National News
2022: Borno Speaker assures of speedy passage of Appropriation Bill

2022: Borno Speaker assures of speedy passage of Appropriation Bill
By: James Bwala, Maiduguri
Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Abdulkarim Lawan, has assured that the N267 billion 2022 Appropriation Bill presented on Tuesday would receive speedy passage in order to fast track reconstruction of destroyed infrastructures and to ensure smooth resettlement Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.
This is also to ensure that millions of Internally Displaced Persons, who are currently being relocated to their ancestral homes get better accommodation upon their return as the government of Borno state embarked on closure of IDP camps across the state.
Hon. Lawan, while speaking to newsmen in Maiduguri said the quick passage of the proposed budget would also encourage meaningful development at all levels.
According to him, the cordial relationship existing between the executives and the legislature, will ensure that the budget is passed and presented to the governor for assent in the next three weeks.
He described the 2022 Appropriation Bill christened ‘Budget of Hope for Post-Conflict Stability” as the best of its kind that would salvage Borno people from shackles of insecurity, poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment mostly caused by the over decade atrocities posed by insurgents.
“If you study this year’s budget presented by His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum, it will interest you to know that the lion share was allocated to the Education sector with a sum of over N38 billion. This will lead to construction of more classroom blocks, purchase of instructional materials and improve the welfare of teachers across the state.
“The sum of over N30 billion was proposed to the finance sector, this will enable the government to settle all the outstanding gratuities of pensioners and guarantee prompt payment of salaries, pensions and allowances of civil servants across the state.
Also Read: Governor Zulum will continue to impress Borno citizens,…
“Other critical sectors like the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement were allocated the sum of N23.8 billion, while over N3 billion was allocated to the newly established Borno State Security Trust Fund (BSSTF). This present administration created the BSSTF as a Board to address security challenges bedevilling our state. This will provide funds for acquisition and deployment of security equipment across the state.
“The health sector has also gotten a boost, as the Sum of N24,274,696,0000 billion was proposed, while the ministry of works got over N22 billion respectively among other sectors.” Lawan stated.
He also said the House would take special focus on security of the state in the 2022 budget, but added that this would be in consideration with the governor’s focus and plans for the year ahead.
“It is visible to everyone in Borno that the government of the state has continued, doggedly, to put smiles on the faces of our people.
“It simply means we have been able to gather all we can irrespective of the revenue challenge in the projection we had for 2021,” the Speaker said.
He applauded the governor for executing numerous people oriented projects, and for maintaining a cordial relationship with the legislature which has led to transparency, accountability and good governance.
Lawan however called on the people of the state to continue pray for total restoration of peace and give their maximum support to the present administration under the leadership of governor Zulum
2022: Borno Speaker assures of speedy passage of Appropriation Bill
National News
Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery

Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery
By: Michael Mike
In a significant move to bolster public service efficiency, Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has formalized performance contracts with heads of agencies under the Ministry of Interior. This initiative aims to strengthen institutional legacy and ensure measurable improvements in service delivery.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at the conclusion of the 2025 retreat of the Ministry of Interior, the minister highlighted the event, which also featured the signing of performance contracts by all board members.
He said: “This initiative is about the effect on Nigerians and on Nigeria as a whole.”
Tunji-Ojo during the signing ceremony, said: “Our Ministry signed a performance contract with Mr. President last year, and after executing that for a year, it is time to extend this level of accountability to each agency.”
The performance contracts, which include measurable timelines for delivery, are designed to improve services to Nigerians and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he noted.
The Minister also emphasized that this exercise is not merely symbolic but is intended to have a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s security landscape.
Challenging common stereotypes, Tunji-Ojo commended the ministry’s staff for their commitment and hard work. He said: “Some people often say civil servants are ‘evil servants.’ Personally, I do not share that view. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best people God has created here in the Ministry of Interior.”
The Minister paid tribute to M.T. Umar, who retired after 35 years of service, describing him as central to Nigeria’s passport reforms. “The story of our passport revolution cannot be told without his name,”
He further stated that retirement does not depriving your nation of your knowledge, your character, or your service.
He urged staff to emulate Umar’s loyalty and integrity, stressing that “talent and brilliance are important, but it is loyalty and integrity that sustain a career.”
Addressing the agencies under the ministry the Nigeria Immigration Service, NSCDC, NCoS, FFS, and NIMC the minister commended their achievements but called for greater efforts in immigration reforms, protection of critical assets, correctional transformation, emergency response, and data security.
He said: “Our task is to ensure Nigerians feel our impact in their daily lives through safer communities, efficient services, and systems that inspire trust,” while further reminding the agencies that their collective output contributes directly to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Meanwhile, heads of key agencies pledged to scale up performance following the retreat.
Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, said the exercise offered a chance to review past achievements and correct lapses. “From the contracts we signed last year, we have fared very well. But of course, there are areas for correction, and that is the essence of this retreat,” he said.
Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, described the retreat as timely. “Sometimes when you are busy trying to improve performance, you need to take time to measure yourself. By the first part of next year, we should be able to appraise our progress,” he said.
For his part, Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, said the exercise was an “eye-opener” for his agency. “By the next retreat, there will be positive impact, and Nigerians will know there is a new fire service in place,” he assured.
Olumode stressed that the performance contracts were a pledge of accountability. “It’s all about signing a bond to let the Nigerian public know it’s not business as usual. We must strengthen mechanisms that make us perform and give real value to our jobs.”
Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies to Boost Service Delivery
National News
Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects

Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped woman and arrested two suspects in connection with the crime in Kachia Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident followed a report by one Williams Ayuba of Azara village, who disclosed that his wife, Theresa Williams, was abducted while working on their farm at Bishini village on Aug. 27.
Zagazola learnt that the operatives from Katari Division, in collaboration with sister security agencies, launched a search operation in the surrounding forests.
Sources added that on Aug. 29, acting on credible information, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Jere mobilised a rescue team which successfully rescued the victim unhurt.
The sources saod two suspects, Ibrahim Abdullahi, of Nasarawa Toto, and Kabiru Abdullahi, of Mallam Tanko village, were arrested.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime and provided useful information to the police. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang,” it added.
The victim, the sources said, was taken to Abaku Hospital for medical attention and has since been reunited with her family.
Kaduna police rescue kidnapped woman, arrest two suspects
National News
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau

Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Four Nigerian soldiers have sustained injuries in a vehicle accident on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State.
The accident occurred on Thursday while the troops were moving across the mountainous terrain of the area, Zagazola reports.
The Emir of Mambilla, Dr. Shehu Audu Baju, was said to have personally joined in the rescue operation to ensure that the soldiers received prompt assistance.

Following the rescue, the injured personnel were evacuated to the 20 Battalion Barracks in Serti for urgent medical care.
Community members and traditional leaders in the area have expressed sympathy and prayed for the speedy recovery of the soldiers, while also calling for the safety of other security operatives on duty.
Four Soldiers Injured in Vehicle Accident on Mambilla Plateau
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