Nigerian streetwear makers have looked beyond the Edo State Governor’s, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s, difficulty in pronouncing figures in monetary terms during his presentation of the 2025 budget to the State House of Assembly.
The business-goal-orientated streetwear makers have taken to the Internet with a branded shirt prototype that features the inscription “It is confusing me,” a remark Okpebholo made following his struggles during his state budget presentation on Tuesday.
Chronicle NG reported that during his presentation, the governor emphasized that the proposed budget, estimated at N605 billion, represents a 25% increase over the 2024 budget.
The Appropriation Bill’s title is “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo.”
Okpebholo, a member of the All Progressives Congress who defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party in the state’s 2024 governorship election, had difficulty pronouncing the budget’s exact value.
In a video seen on social media, the governor stuttered, “The Edo State 2025 Appropriation Bill of 6 billion… 650… 605 billion… 76 thou… 76 million…
“Let me take it again. 506 billion… 605 billion… sorry… 776 billion… sorry, it’s confusing me.”
An uproar broke out in the House before the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, called for order, saying, “Order the House, please. Mr. Speaker must be heard in silence, please.”
Okpebholo concluded, “605 billion and details of the budget proposed… proposal for your consideration and approval. Thank you for your kind consideration.”
Okpebholo stated that N223 billion, or 37% of the overall N605 billion budget, will be allocated to recurrent expenditure. The remaining N381 billion, or 63 percent, is devoted to capital projects.
“This budget is a product of extensive consultations and embodies my administration’s commitment to achieving its five-point agenda: security, infrastructural development, healthcare, food sufficiency, and education.
“We are aware of the critical need to connect communities with motorable roads for rapid economic growth. The construction of the iconic Ramat Park flyover, the first of its kind in the state, marks a significant step towards transforming Benin City from an ancient city into a modern one,” he stated, among others.
In his remark, the speaker said, “We will collaborate with your Excellency to ensure that the people of Edo enjoy the dividends of democracy.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
