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Yobe Upgrades Education Sector with N3bn

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  • Yobe Upgrades Education Sector with N3bn

The Yobe State Government has made a giant stride to reposition the state’s education sector by spending N3billion in the last couple of months.

The state is appraised as one of the most disadvantaged states in education in the country.

This has necessitated why the state government is spending massively in the sector in order to bridge the gap.

Disclosing the amount in the education sector in the last couple of months in a press statement, the Director of Press Affairs to the state Governor, Mallam Abdullahi Bego, said over N3 billion was spent in various education-related expenses, including the rehabilitation and expansion of three secondary schools, feeding of students in boarding schools, payment of fees for students writing the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE).

The fund also covers payment for special remedial programme for Yobe students in the University of Maiduguri as well as fees for Yobe students in various Nigeria-Tulip International Colleges (NTIC) in Mamudo, Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, among others.

Bego revealed that the governor “gave approval for the various payments as part of his determination to bring quality education within the reach of Yobe students.”

He said: “A breakdown of the funds spent by the government in the recent period shows that around N1.3 billion was committed to renovating, expanding and upgrading Government Secondary Schools Fika, Gwio-Kura and Yunusari, N408,867,650 was spent in the feeding of boarding school students during the last academic term and N188,932,300 is being spent in the current (ongoing) academic term.”

Bego said: “The state government has also made a 50 percent down payment to WASC for the 2017 WASC exams; a condition that must be met for any state government to have its students participate in the year’s WASC examinations.

“The remaining 50 per cent will be paid during the year as Yobe students sit for the exams.”

He added that: “Under a special arrangement with the University of Maiduguri, Yobe students undertake a remedial programme each year to enable them fully qualify for admission to various courses in the university. A total sum of N52,565,000 was therefore paid by the government for up to 5,000 students to participate in this year’s remedial programme.”

He said: “The Gaidam administration also spent N971,598,000 as fees for the 2016/2017 session for Yobe students enrolled in the Nigeria-Tulip International Colleges (formerly Nigeria-Turkish International Colleges) in Mamudo, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja campuses.

“The state government has also paid N27,732,250 in registration, examinations and upkeep of Yobe students admitted under a special Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) into Fountain University, Osogbo.”

The governor’s spokesman said his boss has also granted approval for a monthly standing payment of N18.7 million for the purchase of cows to be slaughtered and used for boarding school students across the state.

He added: “The public may also note that the governor has approved N33 million for the drilling of boreholes for potable water supply in the three secondary schools currently being upgraded by the government (in Yunusari, Gwio-Kura and Fika towns).”

He said: “As the upgrade of the three secondary schools nears completion, the governor has ordered a process for the supply of laboratory equipment, classroom and staff room furniture, beddings, library books, and other essential supplies for the schools to move forward.”

He added that: “In keeping with governor’s promise, all these items will be provided to the three affected schools within the next few weeks,” while assuring “parents, students and teachers that his administration will continue to give the educational development of the state the highest possible attention.”

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

Government

Why I’II Never Support Peter Obi Again – Doyin Okupe

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Doyin Okupe

A former Director-General of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign, Doyin Okupe, has declared that he would never support the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, in any of his political ambitions again.

Okupe, who had recently resigned his membership of the LP and withdrew his backing for the former LP’s presidential flagbearer, expressed displeasure at Obi’s remarks on economic situation in the country.

Specifically, Okupe, while featuring on a national television programme, responded to some remarks credited to Obi on the hardship ravaging the nation.

Obi had been reported to have critisised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that people from the South-West are feeling the heat of the hard times just like other citizens from other parts of the country.

For Obi, Tinubu had campaigned on the mantra that he is a Yoruba man and that it was his turn, stating that people in Yoruba land are not even getting food items and other essential commodities at cheaper rates notwithstanding that the President is from their region.

However, Obi’s submissions had attracted mixed reactions on social media with some criticising him while others supported his assertions.

Weighing in on the raging controversy, Okupe joined the critics, describing Obi’s remark as an “insult” to people in the South-West.

He argued that Obi’s statement publicly belittled the South-West, despite receiving support from prominent Yoruba leaders and other residents of the zone during his presidential electioneering ambition.

Okupe claimed that people from the South West felt insulted hearing Obi uttered such remarks, noting that many, including himself, who supported him regretted it.

He mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo as one of the prominent Yoruba indigenes who backed Obi’s presidential bid, saying although he did not regret supporting Obi, he would never support him again.

Okupe attributed his initial support to the agreement that a southern president should emerge, specifically from the South-East, insisting the betrayal he felt by the criticism of the South-West by the former governor of Anambra State.

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Donald Trump Projected To Occupy White House, Congratulated By Nigerian President

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President Trump Signs Executive Order In Oval Office Of The White House

There is an indication that the former President of the United States of America, Donald Trump may become the 47th President of the US.

Trump became more confident in his political comeback in American history after securing his third battleground victory on Tuesday evening by clinching Pennsylvania, bringing him closer to a White House win.

The 78 presidential candidates of the Republican Party already won 266 of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris of the Democrat Party.

Trump reversed his 2020 losses in the crucial states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — running up big margins among his white rural and working-class base while making significant inroads among ethnic minorities.

Addressing supporters in Florida, Trump claimed victory, saying his performance is unprecedented in the history of the country.

He promised to help the US to heal, stressing that the country needs help very badly.

He also assured citizens of fixing critical infrastructure and other necessary areas of the country.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday extended his congratulations to Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

Tinubu expressed his eagerness to strengthen the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

His congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Identifying synergy and cooperation with the US government as a means of fostering economic prosperity, the President of Nigeria noted that the relationship would promote peace, and address global challenges that affect their citizens.

He said Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.

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EFCC Nabs Ex-Delta Governor, Okowa, For Alleged N1.3trn Fraud

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governor-ifeanyi-okowa-of-delta-state

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

Sources with the EFCC revealed that Okowa visited the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday before he was subsequently detained by officials.

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

It was gathered that Okowa was at the Port Harcourt office of the Commission following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him.

The former governor was said to have been apprehended no sooner than he arrived at the anti-graft office.

Okowa was also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Sources said the former governor reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project.

The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

They noted that investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State.

Okowa was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 election.

He was the governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023 and was succeeded by Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent Governor.

When contacted, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest but declined further comment on the matter.

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