NEWS
Group Extols Emir of Ilorin on 29 Years of Exemplary Leadership
From Samuel James, Ilorin
A socio-cultural group of prominent professionals from the Ilorin Emirate, known as Third-Estate has praised Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari for his distinguished leadership and steadfast dedication in promoting peace and harmony in the emirate and beyond.
In an interactive parley in Ilorin, the group’s President, Ibrahim Toyin Hassan, extolled the Emir’s impactful reign in celebration of his 29th anniversary on the throne.
Hassan explained that since ascending the throne of Emirship in 1995, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari has been instrumental in the emirate’s and Kwara State’s development, notably are the produced of three state governors: Admiral Muhammad Alabi Lawal (late), Dr.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the current governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.He also mentioned other several prominent national political figures in the Ilorin emirate adding that, the emir has played a pivotal role in enhancing educational access as several universities were established in his domain which includes Kwara State University, Malete; Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin; Ojaja University, Eyenkorin; Muhammad Kamalud-Deen University, Ilorin; and the Kwara State University of Education, Ilorin.
He further said the revival of Durbar festival in Ilorin has strengthened the cultural unity in the emirate, along with the introduction of new chieftaincy titles to foster a sense of pride and identity among the people.
The group also highlighted the significant investments in local industries that have bolstered the stste economy, with companies like; Kam Holdings Limited, Dangote Flour, LUBCON, Tuyil Pharmaceutical Industries, and Shelter Setters Company contributing to this growth.
Furthermore he said the Emir has fostered harmonious relationships across diverse communities, positioning many Ilorin natives in key roles in various sectors.
These achievements he added as underscore of the Emir’s steadfast dedication to Ilorin’s growth and prosperity, and they as Third Estate are proud to celebrate his ongoing successes on the throne.
NEWS
Abia Assembly Didn’t Mandate Deputy Gov. to Apologise – Deputy Speaker
Abia House of Assembly has denied social media report that it mandated the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, to issue a public apology over a misunderstanding between him and its member.The Deputy Speaker and Spokesperson, Austin Meregini, who debunked such report while addressing newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday, said the House did not reach any resolution to that effect.
He admitted that there was a misunderstanding between the deputy governor and Mr Mba Nwoko, member representing Ohafia South State Constituency, but said the matter had been taken care of Report says that there have been publications by social media of the House mandating the deputy governor to apologise to Nwoko for disrespecting the lawmaker during the recent state-wide local government elections. It was alleged that Emetu, who is from the same constituency with Nwoko, had instructed the security operatives to arrest the lawmaker for asking about the election result sheet.Condemning the report, Meregini, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Media, said that it was the imagination and figment of the mischief makers.He said that the deputy governor and the lawmaker are brothers, hence there was no need for the Assembly to pass a resolution mandating such an apology.Meregini said: “I was present at the Tuesday sitting, both at the plenary and executive session; there was no time we reached such resolution.“We do not condone any kind of misunderstanding, but as long as we co-exist, there’s bound to be misunderstanding every now and then.“When there is need, we do offer constructive criticism and constructive oversight on the activities of the government and the Executive and we expect that it will continue.”He reaffirmed the robust relationship between the Legislature and the Executive, saying that it would continue to exist for the benefit of Abia people.The deputy speaker commended the Executive on the level of implementation, while expressing satisfaction with the quality of bills passed by the Assembly.(NAN)NEWS
FEC Proposes N47.9trn 2025 Budget
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has proposed the sum of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year for submission to the National Assembly on Monday.The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu disclosed this after the Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the Presidential Villa.
According to him, the Council pegged the price of crude oil at 75 dollar per barrel and proposed N1400 as exchange rate to a dollar with oil production put at 2. 06million barrels per day.Bagudu said that the budget proposal included new borrowings of N9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025.The minister added that with the growth rate of 3.19 per cent as at the second quarter of 2024, the Federal Government would continue to tackle Inflation, strengthen economic resilience and provide more support for the economy.He also said that government would continue to support high employment generation sectors, improve business environment and effective implementation of youths development and social investment programmes.Bagudu also disclosed that FEC reviewed the 2024 Budget implementation and acknowledged that the review revealed promising in revenue collection and expenditure management.” Despite lacks in prorated target, the overall trajectory shows that fiscal effort are on track with key non-oil streams performing better than anticipated.Similarly, the minister said FEC approved the medium term expenditure framework and the fiscal strategy paper to be submitted to the NASS.” This is in addition to the bills that are already at the National Assembly, the Economic Stabilisation Bill and Tax Reforms Bill , which we believe we will have a very strong growth in 2025,” he said. (NAN)NEWS
Okpebholo Freezes Edo Accounts, Orders Reversal of Ministry’s Name
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has ordered immediate freezing of all the state bank accounts until further notice.Okpebholo gave the directive in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Fred Itua, on Thursday in Benin.He warned that non-compliance by commercial banks as well as heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) would result in severe penalties.
“All bank accounts in all commercial banks are now frozen. Commercial banks must ensure strict adherence and prevent any withdrawal from government accounts until further notice,” the statement said. Okpebholo stated that necessary investigations and financial reconciliations would determine subsequent actions.He also ordered the reversal of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the old Ministry of Works with immediate effect.The governor cited what he called lack of completed bridges or significant road projects as a justification for changing the ministry of roads and bridges back to ministry of works.“It is ironic that despite its name, the ministry did not construct a single bridge, not even a pedestrian one,” he said.The governor directed immediate implementation and reflection of the new name across official documents and platforms. (NAN)