Military

2023 Budget Defence: State House gets nearly 50 per cent cut

Published

4 years ago

November 4, 2022

2023 Budget Defence: State House gets nearly 50 per cent cut

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, says the State House 2023 budget proposal of N21.1bn is comparatively lower than the 2022 appropriation of N40.1 billion by 19.01billion.

Umar revealed this when he led other top management staff of the State House to defend the 2023 budget proposals before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, on Thursday in Abuja.

In his submission, which also included details of the 2022 budget performance, the Permanent Secretary noted that there was a marginal decrease in the personnel cost due to the anticipated retirement of 40 staff in 2023.

According to him, the recurrent expenditure levels in the various cost centres have been maintained except for marginal increases in the Office of the President, Vice President and the Chief of Staff to the President.

On capital expenditure for 2023, Umar explained that the major areas of expenditure in the State House under capital appropriation include the annual routine maintenance of the facilities in the Presidential Villa, Abuja and the State House Complex, Lagos.

It also includes the purchase of operational motor vehicles, State House Clinic and the proposed National Centre for Coordination for Early Warning and Response Mechanism (NCCRM) in the office of the Vice President for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) .

The facilities in Abuja and Lagos include but are not limited to buildings and infrastructure in the President’s and Vice President’s residences, Offices, State House Auditorium, State House Gymnasium and Presidential Banquet Hall.

Others are, Council Chamber, State House Conference Centre, Presidential and Ministerial Airport Chalets and Airport Lounge in Abuja as well as State House, Dodan Barracks Complex in Lagos.

While noting that commitment to these facilities take 65 per cent of the total appropriation, Umar disclosed that in order to keep them in optimal working condition, N7.20 billion had been proposed for year 2023 as against N7.76 billion in 2022.

‘‘Closely following this, is the dire and urgent need for the complete replacement and upgrading of the communication/telephony system and electronic visitors record management in the Presidential Villa,’’ he said.

He added that N150 million had been proposed for the completion of the telecommunications infrastructure in 2023.

On the facilities and buildings in the Lagos Liaison Office Complex and Guest Houses, the permanent secretary told the Committee that ‘‘they are old and require not only maintenance, but renovation and renewal.’’

He, therefore, expressed concern that the provision of N59 million for maintenance of State House Lagos Complex and Guest Houses was inadequate.

He said that an estimated sum of N644 million would be required to upgrade the facilities.

On the purchase of operational motor vehicles and following discussions with the Budget Office of the Federation, Umar said N1.96billion had been proposed under the phased replacement of vehicles in the Presidential Ground Fleet and those in the Conference Coordination Unit (CCU).

‘‘It is noteworthy that most of the vehicles being proposed for replacement were procured more than 10 years ago and have since exceeded their useful economic lives.

‘‘This has resulted in frequent breakdowns and an unsustainable expenditure on repairs/replacements of parts,’’ he said.

He maintained that the released amount of N800 million was inadequate to procure the required numbers that need to be replaced partly because some of the vehicles are treated and very expensive.

On State House Clinic, Umar thanked the Committee members for their support in getting the Presidential/VIP Wing of State House Clinic off the ground.

He expressed delight that the project which was flagged off on Nov. 1, 2021, was at an advanced stage of completion.

‘‘This level of progress was attained given the full support of Mr President and the assistance of key stakeholders especially this distinguished Committee which has appropriated funds needed with the backing of and support of the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning,’’ he added.

According to him, the project, which is 80 percent completed, will be delivered by the end of Dec., 2022 or latest during the 1st quarter of 2023.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman, Sen. Abba Moro, before adjourning the meeting sine die, said:

‘‘I am not unmindful that the State House is the hub of the government and everything radiates from there.

”We would do the needful and if there is a need for us to see you again, we will invite you.

”But so far with what has been discussed and presented to us, we will be able to do the needful to the satisfaction of all.’’

2023 Budget Defence: State House gets nearly 50 per cent cut

Military

Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno

Published

1 week ago

June 7, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Military in Operation HADIN KAI has recorded another significant success against terrorist elements in Borno State, neutralising scores of insurgents and destroying a gun truck during a precision air interdiction mission.

Military sources disclosed that the operation was carried out on June 4 following credible intelligence and aerial surveillance over the Madamari general area in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to the sources, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, detected a group of about 15 terrorists who had dismounted from a gun truck and assembled under a tree within the target area.

Upon positive identification and confirmation of hostile activity, the platform designated the target and guided a strike aircraft onto the location.

“The strike aircraft executed a precise engagement on the terrorist gathering, resulting in the neutralisation of all the terrorists at the location,” the source said.

In a follow-up strike, the ISR platform tracked and designated the terrorists’ gun truck, which was subsequently destroyed by precision munitions. Four additional terrorists were neutralised in the process.

Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the operation revealed that surviving terrorists in the vicinity were seen fleeing in different directions in an attempt to evade further air strikes, indicating the effectiveness of the engagement.

The sources said that the successful operation is part of sustained air offensives aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and denying them safe havens across the North-East theatre.

Military high command at Operation HADIN KAI reiterated their commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements and their logistics networks, in its ongoing clearance operations across the region.

Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno

Military

Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures

Published

1 week ago

June 6, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures

By: Zagazola Makama

The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj.-Gen. K.M. Gara, on Friday visited the boundary area between Nasarawa and Kaduna States to assess the security situation and strengthen operational coordination along the Akwanga–Kaduna highway corridor.

Security sources said the visit, which took place at about 12:42 p.m. on June 5, also included the Commander of the Garrison, Brig.-Gen. D.C. Nwakonobi, and the Nasarawa State Police Area Commander, DCP S. Alli.

According to the sources, the team inspected operational deployments and received briefings on the security situation and combat readiness of troops from the Sub-Sector 71 Commander under Operation Safe Haven.

The sources added that the visit was aimed at assessing the highway axis between Akwanga and the boundary between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, with a view to strengthening measures against persistent kidnapping incidents along the route.

They noted that the exercise also sought to enhance synergy between Operation Safe Haven and Operation Whirl Stroke in addressing insecurity in the general area.

“The visit was part of ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping along major highways and improve inter-agency coordination,” the sources said.

The sources further confirmed that the visit was conducted peacefully without any security incident.

They added that routine patrols were ongoing across the Joint Operations Area to protect schools, churches and other critical national infrastructure.

Troops’ morale and operational efficiency, the sources said, remained satisfactory across the theatre.

Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures

Military

Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo

Published

2 weeks ago

June 4, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday commenced the 2026 Combat Support Arms Training Week (COSAT) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with a call for enhanced adaptability, resilience and indigenous innovation to strengthen operational effectiveness.

The event, hosted by the Headquarters Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC), was held at the Ibom Hall in Uyo Local Government Area and brought together senior military officers, government officials and other stakeholders.

The theme of the training week is: “Strengthening Combat Support Arms Adaptability and Resilience Through Indigenous Innovation for Integrated Operational Support Within a Joint and Multi-agency Framework.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, participants underscored the importance of leveraging local innovation and inter-agency collaboration to address evolving security challenges and enhance operational support capabilities.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Capt. Iniobong Ekon (Rtd), attended the event alongside top military officials and invited guests.

Also present were the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, represented by Maj.-Gen. A.A. Adekeye; the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.E. Emekah; and the Chief Host and Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, Maj.-Gen. R.E. Hedima.

Other attendees included corps commanders, senior serving and retired military officers, the Commander 2 Brigade/Sector 4 Operation Delta Safe, as well as representatives of various security agencies and organisations.

Activities conducted during the opening ceremony included professional lectures, static displays by combat support corps and the presentation of souvenirs.

The training week is expected to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, professional development and the exchange of ideas aimed at enhancing the Nigerian Army’s capacity to provide effective combat support within joint and multi-agency operations.

The event was conducted without any security or logistical incidents.

Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo