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Government will not approve any request that is not captured in the budget – Kadafur

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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

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Zulum, Two Other Governors To Receive Arewa Humanitarian Award

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Zulum, Two Other Governors To Receive Arewa Humanitarian Award

By: Our Reporter

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Umar Bago of Niger State, have been nominated for the distinguished Arewa Humanitarian Awards, 2024.

THISDAY newspaper reports on Sunday that the recognition is to highlight their exceptional contributions to humanitarian efforts and the well-being of their respective states.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State celebrated for his leadership amidst one of Nigeria’s most challenging humanitarian crises, has consistently demonstrated resilience and compassion in addressing the needs of displaced persons, providing essential services and rebuilding war-torn communities.

The Arewa Humanitarian Awards set to take place in December 2024 is a prestigious event that recognises leaders and changemakers across Northern Nigeria that have made substantial impacts in their communities. The nomination of these three governors is a testament to their dedication to serving the people and contributing to the overall development of the northern region.

Their leadership and humanitarian work will be honoured in the upcoming ceremony which will bring together political leaders, humanitarian advocates, and stakeholders to celebrate the collaborative efforts that continue to uplift communities across Northern Nigeria.

Zulum, Two Other Governors To Receive Arewa Humanitarian Award

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EU, GiZ Provide Electricity to Cross River Community

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EU, GiZ Provide Electricity to Cross River Community

By: Michael Mike

After six years without electricity, residents of Etomi community in Cross River State now enjoy reliable, clean, and affordable electricity through the European Union (EU)-funded solar mini-grid project.

The solar project, which provides 119.5kW of electricity to over 600 households and businesses in the community, was implemented by GIZ.

Head of Green and Digital Economy Section, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, explained that the grid is managed under a public-private partnership arrangement to ensure its sustainability and long-term maintenance. A private company is overseeing the operations of the grid, in partnership with the Cross River State Government.

Stefanowicz said the project is part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, and is aimed to ensure that Nigerians have access to clean, renewable, and affordable energy.

He said: “The provision of reliable, clean, and affordable electricity for domestic and commercial use will boost the social and economic development of the people. I am also glad to say that we are taking electricity to a cocoa-producing community. This will help their farming activities and processes greatly.”

The Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Eka Williams, explained that the solar mini-grid project is an off-grid system, and expressed the conviction that it would serve the Etomi community very well. “I want to say a very big thank you to my Governor, in partnership to the EU, who have made this possible. We have a replication of this in about four communities in Etung Local Government Area (LGA).”

John Okpa, a resident of Etomi community, expressed excitement, as his community had been without electricity for over six years. He said, “Residents of the Etomi community are happy because the EU has provided us with electricity after six years of darkness. We are grateful to them, and pray that God continues to bless them.”

Precious Jeremiah, another resident of Etomi community, revealed that for seven years, she used a generator to run her hair styling business. This, according to her, comes at a high cost of fueling, repairing, and servicing the generator. “Before the installation of the solar plant, I managed my business using a generator. The cost of fueling the generator is very expensive.

“Since the installation of the solar plant, my customers can come into my shop to get their hair done and enjoy a cool and clean atmosphere devoid of generator smoke and noise. Also, I am able to make enough profit to take care of my household, including paying for the school fees of my children,” she said.

EU, GiZ Provide Electricity to Cross River Community

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UMTH: Why the people should take ownership after the flood

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UMTH: Why the people should take ownership after the flood

By: Balami Lazarus

The extensive damages at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital as a result of the flood that ravages the city of Maiduguri remain a thing of concern to visitors, patients, and administrators who are eagerly awaiting to see that services return to normal and all machinery is working as it should for proper administration of quality health services.

As people show sympathy and calls for spirited individuals and organizations to turn their helping hands toward bringing back the hospital to its state of affairs before the flood, one thing that keeps coming from the people is to ensure that those expensive machines and equipment are put in place.

NEWSng observed recently the damages and calls for actions. The extending of heartfelt concern to the government and people of Borno State, especially as a result of this unfortunate situation, is highly encouraging, and the pace at which individuals and organizations are taking to support the hospital at this time is also appreciated.

For the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), it is of tears for the losses in billions of Naiira. But courage and determination shown by the excellent leadership efforts of the management and the wonderful works of the CMD, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, have been creating waves and still making significant marks in this great reputable hospital, even in the face of needs.

Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has demonstrated unequal leadership. He has shown that a large heart, kindness, selflessness, seeking progress, and peace are part of the needs to ensure stability amongst the patients, their relatives, and the staff that are providing immediate services in this traumatic and unorganized situation that accompanied that aftermath of the Maiduguri flood.

He has been preaching the message of considering the people first as the hospital battles many faces of challenges during and after the flood submerged the walls that house his hospital. This, according to the people who spoke to our team, is commendable, as inconsideration of public interest in regards to medical services has denied many hospitals the public and community calls as UMTH is getting at this time when voices are speaking on its behalf for succor and support.

“I believe with the many calls for action, the hospital will soon attract more and better equipment and materials in kind and in cash as an attempt to take ownership by individuals and organizations for public interest.” Auwal Mohammed, a resident of Maiduguri, told NEWSng in a chat.

“Anyone that might have come close to the CMD must have known that medicine and providing good healthcare of quality and standard are his top priorities for the people. Without reservation, permit me here to say after his family is medicine/radiology and UMTH.” A staff member of the UMTH who did not want to be mentioned said.

UMTH is the most affected. NEWSng findings revealed that the modern, sophisticated state-of-the-art medical equipment and materials in the main hospital and other medical centers, departments, wards, and units are water-soaked.

UMTH has the best specialized equipped medical centers staffed with professionals and medical health personnel. It is believed that other members of the public will attest to this and hence contribute with their resources.

To take ownership of a public facility situated and being in a particular locality by the people’s concern is simply giving back to the community by contributing, sponsoring projects, and making donations in cash and in kind to enable the likes of UMTH to deliver efficient medical services. And for UMTH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo and his management team, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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