NEWS : Ekiti Assembly passes 109.6bn 2021 budget

 

The Ekiti State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed N109,666,376,722.61 Appropriation bill for the state.

Governor Kayode Fayemi had on October 27, presented the budget of N109.6bn with the theme “Budget of Recovery and Economic Restoration.

The passage followed the submission of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation by its Chairman, Mrs Olubunmi Adelugbua at yesterday’s plenary.

Adelugba said Ministries, agencies and parastatals appeared before various Committees of the House for the defence of their estimates while a Public Hearing was organised on the bill with major stakeholders having opportunities to make contributions.

She said the organisation of the public hearing was in fulfillment of major requirements of the bill passage, adding that the 2021 budget estimates was consistent with the government Fiscal Policy.

Adelugbua disclosed that the budget covered all aspects of the five Pillars of Governor Kayode Fayemi administration developmental agenda.

According to her, the breakdown of the budget showed that governance takes over N29.3 billion, representing 27 per cent, Agriculture and Rural Development – N7.9 billion or seven per cent while Infrastructure and Industrial Development got N25.2 billion or 23 per cent.

Others are Social Investment with N25.3 billion or 23 per cent and Knowledge Economy with N22 billion or 20 per cent.

The majority leader, Gboyega Aribisogan, representing Ikole constituency 2 moved the motion for the adoption of the report and seconded by his counterpart, Mr. Ajibade Adeyemi before it was unanimously adopted by the House.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye commended the committee and other members of the house for their efforts that led to the passage of the 2021 budget estimate.

He expressed optimism that the 2021 budget would be fully implemented in order for Ekiti people to continue to enjoy the superlative services and benefits inherent in democratic governance.

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NEWS : Again, gunmen abduct passengers along Benin-Auchi road

 

Gunmen suspected to be kidnapers on Tuesday struck again on the Benin-Auchi road and abducted unspecified number of passengers.

The ‎gunmen were said to have attacked an Abuja bound commercial bus traveling from Benin between Ehor and Iruekpen.

According to sources, several of the passengers “were forcefully taken into the bush‎”.

Recall gunmen held siege to this same road December 3 and took a reasonable number of passengers hostage.

Spokesperson of E‎do State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not respond to calls and SMS sent to his mobile phone.

NEWS : Mob, sets two suspected armed robbers ablaze in Delta

 

An angry mob, on Tuesday, set ablaze two suspected armed robbers at Ugbokodo Community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

One of the three-man gang narrowly escaped from the scene of the incident, 

It was learnt that the deceased suspect were in a robbery operation in the area.

They had robbed some residents of unspecified amount of money and other personal effects at gunpoints.

They were apprehended after one of the residents who after being robbed raised alarm, which attracted the mob as they gave the suspects a hot chase.

In the process, two out of the three suspects were caught and quickly set ablaze while the other escaped.

When contacted for comments, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the report in a telephone chat with our correspondent in Warri.

She said, “it’s true but I have not gotten the details.”

SPORT : Match Day 14, Five Premier League players of the week

 

The Premier League was a mouth-watering finale at the weekend as viewers witnessed some of the memorable moments leading to Christmas eve.

The Anfield side was in devastating form against Crystal Palace while Chelsea and Manchester United impressed with big wins at home.

However, the story is still sour for Arsenal who welcomes Manchester City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals at the Emirates.

With goal plenty in the matchday 14 of the Barclays Premier League as well as top individual performance, we evaluate 5 players who impressed in the course of the weekend Premier League games.

Here,  evaluates the five players who impressed at the Premier League Match Day 14 fixtures played last weekend.

Roberto Firmino (Liverpool & Striker)

The Brazilian produced a magnificent display as he was on hand to deal a blow to the Eagles hopes at the Selhurst Park.

Back from his thumping header which sealed the win against the title aspiring Tottenham Hotspur side, he scored a brace to signal his contribution for the Reds.

He’s proven that he can get the goals himself while Diogo Jota is out on the sidelines for Liverpool.

Such a memorable performance will be required from Firmino along in the season as key games await Liverpool in the on-going campaign.

His both goals would have served him right with regards to the inward criticism he’s been getting following his not too good goal ratio at the club for Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Attacker)

The Egyptian star has always been in the news for much of the campaign. His performance was worthy of note as he personally dismantled the Crystal Palace side with a pair of goals after the intermission.

After scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the previous game, he found the net yet again against Roy Hodgson’s men.

And this time he scored twice to signal his overwhelming potential as a goal scorer for the club.

He’s been amazing despite the campaign for the Reds and they would want to keep him at the club despite the rumours concerning the interest from Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid about his signature.

Scott Mc Tominay (Manchester United & Midfielder)

The Red Devils were rampant at the weekend thanks to the amazing goals Scott Mc Tominay used to herald the win for his side in the contest.

The Scottish International was in a scintillating form against Leeds United as he scored a brace within the space of a few minutes.

His showings against the promoted EPL side depicts confidence and class as he engineered his sides’ rise up the table.

United would be basking in the euphoria of the win thanks to a pair of goals from the midfield player.

He was outstanding in thwarting the opposing team in his pivot role for the Red Devils as they ended the weekend in third place with a game in hand against Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton on Wednesday.

Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United & Midfielder)

The Portuguese talisman proved his United relevance yet again as he alongside Scott Mc Tominay inspired the Red Devils to an emphatic win over Marcelo Bielsa’s men at home.

Bruno scored a brace just like Scott Mc Tominay as both players joined themselves on the Premier League player of the week.

The attacking superstar was impressive as always as he contributed immensely to his side 6-2 thumping against the visiting Leeds United side.

His individual display was encouraging as he coolly converted a penalty to seal his brace and his side’s 7th goal in the contest.

Tammy Abraham (Chelsea and Striker)

The Chelsea forward chose to leave it late as he notched a brace against London rivals West Ham United on Monday Night Football.

While Thiago Silva was in top form with a goal, Tammy made do of the inspiration the Brazilian could exude from the defence to prove his importance to the London side at home.

He was spot on and at the right place at the right time to find the net at the latter stages of the contest though the club is worried about Timo Werner’s barren spell in front of goal.

Such was Abraham’s impact as his individual brilliance with a brace pushed his Chelsea side up to the fifth position on the Premier League standing.

SPORT : Carabao Cup, How Manchester City could line-up against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal Side

 Manchester City would be looking to stretch their overall dominance in the Carabao Cup competition as they make the trip to face Arsenal.

It would be a quarter-final match between the two EPL giants as the Emirates Stadium bubbles with a couple of characters on the occasion.

The defending champions have won the trophy in each of the last three seasons and five times within 7 years.

And another success in this competition would see them equal Liverpool’s record as the most successful side in the EFL Cup.

Pep Guardiola would be in a positive mood as he gears up to face Mikel Arteta in this match.

While Arsenal is in form on the domestic scene since they are unable to record a win in their last seven outings in the Premier League.

Here, evaluates how the Eastland could line-up against Arsenal.

Absent; Eric Garcia (muscle)

Possible; Aymeric Laporte (unknown), Gabriel Jesus (teeth).

Guardiola is expected to make personnel changes to his side on Tuesday due to the log of matches line-up in the festive period in the League.

But he should be able to fathom a strong side at least for this one. Record goalscorer Sergio Aguero could make a return to the starting line-up as he looks to up his match fitness after an injury-prone season till now.

Some of the players who missed out against Southampton on Saturday like Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Nathan Ake, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy – could return to freshen things up in the side.

Some questions have been made concerning John Stones’ ability to feature in many games in quick succession at the moment.

And it could see him given a break since he’s played less games than Ruben Dias this term, but the former Barcelona boss could fancy the chance to rest his centre back pair otherwise.

Raheem Sterling and star man Kevin De Bruyne could be some of the key names missing for this match, though the former has scored on his last two outings at the Emirates Stadium.

Zack Steffen featured in the last round against Burnley keeping a clean sheet, and he could get a rare start against Arsenal in place of Brazil goalkeeper Ederson.

Eric Garcia is the only certain players to be absent for the Citizens while Aymeric Laporte and striker Gabriel Jesus are expected both to sit out from this game.

Jesus has an issue in his teeth.

Manchester City’s predicted line-up against Arsenal in a 4-2-3-1 Formation Fluid.

Zack Steffen; Joao Cancelo, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Benjamin Mendy; Fernandinho, Ikay Gundogan; Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Ferran Torres; Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero.

SPORT : Carabao Cup, How Arsenal could line-up against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Cit

 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would be aiming for fortune from his former side when they welcome Manchester City at home in the EFL Cup quarter-final encounters.

The London side had not succeeded against his former side as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Everton on Saturday, thus prolonging Arsenal’s run of poor form to 7 games in the English topflight.

Success to the last four of the Carabao Cup would bring some Christmas euphoria to the Arsenal dressing room, but they would be up against a team that has dominated in this competition in recent years.

Here, DAILY POST takes a look at how Arsenal could line-up in the duel against the Citizens.

Absent; Granit Xhaka (suspended) Thomas Partey (muscle), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (calf) Arsenal would make do without skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for this match owing to his calf issue.

The African star, who was the key man the last time the two sides faced up in this competition was absent on Saturday and his manager (Arteta) stated in the post-match conference that Aubameyang could be unavailable for 14 days due to the issue.

The extent of the injury is not yet known and this means he would not be able to lead his side out for this tie.

Aubameyang joins Ghana’s Thomas Partey in the treatment room, while Granit Xhaka is still ineligible as he serves the final game in his three-game suspension due to the red card he coped against Burnley.

The home side has Gabriel Magalhaes returning from his own suspension, though meaning that he may come back into the Arsenal three-man defence.

Players on the fringes like Sead Kolasinac, Joe Willock and Shkodran Mustafi, who has impressed in Europe 2nd tier competition, will be in contention for a starting place.

But Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin could make their return after their absence at the weekend.

Youngster Gabriel Martinelli marked his return from the bench on Saturday and is expected to play a part as Mikel Arteta determines who makes the matchday squad for this occasion.

Arsenal’s predicted line-up against Manchester City in a 3-4-3 Formation System.

Bernd Leno; Shkodran Mustafi, Gabriel Magalhaes, David Luiz; Hector Bellerin, Dani Ceballos, Mohamed Elneny, Sead Kolasinac; Joe Willock, Alexandre Lacazette, Bukayo Saka.