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2023: Tinubu knocks Atiku, says Delta not ATM for presidential candidate who loves Dubai more than Nigeria

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2022

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The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said Delta State is not an “ATM” for “migratory politicians”.

He said the state’s funds may have “found a home” with a presidential candidate who “loves Dubai more than Nigeria”.

Atiku Abubakar, standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is known to spend considerable time in Dubai where he has his family.

Speaking on Saturday during an APC rally in Warri, Delta, Tinubu said the state’s finances have been mismanaged, while he also criticised Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor and PDP vice-presidential candidate.

Tinubu also said the governors of Delta since 1999 have taken the residents “for a hard and long ride”.

“Delta is among Nigeria’s largest oil and gas producing states. Revenue from oil and gas has historically been the backbone of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings,” he said.

“As such your state and other oil producers have made a one-of-a-kind financial contribution to the building of modern Nigeria. The nation is thankful to you.

READ Accept defeat, congratulate Tinubu, APC tells Atiku, Obi

“Delta has all it takes to be great and help lead the nation forward. Yet, for the past twenty-three years, those governing your state have taken you for a hard and long ride by selling you short. They have not done the things they should have and could have done for you.

“The infrastructure in the state was better 30 years ago than it is now. The state has recorded historic debts run up by the incumbent yet the infrastructure and other things still remain lacking because of under-investment and neglect.

“The money is much but it does not have legs. Where did it go? Not to your welfare. Perhaps, it has found a home with a certain presidential candidate who loves Dubai more than Nigeria. But Delta state is not an ATM for migratory politicians.

“It is a place where good and hardworking people reside and work to create decent and peaceful lives for themselves and their families.”

READ FULL TEXT: President Tinubu’s Independence Anniversary Speech

Tinubu said he will complete the ongoing Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) project in Delta if elected president.

In 2017, the federal government inaugurated the $20 billion GRIP project in Ogidigben area of the state.

The APC presidential candidate said investment in gas will become his government’s top priority if he ascends to power.

“Our government will further re-activate the multi-billion dollar Gas Revolution Industrial Park Project. President Buhari’s administration has made great strides in revisiting this project. We will complete it,” he said.

“Gas will become a national priority. I envision fertiliser and petrochemical plants, aluminium smelters, methanol plants, all creating jobs for the unemployed while producing goods that bolster farming, construction and other industries.”

Related Topics:2023 ELECTIONS Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP)Tinubu

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UPDATED: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

1 hour ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

Ngelale said Tinubu believes that Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience to ensure that no Nigerian student suffers a paucity of funds in the quest for tertiary education.

On April 3, Tinubu signed the student loans amendment bill into law to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education.

The law will allow Nigerian students in tertiary institutions to access low-interest loans for tuition and other academic needs.

Subsequently, the president appointed Akintunde Sawyerr as the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund.

Tinubu also appointed Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala as the executive director of finance and administration, while Mustapha Iyal will serve as the executive director of operations of NELFUND.

READ Arewa forum urges Tinubu to ignore voting patterns, treat the country as one

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

More to follow…

READ 2023: INEC publishes notice of election

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ICPC detains TETFund boss ‘over questionable N7.6bn project’

Published

8 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, confirmed the development on Friday.

Bakare said that Echono was invited by the anti-graft agency on Thursday.

“The executive secretary of TETFund is here with us. He has been invited for questioning. He is still in custody. He was invited yesterday.” Bakare said.

“He was invited on Thursday. He has not been released. He’s still with us. Investigation is still ongoing.”

It was earlier reported that TETfund awarded two contracts to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) within two months at the cost of N3.8 billion respectively without the approval of the federal executive council (FEC), which is required for the contract size.

The contract was to provide capacity building course and learning management systems to about 2 million students across higher institutions in the country.

READ Breaking: 10 more Kaduna Baptist school students freed after payment of N200 million ransom

In a rejoinder, TETFund said it did not award N7.6 billion contracts to two companies without due process.

The agency said it was wrong to say they were contracts, whereas they were ICT projects implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which doesn’t require competitive bidding in public procurement.

TETFund further said its disbursement guidelines were approved by the president on the recommendation of the “Fund’s Board of Trustees and concurrence of the Honourable Minister of Education in line with the TETFund Act 2011″.

In an interview with TheCable, Echono said there was no form of irregularity in the N7.6 billion project.