New jobs are on the way for Nigerians in the new year, according to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President, in his New Year message, said his administration would deploy ICT (Information and Communications Technology) platforms for the purpose of job creation and also ensure the diversification of the economy to support other emerging sectors.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan asked Nigerians to continue having faith in the  country and its democratic institutions while National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said that given the way Nigerians fought to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that they can equally “stand up to problems that seek to shackle us.”

There were similar goodwill messages from other political leaders.

Buhari hailed Nigerians for their resilience in facing “significant challenges that occurred as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the efforts to restore the global economy and social order.”

On the security challenge, he promised that government would not relent in tackling the problem citing the “number of insurgents and bandits who have willingly surrendered to our security forces and continue to do so through various channels and the Safe Corridor created for that purpose.”

“The persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country may have threatened to unravel the incremental gains achieved in the real sectors of the economy and in the administration’s overall objective to position the nation on the irreversible trajectory of sustainable growth and progress, but I assure you that we will remain resolute in our commitments and shall continue to press ahead with our programmes and plans,” he said.

He added: “The path to nationhood is often fraught with unpredictable difficulties and challenges, and most tried and tested nations have often prevailed through dogged determination, resilience, concerted commitment to unity and the conviction that the whole of the nation, standing together against all odds, is by far greater and would ultimately be more prosperous and viable than the sum of its distinguishable parts.

“Government, however, realises that victory on the battlefield is just one aspect of sustainable victory. We know that to fully win this war, we must also win the peace and real security lies in winning the hearts and minds of the affected citizens.

“To this end, working with our international partners and neighbouring countries, we would be deploying multi-faceted solutions that will be targeted at addressing human security at the grassroots, before it leads to insecurity.”

On the economy, Buhari said the 4.03% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2021 is indicative of the recovery being recorded in the economy and the confidence that is being shown through the policies the government has put in place after the outbreak of the pandemic.

“We may also recall that this recent growth is closely followed by the 5.1% (year on year) growth in real terms recorded by Nigeria in Quarter 2 of 2021. This growth was one of the best recorded by any nation across Sub-Saharan Africa. The 5.1% growth at that time was and remains the highest growth recorded by the Nigerian economy since 2014,” he said.

“Despite the challenges we have faced as a nation, the good news is that we have so far recorded four consecutive quarters of growth after the negative growth rates recorded in Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 of 2020 due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

We shouldn’t lose faith in Nigeria, democracy, says  Lawan

In a similar new year message, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said Nigerians should not lose faith in the  country and its democratic institutions.

“The current challenges will be overcome and become mere footnotes in our glorious national history,” he said

Describing 2021 as a challenging year for people all over the world, the Senate President said: “It is praiseworthy that beyond the challenges, we can see the rays of a bright future from the new year.

“As your elected representatives, our new year pledge is to continue to pursue our common desire of a just, peaceful and prosperous country.

“We promise to continue to discharge this responsibility without fear or malice, confident that by working in harmony, Nigerians will build the great country that is their abiding dream and manifest destiny.”

Lawan spoke of the determination of the National Assembly to “deliver an Electoral Act that stands the test of time in safeguarding democracy and the electoral process in Nigeria.”

He added: “We are also looking forward to receiving the report of our Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution upon our resumption from recess. We believe that the outcome of this very important exercise will promote unity, stability and peaceful coexistence in our country.

“The Electoral Act amendment bill and review of the 1999 Constitution will be topmost on our agenda as we reconvene for Legislative business in the new year.”

Omo-Agege challenges Nigerians on nation building in 2022

Deputy President of the Senate Ovie Omo-Agege urged Nigerians to use the New Year to renew their commitment to nation building.

The Delta Central lawmaker said though the outgone year 2021 was challenging, complicated by the surge of Coronavirus, he was optimistic that the new year 2022 would be a year of recovery.

He called on Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safety guidelines in order to be insulated from the pandemic.

On the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which President Muhammadu Buhari vetoed, the Deputy President of the Senate assured Nigerians that legislators would consult widely with their constituents before the National Assembly resumes on January 18, 2022.

He said: “Stakeholders agree that the 2010 Electoral Act is no longer in tune with current realities, hence the need for new legal framework for our elections.

“Consultations with our constituents will start immediately after the New Year festivities to feel their pulse on the President’s decision to decline assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and chart a way forward.

“We assure Nigerians that within the first week of resumption, we will come up with a workable solution to resolve the impasse.

“We can’t throw away the baby with the bath water. Without a doubt, the amended bill has so many innovations that would improve our electoral fortunes in line with best democratic practices globally.”

Reps Minority Caucus says enough of borrowing

Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives told the Federal Government to stop what it called reckless accumulation of debts, and borrowing spree which have placed a huge economic burden on the  nation.

The Caucus in a statement by its leader, Ndudi Elumelu, said government should take urgent steps in the new year to tackle poverty, unemployment, high costs and infrastructural retrogression by growing the productive sector and allowing hard working and creative Nigerians, especially the youths to meaningfully engage.

Read Also: Buhari rejects NASS’ insertion of 6,576 projects in 2022 budget

The Minority Caucus also said the government should end its lip service and adopt proactive measures to decisively tackle escalating acts of terrorism in the country, saying “our citizens have suffered a lot and the New Year should usher in a new lease of life”.

It said further that the government should be remorseful for its failures, use the New Year for deeper introspection, change its corrupt ways and focus on the wellbeing of the people ahead of its exit in 2023.

Mark preaches unity

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, pleaded with Nigerians to harp on those things that bring peace and unity to Nigeria in the new year rather than ruminating on issues that tend to undermine the cohesion of the country.

Mark said Nigeria has gone through turbulent times in the recent past; a situation he said must of a necessity be reversed for good.

“The grim reality is that the harsh economy, insecurity in the land and political crises are taking a huge toll on the citizens. The deterioration is unacceptable and cannot continue,” he stated.

Senator Mark added: “We must avoid those fault lines and work towards cementing the fragmented culture and tradition of brotherhood in the coming years”.

Ekweremadu charges FG to tackle insecurity

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, urged the Federal Government to rescue Nigerians from insecurity by prioritising the decentralisation of policing, starting with state police in the New Year.

Ekweremadu regretted that a vast nation like Nigeria that should thrive on the strengths of agriculture and industrialisation was being overrun by multifarious criminal cartels, which have been exploiting the country’s hugely unpoliced territories.

According to him, the much needed development, good governance, and credible 2023 elections would rely overwhelmingly on security of the lives and properties of Nigerians.

The lawmaker noted that whereas more political leaders were coming to terms with the imperativeness of state police, the political will was still gravely lacking.

Kalu cautions against hate speech

Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu, said Nigerians should  be steadfast, patriotic and optimistic in the new year.

The former Governor insisted that leaders at all levels of government must ensure the welfare of the people is a top priority on their agenda.

He added that the government and the governed must play complementary roles in building a prosperous, united and indivisible Nigeria.

Kalu made these remarks at his Igbere country home during the distribution of end of year gifts to his constituents as part of his annual end of year activities, according to a statement by his media office, in Abuja.

Equity, justice, fairness will guarantee unity, says Nnamani

A former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, said that a deliberate effort to promote equity, justice and fairness in the allocation and management of national resources would guarantee peace and unity among the diverse segments of the federation.

Nnamani (Enugu East Senatorial District) said perceived injustices in the country could be reversed if political leaders would make equity, justice and fairness the cardinal principle of governance.

He urged leaders at all levels to make conscious efforts to contain the escalating insecurity and restiveness in the land by doing the right thing.

Sylva: Let’s keep hope alive

Minister of State Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva predicted that 2022 would be better than 2021 in the nation’s socio-political environment and therefore, urged Nigerians to keep hope of a better Nigeria alive in the new year.

“2022 is going to be a good year for Nigeria. Things have started shaping up and with our collective support and prayers, we will achieve the Nigeria of our dream. This is not the time to despair but to rekindle our hope of a great and prosperous Nigeria,” Sylva said.

“We need to keep hope alive and dream big in 2022. The outgoing year was a challenging one especially with the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said adding that despite the challenges that characterised the year, “the government of President Buhari was able to make some remarkable achievements in the different sectors of the nation’s economy.”

There’s hope in 2022, says Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has praised residents  of the state and Nigerians generally for their resilience in the face of daunting security and economic challenges in 2021.

“The year 2021 was no doubt challenging. But I’m happy our people rose to the occasion. The lessons of the past year will serve as a useful instrument that will guide us to fruition in the years ahead,” he said.

Governor Ortom was pleased to note that Benue people have stood by him through thick and thin, promising that the interest, welfare and wellbeing of Benue people remains his firm commitment, mission and purpose throughout the days of his administration.

As a government, Governor Ortom promised that he will continue to implement policies, programmes and projects that have direct and positive impact on the citizens, adding, “this new year will restore hope and confidence in our land.”

Southern Senators predict year of abundance for Nigerians

The Southern Senators Forum declared 2022 as a year of abundance and prosperity for Nigerians

Chairman of the Forum, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who made this prediction in a statement on the occasion of the new year, urged all Nigerians to continue to have faith in God and be rest assured that whatever that is currently difficult at present will definitely be solved.

He said Nigerians could only savour the expected economic prosperity and gains when unity is guaranteed and security of lives and property is assured for rapid investment.

He added that God does not create human beings for hardship because when God created man and woman in the Garden of Eden, they were created in the midst of abundance.

The governorship aspirant of the APC in Ekiti State, said, “I am confident that in the new year, there will be prosperity and abundance for Nigerians. The issue of insecurity in the country and unemployment among our youths will be a thing of the past in this new year.

“I am imploring Nigerians to continue to have faith in God and be rest assured that whatever that is currently difficult at present moment will be resolved.

“God did not create human beings to suffer, when God created the first man and woman, they were created in the midst of abundance. Therefore, I am rest assured that all our challenges will be tackled in this New year by Almighty God.”

 

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday turned down the decision of the National Assembly to insert 6,576 projects in the 2022 budget.

Buhari said the inclusion of new provisions totaling N36.59 billion for what the federal lawmakers called National Assembly’s projects in the Service Wide Vote negates the principles of separation of powers and financial autonomy of the legislative arm of government.

The President spoke at the signing of the 2022 Appropriation Bill entitled “Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability” into law at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said he would return the act to the National Assembly for amendment as soon as the assembly resumes to ensure that critical ongoing projects cardinal to his administration do not suffer a setback due to reduced funding.

But Senate President Ahmed Lawan said the National Assembly did nothing wrong, arguing that the judgments of the legislature and the executive, on various issues do not always have to be the same.

The President’s displeasure confirms the lead story of the last Sunday’s edition of The Nation entitled 2022 BUDGET: MISGIVINGS IN PRESIDENCY OVER N1 TRILLION INCREASE BY NASS

Buhari, who yesterday also signed the Finance Bill 2021, which he said is critical to the execution of the 2022 budget, said  he assented to the 2022 Appropriation Bill to enable its implementation to commence today.

The President was disappointed that the NASS ignored his concern while presenting the budget in October that the fiscal year 2022 would be very crucial in his administration’s efforts to complete and put to use critical agenda projects, as well as improve the general living conditions of our people.

“It is in this regard that I must express my reservations about many of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the 2022 Executive Budget proposal,” he said.

He listed some of the ‘worrisome changes’ as follows:

“Increase in projected FGN Independent Revenue by N400 billion, the justification for which is yet to be provided to the Executive;

“Reduction in the provision for Sinking Fund to Retire Maturing Bonds by N22 billion without any explanation;

“Reduction of the provisions for the non-regular allowances of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Navy by N15 billion and N5 billion respectively.”

Continuing, he said: “This is particularly worrisome because personnel cost provisions are based on agencies’ nominal roll and approved salaries/allowances;

“Furthermore, an increase of N21.72 billion in the overhead budgets of some MDAs, while the sum of N1.96 billion was cut from the provision for some MDAs without apparent justification;

“Increase in the provision for Capital spending (excluding Capital share in Statutory Transfer) by a net amount of N575.63 billion, from N4.89 trillion to N5.47 trillion.”

Buhari was similarly shocked by reductions in provisions for some critical projects, including N12.6 billion in the Ministry of Transport’s budget for the ongoing rail modernisation projects; N25.8 billion from Power Sector Reform Programme under the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; N14.5 billion from several projects of the Ministry of Agriculture, and introducing over 1,500 new projects into the budgets of this ministry and its agencies.

He said: “Inclusion of new provisions totaling N36.59 billion for National Assembly’s projects in the Service Wide Vote, which negates the principles of separation of Powers and financial autonomy of the Legislative arm of government.

“The changes to the original Executive proposal are in the form of new insertions, outright removals, reductions and/or increases in the amounts allocated to projects.

“Provisions made for as many as 10,733 projects were reduced while 6,576 new projects were introduced into the budget by the National Assembly.

“Reduction in the provisions for many strategic capital projects to introduce ‘Empowerment’ projects.

“The cuts in the provisions for several of these projects by the National Assembly may render the projects un-implementable or set back their completion, especially some of this administration’s strategic capital projects.

“Most of the projects inserted relate to matters that are basically the responsibilities of state and local governments, and do not appear to have been properly conceptualised, designed and costed.

“Many more projects have been added to the budgets of some MDAs with no consideration for the institutional capacity to execute the additional projects and/or for the incremental recurrent expenditure that may be required.”

President Buhari declared that it was surprising that despite the National Assembly increasing projected revenue by N609.27 billion, the additional Executive request of N186.53 billion for critical expenditure items could not be accommodated without increasing the deficit, while the sum of N550.59 billion from the projected incremental revenues was allocated at the discretion of the National Assembly.

Explaining why he signed the bill despite its ‘flaws’, Buhari said it was to “enable its implementation to commence on 1st January, 2022.

He added: ”However, I will revert to the National Assembly with a request for amendment and/or virement as soon as the Assembly resumes to ensure that critical ongoing projects that are cardinal to this administration and those nearing completion do not suffer a setback due to reduced funding.”

On COVID-19 and budget implementation, the President was happy at the success recorded in the implementation of the 2021 Budget even in the face of the lingering adverse effects of the pandemic.

His words: ”The sum of N3.94 trillion that was provided for the implementation of capital projects by MDAs during the fiscal year has been released fully.

”To enable MDAs to complete the implementation of their 2021 capital projects and optimise the impact of the capital budget on the economy, they have been allowed to continue to expend the funds released for their 2021 capital budgets till 31st March, 2022.”

The President commended the understanding and speedy action of the National Assembly on this matter.

”As the 2022 Budget will be the last full year budget to be implemented by our administration, its effective implementation is very critical for delivering our legacy projects, promoting social inclusion and strengthening the resilience of the economy.

Read Also: Buhari to Nigerians: future will be written in gold

”The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning will implement all measures required to ensure timely and targeted release of capital votes.

”All MDAs are to effect early commencement of project implementation while ensuring productive use of funds provided for achievement of the objectives set for their sectors.

”Considering the incidence of new COVID-19 variants globally, we will ensure timely implementation of measures provided for in the 2022 Budget to contain the spread of the virus and protect our people.

”We continue to count on the collaboration of the state governments in our effort to protect the lives and livelihood of our people.”

To achieve the laudable objectives of the 2022 Budget, President Buhari pledged that the Federal Government would further intensify revenue mobilisation efforts.

He expressed optimism in the ability of the government to finance the budget considering the positive global oil market outlook and the continuing improvement in non-oil revenues.

”To achieve our revenue targets, revenue generating agencies and, indeed, all MDAs must ensure prompt and full remittance of collected revenues.

”Relevant agencies must also ensure the realisation of our crude oil production and export targets.”

The President also announced that as the 2023 Budget is going to be a transition budget, work will start in earnest to ensure early submission of the 2023-2025 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper as well as the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.

He directed Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to cooperate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, more specifically with the Budget Office of the Federation, to realise this very important objective.

He appealed to Nigerians and the business community at large to fulfill their tax obligations promptly and said that “being a deficit budget, the specific borrowing plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly.

”I count on the cooperation of the National Assembly for a quick consideration and approval of the Plan when submitted.

”All borrowings will be judiciously utilised and invested in our future growth and prosperity.”

The President also directed MDAs to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprises and/or the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission to explore available opportunities for public-private partnerships, concessions as well as climate finance arrangements to fast-track the pace of infrastructural development.

The 2022 Appropriation Bill was handed over to the President for signing by his Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

The event was witnessed by Senate President Ahmad Lawan; House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha; and Finance Budget and National Planning Minister  Zainab Ahmed.

Lawan: NASS doesn’t have to agree with the executive always

Justifying the action of the National Assembly in injecting the various projects in the budget, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the legislative arm did nothing wrong.

The judgments of the legislature and the executive on various issues do not always have to be the same, he said.

He said the National Assembly had done what was expected of it and carried out its actions based on its judgment, adding that the objections raised by the President were nothing to worry about.

His words: “I think the most important thing is: Mr. President is happy with majority of what the National Assembly has done; and that is the most critical thing that we need to focus on.

“As for the observations Mr. President has raised, this is a natural and logical tendency between the executive and the legislature.

“Sometimes our views on certain issues may not necessarily be the same kind of views that the executive will have and hold on any particular matter.

“So I don’t think what the President did, by raising some observations, is something that we should worry about.

“I’m happy that the President signed the budget in the first place and he said he’s going back to the National Assembly to seek amendments or virement, and this is the natural, logical, legislative process.

“So I’m happy that we have done our own part in our own way. This is based on judgments. When we asked for more resources coming from independent sources, especially from government owned enterprises, of about N400 to N500 billion is because we believe that these government-owned enterprises should contribute even much more.

“In fact, I hold the opinion that they should have contributed about a trillion at least, not N500 billion or so.

“So I believe that the National Assembly was right in its judgment, but there is nothing wrong in the executive arm of government coming back to the National Assembly to see how we’re able to dialogue and go through the process and see where the misunderstanding is. But I don’t think that is supposed to be worrisome development for us.”

The new Budget of N17.127 trillion was transmitted to the President by the National Assembly on Friday, December 24.

President Buhari had submitted the draft proposed 2022 Budget of N16.391trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, October 7, 2021, asking the legislators to give it a speedy consideration.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday swore in 14 High Court judges.

He urged them to dispense justice quickly and fairly, without fear or favour.

Of the 14 judges who took oath, nine were females.

The governor described the event as “building on a tradition of excellence which will increase our capacity to dispense justice, while also helping to raise a new generation of talents who will go on to do exploits in the highest courts of the land”.

Sanwo-Olu urged the judges to not only be efficient and fair, but be seen to be so.

He promised that the government remains committed to ‘fully supporting the judiciary to achieve it’s purpose and also ensure they the judges are comfortable enough to perform optimally’.

He added: “The judicial arm of government is an essential element for the proper and effective functioning of any democratic society.

“Without the honest interpretation and application of the laws of the land, society would be consigned to an existence of chaos and confusion.

“All eyes will be on you to dispense justice speedily, yet fairly and impartially.

“You will be expected to live and act above board in all circumstances.

“In your hands lies great power: the power to punish wrongdoers and free the innocent, the power to send a strong message to society about the primacy of the rule of law, and to contribute to the growing body of jurisprudence in the country.

Read Also: Catholic Bishop preaches hope, positivity in new year

“This power must be wielded with the utmost sense of care and responsibility.

“You must not only be efficient and fair, but you must also be seen to be efficient and fair by all.

“On our part, we remain committed to supporting the judiciary to fully discharge its constitutional functions and responsibilities.

“We are greatly fortunate to be inheritors of a great tradition of judicial reform and excellence in Lagos State.

“We have now commenced the full digitization of our courts’ system in Lagos State.

“The first phase, comprising 10 courtrooms, is nearing completion.

“This digitisation will help speed up court processes, enable the easy documentation and publication of accurate court transcripts, and also provide high-speed internet access for the use of judges and other judicial personnel…”

The Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, noted that the swearing in of the 14 judges makes it a total of 70 judges to be sworn in from 2019 till present.

He hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu for not interfering in the appointment process and so making the process easier.

Justice Alogba also hailed the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) for trusting the Lagos judiciary enough to approve more judges than requested for, making it the first in history.

He described the Lagos judiciary as the bench of excellence in Nigeria.

The Chief Judge who welcomed the new judges to the ‘family of discipline and integrity’, admonished them not to disappoint.

The judges who took oath are Justices Olubusola Okunuga; Adenrera Adeyemi; Olufolake Oshin; Oluwatoyin Odusanya.

Others are Justices Omolade Awope, Akinkunmi Idowu, Olalekan Oresanya, Mujibat Oshodi, Ismail Ijelu, Mosunmola Balogun and Mathias Dawodu.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law.

It is entitled “Budget of economic growth and sustainability.”

The budget, valued at N17.126 trillion, was transmitted to the President by the National Assembly on December 24.

The President also signed the Finance Bill 2021, which he said was critical to the execution of the 2022 budget.

Read Also: Lagos Assembly passes N1.758tr budget for 2022

President Buhari had submitted the draft proposed 2022 budget of N16.391trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly on October 7, calling on the legislators to give it a speedy consideration.

The breakdown of the budget include N869 billion for statutory allocation, N3.8 trillion for debt servicing, N6.9 trillion and N5.4 trillion for recurrent and capital expenditure respectively.

The oil benchmark was raised from the proposed $57 per barrel to $62.

The projected oil production is put at 1.88million barrels per day, including condensates.

Details shortly…

The Paramount Ruler of Gindiri in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Charles Mato Dakat, has regained freedom.

He has been reunited with his family.

The military confirmed the monarch’s release on Friday.

Dakat was kidnapped from his palace on Sunday at about 1:00am by suspected bandits.

The abductors made demanded N500million ransom on December 28.

It could not be ascertained as of press time if any ransom was paid .

The military said eight of the abductors were arrested.

Read Also: Abductors of Plateau monarch demand N500m

A statement by the information officer of Operation Safe Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa, reads: “While the Paramount Ruler of Gindiri in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Charles Mato was with his abductors, the commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Major General Ibrahim Ali placed the troops deployed at Gyanbus on red alert and hot trail of the perpetrators.

“Consequently, eight suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnap incidence and are being interrogated.

“Following this development, the paramount ruler early this morning of Friday 31 December 2021 was released by his abductors.

“Meanwhile Operations SAFE HAVEN is still very much on ground to ensure all those involved in the kidnap of the traditional ruler are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

There’s a City of David, not in Jerusalem, but in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. If the biblical City of David was magnificent, this one is no less so. If the earlier was a sight for sore eyes, the latter equally pulls its weight in grandeur.

Governor Dave Umahi, an accomplished engineer, conceived an ultra-modern state-of-the-art medical university for his state. He turned his idea into action, his dream to reality, and out came spectacular and breathtaking King David University of Medical Sciences, a modern City of David.

There are some Governors whom my principal, President Muhammadu Buhari loves, irrespective of political parties. Long ago, ever before he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engineer Dave Umahi had always been a special one. Even as a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governor, President Buhari had visited Ebonyi in 2017, and stayed the night, something not very common. It was simply because he saw a man making a mark in his domain, and party differences do not matter at that point. Not at all.

King David University of Medical Sciences is envisioned to develop specialized manpower in all aspects of medicine. It is programmed to provide manpower needs to address the challenge of Human Resources for health in line with new global realities and trends.

If you can dream it, and apply yourself to it, then you can achieve it. By July this year, the National Universities Commission had approved the academic citadel Umahi dreamt of.

We have always demanded for world class medical institutions in the country, so that Nigerians do not spend so much on medical tourism. Well, here comes one. In the King David University, there’s a 500-bed teaching hospital, which would compete with the very best in advanced countries of the world. Already, medical equipment are being installed, and best brains being assembled from within and outside the country, to run the facility.

Read Also: Buhari’s Christmas bonus for Police, by Femi Adesina

The hospital, according to Prof Jessy Uneke, Vice Chancellor of the university, will produce dialyzers, a special consumable for kidney dialysis, from mid 2022, and also have an oxygen production plant, for medical and other uses.

The university is already being touted as the most beautiful campus in Africa (though we that attended University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, will not readily agree with that). It’s core values are; Excellence, Godliness, Ethics, Compassion, Respect, Delivery, Collaboration, Innovation, Accountability, Learning, Improvement, and Sustainability.

What of the Centers being paraded by the university? They include; Maternity and Child Care, Cancer treatment/Oncology, Eye Centre, Dialysis Centre, Laboratory Unit, Radiology, Oxygen Production Plant, Virology and Quarantine Unit, Dental, Pharmacy, among others.

King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, is good thinking, good product. And if you ask me, that is what all our helmsmen in States should do. They should leave their footprints on the sands of time, so that if they aspire for higher offices, the showpiece they have made of their States would stand them in good stead, serve as reference points.

Talking of the hospital, Gov Umahi said: “We are happy that we have opportunity to change the narrative in this direction, and we are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for the financial support in building the Cancer and Isolation Centers.

“It is my prayer that this institution will close the gap that is causing our people to embark on foreign medical trips/ studies as it is designed to solve medical challenges that take our people outside the country.”

The Governor thanks President Buhari for his support. That is the man from Daura for you. Anything that will bring positive changes to bear on the lives of the people, he would support. Recall the humongous refund he approved for Federal roads in a state where the Governor is always abusing him. Malice towards nobody, it’s about our country. That is President Buhari for you.

Where there is no vision, the people perish, says the Good Book, Governor Umahi has the vision of a world class medical university. And he has translated it to action. May we have many more visioners like that in this country.

“There is a River, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God.” (Psalm 46:4). King David University is like that River. It makes us glad. Thank you Governor Umahi. You have ended 2021 on a high, through this project.

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity