By Francis Sadhere, Delta

The Delta State Government has affirmed it will not borrow funds from any financial institutions or individuals to finance its 2025 budget, declaring the state has sufficient resources to meet its obligations.

This assurance was given by the Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, during the flag-off ceremony of the Insecticide Treated Nets Mass Campaign held at the Event Centre in Asaba.

Speaking at the event, Tilije praised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his prudent financial management, noting that the state’s economy remains robust under his leadership.

“Delta State has no plans of borrowing a dime from any financial institution or individual because the state has enough funds to run its current budget,” he declared.

Tilije commended the governor’s performance over the past two years, describing him as “a class of his own.”

According to him, Oborevwori’s administration has made significant strides in infrastructure, health, and economic management.

He specifically cited the progress in malaria prevention efforts, stating that with over 90% of the state already covered by the campaign, Delta is well on its way to being malaria-free.

“with the 3 million nets that will be distributed across the state, we are already there,” he said, commending the synergy between the governor and the Commissioner for Health.

The Commissioner also highlighted the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, pointing out the rapid pace of development in Asaba, Warri, and other local government areas.

“Warri is today a construction site, just like all the local government area headquarters,” he said, adding that travel time between Asaba and Warri has significantly reduced.

On the financial front, Tilije stressed that the state has maintained a policy of fiscal discipline, saving billions of naira and ensuring all contractors are paid promptly. “We are not owing any contractor that has done a job and is unpaid,” he affirmed.

He also praised Oborevwori for sustaining the peace inherited from his predecessor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, which he said has contributed to the population growth in the state’s commercial cities.

In his final remarks, Tilije praised the governor’s commitment to grassroots development and empowerment. “He is a grassroots mobilizer running gigantic projects across Delta State without borrowing a kobo,” he concluded.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assenting to the bill which converted the Federal Polytechnic Kabo to Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo, Kano State.

The correspondences of the President on the establishment of three universities in Kano, Akwa Ibom and Oyo states were read on the floor of the Senate during yesterday’s sitting which was presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The Deputy President of the Senate, who sponsored the bill on the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic Kabo to the Federal University of Science and Technology said the development reflects the President’s relentless quest to improve access to higher education and to fast-track the development of the country by providing the necessary skills to Nigerian youths.

Speaking further, Senator Barau who  described education as the sine qua non for the development of all societies was optimistic the measure would bring in positive addition to the educational growth of the people of kabo and the entire North West region of Nigeria.

” As we all know, youths are the cornerstones of the development of all societies. The conversion of the Polytechnic to the University of Science and Technology aligns with global best practices. We have a large population of youths in this country, and in the contemporary world, human capital development is important in delivering a national economy and development.

” Globally, ICT and science-related disciplines, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and so on, are on the front burner. It’s through this kind of institution that we can train our youths in these fields,” he said.

He however congratulated the Federal Polytechnic Kabo’s management, staff, students, and communities on this development while urging them to remain committed to course of the actions.

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

House of Representatives Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, has advocated for the prioritization of Information Communications Technology (ICT) stressing that it was an effective tool to create jobs for millions of Nigerian youths and economic diversification for the country.