Connect with us

NEWS

I Didn’t Know About N206bn Budget Paddling, Sadiya Farouq Tells Senate

Published

on

FG feeds 9m pupils — Sadiya Umar-Farouq

Sadiya Umar Farouq, the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster preparedness, and social development, admitted before the Senate on Monday that she was unaware of how the N206 billion from the Ministry of Finance ended up in her Ministry’s budget.

Farouq claimed that the Ministry requested some projects for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and National Social Safety Net Project in the 2022 budget, which were not released, but the Ministry was surprised that money was now multiplied by ten in the 2023 Budget of the Ministry when she testified in Abuja before the Senator Yusuf Yusuf-led Senate Committee on Special Duties to defend the 2023 Budget.

Trouble began when Senator Elisha Abbo of the APC from Adamawa North, a member of the Committee, questioned the Minister about the N206 billion in her ministry’s budget.

Abbo asked the Minister thus, “What programmes do you implement in National Social Safety Nets?

“Few days ago we had a course to summon Minister of Finance when we were considering the ministry of health and primary health care. We observed N301 billion was inserted in the budget of 2023 which will be funded through multilateral and bilateral loans.

“We asked the Minster to give us the details of the activities and projects that will be implemented with this money and he said he wasn’t the one that he was not the one that it was the Ministry of Finance.

“In 2023, you intend to borrow N206 billion for this same project. What are the projects to be implemented in that. Is it captured in MTEF. If it is, are the specific project location activities attached to this.”

Responding, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said, “Yes we made mention of the projects for 2022 which was not released and part of it was part for the NEDC.

“The money was not released and now we have seen it recurring by almost 10 folds and we are also going to clarify from the Ministry of Finance to know why this increase despite the fact that the previous year, the money was not even released for the project.

“So we will get the details then send to you on that.”

Abbo, who expressed shock at the minister’s revelation, stated, “This is serious. We cannot continue to borrow money and plunge this country into debt for our children to come and pay without investing in what they will see.”

Senator Yusuf Yusuf, the chairman of the committee, made a proposal to call Zainab Ahmed, the finance minister, to account for the N206 billion that was put into the budget.

The finance minister has already been charged with slipping money into the budget, according to other ministries.

A total of 11 billion dollars were added to the Senate’s 2023 budget, the defense minister and the minister of health both testified to the Senate on Thursday.

International News

JUST IN: Israel Launches New Attacks On Lebanon Despite Ceasefire Appeals

Published

on

The Israeli military has launched new airstrikes on Lebanon, specifically targeting Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, marking a significant escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

The strikes, carried out on Sunday, were reportedly aimed at Hezbollah’s weapons storage facilities and essential infrastructure across the country.

Read Also: Adeleke On How Late Owa Achieved His Developmental Wishes For Ijesha People

A Lebanese security official confirmed the attack to the AFP news agency, noting that a loud explosion was heard, followed by visible smoke in the area.

This assault occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions in the region, as both sides continue to engage in mutual accusations and military actions.

 

 

 

More to follow……… 

 

Continue Reading

NEWS

Gov’t Ratifies Prince Kazeem Oyekunle As New Olokinni Of Okinni

Published

on

Four gang-killed two in Osun, destroy N8M properties
The Osun State Executive Council has approved the appointment of Prince Kazeem Oyekunle as the new Olokinni of Okinni in Egbedore Area Council of the state.
The appointment, according to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, formed part of the decisions arrived at during the Eight Meeting of the State Executive Council chaired by the governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
According to Alimi, the Council further indicated that the appointment came to the fore sequel to the event of April 2, 2023, on which Oba Akadiri Ookanola Olawale , the Olokinni of Okinni joined his ancestors.
Prince Kazeem Oyekunle’s appointment by the State Executive Council which is with immediate effect was arrived at having secured four out of seven votes at a meeting of the Kingmakers of Okinni .
The Olokinni of Okinni Chieftaincy is a recognized Chieftaincy to which Part II of the Chiefs’ Law ( Cap 25),Laws of Osun State, 2022 applies.
Earlier at the Exco, in his remarks, Gov Adeleke commended the Council members for their passionate delivery of good governance, describing the Executive Council members as effective and efficient men and women of integrity to be proud of.
Gov Adeleke commended the devotion to duty of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure as he hinged on the need for the Ministry to also triple its efforts to deliver as all eyes are on it.
With barely three months to the end of the year, Gov Adeleke reminded all Executive Council Members on the need to critically handle all budget processes as the nation is in a period of economic emergency.
Gov Adeleke particularly expressed confidence and happiness that his administration has delivered on many fronts, just as he appealed to the Executive Council Members to be aggressive in marketing the many achievements of the present administration under his watch.
Continue Reading

International News

33 Killed, 195 Injured In Israeli Airstrike On Lebanon’s Beirut

Published

on

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point as Israel continues its relentless military campaign against Hezbollah, raising fears of a wider conflict beyond the ongoing war in Gaza.

On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes targeted Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, leaving 33 people dead and 195 injured, according to Lebanese authorities.

The strike on Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, resulted in massive explosions that destroyed numerous buildings, leaving thick plumes of black smoke hanging over the city.

Read Also: Cole Palmer Shatters EPL Record With Four-Goal First Half Blitz

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties, while Israeli media suggested that the attack aimed to eliminate senior Hezbollah leaders.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), however, declined to comment on the specifics of the operation.

On Friday night, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was reportedly killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike, marking a critical escalation in the conflict.

Nasrallah, a key figure in Hezbollah’s operations and political activities, was struck during an attack on Hezbollah’s headquarters in southern Beirut.

The Israeli military used an 80-ton bomb in the assault, according to Hezbollah’s statement. It was confirmed that Nasrallah was in the building at the time, along with his daughter, both of whom were killed.

Shortly after the attack, the Israeli military posted on social media, “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world,” signaling the IDF’s satisfaction with the operation.

The death of Nasrallah has sent shockwaves throughout the region, with fears mounting that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could spiral into a full-scale war.

The assassination of Nasrallah prompted an immediate response from Hezbollah, vowing retaliation and escalating already high tensions in Lebanon.

Iranian authorities, key backers of Hezbollah, reacted swiftly, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling an emergency meeting.

Reports from Iranian officials indicated that Khamenei had been moved to a secure location following the Israeli strikes.

The death of Nasrallah marks a turning point in the volatile dynamics of the Middle East, with many regional actors bracing for the potential consequences of his assassination.

With Israeli airstrikes continuing and Hezbollah forces on high alert, the prospect of a new warfront opening in Lebanon looms large, raising fears of even greater instability across the region.

As both sides prepare for potential further conflict, the international community watches closely, concerned that the violence could spread beyond Lebanon and Gaza, igniting a broader regional war.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.