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Buni signs the 2024 appropriation into law

Buni signs the 2024 appropriation into law
By Yahaya Wakili
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State signed into law the 2024 appropriation and finance bills today at the Government House, Damaturu. Tagged, “BUDGET OF CONSOLIDATION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY.”
He said we submitted a total sum of $217 billion to service our capital and recurrent expenditures for the 2024 fiscal year, which the house, in its wisdom, reduced by $50 million to make it more realistic, bringing the budget to a total sum of $216 billion.
Governor Buni revealed that the recurrent expenditure now stands at $94,156,000,000, while the sum of $122,794,000,000 is now approved for capital expenditure against the $122,844,000 initially allocated to the sector.
“This spirit of teamwork and followship will no doubt drive our collective determination, strategic synergy, collaboration, and collective zeal to serve the good people of Yobe State better and with great success.” Buni added.
He expressed his appreciation to the honorable members and the entire staff of the house for their continuous support, cooperation, and diligence in ensuring the timely passage of the 2024 budget to enable us to hit the new year with great determination and commitment to execute our policies and programs with speed and success.
He assured that the government would complete all ongoing projects and initiate new ones, adding that in the new year, the government would focus on the completion of the ongoing projects and the funding of new ones, thereby prioritizing key sectors and programs that directly impact the lives of our citizens.
According to him, the provision of roads and other basic infrastructure for multifaceted development would continue to be given priority attention. We would ensure the completion of Potiskum and Geidam modern markets, Potiskum trailer park, and the Damaturu mega shopping mall, as well as the rehabilitation, upgrading, and capitalization of all the government-owned companies.
“The completion of the sesame seed processing and packaging factories in Damaturu, Potiskum, Machina, and Nguru towns is very key to our administration’s efforts towards providing employment opportunities and local revenue. We will therefore ensure their completion and take-off soon.
The government would also continue to provide a conducive working atmosphere for civil servants and public office holders to be more responsive to our current demands for speedy and effective implementation of our people-oriented policies and programs.
Buni signs the 2024 appropriation into law
News
We shouldn’t treat energy as commodity, Zulum urges power minister

We shouldn’t treat energy as commodity, Zulum urges power minister
… Says Borno aligning with national power reforms
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, to prioritise energy accessibility for vulnerable populations, emphasising that electricity should not be treated solely as a profit-driven commodity.
Speaking at the 6th National Council on Power (NACOP) summit held on Thursday in Maiduguri, Zulum stressed, “Electricity is not just about wires and transformers—it’s about dignity, economic opportunity, health, education, and the right of every child to dream.”

“We must view energy not just as a commodity but as a social service. While I do not advocate for total subsidy, I urge the Federal Government to support low-income communities with targeted subsidies that protect the most vulnerable.”
“To the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, thank you for your leadership and open-door policy. We appreciate your responsiveness and dedication to the North-East.”
The Governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the numerous interventions in the power sector in the state.
“I express my sincere appreciation to the President, the Honourable Minister of Power, and federal institutions like the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), NNPC, and others for their sustained interventions,” Zulum said.
He added, “some of these include completion of a 7.5MVA substation at the University of Maiduguri, Rehabilitation of 132/33kV substations, a new substation at the College of Agriculture, Damboa and a newly completed 1×32.5MVA transmission station in Bama.

Speaking earlier, the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, enumerated the successes recorded from recent reforms and initiatives, emphasising some of the major achievements by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister also commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, stating, “let me begin by expressing our profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and the good people of Borno for hosting this important gathering. The warmth and generosity with which you have welcomed delegates from across the country is deeply appreciated and highly cherished.”
The meeting was attended by the Senate Chief Whip, Barr. Mohammed Tahir Monguno, members of the state and national assembly, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai, and the APC State Chairman, Hon Bello Ayuba.
Other dignitaries include the Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, and other senior staff of the Federal Ministry of Power and Borno State Government.
… Says Borno aligning with national power reforms
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced that Borno State Government is aligning with the federal government to domesticate the national power reforms.
He said, “Borno, affected heavily by security and infrastructure challenges, has made significant strides in aligning with national power reforms. We have expanded off-grid solutions, executed energy pilot projects, and partnered with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to stabilise grid infrastructure.”
“Our administration has provided logistical and security support to safeguard critical transmission infrastructure. We are proud to say that these efforts have contributed to a more stable power supply across parts of the state.”
Several electrification projects are either completed or near completion, including the rehabilitation of the 33kV line to Maiduguri, completion of multiple 33kV feeders (Feeder 2 and Feeder 9), alternative power supply schemes using diesel and solar to support critical infrastructure, installation of transformers and procurement of over ₦1.5 billion worth of electrical components with support from the Federal Government.
They also noted that Borno State Government has executed several projects that include the rehabilitation of Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak road transmission corridor, an extension of power from Maiduguri to Konduga to Bama and onward to Banki, electrification of areas such as Damboa, Gwoza, and Kwaya Kusar, power reinforcement efforts in hard-to-reach communities including Marte, Abadam and Kukawa.”
We shouldn’t treat energy as commodity, Zulum urges power minister
News
Katsina police foil kidnapping attempt, rescue 10 passengers along Funtua-Gusau road

Katsina police foil kidnapping attempt, rescue 10 passengers along Funtua-Gusau road
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Katsina has foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued 10 passengers along the Funtua-Gusau road.
It was gathered that the suspected armed bandits barricaded Marabar Bangori junction and attacked a light-green DAF truck driven by Haruna Dauda of Lafia, Nasarawa State, conveying 10 passengers from Yankara village to Jos.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer promptly mobilized an APC patrol team that responded swiftly to the scene.
The police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped victims and flee into the nearby bush.
The driver and the 10 passengers were rescued unhurt.
Katsina police foil kidnapping attempt, rescue 10 passengers along Funtua-Gusau road
News
Niger: Mokwa flood Claim 60 lived, more bodies recovered

Niger: Mokwa flood Claim 60 lived, more bodies recovered
By: Zagazola Makama
The death toll from the devastating flood that swept through Mokwa town in Niger State has risen to more than 60, as rescue workers continue to recover more bodies from submerged homes and farmlands.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that that the flood, which struck in the early hours of Wednesday, has been described by residents and local officials as the deadliest in the history of the town.

Community sources said many victims were caught in their sleep as the waters surged through residential areas, destroying houses, farmlands, and critical infrastructure.
“The scale of destruction and the number of deaths recorded in this single incident has never been experienced before in Mokwa,” a resident, Malam Musa Ibrahim, said.
While the exact cause of the flooding is yet to be confirmed, local speculation points to a possible release of water from the Kainji Dam.
Emergency response teams and volunteers are continuing recovery and relief efforts, as dozens remain missing and hundreds displaced.

Chairman of Mokwa Local Government Area, Hon. Jibrin Abdullahi Muregi, confirmed the rising casualty figure and called on the Niger State Government and relevant federal agencies to urgently intervene with relief materials and long-term support for affected communities.
“This is a tragic day for us. We are overwhelmed by the destruction and the high number of lives lost,” he said.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders are expected to arrive the town for a full-scale assessment and coordinated humanitarian response.
Niger: Mokwa flood Claim 60 lived, more bodies recovered
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