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Perm Sec budget urged Ministries Departments and Agencies in Borno to retire budgetary allocations in time

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Perm Sec budget urged Ministries Departments and Agencies in Borno to retire budgetary allocations in time

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The Permanent Secretary, Borno Ministry of Budget and Planning Dr Peter Solomon has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) in the state to retire their budgetary allocations to assist the Ministry plan effectively for the next fiscal year.

Granting an interview during a pre-budget workshop for directors of finance, planning and budget officers Tuesday in Maiduguri, Dr Solomon stressed that the performance of the budget and the 25 year Borno development plan cannot be assessed effectively if erring parastatals refused to retire details of their funds allotted to them on a yearly basis.

While responding to a question by this reporter on the performance of the budget, the permanent secretary stated that the ministry can only assess performance “high or low” when releases of retirements get to them as at when due.

He added that performance cannot be read directly because their sister finance ministry hardly get the needed retirements as at when due. ” We have hammered on this but we don’t know what else can be done to increase their ability to retire their budgetary allocations. They just keep dragging their feet and dragging us backwards.

“Every Ministry is expected to retire at least by the first week of the following month so we expect these retirements to take on a timely basis but we are not seeing the timely reports as expected yet we are already talking of fixing a new budget. Retirements is about how far we have been able to go in the business of budgeting for the state and don’t forget we have a supplementary budget which we have been planning even before the flood came around to destabilize the entire system.” Said Solomon.

The Permanent Secretary regretted that in spite of the fact that there may be many challenges to surmount as a new ministry, the inability of ministries to retire their budgetary funding is a big challenge which they are taxed with.

Dr Solomon however noted that performance can easily be assessed by the approval of the Governor Professor Babagana Zulum and these approvals will tell you about what will be carried out on the ground. And then after the approvals, you will have to also consider also the issue of what has been released and how effectively the projects have been carried out.

“Look at those gigantic schools the Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum is building all over the place. It is obvious that contractors would not have been able to work if these monies were not released in time.Once monies are released, it is always expected that these projects will be carried out. That is what has been going on in the state because his excellency does not waste time to approve as long as he believes the project like all those bridges affected by the flood must be repaired so that commuters can enjoy using these facilities.” said the permanent secretary.

On the new monitoring and evaluation department, the permanent secretary said that since that department has been transferred to their ministry, they have been trying their best to meet up the challenges of the MDA’s since the budget ministry is a young ministry.

“It is just recently that we were told to take over the monitoring and evaluation department but with workshops like these and the town hall expected for tomorrow, we expect to give them enough training to meet up to our expectations. However,even before then, the Ministry of finance gives us feedback on releases. We are all still together as our commissioner is the one supervising the two ministries for now. But basically our business is to give conveyance and approval after the Governor has approved that project.

” Sometimes people come and make demands for funds forgetting that we cannot give out such funds without budgetary approvals. We don’t release monies like that. What we do is to authorize and then convey to the officer for release in the finance ministry where clients will go and receive accordingly.” Said the perm secretary.

Perm Sec budget urged Ministries Departments and Agencies in Borno to retire budgetary allocations in time

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Recent reports claiming that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), narrowly escaped death in an alleged Boko Haram ambush in Borno State are categorically false and misleading.

Zagazola Makama can confirm that there was never any attack on the retired general, contrary to statements made by Senator Ali Ndume and recklessly amplified by several media outlets without a shred of verification.

What actually happened was a coordinated three-pronged attack by ISWAP terrorists on military facilities in Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area, on Friday. The assault targeted the Battalion Headquarters, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Command Secondary School – not Lt.-Gen. Buratai or any convoy associated with him.

Let us be clear:
Lt.-Gen. Buratai was nowhere near the ambush, and at no point was his life in danger. This is not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of truth versus dangerous misinformation.

Zagazola Makama, has previously reported how the ground troops, with critical support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, repelled the attackers decisively.

During the encounter, two ISWAP gun trucks were destroyed, while a third was recovered during follow-up operations. Several terrorists were killed, including over 20 in airstrikes during their retreat through Mangari.

So how did this snowball into a national headline falsely claiming a “near-death” experience for the former army chief?
Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, an unforgivable dereliction of journalistic duty, especially in a region as sensitive as the North East.

The media owes the public and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the duty of responsible reporting, not alarmist fiction wrapped in sensational headlines. The security situation in Buratai is under control, and troops continue to dominate the area to prevent any further attacks.

Let this stand as a final and factual rebuttal:
There was NO attack on Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Period. Stop twisting the truth for cheap headlines.

Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

By: Zagazola Makama

As part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has conducted another successful air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Bukar Meram, located in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed by sources that the mission, which was executed in the early hourz of Monday, June 9, at about 0545 hours, was carried out under the auspices of Operation KALACHEN WUTA II.

The sources said that the operation formed part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting terrorist activities before, during, and after the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah period.

He said that intelligence-led surveillance revealed that the terrorists were regrouping at the Bukar Meram location with intent to launch coordinated attacks on Marte and Monguno general areas.

Prompted by this credible intelligence, the Air Component swiftly mobilised to engage the enclave. Airstrikes were conducted with precision, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists.

The strikes also resulted in the destruction of critical terrorist logistics, including supply vehicles, makeshift shelters, and weapons storage points.

The decimation of the enclave not only inflicted significant losses on the terrorists but also disrupted their operational planning and movement.

The sources added that Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the mission confirmed that the planned attacks on Marte and Monguno were effectively thwarted.

Further intelligence gathering is ongoing to assess enemy reactions and possible movement patterns following the successful interdiction. Ground troops have also been placed on heightened alert to exploit the gains of the airstrike and maintain pressure on fleeing remnants.

Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

By: Zagazola Makama

A 67-year-old French national, Mr. Pietier Gilles, has been found dead at a hotel in Gboko town in Benue state.

Zagazola Makama report that the deceased, believed to be a French tourist, was found dead on Saturday at Hotel Jovina, Gbokon, where he had lodged on June 6.

According to a police sources, on Sunday, the hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Terhide Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station at about 5:45 p.m. on June 8.

Laha informed the police that the tourist fell ill on June 7 but declined to be taken to a hospital. Concerned about his deteriorating condition, the hotel management brought in a medical practitioner to examine him. He was, however, discovered to have died.

“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel where photographs of the scene were taken. The body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” the police said.

Gilles reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19, 2025, traveling on a sports bicycle as part of what is believed to be a long-distance tour.

Police sources said investigation will be conducted, and all relevant diplomatic channels are being engaged to handle the situation appropriately.

French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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