Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Tuesday presented a proposed budget of N320.11bn for the 2025 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly, with a focus on capital expenditure.

The budget tagged “Budget of Transformation and Resilience,” allocates N111.09bn (34.7%) to recurrent expenditure and N209.02bn (65.3%) to capital expenditure.

In his address, Yahaya said, “In our efforts to address the developmental aspirations of the people of Gombe State in the 2025 fiscal year, I hereby present a proposed budget of N320.11bn. Out of this, N111.09bn is allocated for recurrent expenditure, while N209.02bn is earmarked for capital projects.”

The economic sector received the highest allocation of N138.04bn, followed by the social sector with N58.87bn, general administration with N9.01bn, and the law and justice sector with N3.11bn.

The governor disclosed plans to generate N160.27bn in recurrent revenue and N71.52bn in capital receipts while projecting an estimated closing balance of N11.68bn for 2024.

Yahaya assured the people that the 2025 budget reflects the state’s commitment to inclusive development.

He stated, “This budget aligns with local, national, and global economic realities.

“It prioritises the developmental needs of our people while emphasising sustainability, equity, and inclusiveness. It reflects our commitment to fostering growth, providing opportunities, and addressing pressing challenges in key sectors of the economy.”

The Edo State House of Assembly has given its approval for Governor Monday Okpebholo to appoint 20 Special Advisers to support his administration.

In addition, the Assembly received a nomination for Emmanuel Okoebor as Commissioner for Finance.

The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, conveyed these requests in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House.

According to the governor’s letter, the appointment of Special Advisers and the confirmation of Okoebor as Commissioner for Finance are essential for ensuring the effective management of the state’s affairs.

It is worth noting that the Assembly had previously confirmed two other commissioners—Samson Osagie as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, and Dr Cyril Oshiomhole as Commissioner for Health.

Edo State House of Assembly on resumption of plenary Monday, cleared Oshiomhole, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s nominee for the position of Health Commissioner.

Naija News reports that Oshiomhole’s clearance was following the house consideration of the report of the committee on Rules business and Government House in a letter from Governor Okpebholo last Wednesday containing the name of the nominee.

This latest development is part of the governor’s ongoing efforts to strengthen his cabinet for efficient governance.

Photos have emerged from the National Assembly complex amid a valedictory session held in honour of late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.

 A casket containing the remains of the late lawmaker who represented Anambra South was laid at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.

Recall that Ubah died at 52 in London, United Kingdom, on July 27, 2004.

Among other dignitaries who have arrived at the NASS complex are Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and others.

The Vice President is expected to speak in honour and memory of the late Senator during the event.

See some photos from the valedictory session below:

In August 2024, a French court authorized the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets following a legal dispute with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese firm.

The conflict originated from a 2013 contract between Zhongfu, a subsidiary of Zhongshan, and the Ogun State government to develop a free trade zone. By 2016, Zhongfu alleged that Ogun State had reneged on the agreement, leading to arbitration proceedings.

In 2021, an arbitration panel awarded Zhongshan approximately $70 million in damages, which has since accrued interest. Nigeria has not indicated a willingness to pay the damages.

In response to the court’s decision, the Nigerian government accused Zhongshan of attempting to seize government assets overseas, including presidential jets, despite having no contractual obligations with the federal government.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that Zhongshan was using “unorthodox means” to target Nigerian government property.

Following the seizure of the presidential jet, Zhongshan, on the 16th of August, 2024, released one of the aircraft. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the development to Premium Times.

Giving reasons why the new presidential jet was released, the official said, “Zhongshan has consistently sought to act reasonably and fairly in the course of a legal dispute with Nigeria which was not of its making.

“It (Zhongshan) has now been made aware that an Airbus A330, currently detained in France as a result of a French court order obtained by Zhongshan, is needed for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to travel to a scheduled meeting with President Macron of France early next week.

“As a gesture of goodwill, Zhongshan has lifted the seizure of that aircraft immediately. This will allow it to be used for the President’s trip.”

Naija News understands that the president has been in use of the presidential jet since its release.

The company, however, did not say when the two remaining aircraft being detained would be released. The government had also initially said it had commenced diplomatic and legal moves to secure the seized jets.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the presidency has remained silent on the matter since August 2024. This lack of communication has raised concerns among citizens and stakeholders, who are seeking clarity on the status of the seized assets and the government’s plan to resolve the dispute.

Naija News correspondent reached out to presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, but the call was declined, and a text message sent is yet to be replied at the time of filing this report.

The absence of official statements has led to speculation about the government’s strategy and its implications for Nigeria’s international relations and asset security.

Observers urge the presidency to address the issue promptly to maintain public trust and uphold Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Three suspected members of the Black AXE confraternity, Nnamdi Mbanusi 43yrs, Ehis Albert 38yrs and Obazee Ogbe 39yrs, have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command during a cult-related meeting at an uncompleted building in Benin City.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Umoru Ozigi, disclosed this while parading 23 suspects arrested for kidnapping and cultism across the state.

According to the CP, other members of the cult group escaped while six live cartridges were recovered from the arrested suspects.

“On 10/11/2024 at about 1120hrs, based on credible intelligence, Operatives of Anti-Cultism Unit arrested the trio of Nnamdi Mbanusi 43yrs, Ehis Albert 38yrs and Obazee Ogbe 39yrs, who were holding cult related meeting at an uncompleted building in Ogbe quarters, Benin City,” the CP stated.

“On the spot search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of six (6) live cartridges while other members of the deadly cult group escaped. The suspects confessed to be members of the proscribed Aye confraternity, also known as BLACK AXE. Investigation is ongoing.”

Similarly, on Friday, November 15, 2024, about 0100hrs, based on information reaching the command that a group of cultists were holding meeting along Upper Sakponba Area in Benin-City, operatives of the Command Intelligence and Rapid Response Squad swiftly moved to the area, barricaded the road and began intensive stop and search where an unregistered blue colour Toyota Sienna Space Bus driven by one Dauda Asia was intercepted.

“Upon intensive search, two (2) Pump Action Guns, forty-three (43) Live Cartridges, two (2) expended cartridges, three (3) wraps of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp and some alcoholic drinks were recovered. Investigation is ongoing.”

Nigerian content creator and activist, Debo Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has stated that no spokesperson of the Tinubu-led administration has the right to criticize past administrations.

Mr. Macaroni condemned the insensitivity of President Tinubu’s administration. He accused the government of living large at the expense of the citizens who continue to face hardship occasioned by the government’s policies.

Macaroni stated this on his X handle, on Tuesday, while reacting to an attack on former President Olusegun Obasanjo by Tinubu’s aides.

Debo emphasized that only Nigerians who have been victims of past governments’ bad governance have the right to criticize former leaders.

“I no send any Nigerian politician but only the people have the right to call out or criticize any politician or government past or present! Not Spokespersons of the current Government who continue to use billions to buy cars and jets while Nigerians are languishing in poverty.

“I personally believe all Nigerian politicians past or present have contributed largely to the rot in our country today and as such Nigerians must continue to hold past and present leaders accountable.

But members of this current administration have no such right!!! As a matter of fact, they are even more insensitive and tone deaf to the hardship in the country.

“The current government is flogging the people mercilessly but they still want to dictate when and how the people should cry. They hold the whip, but want to divert the attention of the people to those that have held the whip before them.

“Again, only the people have such rights to blame all those that have once held the whip.

Those that hold the whip now cannot criticize others that once held the whip because the crime of flogging Nigerians is one and the same,” Macaroni wrote on his X handle.

The human rights activist also condemned citizens who defend the bad policies of politicians for selfish interests.

“The sad reality in all this is that some Nigerians continue to defend their oppressors. How can you continue to defend those that make decisions that favor them but put you in unbearable hardship?

No matter the pain and suffering the people go through, these so-called leaders are immune to them!

“They drive the best cars, so they are immune to potholes on the roads. They fly the best private jets so who cares about increase in flight prices? They are heavily protected with the DSS, military and Police so why should they care about you whose phone was just stolen last night on the street because there was no officer on patrol, no street light or security camera?

“The people pay for their feeding and transport allowance so why should they care about the hike in food or fuel prices? They even have perfume allowance,” Macaroni added.

He called on Nigerians to unite against politicians who are responsible for the hardship and poor governance affecting the country.

A former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has appealed to the Federal Government to release the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to honour the late Senator Ifeanyi Uba.

Okorocha made the plea on the night of the tribute held in honour of Ubah on Monday night, November 18.

Okorocha urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to convey the message to the FG.

Recall that Ubah died in London on July 27 and will be laid to rest on November 22.

The ex-governor said, “I want to say to you, brother in whom I am well pleased Senator Akpabio, convey this message to FG on behalf of the Igbos seated here that the best to honour Ifeanyi Ubah is to release Nnamdi Kanu so that the Igbos can go home and re-organise their place and I know you Senator Akpabio that even if you don’t want to do it, send this message for the sake of your wife who is our daughter.  Send this message and get us a result, or else your wife is not too far from taking back home.”