The Extraordinary Executive Council of the Federation (FEC), presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, approved the establishment of 36 new private universities in Nigeria.
The approval followed a memo presented by the Ministry of Education, the Minister, Adamu Adamu, told State House Correspondents at the end of a marathon at the Council Chambers.
The approval brings the number of such private universities to 72, to bolster the economic fortunes of the country.
On his part, the Minister of Aviation, Hedi Sirika, said the Council approved over N3 billion for the procurement and installation of a taxi lighting system.
He said: “So today in Council, something very significant has happened in the world of civil aviation, part of our roadmap, the Aviation Leading company has been established and approved by Council.
“So therefore, entrepreneurs and civil aviation will have access to lease equipment at affordable rates and within our country, Nigeria, and this is part of a roadmap. So the roadmap is gradually coming to 100% completion. So I’m glad to see the full business case has been approved by the FEC.
In this contract, the total sum for the photometric and taxi lighting system for both airports mentioned is total contract sum is N3,047,127,022.72 with seven and half percent VAT and 12 months completion period.
“A second memo was also the award of contract for the procurement, and installation of taxi lighting system, and photometric pattern for Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, and some other equipment all over the country.
“In this contract, the total sum for the photometric and taxi lighting system for the airports mentioned is N3,047,127,022.72 with seven and half percent VAT and 12 months completion period. The contractor is Messess KSR3 Global Nigeria Limited. So those are the two memoranda.”
Similarly, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, claimed Nigeria has witnessed an increase in school enrolment nationwide without providing specific detail.
Rather, she said the government aims to enrol every out-of-school child by 2030.
She also said Council approved a policy on the National Home Grown School Feeding programme (NHGSFP), which seeks to address the issues of education, health, social protection and agriculture.
She also informed that the government has approved a budget of over N14 billion to train N-Power beneficiaries.
Also, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the Council also approved the universal implementation of the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.
This makes comprehensive provisions for payment of compensation to employees who suffer from occupational diseases or sustain injuries arising from accidents at the workplace or in the course of employment.
He said Council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to avail the states circulars of the approved memo.
