The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • 2023 Budget: Bauchi allocates N10b to SSG’s office, N5b for Agriculture

    2023 Budget: Bauchi allocates N10b to SSG’s office, N5b for Agriculture

    The Bauchi State government has allocated the sum of N10 billion to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) while a paltry sum of N5 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture and N6 billion to the Water sector.

    Meanwhile, N30.5 billion was budgeted for the health sector, representing 15.08 percent of the total budget of N202 billion proposed for the 2023 fiscal year.

    Education sector got 26.6 billion naira representing 13 percent of the total budget.

    The State Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Alhaji Aminu Hamayyo, gave the breakdown of the budget estimate which was presented to the State Assembly by Governor Bala Mohammed for approval on Wednesday.

    In his words, “We have the office of the SSG which has an allocation of N10,180,889,545.96 kobo (Ten billion, one hundred and eighty million, eight hundred and eighty-nine thousand, five hundred and forty-five naira, ninety-six Kobo) which is about 5 percent”.

    For the Ministry of Agriculture, the Commissioner said, “an allocation of N5,42,681,281.17 Kobo (five billion, forty-two million, six hundred and eighty-one thousand, two hundred and eighty-one naira, seventeen Kobo), was budgeted for It. That’s about 2.5 percent of the budget. The water sector which gulps N6 billion represents 3.4 percent of the budget. I  think these are the key top ten MDAs.”

    The Ministry of finance gulped an allocation of about N22,945,160,285 representing 11.3 percent of the total budget.

    Further breaking down showed the office of the Head of Service and that of the Pension board together got the allocation of N13,333,58,043.63 (thirteen billion, three hundred and thirty-three million, fifty-eight thousand, forty-three naira, sixty-three logos) representing about 3.6 percent.

    He said the budget was prepared in line with the 2023-2025 mid-term expenditure framework.

    On the health sector, he said the government will place a high priority on Primary Healthcare services, adding that efforts will be made to upgrade a lot of the health facilities and provide effective services as well as the availability of consumables.

  • Assembly advises Sule to stop payment to contractor

    Assembly advises Sule to stop payment to contractor

    Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged Governor Abdullahi Sule to stop further payment to the contractor handling the 13.45km Rinze-Ngare- Ancho Baba- Andaha road in Akwanga LGA over alleged poor work by the contractor.

    The House Committee Chairman on INEC, Multilateral Cooperation and Community Development, Mohammed Okpoku, gave the advice in Akwanga while inspecting the road.

    Okpoku said that 85 per cent of the money received by the contractor out of the N209.3m contract sum did not tally with the work done so far.

    Read Also; 2023: Nasarawa Speaker drums support for Tinubu, Sule

    “To be sincere, we are not happy with the work done by the contractor handling the 13.45km Rinze-Ngare- Ancho Baba- Andaha road. The contractor said he received 85 per cent of the total contract sum, which means there is remaining only 15 per cent of the money to be completed by the state government. The work done did not tally or match the money received by the contractor. It is in view of this that we are directing the state government to henceforth stop giving the contractor his remaining balance until he does the needful,” he said.

    Okpoku also called for the overhauling of Ngare- Ancho Bridge for the purpose of saving the lives of the people and boosting their socio-economic activities.

    He said the committee was out to ensure that the projects were done according to specifications for the overall development of the state.

    “We are out to ensure that quality works are done in order to justify the state government’s huge investment in rural development. And we want to ensure that no contractor short-changed the government,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Andrew Simon of Sergio Construction Company Limited, the contractor handling the construction of the road, confirmed that the company received 85 per cent of the total contract sum of N209.3 million.

    The contractor assured that the work would be done according to specifications.

  • Traditional council hails Buhari on military operation

    Traditional council hails Buhari on military operation

    The Tiv Area Traditional Council Headed by the Paramount Ruler of Tiv Nation, The Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, for the deployment of Operation Whirl  Stroke and security agencies to Tiv land.

    In a communiqué at the end of their emergency meeting at Tor Tiv Palace Gboko, Benue state, the council resolved and condemned in very strong terms the incessant, brutal and mindless attacks on innocent, unarmed farmers and farming communities, especially border communities.

    Read Also: Buhari: Nigeria now needs Tinubu

    The communiqué, signed by Chief Clement Uganden and Shinyi Tyozua, described as appalling, the condition in which over one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) continue to live as a result of the crippling insecurity.

    The Tiv Area Traditional Council appealed to the government to urgently facilitate the return of the victims of the prolonged attacks, who are in numerous IDPs Camps, to their ancestral farming lands and communities.

    The council commended Governor Samuel Ortom for the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, Community Volunteer Guards Law implementation and for supporting Federal Security Agencies in the State to perform effectively.

  • NYSC DG warn Corps members against night journeys

    NYSC DG warn Corps members against night journeys

    The Director General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Mohammed Fada has urged youth corps members deployed to Katsina state to avoid night journeys and remain security conscious in all camp activities.

    General Fada, who told the 2022 Batch C, Stream 1, corps members deployed to Katsina that his visit was to assess their security and welfare, enjoined them to remain patriotic and be prepared for deployment in the forth coming 2023 general elections.

    He said: ’’You must remain conversant with the electoral laws with a view to participating effectively at the elections. As you are all aware, during the 2023 general elections in which all of you would participate, when the time comes, play according to the rules of the game. Be conversant with the electoral laws and be patriotic.”

    Read Also: NYSC: prospective corps members to undergo fitness test in camp

    He assured them that the NYSC authorities have placed a high premium on their safety.

    On life after the service year, General Fadah implored the corps members to ensure that they embrace one of the vocations being taught at the orientation camp.

    The vocation, he said, could serve as something they could fall back on after their service year.

    The Katsina state NYSC Coordinator, Hajiya Aisha Muhammad had earlier told the visiting DG that 1,032 corps members had registered at the camp for the orientation.

    According to her, the figures were made up of 562 males and 470 females.

  • Emir lauds Egyptian firm on rice plant

    Emir lauds Egyptian firm on rice plant

    The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, has lauded an Egyptian Company, Egta, for its plans to establish Nigeria’s largest rice processing plant in the state.

    Bayero said this when he received the company’s delegation in his palace yesterday in Kano.

    He said the plant would help to boost the economy of the state.

    Read Also; Nigerian rice brings health, foreign rice brings death (2)

    He said Nigeria had a long-term relationship with Egypt lasting for decades.

    The Emir pledged the support of the emirate toward the realisation of the project because of its potential economic benefits to the state.

    Bayero commended the Egyptian government for its educational support to Nigeria especially Kano State for many years.

    Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Egta, Mr Basheer Ibrahim, said the rice plant would result in huge economic benefits to the state.

    Ibrahim said the visit was to solicit the Royal father’s support for the successful take-off of the plant.

  • ABU, UK varsity to conduct research on out-of-school children in three countries

    ABU, UK varsity to conduct research on out-of-school children in three countries

    The Distance Learning Centre, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, have agreed to jointly conduct research on out-of-school children in Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania.

    The two universities have also accepted to work together to access a range of grants and funds to support teaching, research and community development services, through a collective effort towards accessing support from key sponsors such as Google Outreach Grant, Mastercard Foundation (MF), and the British Council.

    A statement by ABU’s Public Affairs Director, Auwalu Umar, said: “Other areas identified included a conference on digital education which UoE and ABU-DLC have agreed, in principle, to jointly organize. Additionally, some leading experts in digital education from the University of Edinburgh have offered to be e-tutors for ABU Distance Learning Centre.

    Read Also; LUTH gets $10,000 for maternal, reproductive health research

    Under the partnerships, for example, UoE’s Centre for Research in Digital Education has agreed to organize a training workshop for ABU-DLC e-tutors, staff and other stakeholders on pedagogy in digital education.

    “The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, described the London meeting as a “huge success”, and expressed gratitude to the University of Edinburgh for its willingness to collaborate with Ahmadu Bello University Distance Learning Centre.

    “He reaffirmed the commitment of ABU Distance Learning Centre to work with Excel Centres, local radio stations and other strategic partners in the United Kingdom to further enhance the visibility of the Centre in particular, and the University in general.”

  • Bauchi proposes N202b budget

    Bauchi proposes N202b budget

    Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed yesterday proposed N202 billion to the House of Assembly for next fiscal year.

    It comprises the recurrent expenditure of N87,923,242,953 – representing 43 per cent while N114, 714,558,650 – representing 57 per cent of the total budget was earmarked for capital expenditure.

    The sum of N125 billion is estimated as recurrent revenue which is made up of Internally Generated Revenue of N22 billion, Statutory allocation of N61 billion, and Valued Added Tax of N35 billion.

    Read Also; Obaseki presents N320b budget to assembly

    Personnel cost is estimated at N41 billion, with Overhead cost being N46 billion while it’s projected that the state would realise capital in the sum of N67 billion from Internal and external loans; N17 billion, and N10 billion in Aids and Grants.

    Mohammed, who presented the budget to lawmakers, said it’s tagged “the Budget of Accomplishment and Renewed Commitment”

    He explained that the 2.6 per cent increase to last year’s budget of N179bn was attributed to “rising inflationary trends and reflection of the current economic reality adding that emphasis would be made on the completion of all the ongoing projects across the state.

    According to him, it is slightly more than the 2022 budget size because his administration is determined to complete all ongoing projects before the expiration of his first tenure on May 29.

    Speaker of the assembly, Abubakar Sulaiman, promised that the budget would be given speedy consideration.

  • Kano Assembly passes persons With Disabilities Bill

    Kano Assembly passes persons With Disabilities Bill

    The Kano State House of Assembly yesterday passed the state Persons with Disabilities Amendment Bill, 2022.

    This followed the adoption of a motion by the Majority Leader, Labaran Madari at plenary, presided over by Speaker Hamisu Chidari in Kano.

    The bill was passed after third reading by the clerk, Alhaji Bako Gezawa.

    Read Also: Women with disabilities demand inclusion in politics

    Madari, while briefing newsmen shortly after plenary, said that the amendment bill would pave way for the formulation of policies for the social development of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.

    He said that the amendment would also give PWDs in the state a sense of belonging by making lives easier for them.

  • Edo govt disagrees with LP on use of stadium, other facilities

    Edo govt disagrees with LP on use of stadium, other facilities

    Edo State Government and the state chapter of Labour Party (LP) yesterday disagreed on last Friday’s alleged refusal of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration to disallow LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from campaigning at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and other expansive facilities, thereby opting for Baptist Convention Centre on TV Road, Benin.

    LP Publicity Secretary in Edo, Sam Oroupa, accused Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of attempting to frustrate Obi and his supporters in Edo, thereby denying them of the public facilities they earlier applied to use and playing politics with the sensitive matter.

    Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare, however, described LP’s allegations as misleading, claiming that political rallies were not permitted at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, but PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar used the main bowl of the same stadium on October 22 for his campaign.

    Read Also: Obaseki, ex-DSS DG Daura to women: be involved in political governance

    Nehikhare said: “LP’s letter of request for the use of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was addressed to the stadium’s managers on November 8 and received at 1:30 pm on the same day.

    “Assuming the stadium permitted the hosting of political rallies, three days’ notice to have the stadium facilities prepared and ready for a political event is not only an arduous task, but also almost an impossible one, considering the time and special care required for the protection of such facility as the tartan athletics track.

    “Some of the facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium are under warranty, with stringent handling conditions demanded to guarantee the validity of the warranty.

    “As we all know, political rallies are usually very rowdy, with the attendant difficulty of crowd control, and therefore require the timely expression of interest for the use of such venues housing delicate facilities. The appropriate approach would have been to avail the stadium managers enough latitude of time to guarantee adequate protection of facilities.

    “Let me also allay the misconception, considering the bias for the stadium managers to have granted permission for the PDP presidential rally to hold at the venue. Apart from ample time in requesting and preparing the venue for use, the occasion was the official inauguration of the newly-renovated stadium.”

  • Buhari transmits FCT, NDDC budget to Reps

    Buhari transmits FCT, NDDC budget to Reps

    President Muhammadu Buhari has transmitted the 2023 statutory budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the House of Representatives for approval.

    Buhari also transmitted to the House, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCT) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alteration bills 2022 for consideration.

    This is contained in three separate letters to the house and read by Speaker Femi Gbajabimila at the resumed plenary in Abuja yesterday.

    In the letter, Buhari said the conveyance of the FCT statutory budget which aligned with the Federal Government’s fiscal development policies was pursuant to section 121 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “In the preparation of the Federal Capital Territory’s 2023 budget, the Federal Capital Territory Administration aligns with the federal government’s fiscal development policies.

    Read Also: Review 2023 budget to align with realities, NACCIMA urges Fed Govt

    “Accordingly, the FCT 2023 budget proposal prioritises improvement in healthcare services, job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare services

    “Others include: education and increased productivity in agriculture in our determination to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty,” he said.

    Buhari said he hoped the submission would receive the usual expeditious considerations of the House.

    On the NDDC budget, the letter reads: “In accordance with section 18(1) of the NDDC Establishment Act, I forward herewith the 2023 estimate of the NDDC for the kind consideration and passage of the House of Representatives.”

    For the CCT and Constitution alteration bills, Buhari said the aim was to ensure the effective performance of the functions of the bureau and assist the tribunal in the effective and speedy dispensation of cases.

    “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria alteration bill 2022 aims to ensure the effective performance of the functions of the Code of Conduct and assist the Code of Conduct Tribunal in the effective and speed dispensation of cases.

    “Also, we hope that the House will as usual in its manner considers this submission for passage into law,” he said.