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School feeding: Sadiya Umar-Farouk’s modest style of accountability to Nigerians
During the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, the robust school feeding programme of the federal government could not have cease, having introduced additional palliative measures to cushion the effects of the world ravaged scourge.
This will be counter productive to an existing policy of government that guaranteed healthy living not only to families but to many of their dependants, even while on compulsory and unplanned holidays.
Under the supervision of Umar-Farouk Sadiya’s Humanitatian Affairs, Social Development and Disaster Management Ministry, the imperatives and possibility was brought on board to sustain the generally embraced policies along with the new innovations.
Even though, at that prevailing circumstances, ordinary Nigerians that formed the chunk of parents of students enjoying the school feeding programme before the events of COVID-19, were also directly affected by the sudden global health emergency.
It will be unwise for the Ministry to insulate any of these actors or beneficiaries, hence the genuine ideals of convening the world applauded empowerment and intervention policy of the federal government, towards the welfare of the vulnerable.
But, for many Nigerians who strongly believe, still lies in the ‘Business as usual’ connotations, whiping up sentiment on the possibility of any underlying sharp practices became the other of the day.
In its transparent and people centered programmes, basically from the transition of the N-SIP programmes from the presidency with no visible bottlenecks, it became good riddance to bad rubbish for the Humanitatian Affairs, Disaster Management to take full charge to ensure deployment of school feeding arrangement, even outside the school period.
The detail analysis from the breakdown given by the Minister on how the school feeding were deployed, even during the lockdown without any encumbrance, bring to fore further due process embraced by the new Ministry under Sadiya Umar-Farouk’s arrangement.
It had also douse needless altercations and insinuations being bandied by many Nigerians, as to the workability of the programme even while the pupils were put out of school as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
This positive developement was arrived using the same method and procedure that was used while the children were in school and on holidays, since that does not mean, they will not eat from the house or starved away from school.
It had also complement greatly other measures put in place either in palliative, payment of N- Power beneficiaries, Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), Trader Moni anchored by the Ministry, and deployed through the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
What Sadiya’s N-SIP was able to achieve through a well thought out arrangement, is the overall digitization of the entire process beginning from all the phases of social Investements, so as to have direct impact on the beneficiaries devoid of any hitches.
There is no gainsaying the fact that what transpired during the lockdown on the school feeding programme fell short of expectations, since the respective states of the Federation had expressed full commitement and willingness of the Federal Government to improve on the programme.
This programme under the new Ministry, was not the usual government good intentions laced with poor execution, but meant to accelerate human capital developement, self sustenance and good living.
With Sadiya Umar-Farouk’s legacy and leadership of N-SIP, no doubt, given the enabling environment, will exterminate poverty, bring about self reliance and self developement.
Abubakar Yusuf, a Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Abuja
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Spark News honours Gov Aiyedatiwa, Barau, Kalu, Hanga as Best Performing Governor, Senators
The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has been named Spark News Daily’s Best Performing Governor for 2024.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin (Kano North) Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) and Senator Rufai Sani Hanga (Kano Central) were also named the Best Performing Senators.
Rising from its first quarterly consultative meeting with editorial board members, staff and associates, the management of Spark Media & Entertainment Ventures, the publisher of Spark News Daily – Nigeria’s most sought-after online newspaper, honoured these prominent Nigerians for their sterling performances in their respective offices.
A statement by Prevail Inegbenose, the Editor-in-Chief of Spark News Daily, on Wednesday 12th February, 2025 and made available to newsmen in Abuja, stated that the versatile Ondo governor was selected after a painstaking review and consideration of his achievements in 2024.
According to the statement, Gov Aiyedatiwa stood out among others with his leadership style, infrastructural developments as well as the massive transformations the Sunshine State had experienced since his assumption of office.
The statement further stated that the varied on-going projects in the State, particularly road constructions, educational revamps and investment in agriculture are clear indications that the governor is on a mission to make Ondo an enviable state among the states of the Federation.
“From 27 December 2023, when he was sworn-in as the governor of Ondo State to the time he was re-elected, up to this day, Gov Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has brought infrastructure and human capital development to the state”.
The governor’s proactive initiatives have positioned Ondo State as an emerging and attracting investment hotspot.
Meanwhile, the Aiyedatiwa-led administration has cultivated a peaceful environment where both residents and businesses can thrive securely.
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Akwa Ibom Federal Lawmaker, Jimbo boasts of massive constituency projects as first timer to the House of Representatives [See Lists]
A first time Nigeria House of Representatives member, Honourable Clement Jimbo has boasted that he empowered his constituents with a TIPPER to set an empowerment standard in Nigeria.
Jimbo disclosed this on Tuesday in a chat with selected journalists at his National Assembly‘s office in Abuja.
Rep Jimbo who is representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the 10th Assembly said since the history of political empowerment in Nigeria, no politician; President, Governor, Senator, Honourable Members or whoever has given a Tipper to his/or constituents as a result of empowerment.
“I donated a Tipper to “Tipper Loaders Association” in my Constituency in fulfillment to my campaign promises to them. During my campaign, I told them if you support me and i win my election I will make you Tipper owners instead of you to remain loaders and that was what we did in December last year.
“And I equally check it was the first time ever such an empowerment was carried out in the history of Nigeria political empowerment. No Parliamentarian, no governor, no president in the history of empowerment has ever given a Tipper to Constituents Literally that gesture just elevated those who were just loading Tipper to been the owners. Take it or leave it from that moment their standard of living has change and the joy of been a Tipper owners has overwhelmed them, I am happy about .that,” he boasted.
However, Jimbo noted that, none of his predecessors has achieved in four or eight years what he has achieved in less than two years in terms of empowerment and representation.
He also expressed optimism that his bill on the Establishment of the National Commission for Technology Transfer, Acquisition, and Promotion will be passed for third reading in the House and receive assent from the President. Adding that the bill was born out of patriotism to help ramp up the solid minerals of Nigeria and add value to our raw materials.
Rep Jimbo insisted that the bill will add to our GDP and reduce our unemployment rate as well as other beautiful advantages for Nigeria.
“If you look at the Super powers, America, China, Germany, Canada and others, it clearly underscores the essence of the bill. So, I am not worried that the house committee on science and technology is yet to report back to the house for further legislation after a public hearing in December. They are still working on it-remember it has been 2025 budget defence all this while and until the budget is finally pass the committee won’t have chance for other matters
“ As a country you must have what you need to bargain what you want.The core value of the bill was to leverage on our huge population to attract what we do not have to further add value to our raw materials.
“I think the committee on science and technology will do the needful looking at the merits of the bill.”
On the bill to Establish Federal University of Agriculture, Abak, Akwa Ibom which scaled second reading on the floor of the senate, Jimbo commended the senate and particularly the sponsor of the bill.
Reacting to the jack up of the 2025 budget from the initial N49.7trillion to N54.2trilion by the executive, he said it was a pen staking work of the parliamentarians to make sure every development component was captured in the budget and coupled with complaints from the MDAs of inadequate provisions of their 2025 appropriation.
The vice chairman house committee on National Planning and Economy Development said his committee in conjunction with Finance and Appropriation looked at the merits and demerits of the complaints by the MDAs and advised the executive to give attention to grey areas as contained in the complaints. That he said gave birth to the jack up of the 2025 budget.
BELOW ARE SOME ACHIEVEMENTS OF REP. CLEMENT JIMBO AS A FEDERAL LAWMAKER IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS
BILLS
1. A Bill for an act to establish Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Midim, Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. (Passed in the House)
2. A Bill for an act to establish National Commission for Technology Transfer. (Passed 2nd reading)
MOTIONS
1. Motion calling on the FG to construct Obiobom Community Collapsed Bridge, Abak Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
2. Motion for Amendment of 2014 Pension Act.
3. Motion calling on FG to end food insufficiency through Mechanized farming
4. Motion to curtail incessant arrest and detention of journalists in Nigeria.
5. Motion mandating the Inspector General of Police to aide the release of abducted Akwa Ibom State prospective corp members in Zamfara State.
6. Motion mandating the Executive Arm of Government to comply with section 11(1) b of Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007
7. Motion for inclusion of Odukpani-Itu road project in 2025 Appropriation and ensure adequate budgetary provision.
8. Motion for Federal Government to wade into Nkari Communal crisis to restore and maintain peace in the area.
PETITIONS
1. Petitioning of Nigerian Army to pay Compensation to Ibagwa communities land owners.
2. Petitioning of Nigerian Army to release Mfonma Mfon Effiong who was illegally detained in their Barrack.
3. Petitioning of Nigeria Police Force to reinstate one of his constituents, Imo Jackson who was unlawfully dismissed from NPF.
4. Petitioning of Nigerian Army for reinstatement of Mr. Udoekong Inibehe who was unlawfully dismissed from Army.
5. Petition against Discrimination, Victimization and Wrongful Disengagement of Mr. Simon Archibong from service by Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and also call for his reinstatement.
TRAINING/EMPOWERMENT & DISTRIBUTION OF PALLIATIVE
1. Training of 75 Youths on ICT and also empowered them with HP Laptops.
2. Training of 31 Female Youths on Cosmetology and provision of start up grants.
3. Empowerment of 31 constituents with hair dryers and start up grants.
4. Empowerment of 31 constituents with sewing machines and start up grants.
5. Training of 200 youths on Silk Plastering and empowering them with starter pack.
6. Empowerment of four constituents with four first grade Toyota Camry Cars.
7. Distribution of grains as palliatives which includes:
(a) 50 bags of 50kg rice.
(b) 4,500 bags of 10kg rice.
8. Empowerment of 93 Women with 50,000 business grants in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency
9. Free premium motor spirit distribution to motorist in Abak, Etim Ekpo & Ika Federal Constituency.
10. Distribution of 300 bags of 10kg rice, 300 bags of 10kg garri, 300 bags of 10kg beans, 30 cartons of vegetable oil, 40 cartons of tin tomato, 40 cartons of seasoning, 2 pieces of blankets and 200 pieces of blankets to Flood victims in his constituency.
11. Human Capacity Development Training/Empowerment of 250 Women and Youths in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
12. Empowered Abak Tipper Loaders Association with a Tipper
13. Empowered a Cobbler with half a million naira to support his shoe making business.
FACILITATION OF PERSONABLE JOBS
Federal Government jobs has been facilitated for his Constituents in the following Federal Government Agencies:
1. Nigerian Navy.
2. Nigerian Army
3. Nigeria Police Force.
4. Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps.
5. Federal Civil Service.
6. Federal Capital Territory Administration.
CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS
1. Completion of Abak Village TowwaPHall.
2. Grading of Ediene Abak – Etinan 8.10km road.
3. Installation of hundreds of solar powered street lights in Ediene Abak and Premium FM Avenue, Utu Abak.
4. Solar Powered Borehole, Ikot Oku Ubara, Ediene, Abak Local Government Area.
5. A Block of Six Classrooms at Government Primary School, Ibanang, Ediene, Abak Local Government Area.
6. Solar Powered Borehole, Eka Offiong, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
7. A Block of Six Classrooms at Qua Iboe Church Town School, Uruk Ata 2, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
8. Solar Powered Borehole at Ikot Abara Village, Ika Local Government Area.
9. A Block of Six Classrooms at Primary School, Ikot Inyang Village, Ika Local Government Area.
10. Installation of solar powered street lights in rural communities of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
11. Grading of roads in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES
1. Distribution of 100 carton of chalks.
2. Free distribution of 2,500 school bags to pupils in public Schools in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
3. Distribution of 20,000 copies of exercise books.
4. Payment of 50,000 Bursary each to 80 Students of Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in Tertiary Institutions.
5. Purchased of 80 JAMB forms to prospective candidates and sponsorship of free JAMB classes.
6. Scholarship award to Abak Federal Constituency International and Local Students.
FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH
Free medical treatment/ surgery and distribution of medicines to over 2,500 constituents in Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika Federal Constituency.
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Amangwu Day Celebrations 2024: Launch of Exclusive Line of Branded Amangwu Day 2024 Merchandise
The highly anticipated Amangwu Day Celebrations 2024 is fast approaching, bringing with it a special cultural festival of love, unity and development and the official commissioning of the Amangwu Townhall Project.
In preparation for this monumental event, the Central Planning Committee (CPC) has launched an exclusive line of branded merchandise, including customized t-shirts, caps, hoodies, and tracksuits, among others to promote the Amangwu brand and generate excitement for the Amangwu Day Cultural festival.
In a statement from the CPC Chairman, Amb. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke, the committee warmly invites all Umu-Amangwu, as well as friends of Amangwu and Arochukwu Kingdom, to embrace the spirit of unity, love and cultural pride by sporting these materials as casual wear during this festive season and beyond. These items, available for all, serve as a symbol of solidarity and love for both humanity and community, especially during this Christmas season in celebration of Amangwu Day.
The Amangwu Day Cultural Festival of love, unity and development promises to be a remarkable gathering, celebrating Amangwu’s rich cultural heritage and communal spirit. This year’s event will culminate with the Love Feast Commemorative Ceremony and the long-awaited commissioning of the Amangwu Townhall, a landmark project that reflects the growth and aspirations of the Amangwu people and community.
The Event is Scheduled as follows:
Date: 29th December 2024
Time: 12:00 PM
Venue: Amangwu TownHall Grounds, Amangwu, Arochukwu, Abia State of Nigeria
The CPC looks forward to welcoming all Umu-Amangwu, special guests, and friends from across Arochukwu Kingdom and beyond to join in this joyous occasion. It is an invitation to celebrate not only the cultural richness of Amangwu but also the unbreakable bonds that unite our people, now and for generations to come.
God bless and Prosper Amangwu.
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