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Rep Fulata Denies Allegations of Financial Inducement for 2025 Education Budget Approval

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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on University Education, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata has dismissed an allegation by an online medium that the lawmakers demanded for certain amount of money as condition for passage of 2025 budget of education sector.

Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata who is also the Lead Chairman, House Committees on Education said the allegation was designed to undermine the efforts of the lawmakers, particularly his committee to improve the standard of education in the country.

In an interview with journalists, Fulata said ordinarily he wouldn’t have said anything about an online medium, not Nigerian Tracker ‘ allegation but he decided to respond in order to avoid misleading the general public about the activities of the committee and the 10th House of Representatives.

Fulata said due to the advocacy of the legislators against inclusion of tertiary institutions of learning in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), President Bola Tinubu graciously removed universities and all tertiary institutions from IPPIS. According to him, IPPIS is “anti-intellectual, anti-academics and retrogressive.”

He said following the absence of councils for universities and other tertiary institutions nearly a year after the inauguration of the present government, the House of Representatives considered the effect of it and adopted his motion urging Mr President to constitute the councils. He said shortly after the House’s resolution, Mr President constituted the councils.

Fulata noted that the House Committee on University Education had in 2024 carried out oversight visit to all federal universities under his committee’s supervision except Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State whose vice chancellor did not only block the legislators from accessing the school but also failed to provide documents regarding budget performance of previous years (2022 to 2024) and 2025 budget proposal. He said the oversight visit was aimed at getting clearer pictures of the progress and challenges of the universities.

According, to him, the management of almost all the universities visited complained seriously against the hike in electricity tariff.

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“Some of the universities were paying about N100 million as electricity tariff every month and we thought this cannot help our tertiary institutions. I moved a motion on this issue and the House came up with the resolution urging for downward review of electricity tariff or removal of these institutions from Band A group of electricity tariff. Mr President again listened to our appeal and approved 50 percent subsidy on electricity tariff for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and all tertiary institutions and hospitals,” Fulata said.

He appealed to media practitioners to always cross-check the pieces of information at their disposal before disseminating them.

On allegation by an online medium, Premium Times that the meeting “Initially scheduled for 10 a.m. that day, the meeting was delayed until 3 p.m. due to behind-the-scenes discussions between lawmakers and some vice-chancellors,” Fulata said the committee had budget defence meeting for National University Commission and vice chancellors of universities on January 15th, 2025, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day and not the date and time mischievously stated by the medium

He said the budget defence which took place at the House temporary chamber was open to the general public and media as there was no executive session or closed door meeting during the meeting which was brought to a close before another committee, House Committee on Water Resources commenced its budget defence meeting in the same venue by 2pm.

Fulata who was the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business in the 9th National Assembly said it is ridiculous for anyone or group to say he is demanding for a kobo as condition to approve budget proposal.

He said if Mr. President despite his tight schedule, will appear before joint session of National Assembly to present Appropriation bill, he sees no reason why heads of MDAs will find it difficult to defend their budget proposal.

“Similarly, if the Ministers of Education, the Executive Secretary of NUC and other Parastatals under the Ministry as well as over 50 Universities could come and defend their Budget proposal before the Committee, there is no reason why the Vice-Chancellors of University of Lagos, Federal University Gusau and Army University Bi’u will refuse to come and defend their budget proposal. Instead, they have resorted to blackmail and smear campaign and sponsorship of public outcry against the Committee.

“Interestingly, University of Lagos and University of Ibadan are part of the Universities indicted by the Auditor-General of the Federation for financial malfeasance and refused to appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts to answer to the audit queries . The Committee has placed the matter before the Leadership of House insisting that the House should not approve the Budgets of all institutions whose Chief Executives refused to come and defend their Budgets,” Fulata said.

He said the House Committee on University Education, the various House Committees on Education and entire House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen Ph.D are determined and committed in ensuring uninterrupted academic activities in tertiary institutions as well as improve on the standard of education in Nigeria.

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Tinubu’s Projects In The North Are Traceable-Kwankwaso

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The Forum of Federal Government appointees from Kano under Senator Bashir Garba Lado, has strongly challenged opposition Leaders to showcase what they have on stock that they will do better than President Tinubu clear Developmental Projects, rather than negative criticism.

Speaking in a released, the Spokesperson of the Forum of the Federal Government appointees, Dr Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, said, Wednesday that, overtime the opposition leaders of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and others have not clearly spelled out their missions to Government but rather everyday they go one criticizing President Tinubu whose Projects across the Country and the North is specific can be clearly seen.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is executing a massive portfolio of infrastructure and developmental projects across Kano and Northern Nigeria, valued at trillions of Naira, spanning highways, railways, power, and agriculture, which an be touched and seen not mare baseless opposition”, Kwankwaso notes.

In trying to highlight some of the projects, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, who is also the Executive Director Finance Hadejia Jammaare River Basin, fall under the “Renewed Hope” agenda, and in Kano alone there are more 30 of such projects.

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso believes that the Projects execution and the concern shown by the President on Kano and the entire North are worthy of given him heavy votes across Northern Nigeria that will secure his smooth 2nd Term in office.

He said that with the intervention of the President in Kano and other Northern Nigeria, he will have massive votes that awaits his reelection back to office comes 2027 in Kano and other Northern States.

He listed projects like the Kano–Kongolom Road, a major 132-kilometre, at N334 billion dualization and construction project aimed at connecting Kano with Jigawa and Katsina.

Similarly, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso explained that, the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, a Massive ongoing reconstruction utilizing durable continuous reinforced concrete pavement technology with added security enhancements like
In the same vein, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, a colossal 1,068-kilometre, six-lane economic corridor that will integrate a rail line in the median, greatly connecting Northern regions, been awarded by the President for his concern to the Northern Region.

Musa Kwankwaso hints that A 37.8-kilometre dual carriageway designed with multiple bridges to divert heavy industrial traffic away from the Kano metropolis that is Kano Eastern Bypass is ongoing and will soon be completed.

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Another giant project according Kwankwaso is the Kano–Maradi Rail Line, a flagship 284-kilometre rail project cutting through Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina, designed to ease the transportation of goods and connect Nigeria with the Niger Republic.

While on Economic growth the President is working on AKK Gas Pipeline, the 614-kilometre Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline aimed at boosting domestic gas supply, industrialization, and power generation in Northern states, adding that this projects is near been completed.

On Ecological and Agricultural intervention the President Tinubu ensure the execution of Jakara-Gogau-Zungeru Project, he approved N47 billion for this massive urban sewage and ecological drainage system in Kano metropolis to control flooding and improve sanitation.

He also created Dams & Irrigation: Multi-billion Naira federal interventions have been released for 16 dams in Kano State, including the Challawa Gorge and Tiga Dams, alongside the broader Kano River Project to support agriculture.

On Healthcare Revitalization, The federal government has continuously upgraded Federal Teaching Hospitals across Northern zones and revitalized thousands of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the IMPACT program.

Still for the loves of the North, just recently the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched the Energize Commercialize Nigeria (ECoN) initiative in Kano, converting research and creative ideas into commercially viable products to create jobs across the Northwest.

“While Northwest Development Commission: The federal government has finalized development and inspection operations for the commission’s projects and its permanent headquarters in Kano.”

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, notes that all these giant projects that are not merely on papers but they are lively going and anybody can touch and see them, shows the concern and love of the President Tinubu for the region.

He said, “President Tinubu should sleep with his two eyes closed because as per as reelection bid is concerned is a done deal and the North and Kano in particular will give him heavy votes that will quickly secure his victory”

Speaking on Peter Obi/Kwankwaso NDC Presidential Tickets, Musa Illiyasu, said that the contest is the most laughable in the recent Nigeria Political trajectory, because neither Obi no Kwankwaso have the regional recognition to win any election.

Further more, the Spokesperson of the Forum of the Federal Appointees, hints that, “Kwankwaso is flying a game with Peter Obi, because he is not sincere with their Projects”.

He added that, ” I can bet you, Kwankwaso is supporting a different Presidential Candidate, but sooner than later Nigerians would clearly see who is Kwankwaso and who did he stand with”.

The Forum Chairman Senator Bashir Garba Lado who is also the Adviser on National Assembly Senate, to the President, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso and all other Members, expressed deep determination to ensure that after securing victory for President Tinubu, they also secure Victory for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, three Senators of Barau Jibrin, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, together with all the 24 House of Representatives seat and 40 Kano Assembly seats.

“No doubt, our determination to ensure the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Senator Barau Jibrin, Kawu Sumaila, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and all the Reps Seats and House of Assembly is clear and by the will of God our mission will be actualize”, Kwankwaso said.

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Arewa Youth Groups Reject Kwankwaso-Obi 2027 Ticket, Insist On North-South Power Rotation Agreement

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The Arewa Youth Merger Group and the Hausa-Fulani Coalition have distanced themselves from reports that former Kano State Governor, Engineerr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is being considered as running mate to Peter Obi. on the platform of the NDC. in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Musa Mujahid Zaitawa and made available to journalists in Kano, the group said its position followed a merger it entered into with the APC business groups, farmers, students, and other stakeholders from Northern Nigeria.

The group said the alliance was based on a 2015 agreement between the North and South-West on power rotation an 8-year term for each region.
According to the statement, part of the agreement was that the North would produce a Muslim Vice President from among the 19 Northern states. This, it said, informed the choice of Senator . Kashim Shettima from the North-East as Vice President.

The group recalled that in 2015, the North supported the South-West by delivering votes that brought Muhammadu Buhari from the North-West as President for 8 years, with Proffessor. Yemi Osinbajo from the South-West as his deputy.

After Buhari’s tenure, it added, the North again supported Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Southern Nigeria, and was given the Vice Presidency in return with Kashim Shettima from the North-East.
“As part of honoring the agreement, the positions of Secretary to the Government of the Federation and APC National Chairman were also zoned to the North,” the statement read.

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The group explained that under the current APC arrangement, all six geopolitical zones are represented:
Senate President from South-South, President from South-West, Vice President North-East, Deputy Senate President from North-West, and Speaker of the House of Representatives .
“This is to ensure that every zone feels carried along,” it said.

The Arewa Youth Merger Group said it cannot forget the role some Igbo elements played after independence when Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, were killed in the 1966 coup.
“We, the youth of Arewa, will not forget that pain. Kwankwaso is trying to bring it back by going behind the North to align with the Igbo, a move that will reduce the North to spectators in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The group described the office of Vice President as said by Kwankwaso in the other time is a like a “spare tyre” and insisted that it is almost the turn of the North to produce the President again after Tinubu completes his second term in 2031, in line with the power rotation agreement.

The group accused Peter Obi of showing hostility toward Northerners during his time as Governor of Anambra State, alleging that he expelled Northerners and ordered them to pay for residence permits. It also alleged that a mosque was demolished under his administration.
“In 2023, Peter Obi campaigned on religious lines, telling Christians to vote for him. He showed that Northerners did not matter to him,” the statement added.

The group said there was no reason for Kwankwaso to now go and bring Obi and ask Northerners to forgive the Igbo for the killings of Northern leaders, without an apology.
“If the Igbo want forgiveness for the 1966 killings of Arewa leaders, they must, through their Ndigbo organizations, formally seek pardon from the people of Arewa,” it stated.

The group reaffirmed its support for the ongoing Muslim-Muslim ticket of Tinubu and Shettima and said it will work for the same arrangement in 2027.

It said if there must be any alliance between the North and the Igbo, the Igbo must first respect the agreement made with the South-West in 2015. “Buhari did 8 years. Now it is the turn of the South to do 8 years until 2031. After that, if the North decides to support the Igbo, then an Igbo man can run for President with a Northern Muslim as Vice President,” the statement said.

The group warned that it will not allow Kwankwaso to use the North’s political capital for personal ambition and destroy the agreement between the North and South-West.
It added that it will soon organize a peaceful protest to the National Assembly and the Senate to make known the position of Arewa youths and promote national unity.

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President Tinubu Appoints ex-Ekiti Gov. Fayose as Chairman Rural Electrification Agency

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of 26 persons into the boards and management of 10 federal government agencies and commissions, with former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, named Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA.

The appointments, announced on Monday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, take immediate effect.

According to the statement, Fayose will chair the board of the REA, while Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta were appointed as members and non-executive directors.

The board also includes the agency’s incumbent Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, alongside the three executive directors previously appointed.

President Tinubu also appointed Major General Junaid Bindawa as Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and approved the appointment of eight other officials into the commission.

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Former member of the House of Representatives from Lagos State, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, was named Secretary of the commission, while Dr Ogbole Ene Lilian, Oladele Olatubosun and Yakubu Umar Barde were appointed as commissioners representing Benue, Oyo and Kaduna states, respectively.

Other members of the commission are Dr Mai Adamu Yau (Borno), Ginika Florence Tor (Enugu), Engineer Lawrence Okoh (Edo) and Bello Morenike Iyabode (Kogi).

In another appointment, Tosin Johnson Adeyanju, who previously served as Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, NLTF, was redeployed as Secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission.

The President also appointed Dr Abuh Mohammed as Director-General of the National Population Commission, NPC, Dr Akinola Odeyemi as Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, NBET, and Dr Anthony Inalegwu Godwin as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.

Engineer Julius Oloro was named Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, NCAM, based in Ilorin, Kwara State. He succeeds Dr A.R. Kamal, who died in January.

Tinubu further approved the constitution of the board of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, with Dr Abdullahi Maikano Saidu appointed as Chairman.

Other members of the board are Mohammed Asmau, Mohammed Aliyu Makama, Dr Suleiman Gidado, Louis O. Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Idowu Onikola.

The President also appointed Shuni Muhammad Dahiru as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education. Dahiru replaces Professor Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, who was reassigned to the Petroleum Trust Development Fund, PTDF, in April.

In the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Tinubu appointed Gisaor Vincent Iorja as Executive Director, Finance, to replace Mathias Byuan, who resigned from the position to contest the Benue State governorship election.

Iorja, an economist, legal scholar and academic, is currently the Secretary of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC.

The Presidency said all the appointments take immediate effect.

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