Headline
Tunde Balogun New Lagos APC Chairman, Commends Tinubu, Ambode
Alhaji Tunde Balogun, the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who emerged through consensus has applauded Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While delivering his acceptance speech at a well-attended Party congress at the Party Secretariat, Acme Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Alhaji Balogun stated “I like to appreciate the diligent, pragmatic and visionary Governor General of Nigeria, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. Governor Ambode is blessed with an abundant physical energy. Apart from his clear vision of what he wants, the Governor goes about executing his programmes and projects with zeal and competence and that is why you find him in Surulere today; Ikeja tomorrow and like that everywhere,” Balogun said.
While commending members of the party for the confidence reposed in him, Balogun assured that the new executive, under his watch, would take the party to greater heights.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Election Organizing Committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife on Saturday linked the massive infrastructural renewal across the State to political stability being enjoyed in the State, saying it was time for such to be replicated nationwide to facilitate growth and development.
Ekwunife particularly commended the seamless political transition and the peaceful conduct of members of the party throughout the congress, saying such political maturity was rare in the country.
Ekwunife, whose committee was appointed by the National Working Committee of APC to conduct the State congress, said it was time for the party to replicate the smooth political transition in Lagos nationwide.
“We are very glad to be here; we have been here since yesterday and we have been interacting with members of the State Exco and other party leaders. We also had stakeholders meeting yesterday and we stand to say Lagos State is politically stable. Not only that we are here to conduct the congress, we are going to suggest to the party that other states should take Lagos State as a model.
“Without having political stability, you can’t have massive infrastructure anywhere. So, when you are outside Lagos and you are hearing that Lagos is performing; Lagos is growing; Lagos is expanding in terms of infrastructure, it is just about political stability. And it is only in Lagos that you see a chairman of a political party that has been chairman for the past years and there is so much joy in him handing over.
“So, Lagos State is not just having smooth transition in governance, it is also having smooth transition in the political party which is rare anywhere in the states,” Ekwunife said.
She commended the outgoing Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale for his commitment, zeal and trust in the party, saying that it was obvious that the progress of the party was paramount in the State.
Besides, Ekwunife said the congress conducted by her committee was the only authentic election to produce executives of the party in the State, saying any other one “is null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The congress, which was attended by the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule; Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, among others, produced Alhaji Tunde Balogun as the new Chairman of the party.
Other key state officials elected unanimously are State Deputy Chairman, Chief Sunday Ajose; Vice Chairman (West), Funsho Olugunde; Vice Chairman (East), Ashipa Olusanya; Vice Chairman (Central), Akeem Bamgbola; State Secretary, Dr Wale Ahmed; Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, among others.
Among party chieftains that graced the congress are Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa; Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa, Solomon Adeola, Ganiyu Solomon, Musiliu Obanikoro; former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji; APC South West Women Leader, Chief Kemi Nelson; Chief Lanre Razak; Senior Special Assistant to the President Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
Other newly elected executives are Femi Said, Deputy Secretary; Olasunbo Ajose, Treasurer; Joanna Asebobuyi, Deputy Treasurer; Oluyinka Osinubi, Financial Secretary; Bola Olajubi, Assistant Financial Secretary; Abiodun Salami, Assistant Publicity Secretary; Ademola Sadiq, Legal Adviser; Toke Benson, Assistant Legal Adviser; Ramota Bankole, Welfare Secretary; R. O Olorunfemi, Assistant Welfare Secretary; Abdullahi Enilolobo, Organising Secretary; Muftai Kadiku, Assistant Organising Secretary; Wale Aribiyi, Auditor; and Ismaila Azeez, Assistant Auditor.
Others are Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Women Leader; Kehinde Babalola, Assistant Women Leader; Kofoworola Ajayi, Senatorial Women Leader (West); Yeye Gbadebo, Senatorial Women Leader (East); Fadekemi Otitonaiye, Senatorial Women Leader (Central); Tayo Sanya-Olu, Youth Leader; Busola Akeredolu, Assistant Youth Leader; Lukmon Jimoh, Senatorial Youth Leader (West); Bashiru Adekoya, Senatorial Youth Leader (East); Hameed Olanrewaju, Senatorial Youth Leader (Central); Aregbe Idris, Youth Organising Secretary; Abu Akilapa, Ex-officio I; Obiangeli Onu, Ex-officio II; Ibrahim Patako, Ex-officio III; Bode Oyedele, Ex-officio IV; and Israel Akiode, physically-challenged.
Headline
Tinubu Presents N47.9trn 2025 Appropriation Bill to NASS
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presented the proposed 2025 federal budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The N47.9 trillion budget saw a whopping N3.5 trillion allocated to the education sector.
Other sectors that got higher allocations include defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn and health – N2.4tn.
“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this distinguished joint session of the National Assembly, the 2025 Budget of the National Assembly of Nigeria titled, ‘The Restoration Budget’ security peace, building prosperity,” Tinubu said as he concluded his 30-minute presentation at 1:10pm.
This budget highlights the government’s focus on improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure, in line with its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ aimed at boosting the economy and addressing key national priorities.
The live broadcast of the budget presentation today revealed the government’s plans for the next fiscal year. With a strong emphasis on human capital development, the president highlighted the budget’s commitment to improving the nation’s economic foundation.
Education sector receives major funding
A significant portion of the 2025 budget is dedicated to education, with N3.5 trillion allocated to the sector. President Tinubu stated that part of this funding would be directed toward infrastructure development, including support for Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the establishment of nine new higher educational institutions.
“We have made provision for N826.90 billion for infrastructural development in the education sector,” Tinubu said.
This allocation aims to improve educational facilities and support ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s educational system.
Focus on human capital development
During the presentation, the president emphasized the importance of investing in Nigeria’s human capital. “Human capital development, our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are breaking record investment in education, healthcare, our social services,” he remarked.
Tinubu also pointed to the N34 billion already disbursed through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to assist over 300,000 students.
The budget includes continued investments in healthcare and social services as part of the broader goal of enhancing the quality of life for Nigerians.
Strengthening the economy and national security
Tinubu highlighted that the 2025 budget is designed to build a robust economy while addressing critical sectors necessary for growth and security.
“This budget reflects the huge commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing the critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision; and secure our nation,” he said.
The budget aims to tackle key challenges and foster long-term economic stability by prioritizing infrastructure and development in key sectors.
Healthcare and social services allocations
In addition to education, Tinubu focused on the allocation for healthcare and social services. The government plans to increase investments in healthcare infrastructure and services to ensure broader access to essential healthcare for Nigerians.
These investments are part of the administration’s strategy to improve overall living conditions and enhance public health across the country.
President Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget is said to reflect the administration’s commitment to achieving its development objectives, with a focus on economic growth, human capital development, and infrastructure improvement.
As the National Assembly reviews the budget, the president reiterated his administration’s resolve to address the nation’s most pressing needs.
Source: Nairametrics
Headline
Ghana’s President-elect Mahama Visits Tinubu in Abuja
Ghana’s President-Elect, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at his residence, Presidential Villa, State House on Monday.
Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in this month’s presidential election, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who secured 41 percent.
The landslide comeback for former president Mahama ended eight years in power for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose last term was marked by Ghana’s worst economic turmoil in years, an IMF bailout and a debt default.
Headline
I Stand by What I Said, Kemi Badenoch Replies VP Shettima
The leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has lashed back at Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s reaction to her comments about Nigeria.
Badenoch was born in the UK in 1980 to Nigerian Yoruba parents.
Badenoch, who attained age 16 in Nigeria before departing the country for the UK where she was elected Conservative Party’s leader, described Nigeria as a nation brimming with thieving politicians and insecurity.
However, Shettima, while speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, December 9, 2024, accused Badenoch of “denigrating her country of origin” with her remarks.
The vice-president listed influential people whose families had migrated to other countries, commending former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a “brilliant young man who never denigrated his nation of ancestry.”
Reacting on Wednesday, Badenoch lashed back at Shettima, saying she doesn’t do “PR for Nigeria”.
Her spokesperson, as the Tory leader, according to UK Express, said: “Kemi is not interested in doing Nigeria’s PR; she is the Leader of the Opposition in the UK.
“She tells the truth; she tells it like it is; she isn’t going to couch her words. She stands by what she said.”
-
News6 years ago
Nigerian Engineer Wins $500m Contract to Build Monorail Network in Iraq
-
Featured7 years ago
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Will Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Join Presidential Race?
-
Boss Picks7 years ago
World Exclusive: How Cabal, Corruption Stalled Mambilla Hydropower Project …The Abba Kyari, Fashola and Malami Connection Plus FG May Lose $2bn
-
Headline6 years ago
Rehabilitation Comment: Sanwo-Olu’s Support Group Replies Ambode (Video)
-
Headline6 years ago
Fashanu, Dolapo Awosika and Prophet Controversy: The Complete Story
-
Headline6 years ago
Pendulum: Can Atiku Abubakar Defeat Muhammadu Buhari in 2019?
-
Headline6 years ago
Pendulum: An Evening with Two Presidential Aspirants in Abuja
-
Headline6 years ago
2019: Parties’ Presidential Candidates Emerge (View Full List)