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Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor Charges Editors ” You Must Hold Politicians To Account”
Deputy Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo has charged Nigerian Editors to deploy all resources available to them to ensure all stakeholders strive for credible elections ahead of the 2019 general elections while urging them to hold political leaders to account.
Mr Ekpo made the call while delivering a speech at the 14th All Nigerian Editors’ Conference (ANEC) holding in Asaba Delta State.
Speaking on the theme, Credible Elections, Sustainable Democracy and the Nigerian Media, Mr Ekpo noted “The Media must hold our political leaders’ feet to fire and demand credible elections.We are all witnessness to the shenanigans that have occured in the last elections in Ekiti and Osun States that have made a mockery of what democracy is all about.
” A case of open disenfranchisement of the voters using the instrument of coersion by government, a case of ooen collusion between those who were supposed to be impartial impires, the INEC and a political party, does not bode well for the deepening of the political culture”
He stated that if we must have sustainable democracy, the media must begin to ask politicians to define their stand on core issues germane to our national aspiration.
He also enjoined the media to demand the execution of the social contract especially regarding promises made by politicians at every election circle.
Mr Ekpo used the opportunity to reveal that the state government led by Mr Udom Emmanuel has worked hard to fulfil its own campaign promises.
According to him ” we ran a campaign that was acutely distilled into a five point agenda: Job creation, poverty alleveiation Wealth Creation, Economic and Political Inclusion and infrasteucriinal consolidation and Expansion.
” In the immediate past dispensation in our state and in an atmosphere of fanfare, Akwa Ibomites were promised industries in each of the 31 Local Governments, none was established”
He noted the Emmanuel administration has established such industries as the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing company, ths best metering solutions company, flour mill, fertilizer blending plant, plastic manufacturing company, Coconut Oil factory and a pencil manufacturing company.
He also reeveled that inspite of the challenging economic climate, the state has constructed 1,700 Kilometres of road and crashed the price of stable food with its innovative agricultural initiatives.
Also speaking at the occasion were Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, NGE President, Mrs Funke Egbemode, Mr Mike Iginni who represent INEC Chairman and Dr Tony Iredia who was Chairman of the occasion.
Adding that despite what seem like a bleak future, his party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP) last Saturday exhibited through its preaidentail primary that there was hope with seamless election of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.
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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
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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.
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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.”
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