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Reps Debate 2025 Budget Estimates, Demand Better Allocation for Security, Agriculture

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has approved the 2025 budget proposal for a second reading, calling for better funding for security and agriculture.
During Thursday’s plenary, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers debated the N49.7 trillion budget presented by President Bola Tinubu.
The debate was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere to authorize withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Rep. Ihonvbere who called for support, emphasised that the budget addresses key national challenges, “This proposal focuses on issues affecting Nigerians. It deserves swift consideration and passage”.
The budget highlighted defence, infrastructure, and human capital development. Defence and security were allocated N4.91 trillion, infrastructure N4.06 trillion for key highways, while education and health sectors received N3.52 trillion and N2.48 trillion respectively. The budget projects N34.82 trillion in revenue, leaving a N13.39 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.
Key economic assumptions include reducing inflation from 34.6% to 15% and improving the naira exchange rate from N1,700/$ to N1,500/$. Oil production is targeted at 2.06 million barrels per day.
Lawmakers’ Contributions
Rep Abdussamad Dasuki, lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal federal constituency of Sokoto state, commended President Tinubu’s leadership but called for a review of budget estimates. He also criticized the allocation to the North-West Development Commission, questioning the criteria used.
“On paper, this budget looks robust, but in dollar terms, it falls short. The Finance Committee must address this,” he urged.
Rep Ismaila Dabo (Bauchi) emphasised the need for adequate funding for agriculture, citing rising food prices. He also urged the government to focus on revenue generation rather than excessive borrowing.
“Inflation on food is unbearable. Agriculture needs proper funding to ease the burden on Nigerians,” he said.
Rep Ahmad Jaha, representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok, Federal constituency of Borno state stressed the importance of security funding.
“Security is crucial to achieving other targets, including oil production. The N4.91 trillion allocated is inadequate,” he noted.
Rep Jeremiah Umaru from Nasarawa State,  questioned the allocation to the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), even as he cited the absence of a constituted board and argued that the allocation was premature.
Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi advocated increased funding for the South-East Development Commission (SEDC).
“The allocation for the SEDC is insufficient for its take-off. More funding is needed,” he argued.
Concerns Over Projections
Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda criticized the economic targets, and said that they are unrealistic.
“Reducing inflation to 15% and improving the exchange rate to N1,500/$ are overly ambitious. These projections do not align with current realities,” he stated.
Call for Peace Initiatives
Rep Chike Okafor from Imo state, urged the Federal Government to explore non-violent solutions to security challenges, including the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“Releasing Kanu could aid peace efforts in the South-East,” he said.
The House adjourned plenary until January 14, 2025.

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2027: Uzodinma and his cohorts are politically lazy- Wike

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Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike has said the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma and his cohorts are politically lazy.

Wike who is in Spain made this assertion during an ongoing interview with Arise tv.

He said all they said during a press briefing is neither here nor there.

He went memory lane saying, “Hope supported Ahmad Lawan during APC Presidential primaries and TInubu lost the election in his state.

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Details shortly….

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ASUU Shuts Down Lagos State Universities, Declares Indefinite Strike

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared a total and indefinite strike across Lagos State-owned universities, citing the failure of the state government to implement key provisions of its 2025 agreement with the Federal Government.

The strike affects Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) and takes effect immediately.

ASUU’s Joint Campus Group covering the three institutions announced the industrial action in a statement on Tuesday, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government on August 31.

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According to the union, the ultimatum expired without a satisfactory resolution or a concrete commitment from the government to address its demands.

The union said its final warning on September 10 had made it clear that “silence is no longer an option,” but the government failed to initiate meaningful discussions before the September 13 deadline.

“ASUU Joint Campus Group comprising ASUU-LASU, ASUU-LASUED, and ASUU-LASUSTECH hereby declares a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike action effective immediately,” the union said.

Why ASUU Is Striking

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At the centre of the dispute is ASUU’s demand for the full domestication and implementation of the December 2025 agreement between the union and the Federal Government in all Lagos State-owned universities.

The union specifically demanded the implementation of provisions covering the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) as well as welfare protections for serving and retired academic staff.

ASUU said it arrived at the decision “with a heavy heart,” acknowledging that the strike could disrupt the academic calendar and affect students, parents and university administrators.

Addressing students, the union said the action was ultimately aimed at protecting the quality and sustainability of higher education in the state.

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“This fight is fundamentally about preserving the quality and sustainability of your education,” it said, arguing that a demoralised academic workforce could not deliver the standard of education students deserved.

The union urged students to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while efforts continued to secure what it described as a lasting resolution.

It also acknowledged the concerns of parents and guardians over possible delays to their children’s education, saying its patience had “been tested and toyed with over the last eight months.”

Strike Not Against University Management

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ASUU said the industrial action was not directed at the management of the three universities.

“This decision is by no means an adversarial action against your office,” the union said, urging the university administrations to understand the action as an effort to secure better working conditions for academic staff.

It commended the managements of LASU, LASUED and LASUSTECH for their efforts towards domesticating the agreement.

The union, however, accused the Lagos State Government of continued inaction and failure to implement agreements that it said had already been adopted by some neighbouring states.

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National ASUU Backs Action

ASUU said the strike had the backing of its national leadership, which it said had supported the process from the initial correspondence to the university authorities, governing councils and the Visitor, through to the issuance of the 14-day ultimatum.

The union urged the Lagos State Government to follow the example of other state governors who had intervened to resolve similar disputes in their universities.

It also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, alumni associations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to support its campaign for what it described as the rescue of education in Lagos State.

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The strike, ASUU said, would remain in force until meaningful negotiations produce a satisfactory resolution and the Lagos State Government signs, domesticates and fully implemented.

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NDLEA Arrests Mexican Drug Kingpin, Uncovers Fresh Meth Lab in Ebonyi

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ABUJA — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected Mexican drug kingpin attempting to flee Nigeria through the Lagos airport and dismantled an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State.

The development, according to the agency, is part of an expanding investigation into a transnational drug network allegedly recruiting foreign methamphetamine experts and establishing clandestine laboratories in Nigeria’s forests and rural communities.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), said the latest operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to prevent Nigeria from becoming a hub for international drug cartels.

Marwa, who spoke through the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, at a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, said the breakthrough followed months of intelligence gathering and forensic investigations into a network linked to several clandestine laboratories uncovered in Ogun, Oyo and Ebonyi states.

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He recalled that NDLEA operatives on May 16, 2026, arrested three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators at a forest hideout in Ogun State.

A month later, on June 17, the agency arrested another Mexican national and four Nigerian collaborators at a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory concealed in a forested area of Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Large quantities of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals were reportedly recovered from the Oyo laboratory.

According to Marwa, investigations by the agency’s Special Operations Unit revealed that the 56-year-old Mexican methamphetamine expert arrested in Oyo had been recruited into Nigeria by a Mexican drug kingpin.

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Working with international partners, investigators obtained a photograph of the suspected kingpin, which the arrested Mexican national reportedly identified as the man who recruited and transported him to Nigeria.

The suspect was subsequently identified as Arturo Carrera Loaiza, who, according to the agency, entered Nigeria on June 10 alongside another Mexican national.

NDLEA operatives eventually tracked and arrested Carrera Loaiza on August 19 while he was allegedly attempting to leave the country through the Lagos airport.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly claimed that he had been invited to Nigeria by a Nigerian contact identified only as “Henry” under the guise of a restaurant business venture. He also denied knowledge of methamphetamine production or involvement with the Tapa village laboratory.

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However, investigators said they recovered photographs showing Carrera Loaiza wearing a blue laboratory coat and standing among equipment consistent with methamphetamine production.

Analysis of location metadata embedded in the photographs allegedly led investigators to a property under construction at Isiata Ugoni Okposi in Ebonyi State.

On August 30, NDLEA operatives raided the property, which was linked to John Samuel Ivo Okike.

Interviews with people found at the site, including the site engineer and a caretaker, reportedly revealed the presence of a suspicious temporary structure over a septic tank area behind the building, as well as persistent strong chemical odours.

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Investigators also recovered a CCTV memory card from the property.

According to NDLEA, forensic examination of the footage showed a foreign national wearing a blue laboratory coat who matched Carrera Loaiza, as well as repeated appearances by Okike.

The footage allegedly captured the movement of chemicals and laboratory equipment from the property at about 9 p.m. on August 21, with Okike reportedly directing the operation alongside other individuals.

Acting on further intelligence, NDLEA operatives traced the relocated materials to an isolated house in a neighbouring community allegedly under the custody of Nwanja Obasi.

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A subsequent raid led to the recovery of a large cache of chemicals, equipment and paraphernalia associated with methamphetamin

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