Author: darelasisi@gmail.com

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it will recruit 16, 139 adhoc staff for the Kogi governorship election holding on Nov. 16. Mr Festus Okoye, INEC Federal Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, disclosed this on Tuesday during a sensitisation programme at the Federal College of Education, Okene. He said the adhoc staff will work as polling clerks, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers among others, at the 2,548 polling units in 239 wards spread across the state. The programme titled ” Youth Votes Count ” was organised by INEC in partnership with the European Commission for Electoral…

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said on Tuesday that only this October is set aside for all government agencies to defend their 2020 budget estimates to enable the passage of the document in December. In his remarks during the presentation of the 2020 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari, Lawan said the National Assembly committees are ready to receive the ministers and other heads of government agencies for the defence of their budget estimates. Lawan said all Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) are expected to appear before the Committees for the defence of their Budget estimates within the month of October…

The Senate’s Ad-Hoc Committee investigating a case of assault against Senator Elisha Abbo on Tuesday submitted its report to the upper chamber. The report was presented during the plenary by Chairman of the Ad-Hoc committee, Senator Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi North). The Senate had on July 3, 2019 set up a committee to investigate Senator Abbo (PDP, Adamawa North) for allegedly assaulting a lady at a sex toy shop in Abuja. The lawmaker was seen in a video clip which was widely circulated online having an altercation with the lady in question. Abbo allegedly assaulted the woman for taking side…

Security has been beefed up in and around the National Assembly complex ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to present the 2020 budget proposal. Buhari is to present the proposal before a joint session of the Assembly on Tuesday at 2 p.m News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that combined teams of security agencies have been deployed at the three entrances into the complex. Away from the normal routine checks at the gate, heavy  security officials, comprising men of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps among others are stationed at the entry points leading to…

Kiki Mordi, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) investigative journalist that uncovered the sexual harassment in universities has revealed that she has received subtle threats since the report went viral. According to the journalist, her interest in the investigation was driven by her personal experience which saw her dropping out of the University and yet to become a graduate. In a chat with Sahara Reporters, she said; “I have received subtle threats since this work was completed but I am not bothered because the BBC takes the security of employees seriously. Before embarking on this project, the team prayed a lot…

Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Oct. 7, 2019 (NAN) In line with global requirements of communications, Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications, said Nigeria was ready to deploy 5G network across the country to ease network flow. Pantami said this on Monday at the ongoing 39th Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) holding in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). GITEX is a global technology exhibition that brings together over 200,000 trade visitors, investors, innovators, IT experts, countries, Information Communication Technology startups from over 145 countries of the world, to share trends of ICT and ways of advancing technology innovations. Nigeria’s participation in GITEX,…

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Monday swore in 14 new Permanent Secretaries for the state’s Civil Service. The governor, at a ceremony held at the Government House, Abakaliki urged the appointees to discharge their duties creditably in line with the vision of the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 14 new permanent secretaries inaugurated was in addition to the previous 12. The new permanent secretaries includes Mr Christian Achi, Ministry of Health; Mrs Patricia Okiri, Ministry of Budget, Planning and Research and Mr Ogbonnaya Otta, Ministry of Internal Security. Other are: Mr Martin Uguru, Ministry…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented a budget of N10.729 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly for approval for the 2020 fiscal year. According to the document, some of the ministries witnessed major changes when compared to the 2019 Budget proposal submitted by Buhari. However, the Ministry of Works and Housing had the highest figure in the Budget Bill. Below is the budget breakdown:Works & Housing – N262bn Transportation – N123bn UBEC – N112bn – Defence – N100bn Agriculture – N83bn Water – N82bn Niger Delta – N81bn Education – N48bn Health – N46bn NEDC – N38bn…

2020 BUDGET SPEECH: Budget of Sustaining Growth and Job Creation Delivered By: His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari President, Federal Republic of Nigeria At the Joint Session of the National Assembly, Abuja Tuesday, October 8, 2019 PROTOCOLS 1. I will start by asking you to pardon my voice. As you can hear, I have a cold as a result of working hard to meet your deadline! 2. I am delighted to present the 2020 Federal Budget Proposals to this Joint Session of the National Assembly, being my first budget presentation to this 9th National Assembly. 3. Before presenting the Budget, let me…

President Muhammadu Buhari accompanied by members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Tuesday presented the 2020 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly (NASS). Buhari, who addressed the joint session of NASS at about, 2.03p.m., unveiled a budget of N10.33 trillion for the 2020 fiscal year. The Federal Executive Council had proposed N10.007 trillion for the financial year but the figure was increased to N10.33 trillion by the National Assembly. The president said the 2020 budget was designed to be a budget of “Fiscal consolidation to strengthen our macroeconomic environment; Investing in critical infrastructure, human capital…