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FEC Approves N4bn to Complete Kwara, Osun Roads

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By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N4.852 billion for the completion of a road project connecting Kwara and Osun States.
The cabinet also approved N244 million for the purchase of raw materials for production of vaccines for use against animal diseases, poultry, dogs among others.


The approvals were given at the Federal Executive Council(FEC) meeting on Wednesday at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who spoke to State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting said part of the road contract was awarded by the previous administration.


According to him, “They relate first to Ajase/Epo/Offa/Erinle Road in Kwara State; that is the road that connects Kwara to Osun. The approval was for the 18 km section that completes the entire length of 26km of the road. All that was awarded in the previous administration was just eight  km of 26 km.
“So, what we have done now is to award the 18km so that the full stretch of 26km is now under contract for the purpose of completion. That comes to a sum of N4.027 billion for the 18km stretch; the previous contract is still going on; so, this is an addendum to that contract.’’
According to him, the second road project approved by the council was the Osogbo-Ilesa Road which was awarded in 2012, but was not funded.
The minister said that the President Buhari-led administration has done 76 per cent of the entire project, adding, “What we awarded today was a variation of N825million.”
He explained: “This is to expand the original contract by three kilometers link up to Osogbo town– the built up section because it is supposed to by-pass the town.
“So, this the 3.4km that the governor requested when I went on the nation-wide road tour that we should help them connect it to Osogbo town. So, going through procurement and all of that, we finally got the approval today for N825 million to include that part.”
Asked why some of the federal roads done by the government collapsed in less than two years, Fashola explained that trucks that carrying 60,000 to 90, 000 tons had adverse impact on the roads as the designs were not menat for such tonnage.
He said efforts were being made to ensure that there was enforcement from the loading points- the ports, depots.
so that weights and measures will be checked to ensure that no vehicle exceeded 45,000 tons which is the approved axle load nationwide. 

“As long as we continue to exceed and abuse with excess axle load, there is no design that you will do that will last.
“Of course, we also have a problem; most of the heavy cargo that we haul by road, no nation does it.  They use rail. That is why I remain continuously optimistic and excited at what transportation is doing and what government plans to do with rail because that will be part of the final contribution to long lasting roads,’ he explained.
Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Sabo Nanono, said that a contract of N244 million was approved by FEC for the purchase of raw materials for production of vaccines for use against animal diseases, poultry, dogs among others.
Nanono said, “may be, many of you are aware of the veterinary Research Institute which has been in existence for a long time probably before independence. It has been a centre for research and production of animal husbandry and also for the production of vaccines.” he said.

NEWS

Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice

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As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged leaders and Nigerians to emulate Christ’s sacrifice.

Badejo made the remark in his Good Friday message made available to Newsmen on Friday in Ibadan.

Badejo enjoined all leaders, people in authority and Nigerians to emulate Jesus in order to improve society and institutions.

The catholic bishop emphasised that Good Friday teaches us the best qualities of leadership in service, humility and love.

He noted that Good Friday represents all the challenges and problems in life, at work, in family and country at large.

According to him, those problems will be solved not just by praying, but by serious, honest and selfless efforts by everyone to do good and oppose sin and evil.

“Nigeria is not beyond repair, but it is righteousness that exalts a nation.

“Good Friday is the day on which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life on the cross for the salvation of the world.

“That is exactly what is good about it, even though his suffering and death are painful and unjust.

“Jesus Christ, the son of God, gave his life in love and humility, leaving His glory aside. By His death on Good Friday, Jesus taught us that there are benefits in making sacrifice for the good of others.

“Such suffering or sacrifice, like that which a mother makes for her children, or a friend for another, is pleasing to God.

“Good Friday invites us to repent, do away with sin, but do something for the good of others and thus, enjoy God’s favour,” he said.

Badejo remarked that Easter Sunday is the celebration of the victory of Jesus Christ, which reminds all that the victory of good over evil is inevitable.

He said that, just as all conspiracies against Christ’s resurrection could not stand, similarly, all the evil happening in the world cannot stop the celebration of Easter as planned by God.

“That is why Christians rejoice at Easter. Alleluia! Easter Sunday answers all the questions of Good Friday. Why should good people suffer sometimes?

“Well, because God always has a superior reason and for allowing such to happen.

“If Jesus had not died, salvation would never have come. To all who suffer, I say: “Be comforted: with Jesus, Good Friday is not the last word, Easter Sunday victory is.

“I urge all Nigerians to emulate Jesus’ way of love and sacrifice for others,” Badejo said. (NAN)

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Foreign News

Earthquake Shakes Western Greece

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A strong earthquake has shaken western Greece on Friday morning, but no casualties reported.

The Greek Geodynamic Institute in Athens, said the 5.8 magnitude quake occurred at 9:12 am (0812 GMT) local time.

The epicentre of the quake was about 20 kilometres below the seabed off the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula near the islet of Stamfani, also known as Strofades.

It was preceded by a smaller quake with a magnitude of 4.

1.

Greece’s Civil Defence organisation did not initially say whether there were any casualties or damage to buildings.

A tsunami warning was not issued.

“We felt the tremors very strongly,” a resident of the nearby Olympia region said, adding that

“everyone here is on the streets.

 Local media reported that many schools had been evacuated as the quake was felt throughout western Greece, and on the tourist island of Zakynthos and as far away as Athens, about 300 kilometres away.

The deepest point of the Mediterranean Sea is located between western Greece and Sicily in Italy, with a depth of over 5,000 metres.

The African and European tectonic plates meet in this region, which make it prone to strong earthquakes. (dpa/NAN)

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NEWS

Tinubu’s Refusal to Celebrate 72nd Birthday Mark of Good, Great Leadership – Aide

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Mr Tunde Rahman, a Senior Presidential Aide to President Bola Tinubu, says the President’s refusal to celebrate his 72nd  birthday due to challenging times in the country is a mark of good leadership.

Rahman made the remark in a statement signed by him on Friday, in Lagos.

The President directed that  there should be no celebration of any kind, including placing newspaper, radio or television advertorials in his honour.

The President  urged anyone wishing to do such for him to donate the money to charity organisations.

According to Rahman, the decision was taken in deference to the present challenging times which  is a mark of good leadership for a leader  to have compassion for the people, identify with them and demonstrate he shares in their pains.

The presidential aide  described the President as an individual who is compassionate and emphatic toward the pain of others.

He recounted how Tinubu had on several occasions,  shelved his birthday celebrations just to identify with the weak and vulnerable in the society.

“In March 2020, on the cusp of his 68th birthday, the President cancelled his birthday colloquium over the outbreak of coronavirus,

“The President said the decision was important amid the overriding public concern over the pandemic.

“Also, on his 70th birthday in March 2022, Tinubu called off an ongoing birthday colloquium to honour victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

“Likewise, in 2023, even after he had convincingly won the election, President Tinubu did not celebrate his birthday, saying he will devote the moment for reflection on the huge task ahead.

“This is a mark of good leadership for a leader worthy of that name to have compassion for the people, identify with them and demonstrate he shares in their pain,” he said.

Rolling out the achievements of the Tinubu led administration, Rahman said the President had instituted bold reforms,  notably the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the multiple foreign exchange rates

He assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“Light is not only assured at the end of the tunnel, it is presently beginning to shine brighter and brighter through the tunnel.

“For instance, naira has continued its streak of rebound and steady appreciation.

“More remarkable is the courage, political will and personal commitment to effecting a change and improving the quality of life of the people in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda the President has brought to the fire.

“This shone brilliantly in his handling of hydra-headed problems.

“To speedily effect changes in the country’s security architecture and enhance safety of lives and property, the President, working in collaboration with state governments, has set up a high powered committee to draw up modalities for the introduction of state police.

“There is also the Pulaaku initiative, a non-kinetic effort aimed at addressing the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts and fostering national unity, ” he said.

Rahman also lauded the President’s order on releasing of N50 billion as operational fund for its immediate take off.

“The initiative, expected to revitalise the communities through the construction of residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities, will initially focus on seven states namely, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna states.

“An executive order to further boost investment, create jobs and business opportunities in the oil and gas sector is in place while the Federal Government in collaboration with states,  again are engaging in mechanised agriculture among other initiatives,” he said.

Rahman stated that the Tinubu government is thinking and working frantically to ensure initiatives put in place were executed effectively and that his governance remained impactful and enduring.

The presidential aide, therefore, urged citizens to continue to play their part to  make Nigeria a prosperous nation. (NAN)

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