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FG Allocates N19bn For N-Power Training And Additional Programs
The Nigerian Federal Government has approved a whopping sum of N19.24bn to cover several projects across the country, including the training of 50,000 non-graduate N-power beneficiaries, and the installation of taxiway lighting systems at the airports in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Abuja.
The announcement was made by the Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs, Aviation, Education, and Water Resources Sadiya Umar Farouq, during an extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.
The sum also includes consultancy services for the Dadin Kowa 40MW power project in Gombe State and the furnishing of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s 10-storey headquarters in Lagos.
Prior to this, the FG had in March 2023 approved the engagement of four of its agencies to train 50,000 Non-Graduate N-Power beneficiaries for nine months. They include the National Institute of Transport Technology, Industrial Training Fund, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism and the Hydraulic Equipment Development Institute.
Farouk said “The other memo is submitted, which is to seek Council’s approval for the engagement of four federal agencies for the training of the non-graduates N-Power beneficiaries. This is in the total sum of N14.21bn with 7.5% as VAT.”
She added that the life skills acquisition programme had been on since the inception of the N-Power programme in 2016 as the third batch begin training soon.
“We’re now in Batch C of that programme. And we have received a report from these agencies of what we have done thus far and we are very satisfied with them. We have engaged them again and this is what we brought to the Council for approval and it graciously approved,” said the Minister.
Farouk added that the council approved a policy on the homegrown school feeding programme. An initiative she said has reduced the number out-of-school children nationwide.
Although silent about the actual figures, she expressed hope that Nigeria’s out-of-school population would be drastically reduced by 2030.
“One memo we presented today is a policy on the national home-grown school feeding programme which is a food-based and cost effective programme widely used around the world.
“This is under the national social investment programme. It is an important aspect of that programme because it seeks to address issues of education, health, social protection and agriculture.
“It also seeks to address the issue of out-of-school children. Recall that this programme feeds primary one, two and three pupils in schools daily and in fact, we have witnessed significant school enrollment nationwide,” Farouk explained.
She said the programme has provided significant socio-economic relief to poor and vulnerable households, encouraging them to allow their children to attend school.
‘So this policy is the guiding document that is supposed to guide the activities and enhance this program delivery for a period of time. Hopefully, between now and 2030 we should be able to get all our children that are out of school back to school,” she said.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, revealed that the council approved the full business case for the establishment of an aviation leasing company and the sum of N3.05bn for taxiway lighting and other equipment for airports nationwide.
Sirika said, “So today in council, something very significant has happened in the world of civil aviation, part of our roadmap. The Aviation Leasing Company has been established and approved by council.
“Therefore, entrepreneurs and civil aviation will have access to lease equipment at affordable rates and within Nigeria.
“A second memo was for the award of contract for the procurement and installation of taxi lighting system and photometric pattern for Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja airports and some other equipment all over the country.”
He explained that the contract sum for the photometric and taxi lighting system for the airports amounts to N3.05bn with seven and half per cent VAT and to be completed by MSSRS KSR3 Global Nigeria Limited within 12 months.
On his part, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the FG approved the sum of N605m as a five-year consultancy fee to supervise the concession of the Dadinkowa 40MW hydropower project.
The independent consultant is appointed to supervise the facility’s operations and income generation.
“It is for the first five years, renewable every five years for a total of 25 years. The amount is N605m for the first five years and then subsequently, based on performance of the consultant, it can be renewed.”
The council also approved another memo to regularise an ongoing lease arrangement with a concessionaire under the auspices of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority.
The approval extends the initial 10-year lease period of lands to farmers in the River Basin and Gurara, Niger State, to 25 years.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, revealed that the council approved N1.3bn as furniture costs for the newly-acquired 10-storey building to house the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in Victoria Island, Lagos.
It also approved Nigeria’s implementation of six international maritime organizations’ conventions, treaties and protocols. Adegoroye said although Nigeria had been a signatory to the six treaties, it was yet to fully implement them.
“The FEC approved that memo and also directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to present the treaties conventions, all six of them before Mr. President for eventual execution,” he explained.
Also speaking was the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who revealed that the FG approved the establishment 37 new private universities nationwide.
Monday’s approval brings the total number of universities approved for establishment under the Buhari-led government to 72. They include, 14 Federal Universities, 21State Universities and 37 Private Universities from 2015 to date.
Adamu who declined mentioning the names of the newly-approved higher institutions of learning only revealed that one of the 37 was an online university operated by a female Chancellor from Bauchi State.
“One of the universities is an online university by a woman from Bauchi State and this is significant in the sense that we always want to have our women coming forward in education,” he said.
When questioned about the FG’s move to establish more universities despite the ailing public university structure nationwide, Adamu argued that the country needs more universities to school its swelling youth population.
Adamu argued, “As far as I’m concerned, we need more universities. We are still under-University. And if there are universities that are underfunded, they should be funded. It shouldn’t affect new universities that are been established.
“In any case, this one is by the private sector. And I assure you that the regulatory process is such that they will not be established unless they are fully ready for it.”
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of the federal government’s dedication to national security, economic transformation, and welfare of the citizens.
This was detailed in a Christmas message on Wednesday afternoon in Abuja under the signature of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the Vice President, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its focus on these critical areas, as the country looks forward to the dawn of a new year.
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He said, “In these times of economic transformation, I want to assure you that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of all Nigerians.”
Vice President Shettima particularly urged the citizens to imbibe the virtues of national unity during the yuletide season.
“Nigeria’s diversity remains our greatest strength. Let us avail ourselves of the time provided by the holiday season to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us across all faiths and regions,” he said.
Senator Shettima assured Nigerians of the continued vigilance of the nation’s security forces, noting that “our brave security personnel will continue to work round the clock during this festive period to keep us safe.”
He said enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect the citizens during the holiday period.
“The relevant agencies have been mobilized to ensure your safety and comfort on all major routes,” he stated, urging travelers to remain vigilant.
VP Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s trajectory in the coming year, saying, “I am filled with hope and optimism about Nigeria’s future. Together, we will build a more prosperous and united nation.
“To our young people, you are the backbone of our nation. The Renewed Hope administration is implementing various initiatives to create opportunities for you to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s development,” he added.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated Christians in Osun State and beyond on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebration, urging them to follow Jesus Christ’s example of compassion and tolerance.
Biztellers reports that Gov Adeleke described the birth of Jesus Christ as a defining moment for mankind, in a statement in Osogbo on Tuesday.
He described the festive season as a solemn reminder of the power of love and how it can save humanity.
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While recognising unity and togetherness as an important message that Jesus Christ’s life resonates, Gov Adeleke charged Osun people, particularly Christians, to draw from the spiritual import of the celebration by sharing love and fostering harmony in communities.
In his words, “I extend my warm wishes to Christian faithful in Osun state and beyond as we mark this year’s Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is a manifestation of the power of love and remind us of the essence of compassion,” the Governor noted in his message.
“In the mood of celebration, I urge us to take a moment to reflect on the message of renewal that the birth of Jesus Christ signifies, promoting activities that will unite not divide, build not destroy, and bring peace not conflict.
“It is also my sincere appeal that we extend hands of kindness to the needy and the weak in the society, spreading love and generosity beyond borders. That is the essence of Christmas and it is most essential that at a time like this, no one is left to their fate.”
Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, has enjoined all Nigerian leaders to be more sensitive to the yearnings of the people for a better life.
This was contained in a 2024 Christmas Message to Nigerians issued in Lagos under the signature of the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.
According to the Archbishop there is an urgent need for a better enabling environment to allow businesses thrive in a bid to reduce the high rate of unemployment and the grinding poverty in the land.
He urged leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens over personal needs in addressing the widespread hunger, poverty, joblessness, and insecurity ravaging the nation.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
In his words, “Even in the face of policies that are deemed to have positive results in the long-term, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira and the new tax reforms initiative, governments must ensure that the immediate welfare of people is not neglected but factored into the planning and execution of such policies. This is necessary, if the people for whom the policies are being made are not to die before the positive results begin to manifest.
“At the same time, government spending must be prudent and compassionate. In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the agricultural sector so that food security can be ensured for overall benefit.”
The Prelate described as very sad and depressing the recent loss of several lives of innocent Nigerians in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra in their quest to access food palliatives owing to pervading hunger across the country.
He considered it worrisome that many Nigerians now find it difficult to purchase necessities of life, especially during this festive season that should be a period of merriment, sharing of love, food, and other essentials, which are the hallmarks of the Christmas season.
To forestall a reoccurrence of such ugly incidents, the prelate urged governments, at both federal and state levels, as well as the legislative assemblies, to identify and quickly fix the loopholes in the polity that are responsible for the massive poverty and hardship which Nigerians are facing.
He advocated the appraisal of the nation’s existing laws and enactment and enforcement of only proactive policies that would open the business environment, attract investors, and create more jobs so that the citizens can afford their basic needs; rather than depend on palliatives that offer only temporary relief.
The prelate urged substantial investments in the agricultural sector of the economy to ensure the availability of basic foodstuffs; thereby reducing the high cost of essential food items like rice, beans, onions and grains.
“If citizens have food in their homes, people will not endanger their lives while scrambling for palliatives in the way it happened,” he noted with sadness.
While praying for the souls of those who died in the recent stampedes in parts of the country, he also commiserated with those who lost their loved ones, praying that Jesus, the Prince of Peace would bring solace to the afflicted, comfort to the grieving, and hope to the despairing.
“This special season reminds us of the profound love of God, who sent His only Son to redeem humanity. May the light of Christ illuminate our lives, dispel darkness, and fill our hearts with love, compassion, and kindness. As we gather with family and friends, let us not forget those who are less fortunate, the vulnerable and the marginalised. May our celebration be a catalyst for acts of charity, generosity, and solidarity,” he stated.
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