#BBB NEWS| READ: Budget Presentation At The National Assembly By President Buhari [PHOTOS]

I am honoured and privileged to present the 2016 Budget proposal. This is my first address before this joint session of the National Assembly. I have come here today, not only to address members of the National Assembly, but also to speak directly to the men and women who placed us here.

2. I know the state of our economy is a source of concern for many. This has been further worsened by the unbridled corruption and security challenges we have faced in the last few years. From those who have lost their jobs, to those young people who have never had a job, to the people in the North East whose families and businesses were destroyed by insurgents, this has been a difficult period in our nation’s history, lessons that we must not forget or ignore, as we plan for the future.

3. By June 2014, oil prices averaged $112 per barrel. But as at today, the price is under $39 per barrel. This huge decline is having a painful effect on our economy. Consumption has declined at all levels. In both the private and public sectors, employers have struggled to meet their salary and other employee related obligations. The small business owners and traders have been particularly hard hit by this state of affairs.

#BBB NEWS| National Assembly Hails Jega On Election

The National Assembly on Thursday lauded the Chairman of the Independent National  Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on the  successful conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which took place last Saturday.

It said this had shown the entire world that “democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.”

It however advised the commission  to urgently address all the challenges identified during the polls ahead of the second phase involving the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, slated for April 11 to ensure a hitch free exercise.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, and his House of Representatives counterpart,  Jerry Manwe, conveyed the position of the lawmakers to the commission during a courtesy call to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega in Abuja on Thursday.