NEWS
FEC Approves $26m for Power projects in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday approved about 26million dollars for various power projects in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, made this known to State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting in Abuja.
He said the $1.
62million of the amount ($26m) was the payment of the claims and the variation of onshore and offshore cost of the existing contract for the construction of 1×1 50 MBA three 31, 32, 33 KV sub-stations at Damaturu and 1×330 KV land by extension at Gombi, Adamawa.He revealed that an additional N102.9million was approved for the affected project.
The minister also disclosed that the remaining $24.38million of the total approval was meant for the design, manufacturing and supply of four fabricated sub-stations of 2×100 MBA 132 33 KV power transformers with complete accessories for deployment to Damaturu, Potiskum, Biu, and Maiduguri.
He said: “Today, the Federal Executive Council has graciously approved two memos from the Federal Ministry of Power.
“One, it approved the payment of the claims and the variation of onshore and offshore cost of the existing contract for the construction of 1×1 50 MBA three 31, 32, 33 KV sub-stations at Damaturu and 1×330 KV land by extension at Gombi in favour Msssr Kadlak International Limited in the sum of $1,621,423.88 cents plus N102,905,606.07.
“The other one is the approval of the contract for the design, manufacturing and supply of four fabricated sub-stations of 2×100 MBA 132 33 KV power transformers with complete accessories for deployment to Damaturu, Potiskum, Biu, and Maiduguri for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in favour of Msssr Kidon T Good Electric Company Limited and Incomtel Engineering Limited in the sum of $24,387,850.22 cents plus N1,475,204,584.34.
“Altogether, it is N10,730,393,742.82.’’
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, also told the correspondents that the Federal Government had budgeted N396 billion for the provision of COVID-19 vaccine in the 2022 Appropriation.
She said: “Sometime in January, the President has, based on the request by the Ministry of Health, given in principle approval for the Ministry of Health to work with the Ministry of Finance, budget and National Planning to prepare and take to the National Assembly a supplementary budget for COVID-19 vaccination.
“The submission that was made to Mr. President at that time was in the sum of N399 billion, but included in this N399 billion was a N103 billion for building of primary healthcare centres.
“So we have worked with that and met several times with the ministry, we have agreed to back out from this building of primary health care centres, that can wait till later.
“So there is still a provision of 396 billion for COVID-19 vaccinations for 2021 and 2022.’’
The minister explained that the delay in the submission of the supplementary budget on COVID-19 was because the government wanted to confirm the vaccines donation that Nigeria was expecting from donors.
“There have been some delays because we expected the ministry to confirm the vaccines donation that Nigeria is expecting. We are expecting a total of not less than 43 million doses of vaccines.
“So they are supposed to find out when those ones will come. Because, if we are going to get back the donated vaccines, and at the speed of the current rollout, we have to slow down on what we are buying ourselves.
“So the ministry is working with partners that are donating these vaccines.
“We see the timelines of the donations and see the gap that the government needs to fill in 2021, but we have already provided to the ministry funds to enable them roll out the four million vaccines that have been brought already into the country, and the vaccination process is ongoing.
“So for us, it is still work in progress. We hope in the next couple of days, we will have clarity on the schedule of vaccines expected from donors, and then we will now be able to firm up what government has to provide for in 2021. And therefore the 2021 component we will provide it during the 2022 appropriations.”
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila met on Tuesday and agreed on supplementary budget for COVID19 vaccination and procurement of military hardware. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
In a ceremony that underscored his dedication to humanity and his community, Medical Director of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, Benue State, Dr. Mark Ogbodo was honored with a Lifetime Patron award by the Igede Media Network (IMN).
The prestigious award recognizes Dr.
Ogbodo’s unwavering commitment to community health and development, standing as a beacon of service in both his professional and personal pursuits.In his address, Chairman of the Igede Media Network, John Okpong celebrated Ogbodo’s profound impact on regional peace and development.
“Dr. Ogbodo’s selfless service has touched countless lives, bringing unity and promoting well-being across our community.
“As our Patron, he embodies the ideals of leadership and resilience, standing firmly against harmful practices and championing the values we hold dear,” he stated
Representing a coalition of media platforms, including The Prime News, The Congress Voice, The Magnet Newspaper, The Factpoint Magazine, and Lead Watch Magazine, the IMN has long been committed to uplifting and empowering the Igede community.
Through this recognition, IMN hopes to inspire others to follow Dr. Ogbodo’s example, as the Chairman added, “His leadership and expertise will guide us in advocating for progress and promoting unity among our people.”
According to him, Ogbodo’s appointment as Life Patron not only commemorated his contributions but also marks a new chapter for the Igede Media Network, inspiring others to emulate his commitment to service and his willingness to work for the betterment of others.
“This patronage, serves as a catalyst for future endeavors, encouraging community members to embody the principles of academic excellence, service, and leadership”, Okpong noted.
Samuel Ugbaji in his remarks highlighted the purpose and mission of the Igede Media Network as an organization focused on community welfare and advocacy.
“We come together to serve as a voice for the marginalized, amplifying their needs and reaching out to a broader audience.
“Today, we honor one of our own, a young man who chose to stay with his community rather than seek the comforts of city life. Dr. Ogbodo’s commitment to his people is extraordinary, providing free medical care and scholarships to those in need,” Ugbaji explained.
Acknowledging the personal sacrifices that Dr. Ogbodo has made, Ugbaji continuued, “Unlike many professionals who opt for urban comforts, Dr. Ogbodo has remained in Ugbokolo, bringing care and hope to our rural communities. He has dedicated himself to a mission of healing and has organized annual outreach programs, offering free medical services in Oju, Obi, and beyond.”
In a heartfelt response, Dr. Mark Ogbodo expressed his deep appreciation for the honor and said, “I am truly grateful to the Igede Media Network for this recognition.
“Little did I know that my acts of kindness to humanity were being noticed, much less that they would be honored in this way. It is deeply humbling,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Ogbodo shared, “Often, I perform these acts of service without expecting anything in return, just driven by a desire to help. But as they say, a golden fish has no hiding place. I am thankful to be recognized, even from the rural community where I work, and I pray that God continues to bless our people and humanity.”
The FCT Customary Court, Dutse, Abuja has appealed to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to facilitate the renovation of its court complex which fell victim to vandalism and arson during the 2020 EndSARS protests.The President of the Court, Aderinto Adesoji, made the appeal during a resumed hearing in a divorce case between a petitioner, Chiwendu Nwadi and her husband, Emeka Nwadi in Ushafa, Abuja.
The Customary Court, Dutse has been sharing the court complex of a sister court in Ushafa for its sittings following the destruction. of its facilities, four years back.NAN reports that while Customary Court, Ushafa, the real owner of the facility, has its sittings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in a week, the Dutse court has its sittings on Tuesday and Thursday. Report says that Dutse and Ushafa are communities in Bwari Area Council of the FCT and they are about 17 kilometres apart.Addressing lawyers to the parties in the divorce case, when they were finding it difficult to agree on a date for next hearing in the matter, the President of the court said it is a recurrent challenge in matters before the courtAccording to him, the constraint of the panel, sitting only twice in a week has grossly affected quick dispensation of justice.He said most cases before the cout involve families, in particular, custody of children which require urgent adjudication, and should not be encumbered.Adesoji said, considering the fact that lawyers and their clients are affected by the constraints, the NBA should take steps to ensure that the appropriate authorities renovate the Dutse court complex.He said promises have been made by the association to that effect in the past, but they were yet to be actualised.Responding to the President’s appeal, Mr Moses Ibe, the lawyer to the petitioner promised the court that he would convey the message to the NBA, Bwari branch for necessary action.Ibe said this in an interview after the court session, that the distance of the court to its jurisdiction and the restrictive days of sittings have affected quick dispensation of justice.He said the essence of building the Dutse court was to bring justice closer to the people, but it has been defeated by the failure of appropriate authorities to renovate it for useThe Counsel promised to officially write to the NBA, Bwari branch to convey the Judge’s message and request for interventionAccording to Ibe, the Dutse court complex, used to serve as the Secretariat of the NBA Bwari branch, before it was vandalised and set ablaze by the EndSARS protesters.Meanwhile, the court has adjourned further hearing in the divorce petition until Oct. 21 to enable the respondent file his reply.Adesoji and other members of the panel, Nana Atipkoru, Aisha Hamza adjourned the case following the position of the respondent’s lawyer, Cornelius Simon, that his client was not served with the “particular of claims” in the petition.The panel directed that all necessary processes should be filed and served before the adjourned date so that the case would be fixed for definite hearing.The panel also ordered that the parties should maintain the status quo, particularly, as regards the custody of the children – the last child is with the petitioner, while the other two are in the custody of the respondent.In the case, the petitioner is seeking, among others, the dissolution of her 13 years marriage with her husband on the ground that “the union has broken down irretrievably”.She alleged that the husband, “is a man of unimaginable violence and cruelty, fetish, a serial wife beater and adulterer’The petitioner alleged that her husband deliberately poisoned her drink which led to losing her pregnancy.According to the petitioner, the union, consummated in 2011, under the native law and custom, as well as exchange of marital vows in a Church, has produced three children, ages, 12 years, 11 years and 2 years.She urged the court to dissolve the marriage, grant custody of the three children to her and restrain the husband from using thugs or any security agents to harass her. (NAN)
The Northern Youths Assembly has cautioned the National Assembly against passing the Tax Reforms Bill from the executive before the legislature.This is contained in an open letter to the lawmakers signed by the group’s President, Dr Ali Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Dr Garba Abduljafiz and made available to newsmen in Kano on Thursday.
The group said the bill, if passed into law, would not be in the interest of the people, particularly youths, urging for broader consultation on matters of that nature. The youths urged the National Assembly to concentrate on youth-friendly laws to safeguard the country’s future instead.“The youth are Nigeria’s future, “and our prosperity hinges on investments in education, skills development, and job creation.“As the largest political demography in the nation, youth must have a say in laws and policies that directly impact the country’s future.“We call for the creation of a special place at the centre, to allow the youths to contribute to solutions that may promote sustainable development, job creation, and economic empowerment,” the group said.The group urged the lawmakers to focus more on making laws that would improve investment climate and job creation.“We urge the National Assembly members to direct their resources and energy towards creating laws that would prioritise and encourage foreign investment.“The laws should encourage skills development and jobs creation for the teeming population of the youths, to improve measures that risk stifling the Nigerian economic opportunity.“We also urge them to stop complying with the dictates and advisory of the agents of destruction, IMF and World.“We must stay away from the trap of the IMF and World Bank, as they are all out to destroy our country through their ill-formulated policies and misleading advisory’’, the group said. (NAN)
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