towards achievement of their dreams in life.
Prince Agba gave the advice when some students of Whitesands School,
Lekki, Lagos,led by two teachers, Messrs Matthew Omotosho and Kinsley
David Adaigbe, visited him in Abuja on Wednesday (February 5, 2020).
Responding to one in the series of questions asked by the students, Agba
said planning remained a critical factor in the implementation of
projects and budgets.
He said, after the students had responded differently to his question as
to which, between planning and budget should come first, that “budget
flows from planning.”
He explained “that while Nigeria’s national plan could be for a minimum
of five years, budget is an annual document in which funds are allocated
to the various projects that have been planned and captured for
execution.”
According to him, “in your planning, you ask yourself: where do I want
to be in the next three to five years or five to ten years? You project
on the revenues you are going to get. And, remember that a budget has
two sides- income and expenditure.”
The minister’s take-home message to the students as well as Nigerian
youths was to dream big and aspire to fulfill their dreams by burning
the candle, if possible, at both ends.
“If your dream is to be a president, you have to prepare yourself. You
have to develop your character. It is for this reason that for you to be
awarded a university degree, you would have been found worthy in
character and in learning. Without character, you cannot have
integrity,” the minister further stated.
After a question-and-answer session, during which the minister explained
the budget process and other issues of concern raised by the students,
the minister, in simulation of role reversal, allowed the students to
individually sit on his chair while he sat in the visitor’s seat facing
the acting “ministers”. The simulation was pictorially recorded.
The students, thereafter, showed the minister a ball-kicking robot they
built, which would be deployed in a science and technology competition
in Abuja.
Powerlifting World Cup
First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari has drawn
attention to the plight of retired para powerlifters and other athletes
in Nigeria, many of whom retire into hardship after having served their
country superlatively.
She made this call during the opening ceremony of the Abuja 2020 Para
Powerlifting World Cup, on Tuesday at the International Conference
Center.
Mrs. Buhari said, “I have since observed the contribution of these
athletes in reshaping the image of Nigeria with immense significance and
the Country owes them a debt of gratitude. She called on the nation to
start repaying this debt by ensuring they are well taken care of in
their time of need.
“It is in this light, that my foundation, the Aisha Buhari Foundation
and other developmental partners will soon unveil a program that will
aim to make retired athletes welfare a great priority. I also believe
that it was these athletes dedication to hardwork and discipline that
won the Country the hosting rights for this competition, being a
qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games” She said.
Speaking on her involvement, the First Lady said her interest in the
wellbeing of the underprivileged led to establishing the Aisha Buhari
Foundation and Future Assured and her acceptance to be grand patron of
the event.
She congratulated the organizers of the event and called on Nigerians to
support team Nigeria, otherwise known as “the unstoppables”. She also
welcomed teams from other countries and encouraged them to enjoy their
stay in Nigeria.
Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Cecelia Ezeilo, said she had always
been a sports enthusiast and that is why she accepted to be the grant
matron of the Para Powerlifting Team and felt a sense of duty to
organize a fund raising for the event, which turned out successful. She
called on the organizers to ensure successful conduct of the event.
Hon. Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Akin Dare said the Para Powerlifting
World Cup is significant to Nigeria as it provided the opportunity to
implement several related events including a referee training, coaches
training, loaders course and anti-doping seminar. He wished the athletes
success in the competition. He thanked the first lady for the show of
support to the competition, and extraordinary passion for sports in
general.
Hon. Minister of State, FCT, who was represented by the Ministry’s
Permanent Secretary, Mr. Chijeaka Ohaa reiterated the commitment of the
FCT Administration towards the successful hosting of the world cup as it
provides an opportunity to showcase the tourism potential of the
Country.
Others who spoke at the occasion include the President, Nigeria Para
Powerlifting Federation, Mrs. Queen Uboh Idris, who welcomed members of
the international Paralympic Committee and all the countries
contingents. She stated that Nigeria was ready for the competition and
will not only host but will host well. She also expressed gratitude to
the first lady for all the support she has given as grand patron to the
competition and as a Mother of the Nation.
Part of the highlights of the event was the presentation of sporting
kits to team Nigeria by the Executive Secretary, National Lottery Trust
Fund, Dr. Bello Maigari.
The opening ceremony was attended by Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea,
Guinea Bissau, Egypt, Italy, Libya, Brazil, Georgia, Kenya, Benin
Republic, and Nigeria.
The First Lady was accompanied to the opening ceremony by Wife of the
Vice President, Her Excellency, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and several wives
of the State Governors among others.