The federal government has proposed N47.9 trillion as the total expenditure in the 2025 budget.
Atiku Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning, told journalists on Thursday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
More to follow…
Gunmen attacked an army checkpoint early on Wednesday at Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area, killing two soldiers.
A military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred around 6:18 am. The gunmen arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, although the exact number of attackers could not be confirmed.
Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
NEWS RELEASE
Budget Presentation: Our Government Delivers on Critical Sectors – Governor Adeleke
●Osun Executive Council Approves Budget 2025, Appoints Two New Kings
●OSOGBO- 13/11/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng
Governor Ademola Adeleke has described his administration as an agent of development that has positively touched all sectors of Osun society within just two years in Office.
He made the pronouncement while presenting Budget 2025 to the State House of Assembly in the presence of lawmakers and members of the State Executive Council in an annual event hosted by the House Speaker, Right Honourable Adewale Egbedun.
The Governor noted that “the total size of the Budget 2025 is Three Hundred and Ninety Billion, Twenty Eight Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira Only (390,028,277,740.00).
“The expenditure comprises Capital Expenditure of One Hundred and Forty-Four Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N144,231,183,800.00), Recurrent Expenditure of Two Hundred and Forty Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, Ninety Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Naira Only (N245,797,093,940.00).
“Recurrent Expenditure is divided into Personnel cost, which is made up of salaries and allowances, as well as Pensions and Gratuities and stands at One Hundred and Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Five Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Ten Naira Only( ₦102,895,821,010.00). The balance of One Hundred and Forty Two Billion, Nine Hundred and One Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Naira Only( ₦142,901,272,930.00 ) is set aside.
“Our Revenue consists of Recurrent Revenue, where Government share of FAAC is One Hundred and Ninety Six billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eight Naira Only (₦ 196,778,975,180.00 and Independent Revenue is One Hundred and Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Naira Only (₦109,870,932,830.00). Other receipts from development partners are Fifty Three Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Million, Two Hundred and Forty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Ten Naira Only (₦53,377,244,610.00)”, the Governor noted in his speech.
Governor Adeleke affirmed that his administration has recorded unprecedented progress across the sectors which will be unveiled in details during the midterm anniversary holding for a week later this month, submitting a synopsis to the Assembly.
According to the Governor, “our administration has reduced rural Health Access gap by 40% through rehabilitation of over two hundred Primary healthcare centers; We have increased health care access to all pensioners from less than 10% to 90% within 2 years;
“We closed road infrastructure gap and deficit by 50% from 80%; We took agric mechanization from 0% to 35%; We built digital economy policy structures from 0% to 55%; We built public service integrity from 25% to almost 70%;
“We expanded local content from 0% to 75%; We built climate agenda from 0% to over 70%; We raised state financial support for cooperative societies from 0% to 66%; We expanded financial support to ward cooperative societies from 0% to over 60%;
“We built Ilesa University from 15% to over 90%; We redeveloped Odeomu Cooperative College to HND institution; We increased Osun Google coverage from 20% to 65%; We launched phased bursary award from 0% to 40%; We liquidated 40% of inherited salary debt;
“We paid up over 35% of inherited pension debt; We improved School infrastructure by over 40 percent; We enhanced rural Infrastructure by over 40 percent with over 300 completed rural projects”, the Governor affirmed, adding that “Osun State has not taken any loan (External or Domestic).
“We rely solely on the prudent management of available resources to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of Osun State. This is our goal and with God on our side we will not derail”, the Governor told the lawmakers.
Osun Executive Council Approves Budget 2025, Appoints Two New Kings
Osun state executive council had earlier approved a total budget of Three Hundred and Ninety Billion, Twenty Eight Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira Only (390,028,277,740.00) for onward presentation to the House of Assembly.
The council deliberations chaired by Governor Ademola Adeleke reviewed the performance of the 2024 budget and discussed the details of the proposed 2025 budget estimates.
Governor Adeleke told the Council that the increase in the size of the budget from that of last year was meant to consolidate on the gains already recorded in the implementation of the 2024 Appropriation Act.
According to the State Governor, the administration is determined to expand the state economy, increase the state internally gene
The Osun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has announced the closure of the Old Garage to Okefia road in Osogbo for one week.
This announcement was made in a statement issued by Engr. Bashir Bello, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, which was made available to newsmen.
According to Engr. Bello, the closure is necessary to facilitate the smooth launching of beams on the Okefia Fly-Over and complete ongoing construction work on the Old Garage to Okefia road.
The statement reads, “This is to inform motorists, road users and the general public that the Old garage to Okefia road in Osogbo will be closed (for one week) between 12noon of Friday, 8th to 12noon of Thursday 14th November, 2024 to allow for the smooth launching of beams on the Okefia Fly-Over and completion of the ongoing construction work on the Old garage to Okefia road.
“Motorists and other road users are therefore advised to find alternative routes to their various destinations during the period of the closure.
Meanwhile, traffic officers such as the F.R.S.C and O-TRAM will be on ground to direct traffic.
The management of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, has dismissed reports circulating that a 100-level male student of the institution was raped to death by some 500-level students.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Solomon Adebola, in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Friday, condemned the report, said to have originated from an online television source.
Prof. Adebola, who insisted that the report by the online TV was incorrect and malicious, added that efforts were underway to identify the source of the rumour.
It has come to the attention of Adeleke University’s administration that false information is being circulated, alleging the rape and subsequent death of a 100-level male student by some 500-level male students.
“Adeleke University administration vehemently disapproves of the malicious and misleading information, purported to have originated from ‘AU TV,’ an entity unknown to the university’s management. This misleading information is clearly an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Adeleke University.
“We wish to inform the public that Adeleke University will, as always, continue to prioritise the well-being, safety, and security of its students. We also warn the originator of this baseless and unfounded news to desist.
Condemning the fake news, Adebola reiterated the university’s commitment to protecting its male and female students from all forms of sexual harassment, exploitation, and misconduct.
Furthermore, we are taking decisive steps to ensure that those responsible for spreading this unfounded and malicious information are held accountable and will face the full weight of the law,” the statement partly read.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday restricted Ministers, Ministers of State, and Heads of Agencies of the Federal Government to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys.
No additional vehicles will be assigned to them for movement,” the President affirmed in a statement he signed Thursday titled, ‘President Tinubu issues new directives on reduction in cost of governance.’
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, who released the statement said “The cost-cutting measure was announced today in a statement signed by the President.”
In January 2024, Tinubu issued a directive which the Presidency said was to reduce government expenditure.
The directive included reducing his entourage on foreign trips from 50 to 20 officials.
For local trips, he reduced it to 25 officials.
Similarly, he reduced the Vice President’s entourage to five officials on foreign trips and 15 for local trips.
In the directive issued on Thursday, Tinubu also ordered all ministers, ministers of state, and heads of agencies to have at most five security personnel attached to them.
“The security team will comprise four police officers and one Department of State Services officer.
“No additional security personnel will be assigned, he ordered,” the statement read.
Tinubu also instructed the National Security Adviser to engage with the Military, Paramilitary and Security Agencies to determine a suitable reduction in their vehicle and security personnel deployment.
The Presidency said “All affected officials are expected to comply with these new measures immediately, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of these changes.”
GOVERNOR ADELEKE BARS HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS FROM PLYING OLAIYA BRIDGE
OSOGBO- 21/10/2024 -Osunstate.gov.ng
Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ban heavy duty trucks from plying the Olaiya bridge at the state capital, citing safety reasons arising from the technical reports on the state of the bridge.
The Governor who presided over a security council meeting at Osogbo said the decision became necessary to protect the bridge from possible collapse and avoid untoward happenings with continuous passage by heavy trucks.
Describing the decision as a preemptive step, Governor Adeleke said the Ministry should erect barricades across the bridge to allow only cars and buses to ply through the road.
As a step towards implementing the directive, the Governor also instructed the Ministry to issue a travel advisory with radio jingles to sensitize members of the public and the transport ecosystem.
The Governor assured the public that the decision was taken to protect the public and state assets while a long lasting review of the technical status of the bridge is being conducted by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
The Nigerian Army on Sunday refuted reports circulating that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has passed away.
Several reports, originating from a social media post by a Nigerian journalist, announced the death of the Army chief, which quickly went viral.
The journalist claimed that Lagbaja had died of cancer 48 hours earlier.
The post read: “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48 hours ago from stage three cancer, according to a senior government official.
The death of the Chief of Army Staff has been kept secret due to intense lobbying by some generals who wish to take the position.
“Lagbaja, born on 28 February 1968 in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023 as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.
In response to the post on X, the Nigerian Army labelled it as fake news.
“The death of the Chief of Army Staff has been kept secret due to intense lobbying by some generals who wish to take the position.
“Lagbaja, born on 28 February 1968 in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023 as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.”
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In response to the post on X, the Nigerian Army labelled it as fake news.
However, sources at the Army Headquarters confirmed to our correspondent that the Army Chief was critically ill.
One source stated, “The COAS is not dead. He is only critically ill at the moment. We should be praying for him at this critical time and not spreading rumours of his death.”
Another source said that he had travelled abroad for medical treatment.
“He is out of the country for treatment. I have not heard of his death from anyone close to him. There is no way such information could be hidden.”
The phone number of the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu was switched off, and he had yet to respond to a message sent to him regarding the matter
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has told Nigerians that very soon they will start eating the fruits of President Bola Tinubu’s labour.
According to him, Tinubu, who spent the last two weeks abroad, is well-rested and is back to take off from where he stopped.
DAILY POST reports that Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Saturday after spending two weeks abroad.
Gbajabiamila addressed reporters on Tinubu’s arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja on Saturday.
“The kind of work he [Tinubu] has been doing in the last one and a half years requires some rest and he has gone on leave and he’s back well rejuvenated,” he said.
“Just to continue from where he left off in terms of putting policies in place and making sure things are done, right; making sure we are going in the right direction.
In a matter of time, Nigerians will begin to see the fruits of his labour and our labour. And so, I mean, just let’s be patient. We all are expectant and hopeful and we live in Renewed Hope and Mr President is back in Nigeria to continue the good work he’s doing.”