POLITICS: ‘We Cannot Be Intimidated’- Senate President Saraki Says

Senate President Bukola Saraki has insisted that the upper legislative chamber will not be intimidated as it seeks to discharge its constitutional duties.Saraki stated this following a closed-door meeting by the Senate on Tuesday before plenary.He revealed that the lawmakers deliberated on issues bordering on the National Assembly’s integrity.“We cannot be intimidated from carrying out our constitutional duties at all times.“Nothing will stop the National Assembly, especially the Senate, from performing its duties,” he said.Saraki has given a final deadline for sub-committees to submit their 2017 budget reports to the Appropriations Committee.The Senate President gave Thursday as the last day for the budget report submission.Saraki gave the order after a closed-door session and expressed disappointment that about 20 committees were yet to submit report to the Danjuma Goje-led Appropriations Committee.According to Saraki, after Thursday’s deadline, the Red Chamber would have no choice, but rely on submissions from the Executive.

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Politics:Governor Obaseki Presents N150b Budget Of Consolidation And Prosperity

Governor Godwin Obaseki has presented a budget of 150 billion appropriation bill to the State house of Assembly to fast track economic and social transformatin of the state.

Governor Obaseki, who christened the 2017 budget as “Budget of Consolidation and Prosperity” said it was wrapped around the six key policy areas.

“Mr Speaker, we have proposed a budget size of N150,011,831,079 Billion which is a nominal 29% increase over 2016 budget estimates made up of N74,900,297,917 as Recurrent Expenditure and N75,111,533,162 as Capital Expenditure.

“The revenue estimates are based on a $42.0 bench mark for crude oil and average daily production of 1.9mil barrels per day and expectations of improved performance of Internally Generated Revenue.

“Hence we will maintain a balance of capital to recurrent expenditure (50%: 50%) in line with our plan to spend our way out of recession

The governor, said “this Budget would have a deficit of N25 Billion for 2017 which is within the acceptable threshold.

“The deficit will be funded mainly by external borrowing from the third tranche of the World Bank budget support facility.

He named the six key policy areas of the 2017 budget to include Economic Revolution, Healthcare services, Infrastructure development, Institutional Reforms, Environmental sustainabilty, social welfare enhancement and Culture and tourism.

Governor Obaseki, while reviewing the 2016 budget, noted that “the crises we face today are not insurmountable, with focussed planning, disciple and faith in God, we can “develop a modern and progressive Edo State, where every citizen is empowered with opportunity to live life in its fullness”.

“I am honoured to present to you today christened “Consolidation and prosperity”.

According to him, “the policy directions of this budget are largely informed by my interactions with Edo people during my campaign which was validated in a strategy dialogue comprising political, religious and traditional leaders, professionals, civil society, women and youth groups.

“The policy bedrock of the 2017 budget rests on Economic Revolution, Infrastructural Expansion, Institutional Reform, Social Welfare Enhancement, Culture & Tourism and Environmental Sustainability.

“These are the pillars which – if pursued with uncommon focus, will help us build a new society, create new jobs, new opportunities and wealth – and usher in a new era of prosperity for all.

The Governor, in his review of the budget proposal, sets aside N7.5billion for investment; N22.2billion for economic sector; N22.3billion for infrastructure, development and upgrade; N3.2 billion for pension scheme; N6.05billion for outstanding grauitities and pension and N6.6 billion to rebuild infrastructure of institutions in 2017.

Governor Obaseki said “this Budget of Consolidation and prosperity clearly outlines our first priorities and serves as our compass to the future we seek.

He said “building this new society for Edo State will depend on the timely implementation of reforms to further boost business climate, attract private investment, improve our social welfare and foster needed development.

“Therefore, the timely passage of this budget is crucial,’’ saying that “Edo State must become the standard bearer of progress in Nigeria.

“We must lead the nation in social and economic progress. We will be unrelenting in our pursuit of a cleaner, greener and digital Edo.

“In this task, our government will shun all acts of corruption. We shall hold all accountable and will aggressively ensure justice is meted to offenders.’’

Obaseki, in his presentation assured the honourable members saying that “I remain confident that we would continue to enjoy a harmonious working relationship in the interest of our dear State and to the glory of God, our Maker”.

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Politics:Forestall famine, ban export of Nigeria’s grain – Tambuwal tells FG{@africanlandgist}

Against the backdrop of concerns in some
quarters of outbreak of famine in Nigeria next
year, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto
State has urged the Federal Government to
immediately stop the export of food items to
neighbouring countries, especially through the
land border.
Speaking in Isa LGA of the state at the flag off of
the 2017 dry season wheat farming, Tambuwal
also called on the FG to come up with emergency
plans to purchase excess grains from the farmers
so as to boost grains reservoir in all parts of the
country.
He also raised the alarm over the massive
exportation of grains from Nigeria, saying it
portends great dangers to Nigeria’s future food
security.
“I keep wondering why we have to ban import of
food, especially rice, from the land border but
allow massive export of our food commodity to
neighbouring countries.
“Considering our population, we must take
measures that will enhance food security in our
country,” the Governor said.
Speaking at the event, Governor of the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, said
despite challenges, Nigeria is on the verge of
being self sufficient in food production.
According to him, the journey to make Nigeria
self-sufficient in food production, especially rice
is already being realized.
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“This is where the country can feed itself and
even have surplus for exports,” he added.
Emefiele commended President Muhammadu
Buhari for his ongoing efforts to diversify the
nation’s economy from heavy dependence on oil
revenue, saying he deserves commendation for
allowing the CBN to initiate the Anchor
Borrowers Programme.
Emefiele commended Gov. Aminu Tambuwal for
providing adequate subsidized fertilizers and
other inputs to the farmers.
In their separate remarks, Kebbi State Governor,
Atiku Bagudu and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad
Sa’ad Abubakar, said the anchor borrowers’
scheme will transform the agricultural sector in
the country.

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Politics:BOMBSHELL!!! Donald Trump Vows To Overturn Gay Marriage Says It Is UnGodly

In a recent interview with Pat Robertson’s
television network, Donald Trump blathered that
antigay conservatives the world over can rest
easy knowing that he’s committed to overturning
the Supreme Court’s landmark decision that
struck down state bans on same-sex marriage
nationwide.
The Christian Broadcasting Network’s David
Brody asked the GOP presidential frontrunner
what he thought of the Log Cabin Republicans
calling him “one of the best, if not the best, pro-
gay Republican candidates to ever run for the
presidency.”
Told that Evangelicals want to trust his stance on
traditional marriage, Trump responded:
“I think they can trust me on traditional
marriage… and frankly, I was very much in favor
of having the court rule that it goes to states, and
let the states decide. And that was a shocking
decision for you and for me and for a lot of other
people, but I was very much in favor of letting the
states decide and that’s the way it looked it was
going and then all of a sudden out of nowhere
came this very massive decision and they took it
away. But I was always in favor of state’s rights;
states deciding.”
BOMBSHELL!!! Donald Trump Vows To Overturn
Gay Marriage Says It Is UnGodly

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