River State in Nigeria, allocates N74.9bn for Assembly Complex, Reconstruction and other projects

8th June, 2024

Africa News

By Oyenike

River State in Nigeria, allocates N74.9bn for Assembly Complex, Reconstruction and other projects

The Executive Council of River State has approved a whopping N74.9 billion for various projects. This includes the reconstruction of the state House of Assembly auditorium, the construction of the Kalaibiama/Epellema Road, and the completion of four zonal hospitals across the state.

The River State House of Assembly was bombed during a political crisis between the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

In addition to that, the Executive Council has also approved other important projects.

This includes the renovation of the Bonny Island General Hospital, the renovation and upgrade of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, and the construction of a new General Hospital at Rumuigbo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The reconstruction of the assembly auditorium in Port Harcourt will cost N19,566,621,284.24, while the Kalaibiama-Epellema Road and bridge in Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area will cost N29,035,907,233.76. The four zonal hospitals will cost N26,350,310,714.88 and will be located in Ahoada Town, Degema Town, Omoku Town, and Bori Town.

These projects aim to strengthen secondary-level healthcare delivery and improve infrastructure in the state.  The River State government is investing in these important areas in order to make life easier for the citizens.

River State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

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Celebrating sporting excellence; Nigeria Police Force’s Inspector General, IGP Egbetokun to be honoured with Special Achievement Award in Sport

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, will be honoured with the Special Achievement in Sports Award by the Nigeria Pitch Awards. This award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to sports in Nigeria. IGP Egbetokun is being recognised for his efforts in sports development within the Nigeria Police Force and his commitment to excellence in sports across the country.

He played a crucial role in organising the 14th Biennial Police Games, where football was introduced as an event for the first time. The success of the Police Games led to the outstanding performance of Nigeria Police athletes at the 13th All African Games in Ghana, where they won 17 medals for the country. IGP Egbetokun’s dedication to sportsmanship and unity within the Police has also led to plans to host the West African Police Games in September 2024.

The Nigeria Pitch Awards, a prestigious platform for recognising excellence in Nigerian football, will present the award to IGP Egbetokun in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The awards have been endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports since 2012.

The winners of the Nigeria Pitch Awards are determined by votes from sports editors across the country, and the collation and auditing of votes are conducted by SIAO Partners, an accounting and auditing firm.

IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun’s dedication to sports development within the Nigeria Police Force and his pursuit of sporting excellence have earned him the Special Achievement in Sports Award. His efforts have not only benefited the Force but also contributed to the growth of sports in Nigeria.

The Inspector General of the Nigeria Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

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The Nigeria Government introduces The Pink Riders Tricycle Scheme to Empower Women

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Pink Riders Scheme to empower women and alleviate poverty in Nigeria. The Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, highlighted that this initiative aims to boost women’s economic status and help them become self-reliant and entrepreneurial. With women constituting about 49 percent of the population, empowering them will contribute to the country’s socio-economic growth.

The Minister emphasised the need for stakeholders to make conscious efforts in improving women’s lives, aligning with global realities. The Pink Riders Scheme is one of many projects initiated by the Ministry to empower women, in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The pilot phase of the scheme was launched at a military barracks to ensure security and seamless operations. It will be carefully coordinated, consistent, and sustainable before expanding to other states.

Beneficiaries of the scheme were encouraged to seize this opportunity provided by the Federal Government to transform their lives and contribute to their families and the country. The Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Isoni, assured maximum security and proper monitoring for the Pink Riders, appreciating the Ministry’s initiative and its commitment to uplifting women’s lives. Mrs. Julie Idris, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, pledged their dedication to ensuring the success of the programme and empowering more women through the scheme.

Overall, the Pink Riders Scheme is a government initiative to empower women, alleviate poverty, and create opportunities for women to contribute meaningfully to their families and the nation. It reflects the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and socio-economic development.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, The Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Isoni with some beneficiaries of the pink scheme

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Federal Government of Nigeria Intensifies Efforts to enhance food safety across the country

The Nigeria Government has launched the updated National Policy on Food Safety and Quality in Nigeria. It’s a part of the efforts to improve the healthcare system and overall welfare of Nigerians. The launch took place on World Food Safety Day, and it aims to modernise and strengthen the national food safety control and management system according to global standards.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is focused on preparedness and has utilised a One Health approach in the updated policy. The document covers areas like risk analysis, emerging contaminants, and establishing a foodborne disease surveillance system.

The implementation of the policy isn’t solely the responsibility of the Ministry. They are calling on all parties, from regulators to farmers and consumers, to make informed choices and set new benchmarks for safe handling, marketing, and sale of food. To improve stakeholder capacity, four Technical Working Groups (TWGs) have been inaugurated across the food supply chain. It’s great to see that Nigeria’s efforts in food security have been recognized, with a 40% rise in developed capacity in the recent health security joint evaluation.

Food safety is crucial for public health worldwide, and the World Food Safety Day serves as a global call to action. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is urging decision-makers, private sectors, and stakeholders to prioritise food safety and work together to create a safer food environment.

They’re seeking partnerships, leveraging technology, and prioritising essential services for food safety. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness about food safety and promote actions to prevent and manage foodborne risks.

The Nigeria Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate

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Nigeria’s Government proposes N62,000 as new minimum wage, Labour asks For N250,000

The minimum wage has been an issue in Nigeria lately. The Labour union has been pushing for higher wages, and the President has instructed the Minister of Finance to determine the cost of the proposed new minimum wage. This led to a nationwide strike that impacted various sectors, including banks, airports, schools, and courts.

However, there’s been some progress in the negotiations. The strike was eventually suspended for five days after agreements were reached between the government and the Labour union. One of the key outcomes was the agreement on a minimum wage that exceeds N60,000, which is higher than the initial demands.

The discussions surrounding the minimum wage have reached a critical stage. The tripartite committee, consisting of representatives from the government, employers, and workers, is finalizing their recommendations. Once completed, the recommendations will be sent to President Tinubu, who will then present an executive bill to the National Assembly.

 Both sides have made adjustments to their initial demands. The Federal Government and the organized private sector increased their offer to N62,000, while the organized labor reduced their demand to N250,000 from the initial N494,000. These changes show that there is some flexibility and willingness to find a middle ground.

The negotiations continue as the committee meets daily to reach a consensus on the new minimum wage. The aim is to strike a balance that takes into account the economic realities of the country while ensuring fair compensation for workers. The final decision on the minimum wage will have a significant impact on the lives of many Nigerians.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha meets with the NLC President, Joe Ajaero in Abuja

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