News
States’ll Soon Access World Bank’s $700m Loan For Water Projects -FG
The Federal Government has said that seven state governments in the country will soon access the World Bank’s $700million loan for water projects approved by the Federal Executive Council.
This was made known by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, while speaking at the 1st Rewards and Recognition Awards Ceremony, organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, in Abuja, yesterday.
The minister also expressed optimism that the Water Resources Bill would be passed by the National Assembly and given the Presidential nod to become law in January, 2022.
The $700million loan would be used to finance the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene projects for five years in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau states.
The programme is expected to deliver improved water, sanitation and hygiene services to 2,000 schools and health care facilities and assist 500 communities to achieve an end to open defecation free status.
Admitting that lack of access to potable water a problem for many communities, the Minister said: “Right now, we have been able to generate from the World Bank $700million for states to improve on the water supply situation. Some state governments are doing very well while others are not doing as much as we want them to do.
“So, what we do is to try very hard to support the States. All the incentives and efforts, we are putting in place is to encourage the States to invest more in water.
“The Water Resources Bill will be passed in 2022 by God’s grace. At this point the budget is the most important thing, but I can assure you that after the budget, it will be passed in 2022.”
On the objectives of the intra-ministry awards, Adamu stated that the Rewards and Recognition Policy of the government was a deliberate move to provide motivation and incentive to deserving civil servants to keep putting in their best in the service of the nation.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, stated that a healthy competitive spirit would help in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery in the ministry.
He, therefore, challenged those that did not win any laurel to commit themselves to doing their best for the nation.
While commending the Ministry of Water Resources for the initiative, Mustapha said: “As you continue with this recognition system, I also urge you to put in place an effective consequence management system so that the rewards system becomes a tool for improving productivity within the ministry.”
In her goodwill message, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan assured that the welfare of staff would continue to occupy a key position in the civil service strategy and implementation plan.
News
Tinubu Signs Bill Unifying Retirement Age For Judicial Officers

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday signed his first piece of legislation as President, when he assented to a constitutional amendment bill bringing uniformity to the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers in the country.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu assents to constitutional amendment Bill on uniformity in retirement age of judicial officers’.
The statement read in part: “In exercising the powers vested in him under the 1999 Constitution as amended, President Bola Tinubu yesterday at the State House assented to a fresh amendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu signed into law the ‘Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.37), 2023’ presented by the outgoing 9th National Assembly”.
It added that “With the signing of the Constitutional amendment Bill, retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers have been effectively brought into uniformity and other related matters”.
While signing the amendment Bill into law, Tinubu pledged his administration’s dedication to strengthening the judiciary, ensuring the rule of law, and empowering judicial officers to execute their responsibilities effectively.
News
Democracy Day: FG Declares Monday Public Holiday
The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 12, as a public holiday in commemoration of 2023 Democracy Day celebration.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, on behalf of the Federal Government.
While congratulating Nigerians on the occasion, Akinlade stated that the country’s democratic journey has encountered stormy and smooth sails, just like in many other climes.
She said, “But the ship of State, its institutions and most importantly, the Nigerian people have remained steadfast on the tenets of democratic governance.”
“On this memorable occasion therefore, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria are invited to appreciate the progress that has been made, celebrate the milestones covered and look forward to a better future for the country’s democracy.
“The Permanent Secretary wishes all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration, “ the statement added.
News
RSHA Screens Five For Commissioners, Today
Five commissioner nominees are to appear before the Rivers State House of Assembly, today for screening.
The nominees include Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Barr.(Mrs) Inime Aguma, Hon Nwafor Uchechukwu, Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbah and Hon. Henry Ogiri.
In a statement signed by the Acting Clerk of the House, Dr. Emeka Amadi, the five commissioner nominees are expected to appear before the lawmakers by 10am.
The nominees are also requested to submit 40 copies of their original credentials to the office of the Acting Clerk on or before 9am, today.
Four commissioners had earlier been screened by the Assembly and sworn in by the State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, last week.
These nominees, if screened and confirmed, will therefore, bring the number of commissioners in the State to nine in the last one week.
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