Ekwunife Attends The Dedication Of St. Joseph's Catholic Church Nri

 Ekwunife Attends The Dedication Of St. Joseph's Catholic Church Nri

Promises More Legislative Milestones In The National Assembly

  As Bishop commends the Ekwunife family for building the church tower

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, PhD, Sunday, January 2, 2022, graced the dedication of St. Joseph's Catholic Church Nri. 

The Mass for the dedication of the church was celebrated by Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor. The ultra modern church is one of the many parishes that make up the diocese.

Delivering the sermon, Bishop Ezeokafor noted that it was necessary for us as the children of God to always make it an obligation to attend church in order to interact with God, adding that a church is a place where the people of God converge. He stated that the dedication has created an avenue for christians to willingly use the church for prayers.

Speaking further, the Bishop appreciated the family of Chief Larry and Senator Uche Ekwunife for building the church tower, stressing that the lawmaker has taken representation to another level in the red chamber.

In her goodwill message, Ekwunife expressed delight at the dedication, saying that the edifice is a manifestation of God's blessings and grace upon his people. The Senator lauded the roles of the church in the spiritual growth of Christians.

The federal lawmaker reassured that she would at all times come up with workable solutions to tackle the economic challenges facing constituents. She reiterated her commitment towards focusing on projects, programmes and policies that would stimulate economic development.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology who was represented by Anambra state former Commissioner of Women Affairs, Lady Henrietta Agbata congratulated the Parish priest and the entire Parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic church on the successful dedication of the church. She promised more legislative milestones in the National Assembly.

 News

Buhari signs N17tn 2022 budget into law, laments ‘worrisome changes

FILE: From left: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Friday in Abuja signed into law the 2022 Appropriation Bill and the 2021 Finance Bill.

The President signed the documents in the Presidential Villa in the presence of Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other members of the Federal Executive Council.

Speaking at the event, the President said the 2022 Budget, just signed into law, provides for aggregate expenditures of N17.127 trillion, an increase of N735.85 billion over the initial Executive Proposal for a total expenditure of N16.391 trillion.

The President explained that N186.53 billion of the increase however came from additional critical expenditures that he had authorised the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to forward to the National Assembly.

‘‘The Minister will provide the public with the details of the budget as passed by the National Assembly, and signed into law by me,’’ he said.

President laments ‘worrisome changes’

Buhari also expressed strong reservations on the ‘‘worrisome changes’’ made by the National Assembly to the 2022 Executive Budget proposal, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, on Friday.

National Assembly with a request for amendment as soon as the Assembly resumes to ensure that critical ongoing projects cardinal to this regime do not suffer a setback due to reduced funding.

The President recounted that during the presentation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill, he had stated 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.

‘‘Some of the worrisome changes are 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

‘‘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.’’

President Buhari also expressed concern in the 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