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FG approves N350bn to support dams, irrigation facilities – Minister
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has said the Federal Government under Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund has approved over N350 billion to support dams and expansion of facilities across Nigeria.
Bagudu, made this known while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after he condoled with former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abul-Rashid Bawa, on the passing away of his mother in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
”The flooding is a dramatical change, it is a global challenge, and we saw what happened in Borno, among other states.
”If you watch footages coming from around the world, particularly in Europe, you will see a lot of flooding incidences.
”Climate change is real, lucky enough, President Ahmed Bola-Tinubu, recognised it, and took proactive steps where money was given to states.
”A number of interventions have been approved by the president, in addition to numerous timely release of Federal Allocation Account money.
”The federal government allocated N3 billion to each state of the federation to mitigate the effects of flooding.
”Gov. Nasiri Idris of Kebbi has intimated me that the state has taken possession of its share of the fund.
”The federal government, had in the Federal Executive Council last week, approved over N350 billion under the President’s renewed hope infrastructure fund to support dams and expansion of irrigation facilities,” he said.
Bagudu also revealed that the council had approved N900 billion on the Kebbi component of the Sokoto- Badagry High Way, saying, “It is the single biggest contract awarded under the current administration.”
According to him, there is another approval for construction of Zaria Kala-Kala road in Koko/Besse Local Government of the state.
The road, he said, joined other roads, particularly the awarded Melando – Warra in Birnin Yauri, Ngaski local government area of the state.
”Kebbi is blessed, we are lucky that infrastructural projects, among other numerous interventions in agriculture, animal husbandry, hospitals, schools, will compliment the ongoing developmental projects taking place in the state,” Bagudu observed.
He commended Gov. Idris, for his positive impact on uplifting the living standard of the people while steering the affairs of the state.
“I am also praising the governor for taking necessary action to bring relief to all communities affected by flooding and encouraging unrelenting cultivation of crops among farmers for self sufficiency in food production”, the minister said. (NAN)
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Monday that the United States was cancelling 83 per cent of programmes at the US Agency for International Development.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to give his administration time to assess overseas spending, with an eye to gutting programs not aligned with his “America First” agenda.
“After a six-week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programmes at USAID,” Rubio said on social media platform X.
“The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States,” he added.
USAID distributes US humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.
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The State Department, which oversees USAID, announced on February 26 its intention to cut 92 per cent of the agency’s program funding, identifying 5,800 grants to be eliminated.
Rubio on Monday notably thanked the Department of Government Efficiency, which billionaire Elon Musk is leading in a drive to slash costs and cut jobs across government departments.
Trump and his allies have argued that foreign assistance is wasteful and does not serve US interests.
But aid groups argue much of the assistance supports US interests by promoting stability and health overseas, and warn that cutting aid threatens the lives of vulnerable people.
AFP
The caution note was to ensure data security and integrity.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has advised Nigerians to modify their National Identification Number (NIN) details only through its official self-service portal.
In a statement signed by Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, on Monday, said the caution note was to ensure data security and integrity.
The agency reassured Nigerians that its self-service portal is secure, reliable, and provides users with the convenience of updating their information from anywhere.
The commission emphasised that NIN modifications should only be done on SelfserviceModification.nimc.gov.ng, warning the public against using unauthorised websites.
It noted “The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) wishes to state that in order to ensure the security and integrity of your National Identification Number (NIN) data, modifications can only be done on the official NIMC self-service portal: Selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng.”
It cautioned Nigerians against attempting to modify their NIN data on third-party platforms, stressing that such actions could expose personal information to fraudsters.
“Do not attempt to modify your NIN data on any unauthorized websites, as this may compromise your personal information and put you at risk of identity theft,” the statement read.
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Highlighting the benefits of the new portal, NIMC noted that the platform ensures data integrity while allowing Nigerians to modify their details without visiting an enrollment center.
“By using the official NIMC self-service portal, you can be rest assured that your data is secure and protected. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of updating your information from anywhere, at any time,” the commission stated.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the suit filed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to March 25, 2025.
The adjournment followed a submission by the respondents, who informed the court that they had not been served with the necessary documents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the Federal High Court, seeking an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her.
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Delivering a ruling on the application on March 5, 2025, the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, barred the committee from proceeding with the probe.
Details shortly…