Senate queries Lai Mohammed’s N19m int'l trip expenses during lockdown – Newstrends
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Senate queries Lai Mohammed’s N19m int’l trip expenses during lockdown

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The Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation has queried the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, over the ministry’s spending of N19m on international travel during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The minister appeared before the Senate Committee on Tuesday to defend the 2021 budget estimates of his ministry.

Senator representing Imo East, Ezennwa Onyewuchi, had asked Mohammed how N19m out of the N43m meant for international travels in 2020 was utilised during the period of lockdown.

Onyewuchi said, “On international travels and transport you had N43m and you expended N19m.

“So, I am wondering this period of lockdown where nobody was able to go to any country during the 2020 appropriation. How were you able to embark on international travels and you expended N19m.”

The minister said the international travels were undertaken before the COVID-19 lockdown.

He said, “You will notice that N43m was budgeted but less than 40 per cent was spent precisely because of the COVID-19 and before then.

“Remember that we had travelled to attend several international summits starting UNWTO conference, UNESCO in Spain and in the UK. We also did advocacy in the UK at the same time. These were all before the lockdown.

“I think our last trip was actually in Addis Ababa, when we accompanied the President to the AU summit, and that was about March 2020 before the lockdown.

“The lockdown came at the end of March. So whatever we spent here was before the lockdown.”

The Senate panel also tackled the minister on a controversial project fully funded by the Ministry of Finance for execution by his ministry in the 2020 fiscal year.

The project was tagged ERPG 10145116, and was listed as “completion of NTA Gashua sub-station ongoing.”

The project had its allocation of N250m fully released to the ministry.

Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Abdullahi Sankara, said the minister had a lot of explanation to make over the project.

He said it was 100 per cent releases without any work commensurate to the full releases.

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National grid collapses again, second time in three days

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National grid collapses again, second time in three days

 

For the second time in three days, the nation has been thrown into darkness as the national electricity grid experienced another collapse on Thursday.

This was announced on the official X handle of the National Grid, with a caption ”Another Grid Setback Experienced.”

The grid first collapsed this week on Tuesday as reported by many media including newstrends.ng. plunging the nation into a total darkness for almost 24 hours before it was restored.

The latest incident was also confirmed by many electricity distribution companies.

A statement signed by the JosDisco’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole, read, “The current outage being experienced within our franchise states is a result of a loss of power supply from the national grid. “The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at about 11:28 AM on Thursday, 7th November 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.

“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored to normalcy. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we strive to serve you better.”

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) also confirmed the latest collapse in a message to customers.

The DisCo said, “Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today, 07 November 2024, at 11:29 hours, affecting supply within our network.”

IKEDC said efforts to restore power were underway in collaboration with key stakeholders.

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Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

The Disciples of Jagaban, a group supporting President Bola Tinubu, has defended the upcoming national prayers, emphasizing the need for divine intervention to help address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

The prayers, set to be led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, have sparked mixed reactions from the public.

While some, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have criticized the plan, others see it as necessary given current economic struggles.

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Adegoke Alawuje, National Coordinator of Disciples of Jagaban, stressed that President Tinubu’s administration faces complex economic issues that require more than just policy measures. He urged Nigerians to recognize the president’s accomplishments rather than focus on criticism.

“President Tinubu’s policies are not punishments but survival strategies,” Alawuje said. “Just like a caring doctor who continues treatment despite the patient’s discomfort, the president knows these efforts will ultimately bring relief.”

Alawuje also praised Tinubu’s administration for reducing Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio by 32% within 17 months, calling it a significant accomplishment. He encouraged Nigerians to continue praying for the president and his efforts to stabilize the economy.

Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

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Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow

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Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed that the national flag must be flown half-mast as Nigeria mourns its Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who died after a brief illness.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has paid a condolence visit to the widow of the departed Chief of Army Staff.

Secretary to the of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said President Tinubu gave the directive of the flag flying at half-mast on Wednesday.

A statement signed for Akume by Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations Office of SGF (OSGF) read, “The President has directed that National Flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army Chief.”

In another statement, the First Lady expressed condolences, praising the COAS for his exemplified valor.

She stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. ”Throughout his career, the late Chief of Army Staff exemplified valor, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the service of our dear country.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, children, family, friends, colleagues and associates.

“May Almighty God comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

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