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Presidential Committee on flood relief and rehabilitaton in which Aliko Dangote is the chairman has provided N250 million (Two hundred and fifty million) as relief assistance to victims of the devastating floods in Benue State.

Also, in response to the request by the Benue State Government, the Committee has approved the release of one IDP Hostel already completed by the Committee in Benue State to provide temporary shelter for some of the displaced persons.

It would be recalled that more than 110,000 persons in 24 communities, including Makurdi, have been displaced by the flood in Benue State.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Boniface Ortese, who disclosed this recently said over 2,769 households were also affected.

He explained that places affected included Achusa, Idye, Wurukum Market, Genabe, Industrial Layout, Demekpe, Wadata Market, Katungu, behind the Civil Service Commission, Agboughul-Wadata among others in Makurdi.

“In Achusa, 200 houses were affected with 5,125 persons displaced. In Idye, 217 houses with 5,200 persons displaced. Also, behind the Civil Service Commission, 200 houses were submerged in flood and 5,777 persons were displaced.”

At Genabe, 200 houses were affected with 5,021 persons displaced, 218 houses around the Wurukum Market were affected with 1,000 persons displaced, and at Wadata Market, 150 houses were affected and 4,300 persons were displaced.”

Aside the donation in Benue, the Dangote- led presidential committee also revealed that it has also donated the sum of N150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) (in kind) to provide relief assistance to flood victims in Anambra State.

It also released the sum of sum of N118,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Eighteen Million Naira) to NEMA to augment the N1.6 billion released by the Federal Government for procurement of food and non-food relief materials in aid of the flood victims in the following 16 states: Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Abuja FCT, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau and Sokoto.

The Committee further revealed that it is currently implementing various projects in the 24 States that were affected by the 2012 nation-wide floods. The rationale behind the projects, according to the Committee is to assist the benefiting states to better handle future emergencies, including flooding.

It would be recalled that the Committee at its inauguration by former President Goodluck Jonathan raised a whopping N11.35 billion for flood victims.

Top on the list of donors at the event were Dangote and the Federal Government, who donated N2.5 billion each.

Mr. Dangote, however, said that from his N2.5 billion, 200 million had earlier been given to Kogi State Government and N150 million for the running of the Secretariat of the committee.

Arthur Eze, Tony Elumelu and Jim Ovia donated N1 million each and the chief fund raiser, Mike Adenuga donated N500 million.

Anambra Gov Peter Obi also announced a donation of N1.8 billion on behalf of the state governors at the rate of , N15 million each.

Other who made donations were construction giants Julius Berger, Setraco, Dantata and Sawoe, RCC and other corporate organisations and spirited individuals.

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BIG STORY

Federal Government Earmarks N827bn For Education Infrastructure In 2025 Budget

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has announced that the Federal Government has disbursed a total of N34bn in loans to students studying at tertiary institutions across the country through the “Nigeria Education Loan Fund.”

The President made this statement on Wednesday while presenting the N49.7tn 2025 budget estimates to a joint session of the National Assembly. He also highlighted that the government has allocated N826bn for infrastructure development in the education sector for the 2025 fiscal year.

He stated, “Our administration has so far disbursed N34bn to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.”

“In the 2025 budget, we have made provision for N826.90bn for infrastructure development in the educational sector. This provision also includes those for the Universal Basic Education and the nine new higher educational institutions.”

He continued, “We are convinced that Universal Health Coverage initiatives will strengthen primary healthcare systems across Nigeria. In this way, we have allocated N402bn for infrastructure investments in the health sector in the 2025 budget and another N282.65bn for the Basic Health Care Fund.”

“Our hospitals will be revitalised with medication and better resources, ensuring quality care for all Nigerians.”

“This is consistent with the Federal Government’s planned procurement of essential drugs for distribution to public healthcare facilities nationwide, improving healthcare access and reducing medical import dependency.”

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BIG STORY

President Tinubu Targets N1,500 Per Dollar Rate In 2025 Budget Goals

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Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, stated that the Federal Government aims to stabilise the exchange rate at N1,500 to the dollar to ensure the smooth implementation of the 2025 budget.

This marks a reduction of about N200 from the current rate of N1,700 to a dollar.

President Tinubu made this known while presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the 11th National Assembly in Abuja.

“The budget projects that inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6% to 15% next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately N1,700 per dollar to N1,500. The base crude oil production assumption is set at 2.06 million barrels per day”, he said.

“The projections are based on the following observations: reducing the importation of petroleum products, increasing exports of refined petroleum”. He added.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: 32 Reportedly Die In Ibadan Children Programme Stampede

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At least 32 people have tragically lost their lives during a stampede at a children’s carnival in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Wednesday.

A statement from the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, revealed that the stampede occurred at a private children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun, resulting in the deaths of 32 people, mostly children, with some others sustaining injuries.

He mentioned that the state government promptly deployed a rapid response team to the site following the incident.

The commissioner confirmed that the victims have been transported to various hospitals across Ibadan for medical treatment.

While thanking the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for quickly activating all available response teams to assist at the scene, Oyelade emphasized that the state government will do everything possible to support the victims of the stampede during this difficult time.

He noted that the sate government was not involved in the planning of the carnival, adding that the Ministry of Health was also not carried along in the organisation of the private end of the year children funfair.

Oyelade emphasised the importance of proper coordination when organising events of such magnitude, especially those involving children and elders.

“We are currently awaiting a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police to clarify the total number of victims involved in this unfortunate incident,” he said.

The commissioner urged parents who are concerned about the whereabouts of their children to check the following medical facilities in Ibadan where affected children were taken for proper medical attention, with a valid means of identification:

  • Patnas Hospital, Basorun
  • Western Hospital, Basorun
  • Ringroad State Hospital
  • Molly Specialist Hospital
  • University College Hospital (UCH)

“Oyo State Government extends its deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy while also urging the public to remain calm and cooperative as relevant pieces of information are gathered and necessary supports arranged for the victims,” he added.

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