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2020 Budget: Makinde pledges 70 per cent of implementation before end of year

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Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde (sitting) signing the 2020 budget with him from left, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Adeniyi Farinto, deputy governor, Engr Rauf Olaniyan; Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun and Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akiola Ojo held at Executive chamber, Governor's Office Secretariat, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has signed the 2020 Appropriation Bill of the State into Law.

 

The 2020 budget signing ceremony, which was held inside the State’s Executive Council Chambers, Governor’s Office, Agodi Ibadan, was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, members of the House of Assembly and other top government functionaries.

 

Governor Makinde, who declared that the Government would target a minimum of 70 per cent implementation, stated that the budget would achieve landmark infrastructural development in the State.

 

He said: “So, as I stated in the budget presentation speech, our objective is to, at least, achieve 70 per cent implementation at the end of the 2020 fiscal year.”

 

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the budget was geared towards achieving the plans outlined in the roadmap for accelerated development of Oyo State from 2019-2023.

Governor Makinde said: “The Appropriation Bill for the 2020 fiscal year, which I am about to sign into Law, represents the aspirations of the people of Oyo State. It is geared towards achieving the plans outlined in our roadmap for accelerated development in Oyo State from 2019-2023. We produced this document during the electioneering period and it is exactly what we are following.”

The Governor commended the Oyo State House of Assembly for the prompt scrutinising and passing of the proposed budget bill in order for the implementation of the budget to start from the beginning of the next year.

“Let me start by thanking the Oyo State House of Assembly for promptly scrutinising and passing our budget proposal. This makes it easier for the Executive to do its part in implementing the budget from the beginning of next year. So, I want to, on behalf of the Executive, appreciate the Honourable Speaker and other House of Assembly members that are present here.”

The Governor hinted that all the civil servants would receive their 13th month salary by the 28th of December, 2019.

“Before we draw the curtain on 2019 fiscal year, I mentioned it during my last media chat and I have also mentioned it this morning that our civil/public servants will receive their 13thmonth salary by December 28,” he said.

The Governor noted that the drafting of the budget was holistic in nature as everyone in all the nooks and crannies of the State was carried along.

“We ensured that everyone was involved in drafting the budget proposal at different engagements and sessions throughout the State. I personally was engaged in the engagement session for Oyo South Senatorial District. The Deputy Governor spearheaded the engagement session for Oyo North Senatorial District and the Chief of Staff did that of Oyo Central. Our people were carried along.

“We believe so much in the document, because a lot of work actually went into it and it will interest you to also know that even international agencies have been making references to it. I had a meeting with the World Bank and they brought out the document and said they have been referencing it. So, it is our roadmap.

“The total amount passed by the state House of Assembly was 213,788,33,2.97. This is an increase of 4,935,60,124.97 compared to the budget proposal we submitted. So, in reality, the House of Assembly has graciously added more money to the budget, probably they did it on the expenditure side, they will still have to come back to us on the revenue side.

He said: “Both capital and recurrent expenditure were increased by the House of Assembly compared to the budget proposal, which we submitted. So, the total capital expenditure is now 1,360,177,88.97 and the total recurrent expenditure is now 110,427,855,919. Even though, we have been consistently paying salaries as and when due, we managed to decrease personnel cost in the budget compared to the 2019 budget.

“We are all aware of the validation exercise that is going on. On one hand, we hope that it will allow us to eliminate ghost workers syndrome and, on the other hand, we have just set up the Committee to engage the Labour Union to seek alignment on the new minimum wage issue. So, we will keep a close watch on what has been approved by the House of Assembly on the side of the recurrent expenditure.

The Governor added:  “The top four sectors with the highest budgetary allocations are infrastructure, which has 23.93 percent; education 22.37 percent; health is 5.18 percent and agriculture which is 4.1 percent. These sectors were prioritised because they represent the four pillars that this administration is resting on.

 

“On infrastructure, we do have a couple of developmental projects that are coming in. We know for a fact that within the 2020 fiscal year, the rail corridor will become a reality. We will push forward with the dry port.

“As I said during the media chat, if you don’t want this place to be like Lagos, then we have to plan early. If we know the dry port is coming early, we have to design a new road network, plan for the influx of people. If you have a dry port, you should have clearing agents and different workers in there. So, what this means to us is we need hotel accommodation should they stay two or three-night here to complete their transactions. So, on all of these, we have to prioritise, pull those projects in before they turn into an emergency.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the good people of Oyo State for the overwhelming support they have given this administration.
“Also, on behalf of my colleagues seated here, I will remain bound by our commitment to serve the people.”

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NAF Pharmacist Shines at 97th PSN Conference, Bags Three Prestigious Awards

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Air Commodore David Olumuyiwa Babalola, a consultant clinical pharmacist in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has achieved an extraordinary milestone in Nigerian pharmacy practice, earning three prestigious honors at the 97th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).

Held from November 4 to 9, 2024, the conference celebrated Babalola’s exceptional contributions with the Biogenerics Integrity Award, the Pfizer Excellence Award, and the Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN).

Babalola was recognized as the best overall public-sector hospital pharmacist in Nigeria, clinching the Biogenerics Integrity Award. This esteemed honor, accompanied by a ₦1,000,000 cash prize, celebrates excellence in patient care, career achievements, innovations, training, research, professional service, philanthropy, and leadership in public hospitals.

Adding to his accolades, he was one of four pharmacists nationwide to receive the Pfizer Excellence Award. This award highlights outstanding contributions to hospital and community pharmacy and includes a ₦250,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and a certificate.

Representatives of Pfizer Nigeria presented the award during the conference’s grand closing banquet at Flairmore Event Centre, Uyo.

This achievement makes history as Babalola becomes the first pharmacist in the Nigerian Armed Forces to win a PSN-sponsored corporate award since its inception nearly two decades ago.

In his acceptance speech, Babalola expressed gratitude to Biogenerics Nigeria Ltd and Pfizer Nigeria for their sponsorship, which he said inspires excellence in hospital pharmacy practice.

He also acknowledged the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, for fostering an enabling environment for pharmacists within the NAF and for approving the implementation of the Pharmacists Consultant Cadre in the force.

Babalola’s accolades were further crowned by his conferment with the Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), the highest honor awarded to pharmacists in the country. This recognition, reserved for individuals who have rendered exemplary and meritorious service, solidifies Babalola’s status as a trailblazer in the field.

As the first pharmacist in the Nigerian Air Force to attain the rank of air commodore, Babalola’s career is marked by groundbreaking achievements.

His latest recognitions underscore his relentless commitment to advancing pharmacy practice in Nigeria and inspiring a new generation of pharmacists.

The investiture ceremony for his FPSN honor is slated for early 2025, promising yet another celebration of his outstanding contributions to the pharmacy profession and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

 

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NGO Launches Ibadan Food Bank Project to Combat Hunger Among Vulnerable Nigerians

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The Founder and Executive Director of the Temmy Helping Hands and Youth Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. (Pastor) Elizabeth Bakare, on Saturday unveiled the Ibadan Food Bank Project during the foundation’s 2024 annual convention in Ibadan.

The initiative tagged “Let Nobody Go to Bed Hungry,” aims at tackling food insecurity and hunger among Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations”.

Mega Icon Magazine recalled that a recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-third of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals.

The survey titled “Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024)”, noted the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.

According to the report, approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should.

“The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one”, the report reads further.

Speaking at the unveiling in Ibadan, during the 2024 annual convention of the foundation, Mrs. Bakare described the alarming rise in hunger caused by the nation’s economic challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the increasing exchange rate, which have led to soaring food prices.

She noted that these conditions have placed immense strain on widows, single parents, orphans, and other underprivileged groups, making it imperative to act swiftly.

The Ibadan Food Bank is set to provide food support to 2,500 individuals monthly, with plans to expand its reach to 30,000 beneficiaries annually by 2029 and 105,000 per annum by 2034.

The initiative incorporates several interventions, such as the free distribution of essential food items, a food subsidy programme offering discounted staples, and a mobile kitchen service providing one free meal daily.

Continuing, it includes outreach to prisons, orphanages, IDP camps, and leprosy centers, as well as educational meal subsidies for schools and centers for people with disabilities. The project also encourages self-reliance through a home farming initiative that offers seeds, tools, and training, and through food processing training to empower beneficiaries with sustainable livelihood skills.

Since its establishment in December 2023, Temmy Helping Hands has already made significant strides in alleviating hunger and poverty. Past achievements include food distributions during World Food Day celebrations and financial support for widows.

Bakare also announced an upcoming initiative, “Make This December One to Remember,” which will provide assistance to 500 vulnerable individuals during the festive season.

She called for partnerships to expand the scope and reach of the Ibadan Food Bank, urging individuals, organizations, and corporations to support the initiative through food donations, financial contributions, and volunteering.

Highlighting various ways to collaborate, she appealed for sponsorship of families or meals, establishment of endowment funds, employee volunteer programs, and media campaigns to raise awareness.

According to Bakare, such contributions would not only transform lives but also demonstrate a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

She thanked the awardees for their dedication to humanitarian service, urging everyone to join in the fight against hunger.

“Together, we can ensure that no one in Ibadan goes to bed hungry. Every act of kindness matters,” the Founder added.

The keynote address at the occasion was delivered by Dr. Ibraheem Okunlola Akinwale, an Assistant Director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who spoke on strategies for coping with the economic hardship in the country.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Princess Oyedele Bolatito, from Oyo State WAZOBIA Widows commanded Temmy Helping Hands and Youth Empowerment Foundation for the laudable initiative, urging others to emulate such kind gesture.

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Two-Thirds of Nigerians Can’t Afford Healthy Meals — NBS

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A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-thirds of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals. The survey, titled Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024), underscores the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.

The report shows that approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one.

Power Outages and Access to Energy

The survey also sheds light on the nation’s energy crisis, revealing that Nigerian households experience an average of 6.7 power blackouts per week. While 82.2% of urban households have access to electricity, the figure drops to 40.4% in rural areas.

Cooking remains predominantly dependent on traditional methods, with 65% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on firewood. However, the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is reportedly increasing.

Sanitation and Asset Ownership

In terms of sanitation, the report highlights that many households still lack basic toilet facilities, relying on bushes or streets for waste disposal. Access to clean drinking water is often through tube wells or boreholes, reflecting a lack of formal infrastructure in many areas.

On asset ownership, the survey indicates a decline since 2018/19. While two-thirds of households own mobile phones, only 21.3% have internet access. Housing ownership remains significant, with 70.4% of households owning their homes—80.1% in rural areas compared to 49.1% in urban centers.

The NBS report provides a stark reminder of the challenges many Nigerians face daily, from food insecurity and power outages to inadequate sanitation and declining asset ownership. It calls for urgent policy interventions to address these critical issues and improve the living standards of the population.

 

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