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NASS Plans 5-Day Budget Debate Before Adjourning For 2019 Polls

Published

6 years ago

January 14, 2019

As the National Assembly resumes the day after tomorrow, there are indications that the lawmakers would hold plenary for just five legislative days, beginning from Wednesday to Thursday next week before adjourning for four weeks to take part in the forthcoming general elections. A source close to the Senate leadership told our correspondent that the lawmakers will hold plenary on Wednesday and Thursday this week to set agenda for debate on general principles of the N8.83trillion 2019 budget presented to them by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 19 last year. The source who did not want his name in print expressed fears that serious legislative work on the 2019 budget proposal may suffer due to lack of budget details expected from the executive arm of government. The office of the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe South, APC), confirmed that upon resumption from Christmas and New Year break on Tuesday, the most prominent issue that will take the attention of the Senate is the Appropriation Bill. The premier reports that the debate on general principles of the budget will hold at both chambers from Tuesday to Thursday next week (22- 24 January 2019) for the required passage for second reading and consideration at committee levels where heads of the various federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would appear for defence of budgetary allocations proposed for them in the fiscal year. But there is a growing concern that lack of sufficient details from the executive arm of government could pose some challenges for the budget preparations. When President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2019 budget proposal to the joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2018, he disclosed that further details would be provided to lawmakers to enable them to commence work. But Clerks of committees who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said that lawmakers are still waiting for such details, including the sector by sector analysis of the budget document as well as its comprehensive revenue profile. A senator however hinted that this budget bill would be one of the most difficult legislative assignments for the National Assembly in view of issues that have arisen since it was presented last month. He cited the example of the sharp drop in revenue, particularly the fall in the price of crude oil internationally. The lawmaker said, “You also know that no matter how fast we desire to pass the budget, all that will depend on the co-operation from the executive arm of government, especially the MDAs. As much as I know, what the president presented was mere summary and it is expected that the details will be provided before we resume. “As we talk at the moment, I am not aware of such details. So, the entire situation will be dictated by the level of information we get on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday”. Although debate on the general principles of the budget bill may be done this week, lawmakers’ political exigencies may also limit their contributions to the budget processing process. But feelers from leadership of both chambers indicate that on the last day of the debate (Thursday next week), motions for adjournment of plenary to Tuesday February 19, 2019, would be moved and adopted to create time for the lawmakers contesting in the elections to campaign, while those not contesting will be engaging heads of the various MDAs at budget defence sessions. Specifically in the Senate, 68 out of the 109 serving Senators are contesting in the February 16 elections on different political platforms for return bids into the Red Chamber, while eight others are on the political field in their respective states contesting for gubernatorial elections slated for March 2, 2019. The 33 other Senators not contesting for any elective position in the coming elections are expected by the planned legislative arrangement to keep the budget defence sessions alive, while their colleagues slug it out with their various opponents on the political field. Giving credence to the planned arrangement, one of the principal officers in the Senate told our correspondent yesterday that “suspension of plenary for weeks preceding the presidential and National Assembly elections after pushing consideration of the 2019 budget to committee levels at both chambers is the best arrangement that can be put in place for the federal lawmakers directly participating in the elections as candidates of their various political parties”. The source added that “such an arrangement would keep legislative business alive at both chambers from Wednesday this week to the time of elections and even after, particularly on consideration of the 2019 budget proposals”. Some of the 33 serving Senators who are not contesting for any position in the elections and are chairmen of Senate standing committees include Shaaba Lafiagi (National Security and Intelligence) , Abu Ibrahim ( Labour), Emmanuel Paulker ( Establishment) and Bukka Aba Ibrahim ( Environment ). Others are Ahmed Sani Yerima (Marine Transport), Olugbenga Ashafa (Land Transport), Lanre Tejuoso( Health), Gilbert Nnaji ( Communication), Tijjani Kaura ( Police) , Kabiru Marafa ( Petroleum Downstream) etc . Aside the 2019 budget, both chambers of the National Assembly may also use the same template of legislative engagement to consider the proposed new minimum wage bill that may be forwarded to them by the executive next week Wednesday as hinted by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, last week. If the bill gets to both chambers on the said date, expeditious consideration may be given to it on Thursday January 24, 2019 at plenary for passage for second reading and consideration at committee level during the planned four weeks suspension of plenary. Incidentally in the Senate, Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC Katsina South), who now chairs the Senate Committee on Labour, is not contesting for any elective position in the next elections.

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ASR AFRICA HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR A N250 MILLION ABDUL SAMAD RABIU MEDICAL SCIENCE LABOURATORY FOR CRESCENT UNIVERSITY

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

ASR Africa has commenced the construction of a N250 Million medical science laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta in Ogun State.

From Right: Mr. G. T. Ogunmefun (University Acting Bursar); Barr. A. M. Ajiobla, SAN (Proprietor); Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila (Vice- Chancellor); Dr. Ubon Udoh (MD/CEO, ASR Africa); Barr. Z. A. Ajibola (Registrar) and Prof. M. K. Momodu (Dean, College of Law) at the ground breaking ceremony of the Medical Science Laboratory for Crescent University, Abeokuta.

August24news.com gathered that the laboratory will enhance the capacity of the institution in meeting the National Development Plans and Transformational Agenda (NDTA) of the Federal Government of Nigeria, whilst filling the gap created by laboratory scientists who have left the country recently.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, expressed gratitude for the institution’s nomination by ASR Africa under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGs).

He applauded ASR Africa for the award of the grant and noted that the project is the university’s topmost priority, considering its drive to expand its College of Health Sciences programs.

In his response, the MD CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, commended the management of the university for their academic achievements and systematic growth which is evident by the addition of three new colleges recently.

These colleges include the College of Environmental Sciences (COES), Bola Ajibola College of Law (BACOLAW) and the College of Health Sciences (COHES). Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of ASR Africa in ensuring a timely completion of the project.

The N250 Million grant will provide fixtures and fittings for the medical science laboratory which features a 300 sitting capacity auditorium, offices for Head of Departments and lecturers, lecture /seminar rooms.

It will also cater as laboratories facility for Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Biology, Hematology, Pharmacology/Therapeutics and Chemical Pathology.

The ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme is targeted at supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and so far over 30 tertiary institutions in Nigeria have benefitted from this grant which ranges from N250 million to N 2 billion.

ABOUT ASR AFRICA
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

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Seplat Energy Clinches ‘Deal of the Year’ at New Telegraph Award

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

Seplat Energy Clinches ‘Deal of the Year’ at New Telegraph Award

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

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Olusunle, Now Fellow Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (FNMGS)

Published

2 weeks ago

February 26, 2025

august24admin

…As Society Celebrates 64 Years of Existence

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

A research Director of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr. Dr. Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle has been conferred with the prestigious Fellow of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), one of the oldest professional bodies in the history of Nigeria.

NASENI Research Director, Engr. Dr Samuel Olugbenga O. Olusunle, FNMGS, (right) receiving the Conferment Award plaque and Certificate from Prof. Akinade Sadrach Olatunji, the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society(NMGS)(left) during the Awards Night which took place at the Chida International Hotels Abuja on Wednesday 19 February 2025.

The Nigeria’s late sage, Pan Africanist and President during the First Nigerian Republic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first patron of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.

The Society yesterday in Abuja concluded its 60^th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE), and it was time for the body to honour and recognize its members who had contributed tremendously not only to the growth and development of the Mining and Geosciences profession in the country, but the accomplishments of the honourees having direct bearing on the general socio-economic development of the country.

The event which was held between 16^th to 19^th February 2025 at the Chida International Hotel Abuja, came to a climax with Awards Night and recognition. Dr. Olusunle and 42 other members were honoured with the prestigious fellow category, which is the highest election attainable in society.

This conferment has added new appellation to Engr.Dr. Olusunle’s name as FNMGS. In 1977, the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) succeeded the Nigerian Mining Geological and Metallurgical Society (NMGMS) which was founded on 15th January 1961 and officially inaugurated on 17th December, 1962.

The society is an international professional organization. Its Objectives include: Advancement and practice of Mining, Earth sciences and Metallurgy, Acquisition, preservation and dissemination of mining geoscientific and metallurgical knowledge, publication of an interdisciplinary learned journal of Mining and Geology (JMG), the CRUST, periodicals and specialized books including annual books of abstracts and programmes of the society’s conferences and activities and upholding the ethics and safeguarding the interests of the professionals covered by the society.

The society also has statutory representation in the council of the Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) established by the Federal republic of Nigeria Decree No. 40 of 1990. The categories of membership are Fellow, Corporate, Graduate, Students, Affiliate, Institutional and Honorary fellow, the highest of all is the Fellow category.

When asked to speak on the significance of the society’s recognition to him and NASENI where he serves as Director Research, a highly elated Olusunle had this to say: “I give God the glory and I am really humbled to be elected FELLOW of NMGS. It should be noted that the mandate of NASENI and the core concerns of NMGS are knittingly related. NASENI has one of its institutes operating within the purview of solid minerals exploitation (SOMMEDI).

NASENI also under wonderful leadership of the EVC/CEO, Khalil S. Halilu, is actively involved in the CNG project of the Federal Government. These and other notable activities/intervention of NASENI are collaborative windows between the agency and NMGS”.

Before he became research director, Dr. Olusunle was former Managing Director, Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI) Akure, one of NASENI Development Institutes. Also, he is a FELLOW of the Nigeria Institute of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE), the Materials Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN), the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), The Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), The Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS)and many others.