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Tinubu Government Allocates N4.9 Billion To Train POS Agents, Supply Motorcycles, And Build Shops Across States
Tinubu Government Allocates N4.9 Billion To Train POS Agents, Supply Motorcycles, And Build Shops Across States. An analysis by Nevo News of the 2024 Fiscal Appropriation Act (2024 approved budget), has revealed that the President Bola Tinubu’s government allocated the sum of N4,962,693,163 (N4.9 billion) to the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management (NICTM),....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
a Federal Polytechnic located at Uromi in Edo State, to train Point of Sale, popularly known as POS agents, construct market shops and street lights in Plateau, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa and Cross River states.
Other projects outside the polytechnic’s jurisdiction which the government allocated the funds for as observed by SaharaReporters are; construction of community halls in Delta State, supply of instructional materials in Plateau State, supply of hospital equipment to selected health centres in Delta State, and supply of motorcycles in selected communities in Kano State.
The polytechnic which is operating under the Federal Ministry of Education, was established by the federal government of Nigeria “To produce middle and high-level manpower for the nation’s economic and industrial growth in the areas of construction technology, applied sciences and management sciences.”
The polytechnic has the vision “To be a top-notch TVET Institution committed to raising a new generation of creative leaders in construction and related fields of endeavor,” and the mission “To create knowledge to drive the construction industry via hands-on skill-driven curricula; employing innovative methods in handling technical, vocational, and education and training of new generation leaders.”
By implication of the NICTM’s vision, mission and the Rector’s statement on the institution’s website, it is clear that the school has no business with construction of traditional palaces, construction of police stations and police quarters, construction and repair of soak-away, construction of street lights or supply of vehicles to either community vigilantes or traders.
However, analysis of the approved 2024 budget by SaharaReporters showed that with a total budget of N20,650,099,213, President Tinubu’s administration budgeted the sum of N100 million under the polytechnic for “Training and empowerment of youths on digital payment/banking (POS agents) in Mikang/Qua’an/Pan Shendam LGA, federal constituency, Plateau state.”
A sum of N200 million was allocated to the school for “Construction of market stalls and shops in Ribah Modern market,” of which the state where the market is located was not mentioned in the budget document.
The analysis further revealed that the government budgeted N30 million for “Construction of side drains and asphalting of Ukpoke road spur, Inemen, Ugoha, Esan South East Local Government Area, Edo state,” while N100 million was allocated for “Construction of bridge across Ule River in Ukhuse Ose, Owan West, Owan federal constituency, Edo State.”
Also, N500 million was allocated to the institution for “Rehabilitation/reconstruction of roads in Uzebba and other communities in Iwan federal constituency,” in Edo state, while N100 million was budgeted for “Supply and installation of solar street lights in selected communities in Brass/Nembe federal constituency, Bayelsa state.”
The sum of N198,370,607 was allocated to NICTM for “Renovation of school buildings in Epe Grammar School,” in Lagos state and another N297,555,911 was allocated for “Construction of new hostel with furniture in Epe Grammar School.”
Another N247,963,259 was budgeted for “Construction of inner roads with street lights in Epe Grammar School,” while N247,963,259 was budgeted for “Renovation of corpers lodge, principal quarters; renovation and equipping of dining hall at Epe Grammar School.”
A sum of N674,460,064 was budgeted for “Completion of BOB farm road, Wasinmi, Alafia Town, Ewekoro(Lot 1-3),” N247,963,259 allocated for “Construction of inner road with solar street lights in Ojomu area,” while another N247,963,259 was budgeted for “Construction of inner road with solar street lights in Ikota area,” of which state(s) were these areas are located was not mentioned in the budget.
Also, N100 million was allocated to the polytechnic for “Construction and installation of all-in-one solar street lights in Southern Ijaw federal constituency, Bayelsa state,” N200 million for “Solar borehole and all-in-one solar street lights in Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency, Cross River state,” and N45,453,545 was allocated for “Construction of boreholes in Chanchaga federal constituency, Niger state.”
A sum of N100 million was budgeted for “Supply and installation of solar street lights in Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Cross River state,” N100 million for “Provision of industrial borehole with installation of overhead tank in Idumu-Agbala in Esan North East Local Government Area, Edo state and N200 million budgeted for “Supply and installation of 2-in1 K-integrated solar street lights to selected streets in Brass/Nembe federal constituency, Bayelsa state.”
A total of N270 million was allocated for “Construction of a block of six classrooms at Temogbene Primary School, Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency of Bayelsa state,” “Procurement and installation of solar powered street lights to communities in Burutu federal constituency,” Delta State and “Construction of community hall at Ofougbene community, Burutu federal constituency,” Delta state.
Tinubu’s government also allocated N90 million to the school for “Provision and installation of solar powered borehole and its ancillary works (overhead water tank) at Anyim Quarters, Igbodo and at Idumu-Obi quarters Akumazi Umocha, Ika North East LGA, Delta State,” while a total of N100 million was budgeted for “Provision of instructional materials, text books to selected primary schools in Keffen communities of Plateau State,” “Provision of solar street lights in Quanpan LGA, Plateau State,” and “Construction of 1 block of 4 classrooms at Ukhu Secondary School, Esan West, Edo Central Senatorial District, Edo State.”
Another total sum of N350 million was allocated to the school for “Supply of office desks to selected schools in Cross River North Senatorial District,” “Construction and installation of solar powered street lights across selected federal constituencies for road lightening,” in an unidentified state(s), and “Installation of all-in-one integrated solar powered street lights in Eko-Illeh, Edo state.”
A total of N50 million was budgeted for the polytechnic to use for “Training and empowerment of youths through basic driving school of mini buses for each rural-urban transportation scheme in Okpe LGA Central Senatorial District,” in Delta State; “Provision and Construction of H2GO Nano-carb membrane filtration technology solutions in town and villages along coastal population in Okpe LGA in Delta Central Senatorial District,” and “Supply of hospital equipment to selected health centres in Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta State.”
A sum of N150 million was allocated for “Construction and installation of all-in-one solar street lights (felicity 60 watt) for some selected communities of Idumemalu town in Esan West LGA,” of Edo state, while N15 million was budgeted for “Medical outreach, testing and dispensation of drugs in selected communities in Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta State.
The National Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has maintained that there is no constitutional provision preventing Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, from contesting the Imo West senatorial seat in the 2027 elections while still serving as governor.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that Arodiogbu, who also serves as the South-East Co-Zonal Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the clarification while responding to arguments questioning the governor’s eligibility.
He cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”
According to him, the provision only prohibits a sitting governor from occupying two offices simultaneously and does not prevent the person from seeking a party nomination, contesting or winning another election.
Arodiogbu also referenced Section 68(1)(f) of the Constitution, which requires a lawmaker to vacate his legislative seat upon assuming an executive position.
He argued that the provision recognises the possibility of moving between executive and legislative offices, provided the two positions are not held at the same time.
He said, “There is no constitutional impediment against Senator Hope Uzodinma’s aspiration. The Constitution does not require a sitting governor to resign merely because he desires to contest another election. What it forbids is dual occupancy of offices.
“Should he win the senatorial election, he would resign as Governor before taking the oath of office as a Senator. That is the clear position of the law.”
The APC chieftain further stated that appellate courts, in interpreting Sections 66, 107, 137, 182 and 183 of the Constitution, had held that resignation was only necessary when a candidate was about to assume a new office.
He added that no provision of the Electoral Act imposes a general restriction on a sitting governor seeking election into the Senate.
Arodiogbu also argued that Uzodimma’s tenure, which is expected to end in January 2028, does not constitute a legal obstacle, insisting that any transition would be carried out in accordance with the Constitution after the inauguration of the new National Assembly.
He said, “The law is clear, the Constitution is clear, and the judicial authorities support this position.
“Those peddling the contrary view are either deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution or attempting to create political distraction. Senator Hope Uzodinma remains free to pursue his legitimate political aspiration without any constitutional disability.”
He reaffirmed the APC’s support for Uzodimma as its candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat and urged party members to disregard what he described as speculative legal arguments.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 29, ruled that former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, won the APC senatorial primary for the district.
The Imo State Government has indicated that it would appeal the judgment.
Human rights activist and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has vowed that the party will adopt a tougher approach ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Yesufu declared that the NDC would be both refined and rugged, insisting that no group or individual had a “monopoly of madness.”
She warned that the party would not tolerate intimidation or attacks against its members, adding that supporters would stand their ground whenever they were threatened.
Naija News reports that she made the declaration on Thursday following an attack on NDC supporters ahead of the party’s town hall meeting at the Classic Event Centre in the Oregun area of Lagos State.
According to Yesufu, the political campaign was not solely about the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, but belonged to everyone supporting the movement.
She said, “In 2023 we were refined, in 2027 we will be refined and rugged. Nobody has monopoly of madness and anybody wey say him dey crase we go send am go psychiatric hospital. We are not slaves, we are citizens. This campaign is not Peter Gregory Obi campaign, it is our campaign.”
Recall that the NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos State, turned violent after suspected political thugs invaded the venue and attacked party supporters.
According to The Cable, the attackers, who were armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, disrupted the event and forced participants to flee for safety.
Chairs and other items at the venue were reportedly scattered during the attack.
The incident allegedly left some supporters injured and several vehicles damaged. A journalist covering the event was also reportedly assaulted, while his recording equipment was taken.
The confrontation later spread to Kudirat Abiola Way, disrupting traffic before police operatives arrived and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The Zamfara State Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi, has died at the age of 50.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Shinkafi reportedly passed away on Wednesday in Kaduna State following a brief illness.
News reports that Governor Dauda Lawal announced the commissioner’s death in a statement issued through his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
Reacting to the development, Lawal expressed sadness over the loss, describing Shinkafi’s death as an irreparable loss to the state government and the people of Zamfara.
The governor noted that the late commissioner’s contributions to governance, politics and public service would remain memorable.
He said, “With heavy hearts and in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (T), we received the shocking news of the passing of the Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi.
“Tasiu’s death is a great loss not only to his family and the state government, but also to the people of Zamfara.
“He will be remembered for his dedication, honesty, and commitment to Zamfara State.
“He served diligently as Commissioner for Youth and Sport before being redeployed to the Ministry of Commerce.
“As a valued member of my administration and a brother in service, his contributions to governance, politics, and public service will be remembered.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and give his family the strength to bear this great loss.”
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