News
Government will not approve any request that is not captured in the budget – Kadafur
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Deputy Governor of Borno state Umar Kadafur has said that the Government will not approve any request that is not captured in the budget.
He said this during a town hall meeting held recently by the ministry of budget and planning to listen to stakeholders and take inputs against the 2025 budget which is already being tinkered by the budget ministry.
Kadafur told the gathering of stake holders recently in Maiduguri that the government was concerned about about fiscal transparency adding that the fact that the executive is sticking to these details of precision indicates a high level of fiscal discipline by them.
The Deputy governor urged the tinkers of the budget to be mindful of the 25 year plan of the State in all they do concerning all the critical sectors of the budget.
“I believe this town hall meeting will bring about coordination of transparency into the budget for the good of the people. This is why I wish to use this opportunity to assure you that the state government will adhere strictly to the details of transparency which is needed at this critical time ” said Kadafur.
Commissioner of Budget and planning, Engr Babagana Mallumbe noted in his remarks that the budget for 2025 is going to be a blue print for collective appreciation of the economic challenges affecting the state.
He assured that there would be a very strong emphasis on the improvement of the health care of the people and the proper resettlements of internally displaced people (idps). Who are already in their ancestral local councils but yet to be given homes
Mallumbe called on stakeholders to participate actively in the pre-budget process which he noted would ultimately bring about a robust 2025 fiscal package which would be fulfilling to the people at this critical time when a lot of them are trying to settle down after the unexpected flood in the state capital.
Many stake holders gave their goodwill messages including the Nigerian labour Congress (NLC) who called on the tinkers of the budget to capture their lingering arrears spanning from 2016 to 2020.
They equally called on the ministry to include the issue of training and retraing which is quite critical to them.
Responding to some of the challenges before the budget Ministry, Chief Adviser to the Governor and Coordinator sustainable development, partnership and humanitarian support Dr Mario Mandara said that she will engage the Governor Prof Babagana Zulum to renovate the special school for the disables in the state.
She assured that she will liaise with the head of service to ensure that a sizable number of disabled people who have the right qualifications are employed in the service.
She called on stakeholders to ensure that they submit long term primary issues into the budget even as they consider the 25 year plan of the government aimed at growing the economy when building the budget.
The 2024 budget for Borno State was pegged at 358.7 billion, which was signed into law on January 10, 2024 by Governor Babagana Zulum.
The budget includes: Over N208.4 billon for capital receipts and N150.4 billion for recurrent expenditures.
Government will not approve any request that is not captured in the budget – Kadafur
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Lanre-Onilu has presented the National Values Charter Plaque to the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) in recognition of the group’s unwavering dedication to national unity, patriotism, and its exemplary conduct as a corporate citizen that transcends religious divides to promote inclusivity.
Receiving a delegation of the NCYP who pay a courtesy visit to the NOA headquarters, the DG lauded the group’s patriotic stance and contributions to nation-building.
He particularly praised their courage and foresight in supporting the Tinubu/Shettima presidential ticket during the 2023 elections, a decision taken in the face of opposition from many, especially within the Christian communities in Northern Nigeria.
He said: “I have known this group for quite some time. Notably, you took a principled stand to support President Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket when many others opposed it. Today, the wisdom behind that decision is becoming evident through the visionary leadership being demonstrated—fair representation in appointments, reform-driven governance, and a commitment to inclusive development.
“This alone makes you worthy of the National Values Charter recognition, which embodies the principles of citizenship and patriotism.”
Earlier, the Chairman of NCYP, Mr. Isaac Abrak who led the group, emphasized that the group comprises Christian professionals from the 19 Northern states and the FCT -Abuja, who actively participate in politics to improve the welfare of citizens across the region and Nigeria at large.
He noted that the group’s political choices are guided by merit, equity, and the vision of building a tolerant and united society, particularly in enhancing relations between Christians and Muslims in political spaces.
Abrak identified the transformational impact of President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly referencing his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. “His strategic use of local government structures and the reformation of street youth, popularly known as ‘Area Boys,’ into productive contributors to society helped raise Lagos’ Internally Generated Revenue from N6 billion to N11 billion monthly. These bold reforms underpin our support for the full implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on Local Government Financial Autonomy.”
He stressed that the local government financial autonomy is a pro-people policy that must be anchored by the people through grassroots engagement. Mr. Abrak offered NCYP’s extensive leadership network—spanning national, state, local government, and ward levels with a workforce of over 30,000—for partnership with the 774 NOA offices nationwide to drive advocacy and implementation of this critical policy.
“The NCYP remains connected to the grassroots,” Abrak said. “We are ready to collaborate with NOA to raise public awareness and ensure that local government autonomy delivers development to the doorstep of every Nigerian.”
In his concluding remarks, the NOA DG urged all Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration, citing landmark projects such as the 700 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the establishment of Regional Development Commissions as initiatives that will spur economic growth and provide intervention across all regions.
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has made significant progress in its efforts to dismantle a notorious armed robbery and car snatching syndicate, following the arrest of several suspects on April 11, 2025.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation led to the recovery of a stolen Mercedes Benz C180 (color green), along with a Beretta pistol and a cutlass, which were seized from the suspects.
While some of the suspects have been apprehended, efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and capture the remaining members of the criminal group, who have fled the scene.
Notorious Armed Robbers/Car Snatchers Arrested in Abuja, Firearm and Stolen Vehicle Recovered
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
A bandit attack on Tungar Dada Village in the Moriki District of Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) in Sokoto on April 13, 2025, has left one person dead and 50 others abducted.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 0400hrs, when a group of armed bandits stormed the village, shooting and killing one individual while abducting 50 villagers to an unknown destination.
Security officials have confirmed the death and are actively pursuing leads to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the suspects.
Armed Bandits Kill One, Abduct 50 in Tungar Dada Village Attack in Sokoto
Christian Northern Group Receives NOA’s National Values Charter Plaque
Nigeria, UNDP Deepen Commitment to Strengthening Democracy in West Africathrough the Regional Partnership for Democracy
Engr. Joseph Onaiwu Uworuya: Celebrating a Legacy of Love, Wisdom, and Strength at 70, By Augustine Osayande, PhD
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