President Bola Tinubu on Monday warned government officials and family members against attending the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting without invitation.
Tinubu issued the warning before the commencement of FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Last week, I noticed people sneaking in and out of this council. People had access to this place when they should not. That is not acceptable.
“I will announce to you here, people who are supposed to be here.
“Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Principal Private Secretary and Damilotun Aderemi, Private Secretary.
“These are the people who are granted the exception to be here when we are conducting the business of the nation. Unless I sent for you, don’t come.”
The president directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Folashade Yemi-Esan, to take note of his directive.
“Unless they are your staff that are included, no one should have access to the FEC meeting, except I have announced their names to you.
“Let me also say that the planning of an event about the government must be well articulated and followed accurately,” he said.
Tinubu, however, expressed absolute confidence in the integrity of his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila
“There are a lot of stories going around about what is happening. I’ve told everyone in this country that I can make mistakes.
“I have had to hear them out and correct them. Perfection is that of God Almighty. I have absolute confidence in the integrity of my Chief of Staff.
“All the campaign of calumny and insinuation should stop.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) , on Monday approved a supplementary budget of ₦2.17 trillion for 2023.
Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning disclosed this on Monday, while briefing the State House Journalists after the weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
He revealed that the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget will be used to fund urgent national issues, including a N605b for security and national defence to sustain gains of security.
Others include ₦200 billion for supply of agricultural production, N210b for wage awards recently approved for Nigerian workers covering the period from September to December, N400b of the fund is set aside for cash transfer to vulnerable and poor Nigerians for the period October and November.
He announced that ₦100 billion will go to the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT ), while ₦18 billion is set aside for the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), for the November, 2023 governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.
The sum of N5.5b is set aside for students loans, while another N200b is for capital supplementation
Dave Umahi, the Minister of Work also announced that the Council granted approvals for the first phase of the proposed coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, Cross Rivers State.
Credit: The Nigeria Lawyer