The federal government has reacted to Senate President Bukola Saraki’s description of the 2019 budget as ‘hopeless’, saying the executive will not exchange words with the legislature.
This position was stated by Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while speaking with State House correspondents Friday afternoon.
He also said the executive has fulfilled its responsibility by submitting the budget.
Mr Mohammed was reacting to a comment by Mr Saraki who recently described the budget proposal as ‘hopeless’.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), we all heard the 2019 budget. That is a budget that has no hope for anybody because if you look at the statistics and the figures there’s poverty, if you look at the figures based on revenues that are coming in, there is nothing left. So where’s the future?
“There must be an alternative and that is what we hope that by this evening speaking to our candidate and vice presidential candidate, not based on sentiments. We are not voting on sentiments, we are voting on what is the need for you. How is your life going to be better? Which party offers you a better future because we see you as those who are patriotic and committed. It’s not about what you’ll get today. It’s about the great country a lot of you expect to see,” Vanguard quoted Mr Saraki as saying.
The newspaper said Mr Saraki made the comment in his capacity as the director of Lai Mohammed campaign organisation.
Mr Saraki recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party. His bid to clinch the party’s presidential ticket was unsuccessful.
In his Friday reaction, Mr Mohammed the budget was presented “given some circumstances”.
“It is not the practice of the executive to be exchanging words with the legislative arm of government, they are independent, we are independent,” he said. “To the best of our knowledge, we presented a budget given the circumstances of our resources this year, we feel that is the best we can. It is left for the National Assembly to consider it,” Mr Mohammed added.
The minister said the Buhari government “has met all promises and obligations to Nigerians”.
“I wish everybody Merry Christmas and as a government, we are happy that we have been able to meet all our promises, all our obligations to Nigerians,” he said. “And as the year rolls out, we are more determined to even to
The Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement and former governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Olajide Adediran, JANDOR, has commiserated with the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, on the passing of his wife.
Mrs. Ebunoluwa Esther Ojelabi, the wife of the party State Chairman was announced dead on Monday.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Gbenga Ogunleye, said Adediran described the passing away of Mrs Ojelabi as very sad and painful.
He prayed that God will grant the APC Chairman and his family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“At this sad moment, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of our party State Chairman and the entire Ojelabi dynasty.
The loss of a loved one, especially a spouse, is an indescribable pain. I pray that God grants the family the strength to bear this loss and may her gentle soul rest in peace” he said.
JANDOR Splashes N100 Million on distribution of Rice to APC Executives Across all wards and 57 LGA/ LCDAs for Sallah Celebration
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
In the spirit of the Sallah celebration and his continued commitment to supporting the people, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR) has once again demonstrated his love for his party by distributing over 6,000 bags of rice to All Progressives Congress (APC) party executives from the wards to the State, across the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State.
This generous gesture is part of JANDOR’s long-standing tradition of philanthropy and extension of love to party managers and faithfuls especially during festive periods. His latest intervention reflects his unwavering resolve to prioritize the welfare of the people, fostering a sense of unity and shared prosperity.
It could be recalled that on Monday 23rd December 2024, Dr. Adediran held a Christmas get together at his campaign office where thousands of party faithfuls were gifted with bags of Rice and financial support to celebrate the yuletide.
Hundreds of political associates who were in attendance were equally provided with gifts in the spirit of the season.
Earlier in July, August and September 2024, JANDOR gifted over 300 political associates cash support and donated 5 vehicles for hailing business (Uber) to political supporters, set up a block industry for someone in Epe and assisted physical-challenged with an electric wheelchair among several other forms of assistSpeaking on the initiative, JANDOR reiterated his belief in the power of community support. “The Sallah celebration is a time for reflection, unity, and sharing with those around us. I remain dedicated to the well-being of the people and will continue to contribute to their progress and happiness,” he stated.
Muslim clerics have tasked politicians to tone down on their desperation for power by all means, at the 34th Sheikh Sadallah AbdulSalam Olumoh Jokogbowo Ramadan lecture series in Ajeromi Ifelodun federal constituency on Sunday.
The guest lecturer Sheikh Ahmod Anofi Al-Mubarak who spoke extensively on the topic: “Destiny” at the Ramadan lecture organized by Honourable Lukmon Sa’ad Olumoh the member representing Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, counselled all public office holders and intending aspirants not to see the race as a do-or-die-affair but to always succumb to the will of God in all their cravings.
Sheikh Al-Mubarak also declared that, “Conspiracy remains the root of all political issues, we ought to succumb to what destiny has in stock for us, especially that which is orchestrated by Allah because there is nothing, we can do about it.
“Try to consult God through prayers and whatever he has destined don’t influence anything in the contrary.
“You politicians are fond of doing that, having tried to attain a height repeatedly in politics without much success, you would not accept what destiny has tossed your way, you often try to force it, this most times end up badly”.
The cleric further admonished them to always create time for those who had supported their cause in time past, with the understanding that God loves one who is just in his or her dealings with his fellow human being.
Hon. Olumoh in a chat with newsmen also expressed the importance of the Ramadan lecture held in memory of his late father, stressing that the essence of the period is forgiveness and charity.
“This is the 34th edition and we are practising what the period is meant for- the spirit of forgiveness and giving.
“Today we have empowered over a thousand people with cash of ten thousand naira each, ten people will be given generators, also we will be giving grinding machines and hair dryers to some of our constituents.
“It could not be displayed because of the crowd but it will be distributed as we move on.
“Also, here we have a dedicated party member who we have given a motorbike this is coming as a reward of his hard work and commitment to the cause of the party, we have tried to touch our party people and constituents at every point in time even during stakeholder’s meetings.
A stakeholder within the Ajeromi Ifelodun polity of Lagos State, who also doubles as a Governor Advisory Council (GAC) member Prince Rabiu Adio Oluwa hinted that every Muslims should endeavour to take seriously the teachings of the holy prophet, while adding that the words of the prophet remain a guiding light for our day to day living.
“It is a source of inspiration to all, bringing them closer to Allah. I earlier corrected an impression here that the word of Allah is key, though money is important too. So, with that correction taken and some adjustments made it is a good gathering.”
Speaking to the lecture Olumoh hinted that: “As a Muslim we all believe in destiny, as dictated by Allah that we all believe in what we have destined.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day and for you to become somebody you must work towards achieving it.
“I didn’t come to the House of Assembly by Accident I have tried severally, to be a member of the House of Assembly since 2011and eventually I came in 2019 because it was destined for me to be there.
“I was persistent in my request for me to become a representative of my people so.
“I was well prepared for it to ensure that they get the dividend of democracy so, I believe in destiny and that whatever comes to you positive or negative is from almighty Allah.
“We ought to pray for Allah to give us what will benefit us in life and that is good destiny.
Olumoh further counselled constituents to keep hope alive stressing that things will take shape very soon given the well piloted reforms and economic policies of the Tinubu led government.
“My plea to the constituents is to be patient with the government it will go round, the economy might be what it is yesterday but we can now see the difference of the reforms initiated by our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Prices of fuel is going down likewise that of foodstuff, so we know that we are getting there gradually, restructuring is taking effect and I am very sure we would all benefit by the special grace of God.”
The incumbent federal House of Reps members Hon. Paul Kalejaiye was also present at the Ramadan lecture.
A former Federal House of Representatives member Hon. Kolawole Taiwo however commended the lawmaker for keeping up with the culture breast taped by his late father Muslim cleric, adding that he had contributed immensely to developmental strides in the constituency.
Colleagues of Honourable Olumoh present at the lecture includes: Hon Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa 1) and Hon. Nureni Akinsanya (Mushin 1) who took turn to harp on the importance of the gathering stressing that Nigeria and Lagos state needs prayer to ensure stainable peace and development across all facets of live.
His Royal Majesty Oba Atanda Amore Tijani Oluwa Apapa kingdom Ajeromi also lend his voice on the impact of Ramadan, “It teaches us how to live amongst ourselves in peace.
The essence of the month of Ramadan is to revive our soul towards the ways of Allah.”
The council chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun local government Hon. Fatai Ayoola was quick to add that being our brother’s keeper and deviating from all forms of vices, is the essence of the month.
“You have to appreciate your neighbours be in good terms with them and give assistance to the needy. This is a yearly thing that Olumoh kept running the way he met it with those who have been to the House of Assembly before him.
“We all should be prayerful and expect the best from this polity.”
In the words of Okeowo the Chairman of Ifelodun LCDA it is a time to put everything aside in reverence of Allah, he urged people in the locality to embrace peace at all times and to worship God in spirit and truth.