News
Group Calls for Pro-Poor 2025 Budget, Action on Economic Crisis
Group Calls for Pro-Poor 2025 Budget, Action on Economic Crisis
By: Michael Mike
The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTiON), a coalition of over 50 social movement groups representing more than 30 million Nigerians, has raised
serious concerns over the worsening economic conditions and pervasive insecurity in the country.
A statement by the group on Monday said with inflation climbing from 33.88% in October 2024 to 34.8% in January 2025, and acute food insecurity projected by FEWS to worsen between February and May 2025, there is a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability.
Speaking after its steering committee meeting, the Convener, Comrade Hauwa Mustapha stated that: “The 2025 budget, in its current form, fails to address the critical needs of millions of Nigerians grappling
with poverty, hunger, and insecurity. The National Assembly must ensure the budget reflects and prioritizes the welfare of the masses, particularly those most affected by IMF/World Bank austerity measures, not a privileged few.”
Mustapha while lamenting that with PWC projecting an additional 13 million Nigerians could fall below the poverty line in 2025, emphasized that the proposed budget prioritizes recurrent spending
(₦14.8 trillion, a 19.66% increase), while capital expenditure remains insufficient at ₦14.1 trillion (a mere 12.5% increase). The alarming 96.75% rise in debt servicing further strains the government’s ability to invest in critical sectors.
She lamented that despite the urgent need for investment in human capital, allocations to health, education, and agriculture remain below African Union recommendations (15% for health, 20% for education, and 10% for agriculture), exacerbating Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
MOTiON however warned that failing to address these issues risks further marginalizing millions of Nigerians.
In response to recent allegations of an extortion scheme involving National Assembly members demanding ₦8 million bribes from vice chancellors for budget approvals, Comrade Hauwa declared,
“MOTiON condemns this shocking abuse of power and betrayal of public trust.
Such corruption diverts critical resources from addressing the country’s pressing challenges.”
MOTiON also expressed deep concern over the ongoing persecution of the eleven
EndBadGovernance protesters facing trumped-up charges of treason and terrorism financing.
Mustapha described this as a blatant attack on democratic rights, adding that: “These unjust charges are a desperate attempt to silence dissent and stifle calls for accountability.”
MOTiON specifically demands that:
“All anti-corruption agencies urgently investigate and prosecute individuals involved in the extortion scheme. Failure to act will deepen public disillusionment with
governance.
“The National Assembly must review the 2025 budget proposal, eliminating
unnecessary expenditures, blocking financial mismanagement, and redirecting
resources to sustainable solutions.
“Budgetary allocations must prioritize essential social services, including healthcare, education, and social protection programmes, to support vulnerable populations and reduce inequality.
“Federal and state governments must implement pro-poor policies that generate
employment, invest in local industries, and stabilize the economy with targeted
subsidies.
“All charges against the #EndBadGovernance activists must be dropped immediately, and the government must end its systemic repression of workers, activists, and social movements.”
Mustapha said: “Given the worsening insecurity, the Federal Government must
strengthen measures to combat terrorism and banditry while addressing the root causes of violence through dialogue and reconciliation. The National Assembly must ensure the budget reflects the needs of the people. This is not the time for business as usual. The collective frustration of Nigerians is nearing a tipping point, and the consequences of continued neglect could be dire for those in power.”
Group Calls for Pro-Poor 2025 Budget, Action on Economic Crisis
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has carried out a successful air interdiction, neutralizing scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroying their logistics hub in Arina, Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air operation, which took place on March 9, 2025, at about 0600 hours, was executed based on credible human intelligence (HUMINT) and confirmatory intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The sources intelligence revealed suspicious movements and a large gathering of terrorists at the location, prompting the coordinated air strikes.
According to the sources , the air strikes targeted terrorist logistics, structures, and fighters, dealing a significant blow to their operational capabilities.
“The precision airstrikes effectively neutralized many ISWAP fighters and disrupted their logistics chain in the area. The operation further weakens the group’s ability to launch attacks on civilian and military targets,” the source stated.
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
Buni Approves Employment of 267 Health Technicians in Yobe
By: Michael Mike
Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the employment of 267 health technicians to boost manpower requirements in health facilities across the state.
According to a statement on Monday by the spokesman to the governor, Mallam Mamman Mohammed, the employment covers 140 Buni Scholars who recently graduated in various fields of medical sciences in India.
Mohammed said the Buni Scholars include 43 Bsc Nursing, 43 Bsc Pharmacy, 22 Bsc Medical Laboratory Science, 24 Bsc Radiology, 7 Bsc Optometry and 1 Bsc Public Health graduates.
The spokesman said the governor had similarly approved the employment of 127 health technician currently serving as volunteers in health institutions across the state.
He said the governor directed the employment of the medical technicians who graduated earlier but were not formally employed but had been serving as volunteers in the medical centers.
According to him, the Buni Scholars are placed on CONHESS 8, while the volunteer technicians were placed on CONHESS 6/2.
The Buni administration had in the last five years consistently offered automatic employment to graduates of the state-owned Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery to improve personnel in the medical facilities.
It could be recalled that, the Buni administration established primary healthcare centres in the political wards of the state to bring healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the people.
Similarly, the government upgraded the four General Hospitals in Gashua, Potiskum, Geidam and Buni Yadi to Specialist hospitals, and eight Primary health centers to General hospitals while, the State Teaching hospital was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to make Healthcare delivery accessible and affordable across the state.
Buni Approves Employment of 267 Health Technicians in Yobe
Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader ‘Yellow Aboki’ in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops conducting clearance operations in Zamfara State have neutralized a notorious bandit leader known as ‘Yellow Aboki’, a close ally of the late terror kingpin, Hassan Bamamu.
Security sources revealed to Zagazola Makama that Yellow Aboki was eliminated in a recent encounter with the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in the North West of Tsafe LGA.
His demise comes a weeks after the military’s successful operation that led to the elimination of Hassan Dantawaye also known as Bamamu, a feared bandit commander who was one of his closest associate.
It was gathered that Yellow Aboki had been consolidating his control over criminal activities in Zamfara following the death of Hassan Nabamamu .
He was believed to have been operating within the areas of Bamamu, Dan Mali, Agamalafiya, and Makera, where he coordinated violent attacks and kidnappings.
The Military sustained its crackdown on bandit kingpins in identified enclaves in Zamfara, Sokoto and other troubled areas in the North West.
The sustained pressure has diminished the capacity pf the bandits to confront the troops instead, they had resorted to pockets of attacks within vulnerable communities with less security coverage.
Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader ‘Yellow Aboki’ in Zamfara
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
Marwa: NDLEA officers’ welfare ‘ll continue to be my priority
LAWMAKERS COMMEND NSCDC BOSS FOR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING, HARPS ON SUSTAINED ZEST TO CURTAIL ECONOMIC SABOTAGE
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