Tinubu Government Allocates N185 Billion Palliative Package to States and FCT Following Subsidy Removal

Tinubu Government Allocates N185 Billion Palliative Package to States and FCT Following Subsidy Removal

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

In a bid to alleviate the economic impact of the recent fuel subsidy removal, the Tinubu-led government has unveiled a comprehensive palliative plan. A total of N185 billion will be disbursed among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to address the challenges arising from the policy change.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State made the announcement during a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, immediately following a session of the National Economic Council (NEC). This groundbreaking initiative aims to mitigate the financial strain experienced by Nigerians due to the subsidy removal.

The disbursement, slated to occur over a specific timeline, will see each state receiving N5 billion from the allocated fund. This measure seeks to empower states to initiate localised interventions and strategies that best suit their respective populations and economic conditions.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, the chairman of the NEC, presided over the meeting where the decision was made. The National Economic Council consists of the governors of all 36 states, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and various other high-ranking officials.

With this move, the Tinubu administration demonstrates a proactive approach to ameliorating the economic challenges brought about by subsidy removal. The allocation of substantial funds to the states and FCT underlines the government's commitment to providing immediate relief and fostering a more resilient and prosperous economy.

 

 

 

Tinubu Announces Ministerial Portfolios, Designates FCT to Wike and Labour to Lalong

Tinubu Announces Ministerial Portfolios, Designates FCT to Wike and Labour to Lalong

By Nightenglae Ben-Onyeukwu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially revealed the list of ministerial portfolios for his selected appointees. The lineup is as follows:

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy – Bosun Tijani

Minister of State, Environment, and Ecological Management – Ishak Salako

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy – Wale Edun

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy – Bunmi Tunji

Minister of Power – Adedayo Adelabu

Minister of State, Health, and Social Welfare – Tunji Alausa

Minister of Solid Minerals Development – Dele Alake

Minister of Tourism – Lola Ade-John

Minister of Transportation – Adegboyega Oyetola

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment – Doris Anite

Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology – Uche Nnaji

Minister of State, Labour, and Employment – Nkiruka Onyejeocha

Minister of Women Affairs – Uju Kennedy

Minister of Works – David Umahi

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development – Festus Keyamo

Minister of Youth – Abubakar Momoh

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – Betta Edu

Minister of State, Gas Resources – Ekperikpe Ekpo

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources – Heineken Lokpobiri

Minister of Sports Development – John Enoh

Minister of Federal Capital Territory – Nyesom Wike

Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy – Hannatu Musawa

Minister of Defence – Mohammed Badaru

Minister of State Defence – Bello Matawalle

Minister of State Education – Yusuf T. Sunumu

Minister of Housing and Urban Development – Ahmed M. Dangiwa

Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development – Abdullah T. Gwarzo

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Atiku Bagudu

Minister of Environment and Ecological Management (Kaduna)

Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory – Mairiga Mahmud

Minister of State, Water Resources, and Sanitation – Bello M. Goronyo

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security – Abubakar Kyari

Minister of Education – Tahir Maman

Minister of Interior – Sa’Idu A. Alkali

Minister of Foreign Affairs – Yusuf M. Tuggar

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare – Ali Pate

Minister of Police Affairs – Ibrahim Geidam

Minister of State, Steel Development – U. Maigari Ahmadu

Minister of Steel Development – Shuaibu A. Audu

Minister of Information and National Orientation – Muhammed Idris

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice – Lateef Fagbemi

Minister of Labour and Employment – Simon B. Lalong

Minister of State, Police Affairs – Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim

Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs – Zephaniah Jisalo

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation – Joseph Utsev

Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security – Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Joe and Jill Biden to Visit Wildfire-Devastated Lahaina in Hawaii

 Joe and Jill Biden to Visit Wildfire-Devastated Lahaina in Hawaii

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

In a move aimed at showing solidarity with the residents of Lahaina, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are scheduled to travel to Hawaii next week to witness firsthand the devastating aftermath of the wildfires that swept through the town. The White House confirmed this development on Wednesday as the death toll from the disaster climbed to 110.

The official announcement was made by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who revealed that the presidential visit is set to take place on Monday. The Bidens will be received by state and local leaders upon their arrival in Maui. The primary purpose of the visit is to assess the extensive impact of the wildfires on both human life and the environment. The couple will also engage in discussions with officials regarding the ongoing recovery efforts and future plans for rehabilitation.

Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Biden remains steadfast in his commitment to provide comprehensive federal assistance to aid Hawaii’s recovery. She mentioned, ‘The president continues to marshal a whole-of-government response to the deadly Maui fires, and he has committed to delivering everything that the people of Hawaii need from the federal government as they recover from this disaster.’

The president’s handling of the wildfire crisis has been met with criticism, particularly from prominent Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. In a video message, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Biden’s response, highlighting the president’s choice to respond with ‘no comment’ when questioned by reporters about the rising death toll during the previous weekend. Trump criticised Biden’s demeanour during this response, considering it insensitive given the tragic circumstances.

The White House, however, defended Biden’s actions, pointing out his consistent communication with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Hawaii's leadership, including Governor Josh Green. While the president addressed the wildfires publicly on Tuesday, he faced further backlash for mistakenly referring to Maui as the ‘Big Island,’ which is an alternate name for the island of Hawaii—the largest of the Hawaiian Islands.

President Biden had previously expressed his intention to visit Hawaii but decided to wait until it was deemed appropriate to avoid disrupting ongoing disaster-relief operations. This trip is seen as an opportunity for the president and first lady to provide their support and condolences to the affected community and assess the situation on the ground directly.