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Budget Padding: Federal Lawmaker Want Udo Udoma Sacked

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Member representing Egor / Kpoba Okha Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehizogie Agbonayinma has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to only sack junior officers for errors in the 2016 Appropriation Bill but also the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma who coordinated the planning.
Hon. Agbonayinma stated this at the PDP Congress in Ikpoba Okha local government area of the state where he said the National Assembly is working with the presidency to ensure the budget is passed on March 17.
The PDP stalwart expressed disappointment at the attempted fraud in the budget and noted that while President Buhari has sacked erring junior officers in the ministry, the Minister in charge of coordinating the budget should also be sacked.
According to him, “Where you are using almost N800.000 million to update a website of the federal ministry of solid minerals, so that for me a monumental fraud and I told my colleague in the house, and that has been rectified now and many other areas where we found so many errors.
“President Buhari has already sacked some people and he has also promised to sack more people but I will say what about that the minister who suppose to be the one to do the right thing. You can’t be sacking junior officers when the head is still there. You must talk to the head that coordinated the budget for the president”, he said.
He continued, “So it is a disgrace to the head of the ministry and it is a disappointment for the nation and I am happy that the president has done the right thing by correcting them. And we must join hands with the president because if everything goes well in Nigeria, all of us will celebrate and rejoice. Only the president can’t solve the problem of Nigeria alone, it will require the effort of every good citizen of the country to move the nation forward so we must join Mr. President to see that Nigeria succeeds”.
“I think the budget will see the light of the day soon and Nigerians will celebrate. A lot of errors did occur; I don’t think it is Mr. President that did it. It is his trusted people and they disappointed him”, he reaffirmed.
He however faulted president Buhari on the payment of N5000 to unemployed Youths in the country which he said he would rather invest in infrastructural development.
He said, “If you look at the budget, the youth are not taking care of and we must put the youth in the budget, we must care for them and at least put the Nigerian first so if you say you don’t have anything for the youth, what are we talking about they are the future of tomorrow. If you don’t create something for them, they will create something for us. If we don’t want to engage them positively, they will engage us negatively. So we must start now by putting the youth first”.
Reacting to the non provision of vehicles for members, Agonayinma who decried the mobility challenges faced by members in the course of discharging their committee and oversight functions effectively said the 8th national Assembly is not under trial as presently projected by some persons
He therefore called for a renewed synergy between the media, judiciary, executive and the national Assembly to move the nation to an enviable height and delivered the dividend of democracy to the Nigeria people.
“We asked the executive to give us car loan and therefore deduct the money as source from our salaries. We have already applied if they cannot buy us vehicle. We are yet to hear from them.
“On the vehicle issue even when the local government elected executives have brand new vehicles, councilors; State Houses of Assembly members have brand new vehicles. Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has about 5- 6 vehicles in their convoys such as Prado, land cruiser Jeeps, Lexus Jeeps, Toyota Camry among others in additions to Hiluxes even their Personal Secretary (PS) have vehicles brand new and now you are talking about members of the National Assembly up to the Speaker and say we should not have vehicles. This is nothing but an agenda to protract us in bad light against Nigerians. It is sad and it is absolutely sad”, he lamented

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Dangote Refinery, national asset every Nigerian must defend — BAVCCA President declares

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President of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has charged Nigerians on the need to protect Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “national asset that every citizen must protect, nurture, and defend against any form of sabotage or doubt.”

Chukwunyere made this declaration on Wednesday at BAVCCA’s National Secretariat in Abuja, following a visit by a 15-man delegation of the association to Dangote Industries in Lagos.

Adding that the visit to the Dangote Refinery was more than a familiarization tour but “a pilgrimage to witness firsthand the embodiment of Nigerian ingenuity, resilience, and vision.”

According to him, the team’s interaction with Dangote Industries’ Vice President, Mr. Edwin Devakumar, provided deep insight into the sacrifices and determination behind what he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest industrial achievements.

While recalling Devakumar’s powerful testimony about believing in Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision for the refinery, even when many investors doubted its feasibility.

“Despite the doubts from potential backers, Mr. Devakumar provided crucial support, backing Alhaji Dangote’s dream every step of the way,”

Chukwunyere said. “Alhaji Dangote himself made extraordinary sacrifices, selling most of his assets to fund the project amid those investor doubts.”

He said the refinery, valued at over $20 billion, was “a testament to this unyielding faith” and a model of how personal commitment can turn vision into reality.

Quoting Devakumar, he said Aliko Dangote’s motivation was rooted not only in business ambition but in a “deep prioritization of Nigerians’ well-being.”

“This passion fuels his endeavors, placing the welfare of our people at the heart of every decision,” he added.

The BAVCCA President noted that despite setbacks such as the closure of the Arewa Textile Industry in Kaduna, Dangote “persevered, keeping his vision alive against all odds.”

He described the refinery as the largest in the world, with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, set to expand to 1.4 million barrels daily. The project, he said, has created over 65,000 jobs, saved billions in foreign exchange, and generated an estimated $55 billion in annual revenue potential.

Chukwunyere also highlighted the achievements of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, which he said has “an impressive production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum of urea,” positioning Nigeria as a key player in global agriculture.

During the visit, Chukwunyere said he personally expressed appreciation to the Dangote Group on behalf of BAVCCA and recounted the association’s efforts in defending the refinery against social media misinformation.

“We amplified the truth, countered misinformation, and rallied public support to ensure this vital project was not undermined,” he stated.

In response, he said, the Dangote Vice President “expressed his pleasure with the bloggers’ efforts and commended the good work being done by our community.”

The BAVCCA leader also announced that the association’s forthcoming national conference, scheduled for October 31 in Abuja, would highlight “the achievements of the Dangote Refinery, showcase the visionary behind it—Alhaji Dangote—and celebrate the transformative role of such initiatives in Nigeria’s development.”

He emphasized that content creators have a patriotic role to play in defending national investments.

“Dangote Industries is not just about refining petroleum; it’s about refining our nation’s future—creating jobs, boosting our economy, and reducing dependency on imports,” he said. “Every Nigerian—bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizens—must rise to protect Dangote Industries.”

Chukwunyere reaffirmed BAVCCA’s commitment to “lead this charge, using our platforms to educate, inspire, and unite,” while calling on Nigerians to honor the sacrifices of Alhaji Dangote and the faith of leaders like Devakumar.

“Join us at our conference on 31st October, and let’s build a Nigeria where national assets like Dangote Industries thrive unhindered,” Chukwunyere concluded.

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Hon. Munira Applauds Governor Uba Sani for Signing Bill Establishing New College in Lere

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By: Fabian Apechihin

In a major educational breakthrough for Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has signed into law a bill establishing the Kaduna State College of Agricultural Technology and Environmental Sciences in Lere Local Government Area.

The landmark bill was sponsored by Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu, the member representing Lere East Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The new institution aims to equip young people with modern skills in agriculture, technology, and environmental management — key areas for the state’s sustainable development.

Expressing her delight, Hon. Munira said:

“I am overjoyed to announce that Governor Uba Sani has signed my bill into law. This college in Lere will empower our youth with practical knowledge in agriculture and environmental protection. It will open doors to innovation and help our communities thrive.”

She noted that the college will serve as a hub for research and practical training, boosting agricultural productivity and addressing pressing environmental challenges in the region.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of Kaduna’s economy, and this institution will help modernize the sector while creating new opportunities for our young people,” she added.

Hon. Munira also reaffirmed her commitment to effective representation and progressive legislation:

“We will continue to champion laws that make real, positive impacts in people’s lives. The future is bright, and together, we will build a better, stronger Kaduna State.”

She extended her appreciation to Governor Uba Sani for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for education and rural development.

Residents of Lere and across Kaduna have welcomed the development with excitement, describing the new college as a beacon of hope for the youth and a catalyst for growth in the state’s agricultural and environmental sectors.

With the creation of this new college, Kaduna State takes another bold step toward improving education, empowering its citizens, and building a greener, more prosperous future.

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Soludo’s Alleged Threat to Jail Catholic Clergy After Re-election Sparks Controversy in Anambra

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By Fabian Apechihin

A report claiming that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, plans to jail Catholic bishops, priests, and other clergymen after his re-election has stirred heated debate across the state.

However, Rev. Fr. Raphael Onyekwelu, PhD, Chaplain to the Governor, has dismissed the report as “baseless, ridiculous, and malicious,” describing it as the work of desperate political opponents trying to pit Soludo against the Church.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Fr. Onyekwelu said:

“Our attention has been drawn to a fabricated, malicious, and unsigned piece currently circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, falsely alleging that His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, intends to ‘take on the hierarchy of the Church, especially the Catholic Church,’ after winning the forthcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.”

He said while such falsehoods would normally be ignored, the campaign season had created fertile ground for misinformation and propaganda.

“This is an election period, and desperate politicians are churning out fake news to deceive the public and cause division. It is laughable that they first admit Soludo is likely to win, and then try to manufacture lies to undermine his relationship with his Church — the Catholic Church,” he stated.

Fr. Onyekwelu noted that the alleged statement did not specify any wrongdoing by the Church to warrant such “imaginary arrests,” calling the entire report “a pitiable fabrication.”

He reaffirmed that Governor Soludo, a devout Catholic, holds the Church in the highest regard and recognizes its crucial role in promoting moral values, education, healthcare, and community development.

“Governor Soludo is a proud and practicing Catholic who cherishes the Church’s partnership in governance and social transformation, in line with Catholic Social Teaching. He deeply appreciates the clergy and their contributions to the moral and socio-economic progress of Anambra State,” he added.

Fr. Onyekwelu emphasized that the governor remains committed to working closely with all religious bodies to advance peace, development, and good governance in the state.

“Under Soludo’s leadership, Anambra continues to experience transparent, people-centered governance anchored on faith, service, and shared values. As the governor often says, ‘Government, Church, and People — together we shall continue to build a peaceful, prosperous, livable, and God-fearing Anambra State,’” he concluded.

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