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.

Abbas said this while declaring open a public hearing on two bills pending before the house on Tuesday in Abuja. The two bills were, A Bill to Establish the Federal Institute of Information Technology, Idanre, Ondo State, and a bill for an Act to Promote Information Technology Education, Entrepreneurship and Infrastructure Development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The speaker, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, said that ICT would serve as a strong barrier against the challenges of unemployment and social discontent.He expressed optimism that the bill on ICT when passed, would go a long way in equipping the youths with skills that align with the demands of the 21st century workplace.“These initiatives align seamlessly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on youth empowerment and job creation.“It is imperative for us to explore how ICT can transform the way education is conducted, how students learn, how knowledge is transmitted and how educational processes are managed,” he said. Abbas reiterated on the imperatives of the country tapping into the immense potentials of emerging ICT technologies to revolutionize the education system.He said that public hearings of that nature were platforms for the citizens, experts and other stakeholders to contribute to shaping the ICT for future education in Nigeria.According to him, “such contributions will not only guide lawmakers in further legislative works but also provide valuable insights into the probable outcomes of these bills.The speaker, however, urged all to recognise that the success of the bills transcended legislative processes.He, therefore, called for collective commitment of stakeholders to implementing policies that would redefine the roles of technology in national development.Chairman, House Committee on Digital and Information Technology (ICT), Rep. Adedeji Olajide, said that the bills aim to provide job opportunities for the unemployed youths of Nigeria.Olajide who thanked Abbas for his usual support, said that the objective of the public hearing was to obtain information and assemble expert opinions on the proposed legislation.He said that it would also provide citizens with the opportunity to take part in the legislative process.The sponsor of the Bills, Rep. Festus Akingbaso, representing Idanre Federal Constituency, Ondo, said that the aim of the bill was to bring Nigeria at par with global communities in terms of technology.Akingbaso said that the institute if established would provide employment and contribute to the economic development of the country.The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Abdullahi affirmed the agency’s commitment to enabling digital literacy in Nigeria.Abdullahi, represented by Mr Emmanuel Edet, Programme Manager, NITDA, said that the agency was in full support of the bill to advance technology and digital development in Nigeria.