News
Okowa Signs 2022 Appropriation Bill of N479bn
DAN DENT (ASABA)
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday in Asaba assented to the state’s 2022 Appropriation Bill of N479 billion.
The governor also signed five other Bills, including Delta State House of Assembly Service Establishment Bill 2021, Delta State Registration of Community Development Associations Bill 2021, Delta State Debt Management Bill 2021, Delta State Erosion and Watershed Management Bill 2021 and Asaba Specialist Hospital Bill, 2021.
Signing the Appropriation Bill, Okowa assured Deltans that the state would strive to implement capital projects embedded in the 2022 budget as well as complete all ongoing projects before the end of his tenure.
He commended the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill, and said that his assenting to the Bill before end of December would avail the state government the opportunity to further plan towards its implementation from January, 2022.
“You just witnessed the signing into law of six bills that were passed by the House of Assembly this last quarter of the year, 2021.
“We thank God for the good work the House has done; the very important one is the Delta State Appropriation Bill 2022, now signed into law.
“I must thank the House for giving speedy attention to the Bill because with the signing into law today, it will help us to plan and to start early in 2022.
“I do know that it went through a full legislative process and I must thank the House for the great job that they did which enabled us to pass the Bill on the 30th of November.
“I want to reassure Deltans that we will continue to do our best. We are very much aware that there are financial challenges in the country today, but we will continue to do our best within the limits of the resources available.
“We are very much hopeful that there will be a turnaround in 2022, and I hope that we will be able to execute the capital projects that are contained in our budget, both the new ones and the ongoing before the end of our tenure,” he said.
On the Delta State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency Bill, Okowa said that the law would enable the government to tackle erosion and flooding issues in the state head-on.
“I want to also appreciate you for the passage of the Delta State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency Bill, signed into law today.
“We are very much aware that there is a lot of devastation in the ecosystem in some parts of our state. This is following through the advice that was given to us by the World Bank.
“We can now actually focus more in dealing with flood and erosion challenges across the state,’’ he said adding that the Delta State House of Assembly Service commission Amendment Bill was very important for the smooth running of the service of the House of Assembly.
On Asaba Specialist Hospital Bill, the governor said that the law was very key to the effective management of the hospital to enhance universal health coverage in the state.
“This law is very important to us because we have decided that there is a need to have a separate law governing the establishment of this hospital.
“And, I can attest to the fact that there is a lot of decency and commitment in the management of the hospital.
“There’s obviously a public-private-partnership in the management of the hospital and I know that it’s been helping our people a lot.
“They have rendered quality services to the people since they opened for operation in 2020 and I thank God for the basic and specialist health services they have provided for Deltans and non-Deltans who live in the state.
“One needs to visit the hospital and see the number of patients being attended to on daily basis; so, I want to thank the lawmakers for the passage of the Bill which has been signed into law,” he stated.
Okowa said Delta State Debt Management Law seeks to regulate and manage the State’s borrowing and debt portfolio in line with international best practices, explaining that “It seeks to establish the Debt Management Department in the Ministry of Finance.
“It is one of the requirements to ensure the functionality of the Ministry of Finance as it concerns the debt management of the state.
“It is our hope that this particular department would be able to manage the debt of the state even beyond my tenure.”
He lauded the Assembly for the prompt passage of the Bill to regulate the activities of community development associations in the state.
“Another important bill is the one to regulate the activities, operations and leadership structures of development association in the state.
“Like the Speaker had earlier said, there are many of our communities where people tend to ignore even the constitutions written by the communities and lord themselves over other persons in the community.
“This bill will enable us have some levels of regulation over what happens in our community development associations.
“To make them more functional and to ensure that these associations are tenured and that people will no longer lord themselves over others in the communities, even against the constitution that brought them into power.
“I thank the House of Assembly by ensuring that these six bills were passed this end of year. You have done quite a lot for us,” he stated.
Presenting the Bills, the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Sherrif Oborevwori, said that the Bill went through all legislative process before being passed.
He said that with the timely presentation of the Appropriation Bill, 2022 and its subsequent passage by the House, the State was on a good start for year 2022.
“I am confident that the budgetary provisions for 2022 will meet the yearnings of our people and the developmental needs of the State, because it is indeed a realistic budget,” he said.
On the passage of Debt Management Bill, the speaker said the State had complied with the requirements of the World Bank’s State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme, and the World Bank Disbursement Linked Indicator 7.
News
VETERAN BANKER, JIM OVIA, APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF NIGERIAN EDUCATION LOAN FUND BY PRESIDENT TINUBU
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This was announced in a State House Press Release by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale on April 26, 2024.
According to the statement, ‘‘the President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds and of ensuring that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.’’
Jim Ovia, CFR, is the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, one of Africa’s largest banks with over $21.4 billion in assets and shareholders’ funds of over US$2.4 billion as at December 2023.
Zenith Bank is a global brand listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
In addition to major operations in Nigeria and other West African countries, the Bank has sizeable operations in London and Dubai.
Jim Ovia is the Founder and Chancellor of James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos which was recently approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer postgraduate degrees in business courses.
James Hope University commenced activities in September 2023.
Through his philanthropy – the Jim Ovia Foundation – he has shown the importance he accords good education.
In support of the Nigerian youth, Jim Ovia Foundation offers scholarships to indigent students through the Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE) initiative. Most of the beneficiaries of Jim Ovia Foundation scholarship are now accountants, business administrators, lawyers, engineers, doctors etc.
He is the author of “Africa Rise and Shine”, published by ForbesBooks.
The book which encapsulates Zenith Bank’s meteoric rise, details the secrets of success in doing business in Africa.
He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School (OPM), University of Louisiana (MBA), and Southern University, Louisiana, (B.Sc. Business Administration). Jim Ovia is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Community of Chairpersons, and a champion of the Forum’s EDISON Alliance.
In recognition of Jim Ovia’s contributions to the economic development of Nigeria, in 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured him with Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR. Also, in May 2022, Jim Ovia was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Earlier, he has been conferred with the national awards of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, and Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, in 2000 and 2011, respectively, as a testament to his visionary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector.
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
News
PRESASS 2024 Ends In Abuja As Aviation Minister Keyamo Tasks Participants On Downscaling Climate Information
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has tasked participants at the Regional Forum Workshop on Seasonal Forecasts of Agro-hydro-climatic characteristics of the rainy season for the Sudanian and Sahelian zones of West Africa and the Sahel (PRESASS), to downscale outcome of the workshop to their local communities.
Left to Right: Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Engr. Clement Nze, Representative of AGRHYMET DG, Dr. Abdou Ali, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Dr. Rowland Abah, Representative WMO Rep. For North, Central and West African Regions, and ECOWAS Commission Representative,
Gbenga Erin, at the closing session of 2024 Regional Forum Workshop on Seasonal Forecasts of Agro-hydro-climatic characteristics of the rainy season for the Sudanian and Sahelian zones of West Africa and the Sahel (PRESASS), in Abuja on Friday, 26th April, 2024.
Mr Keyamo who spoke in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the workshop on Friday, 26th April 2024, said;
“The outcome of the Regional Climate Outlook Forum for West Africa and the Sahel is a great planning tool for governments and policymakers across the region. We are very aware of the great challenge of the 21st Century, climate change, extreme weather events and food security to mention a few. To combat these challenges, it has become imperative that weather and climate information are not only accurate but also produced and disseminated early. Thus, the need for Early Warnings. It is based on this that the Nigerian Government deemed it fit to provide all the necessary support through the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and AGRHYMET Regional Centre to host this year’s forum here in Abuja”.
Continuing, Mr Keyamo said;
“The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has taken seriously the issuance of Early Warnings for its citizenry to de-risk sectoral activities and avert losses. Earlier in the year, the Government through NiMet had a public presentation of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), an early warning tool that highlights vital Weather and Climate information that may affect socio-economic activities in air, land, and water transportation, agriculture, water resources, disaster management and mitigation, health, tourism, sports, power & energy etc. A similar event was recently held by NIHSA where the Annual Flood Outlook was released to Nigerians”.
“As we settle down to listen and discuss the details of the forecast produced for West Africa and the Sahel Region for the 2024 rainy season, my message is that as we return home to our various countries with the informationand forecast from this year’s forum, we should ensure that these products don’t end up inside the shiny offices in our capital cities. The real work of downscaling them to our local and rural communities just started. This is the only way the United Nations’ target of Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) by 2027 can be met”, Mr Keyamo concluded.
In his own remarks, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, commended AGRHYMET and ACMAD for sustaining the Regional Climate Outlook since 1998. He congratulated them and the local organising committee for putting together a successful forum.
Mr Rowland Abah who represented the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Representative for North, Central and West Africa, said; “The output of this workshop provides additional Early Warning information for the countries in West Africa and the Sahel to support localized forecast and effective planning to mitigate climate-related hazards envisaged in 2024”.
Concluding, Mr Abah remarked that; “Climate change poses existential threats, and this is why the United Nations Secretary General has urged all countries to ensure that Early Warning Systems cover all citizens by the year 2027”.
The Director General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Clement Nze, and other representatives of other related agencies were present at the closing ceremony.
This year’s PRESASS brought together participants from 16 countries from the West African region and lasted from 22nd to 26th April, 2024.
For more on NiMet, visit www.nimet.gov.ng
News
World Malaria Day: LAWMA Boss Makes Case for Clean Environment
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has underscored the importance of maintaining a clean environment, to combat the spread of malaria.
He said this in a statement marking this year’s World Malaria Day, themed: ‘Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world’.
The World Health Organization (WHO), had noted that approximately 249 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 608,000 deaths, occurring mostly in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and remaining a major global challenge.
He said that while malaria was primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, the prevalence and severity of the disease could be significantly reduced through preventive measures, anchored on a clean environment, as one of the most effective strategies.
According to him, “In the fight against malaria, prevention is key. One of the most effective preventive measures is to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by ensuring a clean and hygienic environment. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, waste dumps, and other unhygienic areas. By keeping our homes and surroundings clean, we can significantly reduce mosquito population and consequently, the transmission of malaria.”
Gbadegesin urged residents to actively participate in efforts to maintain a clean environment, by shunning indiscriminate refuse disposal, cleaning their surroundings, and patronising assigned PSP operators, adding that individual actions could have a significant impact on public health outcomes.
“Each of us has a responsibility to keep our surroundings clean. By properly disposing of waste, eliminating stagnant water, and adopting good sanitation practices, we can protect ourselves and our communities from the devastating effects of malaria”, he stressed.
The LAWMA boss reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness and public health, with effective collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste across the state, while also implementing educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of environmental hygiene.
“As the world marks World Malaria Day, I want to reassure residents of LAWMA’s total commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and public health. Through collaborative efforts between government agencies, communities, and individuals, a cleaner and healthier environment can be achieved, leading to a significant reduction in the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases”, he stressed.
For more information about LAWMA’s initiatives and how to support efforts to maintain a clean environment, please visit www.lawma.gov.ng or call our toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617.
-
News5 years agoBreaking: ‘Penalty’ Crooner Small Doctor Caught in Possession of Fire Arms
-
News5 years agoTiffany Trump Is Dating a Millionaire Michael Boulos From Nigeria
-
News5 years agoPDP Set To Cause Panic Days To Polls: FG
-
News5 years agoINEC Engages EFCC, FIU In Tracking Campaign Funding
-
News2 years ago
INEC Publish Final List of Candidates For 2022 Osun Governorship Poll
-
Politics5 years agoPDP Alleges Plot by APC, Presidency to Detain Its Leaders
-
Politics5 years agoOsinbajo Has Betrayed Yorubas, Says Afenifere
-
Politics5 years agoLagos Commissioner Decamps To PDP