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SURE-P Earmarks N436m For Hotel Project

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12 years ago

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The Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has earmarked N436 million for construction of a three-star hotel in Minna to boost economic activities and reduce youth unemployment in the state.

The SURE-P State Director General, Alhaji Hassan Nuhu, who disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen in Minna, said the project would be executed in partnership with the Niger State Development Company.

Nuhu said that the contract for the 50-bed hotel project had been awarded to Fourth Dimension Limited with 10 months delivery period.

“The contract has been awarded to a reputable firm that has the track record of performance for the construction of a 50 bed-room and three star hotel to add value to Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi Conference Centre.

“The hotel will have syndicated rooms for use by those patronising the conference centre as well as shopping outlets and sporting facilities.

“It will also have catering centre that will serve as a hub for training of 200 youths annually on modern catering services , in a bid to reduce youth unemployment in the state.

“The SURE-P directorate will provide 70 per cent cost of the project, while the Niger State Development Company will provide 30 per cent balance cost of the project, the money for the project is at hand.

“However, we will not embark on any ground breaking ceremony rather we have instructed the contractor to keep the work schedule.

“So, that the project is to be completed within the 10 months period effective from October 1, to meet the July, 2014 dateline meant for the inauguration of the project,’’ he said.

According to him, work has since commenced in earnest at the site of the project.

“If you visit the site, you will see work going on, even on Sunday as both the directorate and the contractor are committed to the delivery of the project on time’’.

Nuhu assured that the directorate was committed to youth empowerment programmes in all spheres of the economy.

Former Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammed Pate (2nd-right) presenting midwifery kits to beneficiary, Hajia Zainab Umar, during the Sure-P Subsidy Reinvestment and empowerment conditional cash transfer pilot programme in Soro Ganjuwa Lga of Bauchi State last Saturday. With them are the executive chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Nisser Ali (right) Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Saleh (3rd-right). Photo: NAN

Former Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammed Pate (2nd-right) presenting midwifery kits to beneficiary, Hajia Zainab Umar, during the Sure-P Subsidy Reinvestment and empowerment conditional cash transfer pilot programme in Soro Ganjuwa Lga of Bauchi State last Saturday. With them are the executive chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Nisser Ali (right) Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Sagir Saleh (3rd-right). Photo: NAN

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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