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Zulum Presents N584.76 billion Appropriation Bill for 2025 Fiscal Year

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Zulum Presents N584.76 billion Appropriation Bill for 2025 Fiscal Year

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum on Monday presented an appropriation bill of ₦584.76 billion to the state House of Assembly for 2025 fiscal year.

The bill tagged: “Budget of Recovery and Continuity,” gives priority to health, education, and economic recovery, including critical investments in security, infrastructure, and social services.

The governor, while presenting the bill on the floor of the State House of Assembly, explained that it comprised a Capital Expenditure of ₦380.84 billion and a Recurrent Expenditure of ₦203.92 billion

Zulum disclosed that the proposed budget will be financed through Recurrent Revenue from Federation Allocation Account of ₦311.7 billion, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of ₦30.09 billion, and Capital Receipts of ₦237.96 billion.

He noted that the health sector will receive significant allocation, with ₦89.97 billion, representing 15.39% of the total budget and would fund projects such as the construction of an Orthopaedic Hospital in Maiduguri, establishment of General Hospitals in various local government areas, and rehabilitation of hospitals in Baga and Mulai.

The education sector would be allocated he ₦69.81 billion for projects, including the establishment of modern schools and rehabilitation of facilities in 50 schools across the state.

He said to address food insecurity, ₦10 billion has been allocated for procurement of food items, cultivation of 100,000 hectares for rain-fed farming, and 50,000 hectares for irrigation. Additionally, ₦22 billion has been set aside for victim support and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.

The governor noted that other priority projects in the 2025 budget include the establishment of Maiduguri Dry Port, dualization of the Maiduguri-Biu Road, and modernization of Borno Radio and Television (BRTV).

Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to addressing key challenges, including clearing the backlog of pensions and gratuities and implementing the ₦72,000 minimum wage for civil servants and teachers.

He appealed to members of the House of Assembly to expedite passage of the proposed budget, insisting that it is with cooperation, support, and understanding that the state can be great again.

He said: “We recognize that our success hinges on this partnership, which will drive sustainable growth, enhance public services, and ensure that no one is left behind.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, commended the governor for the resettlement of victims of Boko Haram insurgency, while acknowledging the cordial working relationship between the legislature and the executive arms.

Zulum Presents N584.76 billion Appropriation Bill for 2025 Fiscal Year

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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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