Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has announced his administration’s plan to acquire four aircraft with a total of N41,132,463,000 to expand Enugu Air.

Mbah’s administration had on October 2023 announced plans to establish a state-owned airline, Enugu Air, within the next 15 months.

However, presenting N971billion 2025 Budget Appropriation to the State House of Assembly on Tuesday, Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s determination to transform Enugu State into a commercial hub within Nigeria.

Presenting the estimates entitled “Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity” at the floor of the House, Mbah said the proposed budget comprised N837.9billion Capital Expenditure, representing 86 per cent of the budget, and a Recurrent Expenditure component of N133.1billion, representing 14 per cent of the budget.

He said, “In the area of Transport, we will be spending a total of N41,132,463,000 to expand Enugu Air with the acquisition of 4 additional aircraft. In addition, we will be consummating the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam international airport as well as the construction of an international cargo terminal.

“We will also be floating a new taxi scheme in collaboration with the private sector to modernize urban and inter-urban transportation for Ndi Enugu.”

However, he told the House that 2025 Budget Appropriation topples the record-holding 2024 budget of N521.5billion, consisting of N414.3billion Capital Expenditure, representing 79 per cent of the total budget and N107.2billion Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent.

However, like the 2024 budget, the 2025 budget proposal emphasizes huge investment in education as well as basic but critical infrastructure and amenities like roads and bridges, water supply, transport services, energy, modernization and digitization of public services and associated processes, with the Education sector getting a lion-share of N320.6billion, representing over 33 per cent of the total budget for two consecutive years.

Mbah said that this was in line with his administration target of poverty eradication and an inclusive development model, which ensures that no one or segment of the society is left behind.

The governor equally announced a growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, from N37.4billion at the end of 2023 to N144.7billion in September 2024, representing a radical 286.2 per cent increase in line with the administration’s deliberate effort to wean the state off reliance on allocations by the Federal Account Allocation Committee.

Addressing the House, Mbah said, “In crafting this budget, we have sort to continue to lay the right foundation in Enugu to enhance the economy and attract even more private investment.

“In spite of the dreary economic environment across the country, for us here in Enugu, we have elected to remain bullish in our aspirations, and to double down on our commitment to elevate our state to top three status in terms of GDP nationally, and eradicate poverty from our midst.

“Indeed, we see this as a vindication of our previously espoused view that sustainable national growth can really only be driven from the sub-national units to the federal levels, and not the other way round as we have attempted to do to date.

“It is on account of this that we are proposing to the House of Assembly today, a budget with a total envelope of N971,084,000,000 as against the budget for 2024 fiscal year which totaled N521,561,386,000.

“This represents an 86.4 per cent increase from the 2024 revised budget.

“The budget is broken down as follows: N133,140,000,000 as Recurrent Expenditure and N837,944,000,000 as Capital Expenditure,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated three individuals to fill vacant positions on the board of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the nominations in a statement on Tuesday, describing them as a step toward improving oversight and ensuring the Bureau’s efficiency.

The names of the nominees, submitted in a letter to the Senate President, are:

Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle (Oyo State)
Kennedy Ikpeme (Cross River State)
Justice Ibrahim Buba, a retired judge of the Federal High Court

These nominations are expected to bring fresh perspectives to the Bureau, which is responsible for promoting accountability and integrity within public service.

The Code of Conduct Bureau operates with a 10-member board. Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, the current chairman, was sworn in by President Tinubu on October 23, 2024. Other members of the board include:

Barr. Muritala Aliyu Kankia
Hon. E. J. Agbomayinma
Barr. Ben Umeano
Prof. Juwayriyya Badamasiuy
Mr. Bulus I. Zephaniah
Hon. Abdulsalam Taofiq Olawale

Established in 1979, the Bureau ensures compliance with ethical standards and accountability in governance. It monitors the declaration of assets by public officials and enforces the rules guiding their conduct.

The Senate’s confirmation of these nominees will further strengthen the Bureau’s ability to carry out its mandate.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has disclosed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to releasing the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking during the 13th memorial anniversary of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Owerri on Tuesday, Ojukwu emphasized that Kanu’s release is a crucial step toward restoring peace and stability in the Southeast.

“President Tinubu recognizes the importance of releasing Nnamdi Kanu. This move will help unmask the criminal elements hiding under the guise of IPOB to perpetrate violence,” Ojukwu said.

She expressed her determination to support efforts aimed at ensuring Kanu’s freedom, describing it as vital for distinguishing genuine advocates of self-determination from those fueling insecurity in the region.

“The Igbo are not known for harming their own. The release of Kanu is crucial for separating true freedom fighters from those exploiting IPOB’s name to sow chaos. Our people face significant threats, and it is time for collective action to restore peace and prosperity to the Southeast,” she added.

Ojukwu condemned the frequent “sit-at-home” orders enforced by violent elements in the Southeast, calling them counterproductive to the ideals of self-determination and damaging to the region’s economy.

“Ndigbo are enterprising and resilient. We must reclaim our region and promote the values for which Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu stood,” she stated.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in custody since 2015, following his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS). He faces charges including treason and terrorism. Despite being granted bail multiple times, Kanu remains detained.

Ambassador Ojukwu’s remarks signal a significant shift in addressing the ongoing security and political challenges in the Southeast, with hopes that Kanu’s release could pave the way for reconciliation and stability in the region.