Governor Alex Otti’s administration in Abia State proposed to spend a total sum of N13 billion on the purchase of cars, vans, trucks, and buses in 2024. A copy of the state’s 2024 approved budget, seen by SaharaReporters, has revealed that Otti assented to the N567.2 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill on December 28, 2023. The budget signing took place at the governor’s private residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state. In a speech at the event, Otti highlighted the budget’s goals of stimulating the economy, boosting socio-economic development in Abia, and addressing underdevelopment. The breakdown…
Author: Emmanuel Olawale Akanji
Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped to the lowest in four years for the first nine months of 2023, largely on the back of federal government reforms, as indicated by a BusinessDay analysis. BusinessDay’s analysis of the data from the Budget Office of the Federation reveals that the debt servicing bill in Africa’s biggest economy consumed 66.9 percent (N5.79 trillion) of total revenue of N8.65 trillion in the first nine months. This is lower than the 99.3 percent (N4.23 trillion) recorded in the same period of 2022. Experts note that the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of all…
In a bid to enhance national security and curb the unauthorized use of Nigerian passports by non-citizens, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has spearheaded significant reforms in the country’s passport issuance process. Hon. Tunji Ojo emphasized the necessity of the new system, stating, “We have to introduce this new system in order to stop those non-Nigerians carrying Nigerian passports.” He revealed that the implementation has proven effective, with only a 4% error rate, a notable improvement for a recently introduced system. The minister expressed confidence in achieving near-perfection within the next one or two weeks. Detailing the…
By Ibrahim Tanko A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Tagbo Charles Nduka has shed light on the social factors and disparities surrounding a heart condition known as atrial flutter. With Nigeria being the most populous black nation globally, the findings of this research have significant implications for healthcare policies within the country. Moreover, it urges us to address healthcare inequalities and improve patient outcomes. Atrial flutter is a common heart conduction defect, but until now, we had limited knowledge of how social factors influenced its prevalence. Through an extensive analysis of 108,445 patients, using data from the 2019-2020 National…
The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has said that measures introduced by President Bola Tinubu since assuming office have cast him as a visionary leader who is prepared to harness the country’s potentials. Speaking through its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju at a press conference in Abuja, the group said its findings showed that measures including the local production of CNG powered vehicles will go along way in confronting major socio-political issues affecting the nation in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal. “By our reading of the President’s plan, as being implemented in the sector, four Compressed Natural Gas-based vehicle assembly…
The greatest disservice anyone can do to themselves is the inability to discover ‘self’, needless to mention self-worth. In a normal political setting, there are people who by now should have been cast into the basket of political oblivion, but who because of the way the society they found themselves is structured have continued to enjoy some form of relevance even if at the risk of denying their immediate environment quality democratic deliverables. One of such persons is Ali Ndume, Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District in the Senate. The 65-year old Gwoza-born Mohammed Ali Ndume, a man who has…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully secured a substantial $7 billion investment deal from India, representing a significant stride in the country’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign investments. This noteworthy development was disclosed by Mr. Gangadharan Balasubramanian, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, during the 75th Republic Day celebrations. It’s important to note that this investment follows India’s commitment of $14 billion made at the G20 Summit in September 2023, an event in which President Tinubu actively participated. Balasubramanian emphasized the robust economic ties between India and Nigeria, highlighting the presence of close to 150 Indian companies with a…
Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria and Africa, is poised for a groundbreaking transformation with the impending construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge. Spanning an impressive 38 kilometers, the bridge will connect Lagos Island via Langbasa (Lekki) and Baiyeku (Ikorodu), traversing the Lagos Lagoon to reach Itamaga in Ikorodu. Anticipated to be completed in 2027, this bridge is set to become the second-longest in Africa, following the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road Bridge in Egypt. This ambitious project is a result of a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Lagos State Government and a consortium of private investors spearheaded by the Chinese construction…
Adekunle Sulaimon An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court on Friday sentenced founder of iReign Christian Ministry, Feyi Daniels, to life imprisonment for “raping a church member”. The trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, found the Lagos-based cleric guilty of rape and sexual assault of a female worshipper. The PUNCH earlier reported that the Bishop, who took to the witness box in his own defence, testified that he believed three out of the four women who accused him of sexually assaulting them conspired to turn against him. While fielding questions under cross-examination, the prosecution’s lead counsel, Babajide Boye, sought to establish…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure as the President of Nigeria has brought forth a flurry of notable accomplishments, sparking discussions and commendations across the nation. His administration’s eight-point agenda, unveiled during the inaugural Federal Executive Council meeting, aims at steering the Nigerian economy towards prosperity. This comprehensive plan prioritizes critical areas such as food security, poverty alleviation, economic growth, access to capital, inclusivity, security enhancement, upholding the rule of law, and combating corruption. Tinubu’s track record in Lagos State, where he played a pivotal role in elevating its economy to become the fifth-largest in Africa, stands as a testament to…