2026 Budget: A Logical Step in Gombe’s Upward Growth – Commissioner

By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe

The Gombe State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Salihu Baba Alkali, has described the 2026 budget presented by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as a bold and strategic continuation of the administration’s vision to transform the state into a modern, thriving hub of economic empowerment and security.

Speaking shortly after the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly in Gombe, Alkali said the budget was not merely an annual fiscal ritual but “a powerful statement of intent — meticulously designed to secure the state’s immediate, long-term, and intergenerational well-being.”

According to him, the financial architecture of the 2026 budget “tells a story of developmental ambition,” with a total proposed expenditure of ₦535.69 billion. Of this figure, ₦371.44 billion (69.34%) is allocated to capital projects, while ₦164.25 billion (30.66%) is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

“This aggressive capital-to-recurrent ratio reflects a government focused on building the future, not just servicing the present. It ensures that the bulk of our resources are channelled into tangible assets and projects that will serve our people for decades to come,” he stated.

The Commissioner highlighted several signature mega projects embedded in the 2026 fiscal plan, including the Three Arms Zone, extensive road dualisation, and the State Industrial Park, describing them as “interconnected components of a master plan” aimed at upgrading the state’s infrastructure and economic capacity.

“The Three Arms Zone will modernise governance, the new road networks will serve as commercial arteries, while the Industrial Park will become the economic engine — attracting investment, creating jobs, and positioning Gombe alongside modern cities like Abuja,” Alkali explained.

He further noted that beyond physical infrastructure, the 2026 budget reflects a deep commitment to human capital development. “Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has ticked all boxes of international best practices,” he said, pointing out that the budget meets the 15% ‘Abuja Declaration’ benchmark for the health sector, reaffirming the government’s commitment to residents’ well-being.

Education, human development, and citizen empowerment also form central pillars of the plan, supported by targeted investments in agriculture and industrialisation to create a synergistic link between agricultural productivity and industrial growth.

Alkali emphasised that the 2026 budget was the product of extensive public consultations, ensuring inclusivity and collective ownership. “Our people were carried along throughout the process. This inclusive approach aligns state priorities with citizens’ needs and fosters trust,” he said.

The Commissioner expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to deliver, noting that Gombe achieved an implementation rate of over 60% in the 2025 budget cycle.

“With that track record, the political will to execute this vision is beyond doubt. The 2026 budget is not just a proposal — it is the next logical step in Gombe’s consistent upward trajectory of growth and development,” Alkali declared.

Nigeria Anticipates Contribution of Livestock Industry to GDP in Ten Years to Hit $94 billion

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has said in the next ten years the contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the livestock industry may reach $94 billion.

The industry according to the government is currently contributing over $32 billion to the nation’s GDP, with great impact on national food security, job creation, and rural income generation.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, speaking at the Policy Dialogue Workshop for the Valuation of PRISMA Project Results in the Regional Agricultural Priorities of West Africa and the Sahel, organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)’s Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) on Thursday in Abuja, said that Nigeria’s strategic plan for the livestock sector in the next ten years aims to increase its GDP contribution from the current $32 billion to between $74 billion and $94 billion.

The Minister, who was represented by the

Director, Technical Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Mr. Peter Alike, stated that

the government recognises livestock as a national imperative that cannot be ignored.

He noted that the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu reflects government’s deliberate action towards strengthening the livestock sub-sector and driving national development.

He stated the importance of collaboration between Nigeria, ECOWAS, and other regional actors in achieving shared agricultural and food security goals.

He said: “I have told you already that we have a strategic plan which is going to run from 2025 to 2030. And we have a basket of livestock contribution to GDP which is currently about $32 billion.

“And our mission is, in the next 10 years, we want to take, there is a baseline, a base anticipation of $74 billion and then of course a high expectation of about $94 billion.

“We believe that if you actually look at the entire valuation of livestock in Nigeria here today, we are far even in excess of that.

“In Nigeria, we have over 50 million cattle in the hands of rural dwellers, and these are animals that must be fed. So, for us, feed and indeed food is a national imperative that we cannot even live for tomorrow. It is indeed an emergency because the tangential effect of not being able to provide the necessary feed and food for our animals has a direct effect on our very existence, rural livelihood, and human peace. So, for us, it is a matter of survival.

“This is the time for three things to be done. The first thing to be done is collaboration. The second thing to be done is collaboration. And the third thing to be done is collaboration. This is the time that we need each other the most.”

He cautioned against allowing the PRISMA policy dialogue to become just another routine event without tangible outcomes.

He however cautioned against excluding Nigeria in regional projects.

He said: “We don’t want this to end up as one of those workshops because it doesn’t make sense,” that the ministry is fully committed to ensuring that discussions translate into real progress for livestock development across Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

He noted that: “If you have a project of this magnitude and you exclude Nigeria, then you are not likely to succeed. Especially, I don’t know of any other country in West Africa and the Sahel that has a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development.”

On his part, the Acting Executive Director of the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), Mr. Konlani Kanfitin, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to advancing livestock development and research collaboration in the region.

He expressed appreciation to the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) for co-financing the PRISMA Project (Research and Innovation for Productive, Resilient, and Healthy Agro-Pastoral Systems in West Africa), which promotes climate-adapted, research-based innovations in the livestock sector.

He said the PRISMA Project aligns with ECOWAS’ regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP), which seeks to transform agricultural and food systems across the region.

Kanfitin emphasised the importance of policy dialogue as a lever for coherence, strategic orientation, participatory governance, and regional integration.

He said: “The livestock sector occupies a central place in the economies of our member states. It contributes to food security, job creation, and the income of millions of rural households.

“This policy dialogue workshop constitutes a key moment for reflection and collective action; it is intended as a space for discussions and decision-making to improve the policy environment for research and innovation to increase the productivity and resilience of agro-pastoral systems in West Africa and the Sahel,” he noted.

In his remarks, Agricultural Engineer and PRISMA Researcher, Dr. Fernando Escribano, highlighted the project’s focus on tackling aflatoxins in livestock feed.

He described aflatoxins as metabolic byproducts of fungi and bacteria that can grow in the field and during storage when high moisture and temperature conditions allow, stressing the need for standard methods to control their presence in livestock feed.

“This is the scenario that we had when we started this project. We decided to focus because aflatoxins don’t have borders. Environmental impact doesn’t have borders. So, we decided to go with a harmonization exercise. We need to harmonize and define what is equality,” Dr. Escribano explained.

“We need to avoid the presence of aflatoxins in our feeds. We need to know how to sample to detect aflatoxins. We need to know how to measure aflatoxins in a relatively simple way, but in a way that we all agree to be done,” he added.

The PRISMA policy dialogue workshop was organized under the framework of ECOWAS’s regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP) and hosted in Abuja, Nigeria, with active participation and support from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The event was co-financed and technically supported by the European Union (EU), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Luxembourg Cooperation, Belgian Cooperation, and Spanish Cooperation, highlighting a strong partnership between regional bodies, national authorities, and international development partners.

Nigeria Anticipates Contribution of Livestock Industry to GDP in Ten Years to Hit $94 billion

COAS urges stronger unit training and weapons proficiency to boost operational readiness

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has urged Nigerian Army personnel to intensify unit-level training, emphasising weapons handling, tactical proficiency, and operational readiness to enhance combat effectiveness.

Addressing troops of 82 Division in Enugu on Thursday, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu highlighted the critical role of senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and unit leaders in preparing soldiers for active operations and future security challenges.

Shaibu commended troops deployed in Enugu State for their professionalism during the recently concluded Anambra State elections, urging them to continue upholding Army core values, obey lawful orders, and exercise due diligence in all assigned tasks.

He congratulated the division for ensuring the successful conduct of the elections, noting that the outcome would not have been possible without their discipline and commitment.

“Are you promising me you will uphold that?” the COAS asked, receiving affirmations from the troops.

The COAS also reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to the welfare of all personnel, highlighting the “soldier-first” concept. He assured that the well-being of every officer and soldier would be properly safeguarded, and urged troops to remain resolute and focused in the execution of their missions.

The COAS urged troops to remain committed and resolute in the execution of all missions, highlighting the direct impact of their presence on maintaining security and enabling normal civic activities.

He encouraged soldiers to take pride in their work, noting that their dedication directly contributes to maintaining operational effectiveness and security stability.

“Operational readiness is more than mere presence; it is about consistent unit training, basic tactics, and supervision at every level,” he said. “Senior NCOs must ensure that all soldiers are thoroughly trained on the fundamentals of weapon handling, minor tactics, and operational principles.”

The COAS specifically stressed the importance of weapons proficiency, instructing troops to know the effective ranges of their arms, including the SLR and AK-47.

“If you see an enemy at 300 or 400 metres, you should be able to neutralise them. This is not theoretical; it is what makes a soldier effective in combat,” he added.

Lt.-Gen. Shaibu also encouraged officers and NCOs to supervise closely, mentor younger soldiers, and instil discipline and operational competence at the unit level.

He pointed out the pivotal role of NCOs in ensuring that soldiers are capable of responding decisively during crises or skirmishes.

“You are the key link in preparing soldiers for operations. Take unit training very seriously. Your supervision determines the operational effectiveness of your troops,” he said, seeking and receiving verbal commitments from all senior NCOs and young officers present.

The COAS further reiterated the Army’s “soldier-first” philosophy, stressing that the welfare of officers and soldiers would continue to be a priority, ensuring that personnel remain motivated and mission-ready.

The RSM Convention, attended by senior officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors, formation commanders, and representatives from other security agencies, featured interactive lectures and practical sessions designed to strengthen regimental standards, leadership, discipline, and operational efficiency.

Lt.-Gen. Shaibu said the insights and best practices shared at the convention should be taken back to individual units to sustain combat readiness, improve morale, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

He noted that all enablers have been provided to the troops and urged them to ensure professionalism in their operations while assuring them that their welfare will be well taken care of.

COAS urges stronger unit training and weapons proficiency to boost operational readiness