In continuation of my monitoring and evaluation tour, I visited the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (@ubthng), on Tuesday, and met with the Chief Medical Officer, Prof Darlington Obaseki (@DObaseki), and members of his team.

#Thread (1) The hospital is one of the 52 healthcare facilities being upgraded with the COVID-19 intervention funds approved by His Excellency, President @MBuhari, GCFR.

On behalf of H.E, President @MBuhari, GCFR, I inaugurated, on Monday, the Uromi Road Rehabilitation & Erosion Control Works at Okhele & Gully Erosion Works at National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi (Phase I) in Esan North-East LGA, Edo State, which I handed [cont’d] (1) – over to the community.

Present on the occasion were the Perm Sec, Ecological Fund Office, represented by Mr Sani Mana, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Friday Itulah, HRM, Edonojie of Uromi, Zaiki Anslem II, and the Rector of NICT, Prof S.O. Onohaebi.

Today, I attended, alongside my colleagues, the inauguration of the 2nd Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

#THREAD (1) At the event, I was inaugurated as a member of the Governing Council tasked with the responsibility of guiding HYPREP on the strategic processes required for the execution of approved projects.

Today, I met with a team from @AGRAAlliance, led by its vice president, Policy and State Capability, @Apollos77, to explore areas of collaboration in driving sustainable growth in the agriculture sector. As a practising farmer, I acknowledged agriculture as a backbone of the economy and championed the need to increase Agro-processing activities.

Today, I attended the public presentation of the National Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Barometer.

#Thread (1) In attendance were the AGF and HM of Justice, who is Chair of the Inter-Ministerial Management Committee on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, @MalamiSan, HM of @FMWA_ng, @PaulineKTallen, Deputy Secretary-General of @UN, @AminaJMohammed – [cont’d]

On Tuesday, I hosted the 3rd meeting of the National Steering Committee (NSC) for the Preparation of the Medium-Term National Development Plans (MTNDPs) 2021 – 2025 & 2026 – 2030 and the Nigeria Agenda 2050. (1) In attendance were HM of @FinMinNigeria & Co-Chair of the Committee, @ZShamsuna, Co-Chair for private sector @AtedoPeterside, His Excellency, Governor of Bauchi State, @SenBalaMohammed, His Excellency, Governor of Abia State, @OkezieIkpeazu - [cont'd]

In line with President @MBuhari's directive to all ministers to engage stakeholders in their home states about the #EndSARS protests and government’s response, I met with HRM, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin Kingdom on Wednesday.⁣

#Thread (1) I stated that the peaceful protests were legitimate as attested to by Mr President in his disbandment of SARS and his acceptance of the 5-point demands of our youths.⁣
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In keeping true to the new practice of the January-December budget cycle, restored in Dec 2019, His Excellency President @MBuhari presented the 2021 Draft Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, yesterday.

#Thread (1) Given the pressing economic challenges created by COVID-19 and the need to accelerate economic recovery, the 2021 Appropriation bill was themed, ‘Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience’.

I attended the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by His Excellency, President @MBuhari, GCFR.

#Thread (1) At the meeting, the council approved the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt - Maiduguri eastern narrow-gauge railway, with new branch lines and trans-shipment facilities.

On Wednesday, I hosted the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee (NSC) For The Preparation Of Medium-Term National Development Plans (MTNDPs) 2021 – 2025 & 2026 – 2030 and the Long-Term Perspective Plan, Nigeria Agenda 2050.

#Thread (1) In attendance were the HM of @FinMinNigeria & Co-Chair of the Committee, @ZShamsuna, Co-Chair for private sector @AtedoPeterside, HM of @Fmohnigeria, @DrEOEhanire, HM of @TradeInvestNG, @NiyiAdebayo_, President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim - [cont'd]

It was my pleasure to declare open yesterday, a 3-Day Capacity Building workshop organized for Technical Working Group Anchors & Heads of Secretariat constituted for the development of the Medium-Term National Development Plans (2021 - 2025 & 2026 -2030) & the Nigeria Agenda 2050 (1) As a responsible government, keen on changing the fortune of Nigerians, the administration of President @MBuhari desires that we periodically draw comprehensive plans through which the welfare of citizens can be enhanced economically and socially, among others.

A year ago, I was inaugurated into the Federal Executive Council by His Excellency, President @MBuhari as the Minister of State, Budget, and National Planning of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Here are some of our achievements so far👇🏽

#Thread (1) On January 13, 2020, President @MBuhari signed into law, the Finance Bill, 2019 making it the first time since the return of democracy in 1999 that a National Budget was accompanied by a passage of an enabling Finance Bill.

Today, I delivered the closing remarks at the Capacity Building Programme for Special Advisers & Technical Assistants of Ministers of @NigeriaGov.

#Thread (1) I expressed my gratitude as well as that of my dear sister, the Honourable Minister of @FinMinNigeria, Dr (Mrs) @ZShamsuna to Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for their partnership in organizing this training programme.⁣

I received in my office yesterday, a team from @EUinNigeria, led by its Deputy Head of Delegation, Mr. Alexandre Borges Gomes to discuss environmental issues and possible areas of collaboration.

#Thread (1) As a former Commissioner of Environment, I expressed my firm belief in the sustainability of our environment through prevention of illegal logging and regeneration of our forests, among other initiatives.

I delivered the welcome remarks today at the Steering Committee Meeting of the @EU_Commission/@UN's Joint Spotlight Initiative held at the UN House, Abuja.

#Thread (1) At the meeting, I decried the gruesome rape and murder of Vera Uwaila Omozuwa and Barakat Bello, and commended the @PoliceNG authorities for swinging into action and pledging to bring the perpetrators to justice.