Television Nigerian

Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, has asked citizens to observe Christmas with moderation and to help the weaker and less fortunate segments of society.

Abiodun made the request in his Christmas message during the state’s Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons, which was held on Tuesday at the Arcade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, according to a statement released on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran.

Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr. Daniel Okoh, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor of the State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and others were among the dignitaries who attended the carol service.

Christmas, according to Abiodun, is a season that brings people together from all walks of life and emphasizes the everlasting virtues of kindness, love, compassion, and faith.

“It’s a season that encourages us to look beyond ourselves and embrace the ties of friendship and family,” he said. Let’s reach out to those in need because doing so shows the world what Christ’s life is like.

He urged people to consider the genuine meaning of Christmas, which is sharing and giving, and added that Christmas would not exist without Christ.

“It’s a time to help those in need and give back to our community,” he continued.

In order to create a society where everyone may prosper, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to uplifting the weak by promoting inclusivity.

“Programs that bring love, compassion, and empowerment throughout Ogun State will continue to be promoted by us. “Our administration has put in a lot of effort to advance sustainable development, improve infrastructure, and improve public service,” he stated.

Abiodun pointed out that the community’s strength, the people’s resiliency, and their compassion for one another are what make his administration so successful, not the legacy it leaves behind.

The governor asked people to continue the teachings of kindness, unity, and hope for a better future as they look to the new year, while praying that the spirit of Christmas will fortify ties, encourage progress, and provide peace and prosperity to every family.

The Most Reverend Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, stated in his sermon titled “Building Our Future Together” that Christmas is a chance to make peace between God and humanity via Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

The CAN President cited John 2:7 when he stated that since Jesus’ birth brought humanity closer to God, believers should promote peace rather than harbor resentment.

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“Christmas should be celebrated with everyone, not just friends.” As Christians, we have to climb the mountain of hatred and carry the weight of peace. Since only peace leads to development, now is not the time to mistreat others, he stated.

Let’s concentrate on our commonalities. There are people who have never known the joy of Christmas, therefore let’s keep the needy and impoverished in mind. He went on, “Let’s go visit the homeless to let them know they belong in society.”

He praised Governor Abiodun for leading an inclusive government that has brought together all facets of the state’s population and characterized Ogun State as a place of peace where people from all over the nation live together.

While praying for the state and the country, Bishop David Oyedepo, the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), stated that although peace is elusive and unaffordable, it was brought into the world by the birth of Jesus.

He emphasized that when peace reigns, all issues are overcome, reminding Nigerians that the true meaning of Christmas is not just to celebrate but also to demonstrate love via harmonious coexistence.

The carol service’s highlights featured performances by several choirs and special guests, as well as Bible readings by the governor’s wife, the deputy governor, the speaker, the chief judge of the state, and the secretary to the state government, among others.

The Ministry of Water Resources’ Executive Management of 12 River Basin Development Authorities has been reorganized with approval from President Bola Tinubu.

This was disclosed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, in a signed statement headlined “President Tinubu approves Executive Management for River Basin Development Authorities,” which was made public on Wednesday.

They are:
OGUN-OSUN RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, ABEOKUTA (Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun)
1. Odebunmi Olusegun – Chairman (Oyo)

2. Dr. Adedeji Ashiru – Managing Director (Osun)

3. Ayo Oyalowo – Executive Director, Finance (Oyo)

4. Dokunmu Oyekunle – Executive Director, Planning and Design (Ogun)

5. Suleiman Oris – Executive Director, Agric Services (Lagos)

6 . Julius Oloro – Executive Director, Engineering (Lagos)

UPPER BENUE RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, YOLA. Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi)

1. Sanusi Babantanko – Chairman (Bauchi)

2. Samuel Mahmud Mohammed – Managing Director (Taraba)

3. Usman Bakare – Executive Director, Engineering (Taraba)

4. Ibrahim Jalo – Executive Director Finance (Gombe)

5. Isa Matori – Executive Director, Planning and Design Part of Bauchi

6. Hamman Dikko – Executive Director, Agric Services (Adamawa)

CHAD BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, MAIDUGURI (Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa)

1. Prof. Abdu Dauda – Chairman (Borno)

2. Tijjani Tumsa – Managing Director (Yobe)

3. Bashir Baale – Executive Director, Finance (Yobe)

4. lliyasu Muazu – Executive Director, Agric Services (Adamawa)

5. Mohammed Shetima – Executive Director, Engineering (Borno)

6. Vrati Nzonzo – Executive Director, Planning and Design (Borno)

BENIN-OWENA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (Edo, Delta North, Ondo and Ekiti)

1. Mike Ezomo – Chairman (Edo)

2. Femi Adekanbi – Managing Director (Ondo)

3. Dr. Austin Izagbo – Executive Director Planning and Design (Delta)

4. Johnson Oghuma – Executive Director, Agric Services (Edo)

5. Adegboyega Bamisile – Executive Director Finance (Ekiti)

6. Bayode Akinduro – Executive Director Engineering (Ondo)

NIGER DELTA BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (Rivers, Bayelsa and parts of Delta)

1. Ebikemi Bosin – Chairman (Delta)

2. Amgbare Ebitimi – Managing Director (Bayelsa)

3. Mary Alagoa – Executive Director Finance (Rivers)

A bill to prohibit the use of foreign currencies for payments and transactions within Nigeria was approved by the Senate on Tuesday in its first reading.

The proposed law aims to end discriminatory practices and boost trust in the local currency by requiring that all payments, including salaries and transactions, be made in naira.

This involves requiring that export payments be made in naira.

“A Bill to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, No. 7, to prohibit the use of foreign currencies for compensation and for other related matters” was the title of the bill.

The Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation is chaired by Senator Ned Nwoko, who sponsored it.

Senator Nwoko claims that Nigeria’s financial system’s extensive usage of foreign currencies devalues the naira and prolongs the country’s economic problems.

He said Nigeria’s economic independence is still hampered by the colonial practice of using the dollar, pound sterling, and other foreign currencies for domestic operations.

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“Prohibit salaries, transactions, and payments in foreign currencies, ensuring all workers, including expatriates, are paid in naira,” he added, was the goal of the measure.

Additionally, he suggested “selling crude oil and other exports only in naira, which would compel foreign buyers to buy the currency and increase its demand and value.”

The Naira will be “positioned as the central currency for all financial operations, reinforcing its dominance in the economy,” according to his argument.

Nwoko went on to say that the bill will outlaw black markets for currency, which threaten the official economy and promote unethical behavior like banks round-tripping.

In honor of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 82nd birthday, President Bola Tinubu wrote a tribute to him on Tuesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari, please. I want to congratulate you on your eighty-second birthday on behalf of the Nigerian government and people.

As you commemorate this incredible occasion in Daura, we consider the years of devoted devotion and leadership that have greatly influenced the development of our country.

“Many are inspired by your unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s progress and unity, and your lasting legacy continues to direct our country’s path towards stability and prosperity,” Tinubu wrote.

In addition to encouraging “us never to give up,” he praised Buhari for his perseverance and fortitude in running for president in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning in 2015 and 2019.

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As the head of the first administration led by the All Progressives Congress, I will keep advancing the infrastructure legacy you left for our country.

“May you continue to experience good health, happiness, and fulfillment in all of your endeavors, both now and in the future, and may you be surrounded by the love of your family and friends on this special day.”

The President said, “Happy Birthday, and thank you for your services to Nigeria.”

The Dangote Refinery came online thanks to a $1 billion loan secured by crude oil, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

According to a Punch report, this was said by Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer for the NNPCL, during the Energy Relations Stakeholders Engagement in Abuja on Monday, December 16.

“The Dangote Refinery was supported during liquidity issues by a calculated move to get a $1 billion loan guaranteed by NNPC’s crude, opening the door for the construction of Nigeria’s first private refinery.

He was cited as saying, “This initiative underscores NNPC’s dedication to fostering public-private partnerships that drive national development.”

Soneye did not, however, provide information about the terms of the arrangement or the payment procedures for the $1 billion that the NNPCL had obtained on behalf of Dangote Refinery.

He also alluded to the $3.3 billion Gazelle loan that the state-owned oil corporation facilitated as a crucial step to help stabilize the foreign exchange issue in the federation.

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Recall that the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the NNPCL announced a syndicated $3.3 billion crude oil prepayment facility in January of this year.

According to this organization, there are still unresolved issues about the $3.3 billion crude-for-cash loan from Afreximbank to NNPCL.

With the facility, the NNPCL aimed to stabilize the value of the Nigerian Naira, however several experts expressed concern about potential hazards.

The naira depreciated further against the dollar, from roughly N960 per dollar in January to N1,500 in December, in spite of the crude-for-cash agreement.
According to the bank, the transaction was one of the biggest syndicated debts created in Africa and the biggest crude-backed facility in Nigeria.

Bismarck Rewane, the CEO of Financial Derivatives Company Limited at the time, voiced concern about the NNPCL’s arrangements, stating that the naira had been under pressure in spite of them.