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INEC Broke, Begs FG for Bailout

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Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
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Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that dearth of funds is affecting the welfare of his staff resulting in the commission’s inability to pay workers their emolument.

Jega speaking yesterday at the third quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), appealed to the Federal Government to bail the commission out  of  financial crunch.

He urged RECs not to be discouraged with all sorts of attacks and challenges from the stakeholders as the nation heads towards a general election, saying that they should remain focused and non-partisan in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He said, “As you are aware, we are doing our best to improve the working environment in the states, local government areas and even at the national level. And it is a very challenging task indeed because a lot of the things that we have to do require funds and budgetary provisions and, regrettably, we do not always get what we believe we need to be able address some of these challenges.”

He, however, pleaded with the Electoral Commissioners for understanding, stressing: “Bear with us as we continue to engage government and the legislators to have more resources to be able to improve our working conditions, improve our emoluments and other needs which will enable us to do our jobs even much better with greater satisfaction.”

Jega also underscored the challenges of the commission ahead of 2015, and encouraged the commissioners to be firm and be guided by legality in their decisions.

He maintained that, “There is no doubt that as we inch along and get closer to 2015, the work load on us increases, the pressure increases. We will come under all sorts of attacks and challenges from the gladiators in the arena. The key challenge for all of us is to remain focused on what is to be done, to operate within the law and ensure that we are impartial, non- partisan and we are fully compliant with the legal framework.

“With the kind of environment that we operate, we will not please everybody. When you take a decision, one side is happy and the other side is not happy. And in our own country where people are not happy, they more or less lose their senses and they do all sorts of things; throw all sorts of insults. And in fact, often display a tendency of throwing the baby away with the birth water. So that is the nature of our political terrain.”

He, however, eulogized the commissioners for devoting a lot of the energy in their work, stressing that they should discharge their responsibilities creditably to make the forthcoming election better than that of 2011.


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General News

FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras across identified flashpoints in Plateau State as part of urgent measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

The President gave the directive during an emergency visit to Plateau on Thursday, where he held a brief stakeholders’ meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where at least 28 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen.

Tinubu also approved the formation of a delegation of key stakeholders to engage in further deliberations on lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state.

He condoled with families of the victims and directed that support be provided to cushion their losses.

President Bola Tinubu while expressing deep sympathy to families of victims said the installation of surveillance cameras was part of a deliberate move towards addressing the kind of attacks that befell residence of the recent attack in the State.

In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the President’s visit and show of concern, but expressed worry over the recent wave of attacks in the state, describing the situation as disturbing and requiring urgent attention.

The meeting had in attendance, former Governors, serving and former National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, government appointees as well as relatives of those killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.


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FG Rolls Out N12Bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

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Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N12 billion investment in digital economy research, marking a strategic shift towards knowledge-driven development as Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

FG Rolls Out N12bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

Declaring the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative mobilises over 200 researchers from universities and research institutions nationwide to produce data-driven solutions for pressing national challenges.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Tijani described the programme as an essential complement to infrastructure expansion, including the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country.

He stressed that sustainable growth in the digital sector now hinges on robust research, innovation and evidence-based policies rather than infrastructure alone.

“As Nigeria expands its digital economy, attention is shifting from infrastructure to the knowledge that drives it,” the minister stated, adding that the sector was emerging as a major contributor to national GDP.

The research clusters will tackle critical areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, job creation, online safety and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Tijani explained that the project aims to bolster Nigeria’s research capacity while ensuring local insights guide policy and technology adoption.

The Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating to synchronise academic research with national priorities and advance specialised training.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, underscored universities’ evolving role as hubs of innovation and problem-solving beyond traditional learning.

The BRIDGE project aligns with broader government strategies to promote digital inclusion, spur economic growth and elevate Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Observers note that the programme’s impact will depend on effectively converting research findings into implementable policies across sectors.

For the administration, the message is clear: a resilient digital economy demands not just infrastructure, but the intelligence to power it.


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Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

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In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.

According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.

“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.

Key Insights from the White Paper:

  • Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
  • Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
  • Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes

Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative

As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.

The package provides access to:

  • Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
  • Urinalysis
  • Electrolytes
  • Urea
  • Creatinine
  • Pap Smear Submitted slides
  • HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
  • Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
  • Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
  • Ongoing support via the Myitura platform

Access:

Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.

 


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