NEWS
Tinubu Seeks Approval for FCT Supplementary Budget as Wike Sets to Review Masterplan
By Ubong Ukpong and Laide Akinboade
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, submitted the Supplementary Budget Proposal for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to the House of Representativesfor approvalSpeaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas disclosed this as he read a letter from the president on the floor of the House as the lawmakers resumed plenary after their recess.
The president’s letter stated that the budget was prepared on the basis of the FCTA’S reviewed revenue and expenditure forecasts and that it was aligned with the fiscal and developmental policies of the Federal Government and the Renewed Hope Agenda. Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has again reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to the review and upgrade the Abuja Master anytime soon.Wike stated this on Tuesday, when a team of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, visited him in Abuja. The minister said the project, under the Review and Upgrading of Integrated Urban Development Master Plan for Abuja, would be implemented in partnership with JICA.According to the Minister, “For us, be assured that it is a project that we are committed to, and we will do all we can to see that the project comes to fruition,” he said. He promised the JICA team that all the expectations from the FCTA for the implementation of the project would be made in due course.Wike assured JICA of stronger collaboration for the development of Abuja city, including the satellite towns.Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Mr Shehu Ahmad, said the review of the 45-year-old Abuja Master Plan was imperative in order to address current challenges in the capital city.“We are talking about supporting facilities in terms of infrastructure, water supply, power supply, and stormwater and wastewater drainage systems. “We are also looking at the need for a smart city for Abuja so that the city will be one of the top cities in the world.Urban mobility has remained a challenge, and we are feeling that they should look into those areas to enhance it,” he said.NEWS
NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
NEWS
Corps Member Donates Delivery Kits to Pregnant Women in Katsina
A Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani town, Mani Local Government Area of the state
The corps member distributed the delivery kits to the expectant mothers in Mani on Friday as part of her personal Community Development Service (CDS)project.
Eneh-Ameh said that she visited a hospital in the area during one of her group CDS programmes and observed that the hygiene of women in the antenatal and children’s wards was not too good.
The corps member also stated that she had noticed that the turn up of pregnant women for antenatal care was very low.
She said, ”This attracted my attention to the need to educate pregnant women on its importance.
“There is also the need for them to keep themselves and their surroundings very neat to avoid infections for themselves and their babies.
“The aim was also to educate them on the importance of planning for the future of the baby.
”They also need to be staying clean to reduce the risk of contracting infections and other diseases by both the mothers and children, as well as the community in general.
“The training will empower the women to be able to handle and bring up children for the family,” Eneh-Ameh explained.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her ingenuity and magnanimity to carry out the project.
Represented by the Local Government Inspector, Alhaji Abdulrazak Ismail-Tsiga, the coordinator urged the corps members serving in the state and other parts of the country to emulate her. (NAN)
NEWS
FUSHO Ag VC Promises Collaboration with Lydia Memorial Hospital
By David Torough, Abuja
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah has promised a stronger collaboration with the Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo for better health services to the people.
Prof. Abah stated this when he received a team of management of the hospital led by the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr.
Mark Ogbodo on Thursday in his office on a courtesy visit.The Vice Chancellor expressed his profound gratitude and thanked the management of the hospital for the visit and described the CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Ogbodo as a long time friend who has a quest for excellence.
On his part, Dr Mark Ogbodo, who is a FUHSO Ambassador and the Immediate Past Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association, Benue State Branch as well as the Immediate Past Secretary of the Association of the Nigerian Authors, Benue State Chapter said that the visit was to congratulate Prof.
Abah on his recent well deserved feat as the FUSHO Acting Vice Chancellor.Dr. Ogbodo who described Prof. Abah as a great achiever and mentor to many and whose achievements are commendable, presented to him, on behalf of the Hospital, an Award of Excellence, in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions to academic and medical excellence in Nigeria, examplary leadership prowess and in appreciation of his countless courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital.
He added that the Hospital’s vision is to ensure a complete state of well-being of patients and promote healthy medical practices in all forms with the mission to provide affordable and easily accessible excellent healthcare services through God’s gifted hands in the purest forms is also poised to deliver the best healthcare services to the people.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the University’s Bursar, Librarian, Registrar and other members of the university management.