Connect with us

society

Bill Gates and the Nigerian Government By Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme

Published

on

Bill Gates and the Nigerian Government By Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme
So Bill (from reports) says the economic template being used by Nigeria does not have the ability to address the unique needs of its people. In his opinion it addresses people in the ‘upper middle-income status’ like Brazil, China and Mexico. Where is China economically again?
He says the ERGP focuses on ‘prioritizing physical capital over human capital ‘. He wants to see more investment in health and education or else there would be a LIMIT to how much the country can grow.
So the chicken and the egg which comes first?
It is no secret that the budgetary allocation to health and education has remained abysmally low over the years, worse still the fraction that is eventually released is subject to all sorts of beaurocracy and corruption. Most is spent on wages and entitlements. The infrastructural gaps in these sectors have been the subject of discussions over the years.
Now that we are here what do we do? Do we chase the chicken or the egg, or do we chase them both in a balance that addresses specific goals within a time frame given scarce and dwindling resources?
Are the economists etc that sat down to put together the ERGP idiots? Definitely not.
Is there coherence in government policy and implementation so far? My answer from what I see is YES.
Historically our weakness has never been in policy or on paper, it has always been in implementation. The devil has always been in political will and corruption. The presence of the aforementioned in this administration and its willingness to fight corruption via TSA etc is the reason I think they have a fighting chance. I will always give them that chance until I see them veer away completely from the straight and narrow.
I see this administration chasing the chicken and the egg at the same time in a balanced manner geared to achieve both human and physical capital goals in a manner that delivers optimally for a nation that had squandered its resources in the past and is now faced with lean years. It seems to me that they are tackling the issues in a stepwise manner that ensures that the egg can hatch without leaving the mother hen to die.
Can we focus completely on education without physical infrastructure? Will the bad roads not kill the children before they get to school? Or do we not need roads for acces to schools? Should the investment in health not be accessible by good roads and bridges? Are we not addressing and seeing significant improvements in school enrollment as a result of the school feeding program? What of the massive investment in the N5,000 to the most vulnerable? Did we not agree that this investment in the poor was a risk worth taking? What of the investments in Agriculture for food security (can hungry people develop?) and the fight against terror?
I know we all want Nigeria to work in a hurry but realistically that is impossible. However I expect government to sit like a hawk over its plans and policies ensuring that they deliver on their goals within their time frame.
The three planks on which they campaigned cannot be faulted; Security, fight against corruption and diversification of the economy.
I expect all levels of government to key in and play their roles in healthcare (primary health care is mainly the responsibility of states and local governments) and education. FG needs to focus more on primary and secondary education leaving tertiary to the hands of private individuals as obtains in Bill’s America.
We need to plan for health insurance especially to the poor and vulnerable, we need to set a target for reducing out of pocket payments for health. Our hospitals need investment in infrastructure, we need to train and retrain staff. This cannot be done by government alone. The private sector and individuals have a huge role to play. Bill is not a Nigerian, he has devoted a huge chunk of his wealth to tackling polio, HIV etc in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
We all need to do our part.
Nigeria is changing for the better, I hope we stay the course.

society

Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity

Published

on

Ramadan: Adron Homes Felicitates Muslims, Preaches Hope and Unity

Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan, urging Nigerians to embrace the virtues of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion that define the season.

In a statement made available to journalists, the company described Ramadan as a period of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and strengthened devotion to faith and humanity.

According to the management, the holy month represents values that align with the organisation’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and community development.

“Ramadan is a time that teaches patience, generosity, and selflessness. As our Muslim customers and partners begin the fast, we pray that their sacrifices are accepted and that the season brings peace, joy, and renewed hope to their homes and the nation at large,” the statement read.

The firm reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable and accessible housing solutions to Nigerians, noting that building homes goes beyond structures to creating environments where families can thrive.

Adron Homes further urged citizens to use the period to pray for national unity, economic stability, and sustainable growth.

It wished all Muslim faithful a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak.

Continue Reading

society

Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Published

on

Underfunding National Security: Envelope Budgeting Fails Nigeria’s Defence

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

“Fiscal Rigidity in a Time of Crisis: Lawmakers Say Fixed Budget Ceilings Are Crippling Nigeria’s Fight Against Insurgency, Banditry, and Organized Crime.”

Nigeria’s legislature has issued a stark warning: the envelope budgeting system; a fiscal model that caps spending for ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) is inadequate to meet the country’s escalating security challenges. Lawmakers and budget analysts argue that rigid fiscal ceilings are undermining the nation’s ability to confront insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist violence, oil theft and maritime insecurity.

The warning emerged during the 2026 budget defence session for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at the National Assembly in Abuja. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC‑Kebbi North), chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, decried the envelope system, noting that security agencies “have been subject to the vagaries of the envelope system rather than to genuine needs and requirements.” The committee highlighted non-release or partial release of capital funds from previous budgets, which has hindered procurement, intelligence and operational capacity.

Nigeria faces a multi‑front security crisis: persistent insurgency in the North‑East, banditry and kidnappings across the North‑West and North‑Central, separatist tensions in the South‑East, and piracy affecting Niger Delta oil production. Despite declarations of a national security emergency by President Bola Tinubu, lawmakers point to a “disconnect” between rhetoric and the actual fiscal support for agencies tasked with enforcement.

Experts warn that security operations demand flexibility and rapid resource allocation. Dr. Amina Bello, a public finance specialist, said: “A static budget in a dynamic threat environment is like sending firefighters with water jugs to a forest fire. You need flexibility, not fixed ceilings, to adapt to unforeseen developments.”

The Permanent Secretary of Special Services at ONSA, Mohammed Sanusi, detailed operational consequences: irregular overhead releases, unfulfilled capital appropriations, and constrained foreign service funds. These fiscal constraints have weakened intelligence and covert units, hampering surveillance, cyber‑security, counter‑terrorism and intelligence sharing.

Delayed capital releases have stalled critical projects, including infrastructure upgrades and surveillance systems. Professor Kolawole Adeyemi, a governance expert, emphasized that “budgeting for security must allow for rapid reallocation in response to threats that move faster than political cycles. Envelope budgeting lacks this essential flexibility.”

While the National Assembly advocates fiscal discipline, lawmakers stress that security funding requires strategic responsiveness. Speaker Abbas Ibrahim underscored that security deserves “prominent and sustained attention” in the 2026 budget, balancing oversight with operational needs.

In response, the Senate committee plans to pursue reforms, including collaboration with the executive to restructure funding, explore supplementary budgets and ensure predictable and sufficient resources for security agencies. Experts warn that without reform, criminal networks will exploit these gaps, eroding public trust.

As one policy analyst summarized: “A nation declares a security emergency; but if its budget does not follow with real resources and oversight, the emergency remains rhetorical.” Nigeria’s debate over envelope budgeting is more than an accounting dispute; it is a contest over the nation’s security priorities and its commitment to safeguarding citizens.

Continue Reading

society

Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday

Published

on

Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrates as She Marks Her Birthday

 

Today, the world and the body of Christ rise in celebration of a rare vessel of honour, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba, fondly known as Eritosin, as she marks her birthday.

Born a special child with a divine mark of grace, Rev. Mother Eritosin’s journey in God’s vineyard spans several decades of steadfast service, spiritual depth, and undeniable impact. Those who know her closely describe her as a prophetess with a heart of gold — a woman whose calling is not worn as a title, but lived daily through compassion, discipline, humility, and unwavering faith.

From her early days in ministry, she has touched lives across communities, offering spiritual guidance, prophetic insight, and motherly counsel. Many testify that through her prayers and teachings, they encountered God in a deeply personal and transformative way. Near and far, her influence continues to echo — not only within church walls, but in homes, families, and destinies reshaped through her mentorship.

A mother in every sense of the word, Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba embodies nurture and correction in equal measure. As a grandmother, she remains energetic in purpose — accommodating the wayward, embracing the rejected, and holding firmly to the belief that no soul is beyond redemption. Her life’s mission has remained consistent: to lead many to Christ and guide them into the light of a new beginning.

Deeply rooted within the C&S Unification, she stands tall as a spiritual pillar in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church globally. Her dedication to holiness, unity, and prophetic service has earned her widespread respect as a spiritual matriarch whose voice carries both authority and humility.

As she celebrates another year today, tributes continue to pour in from spiritual sons and daughters, church leaders, and admirers who see in her a living reflection of grace in action.

Prayer for Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin)

May the Almighty God, who called you from birth and anointed you for His service, continually strengthen you with divine health and renewed vigour.

May your oil never run dry, and may your prophetic mantle grow heavier with greater glory.

May the lives you have nurtured rise to call you blessed.

May your latter years be greater than the former, filled with peace, honour, and the visible rewards of your labour in God’s vineyard.

May heaven continually back your prayers, and may your light shine brighter across nations.

Happy Birthday to a true Mother in Israel — Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin).

More years.

More anointing.

More impact.

If you want this adapted for a newspaper page, church bulletin, Facebook post, or birthday flyer, just tell me the format and tone.

Rev. Mother Kehinde Osoba (Eritosin) Celebrated as She Marks Her Birthday

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending