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NIA Gets N4.87bn Allocation To Track, Intercept Calls, Messages
The National Assembly has approved N4.87billion budget for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to track, intercept and monitor calls and messages on mobile devices, including Thuraya cell phones and WhatsApp.
The amount is part of the N895.8billion supplementary budget submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari, last month, and approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, last week, after increasing it by about N87billion.
The budget, according to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Barau Jibrin, is meant to procure equipment for the military and to fight further spread of Covid-19.
Details of the supplementary budget revealed that the NIA would spend N2,938,650,000 on Thuraya interception solution, while the WhatsApp interception solution would gulp N1, 931,700,000.
Apart from this, the NIA got additional N129million to enable its personnel embark on foreign training.
On its part, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) got a capital vote of N16.8billion to provide infrastructure, cyber intelligence centre/laboratory, independent lawful intercept platform (voice and advanced data monitoring) and tactical mobile geological platform.
Out of the N33.6billion approved for the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs as recurrent expenditure, the sum of N200million has been set aside to fumigate 19 police training institutes across the country.
The sum of N4.1billion was set aside for the feeding of trainees, while their allowances and salaries would gulp N910million.
Teaching allowances for training and support staff was put at N257million, while monitoring and evaluation of training would gulp N582million.
The Nigeria Police Force would also spend N2.2billion on other logistics and consumables.
In its capital component, the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs would spend N8.5billion to procure ballistic helmets, bulletproof vests and utility vehicles.
The Police Affairs Ministry also got N22.5billion vote to procure drones, ammunition, discreet intelligence equipment and other requirements.
The Defence Headquarters got N3.7billion to take care of additional 2,700 troops and execute the Cimices Quick Impact project, among others.
The DHQ, in the capital component of the budget, got N33.6billion to buy arms, ammunition, vehicles, generators, combat motorcycles, communication equipment and clothing, among others.
The Nigerian Army Headquarters got a total N 1.590billion as ration cash allowance/operation allowances, petroleum oil lubricants, contingency, monitoring and training, among others.
The capital vote of the Army Headquarters is put at N207billion to buy arms, ammunition, vehicles, surveillance equipment, body armour/protection and all classes of tyres, among other equipment.
The breakdown of the supplementary budget further showed that the Nigerian Navy got N5.9billion to fuel capital ships and Helot.
The Nigerian Navy, however, got a capital vote of N157.7billion to procure vehicles, arms, ammunition, power supply, general hardware, body armour/protection, surveillance equipment and other requirements.
On its part, the Nigerian Air Force got N8.2billion to carry out aircraft maintenance, fuelling and construction of airfield facilities, among others.
It also got a capital vote of N239billion to buy additional aircraft, arms, rehabilitation of barracks, special vehicles and others.
The Defence Space Administration got a capital vote of N43.3billion to provide satellite imaging, cyber security, tracking equipment, drones, infrastructure and vehicles.
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) got a capital vote of N14.8billion to purchase vehicles, communication equipment, arms and ammunition, among others.
The Office of the National Security Adviser got N17billion to complete its counter terrorism centre.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
