority leader, said Tinubu’s assertion that the budget would reduce inflation from the current 34.6 percent to 15 percent is “ambitious” and not realistic.

The ranking lawmaker said the allocation of N4.91 trillion to defence and security “will not take us to the promised land.”

He added that the budget should also prioritize human capital development and environmental sustainability.

“The budget might appear very beautiful, but there is much more for us to do as a nation,” Chinda said.

‘2025 BUDGET IS INADEQUATE’

Oluwole Oke, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member from Osun, stated that the budget is “grossly inadequate” and won’t sufficiently fund development projects.

Abdussamad Dasuki from Sokoto supported Oke’s position, describing the budget as inadequate.

“The budget may look robust on paper, but if you convert it to dollars, you will realize that the budget is not where we should be,” he said.

“With the challenges we have, if you convert it to dollars, the nation will be inadequately provided for. I urge the relevant committees, particularly the committee on finance, to work on this.”

Also speaking, Ismaila Dabo from Bauchi called for an increased allocation to the agricultural sector to boost food production.

“Inflation is on food items, and Nigerians are finding it difficult to cope. I urge the house to do everything possible to ensure enough allocation is reserved for agriculture,” he said.

Some lawmakers from the north-east and south-east geopolitical zones demanded more funding for their development commissions.

The lawmakers unanimously voted in support of the bill when it was put to a voice vote by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, who presided over the session.

Kalu referred the bill to the committees on appropriation for further legislative work.

He said the bill will be passed before January 30.

In November, both chambers approved the 2025-2027 medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) and fiscal strategy paper (FSP) of the federal government.

The parliament passed the oil benchmark prices of $75, $76.2, and $75.3 for the daily crude oil production of 2.06 million, 2.10 million, and 2.35 million for the 2025-2027 fiscal years respectively.

Also, the national assembly maintained the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate projected at 4.6 percent, 4.4 percent, and 5.5 percent for the three years in the fiscal strategy paper.

The lawmakers endorsed the projected exchange rate of N1,400/$ but said it is subject to review in early 2025 according to monetary and fiscal policies.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Ooni’s Ex-Wife Naomi, 7 Others Arrested Over Children’s Funfair Stampede In Ibadan

Published

16 hours ago

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December 19, 2024

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The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, “Naomi Silekunola”; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, “Fasasi Abdulahi”; and six others in connection with the deaths of several children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The ex-queen was identified as the primary sponsor of the event.

Furthermore, the number of children who have died from the stampede has increased to 35, while six others are critically injured, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, “Adewale Osifeso.”

The event, which was held at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, was intended for 5,000 children, but reportedly over 7,500 attended.

 

More to come…

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