President Bola Tinubu has approved the redeployment of several Federal Permanent Secretaries.

The directive was made by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, stating that all handing and taking over processes are to be completed by December 31, 2024.

Director of Information and Public Relations, Eno Olotu, in a statement, said this timeline is intended to ensure a smooth transition and continuity in governance.

The redeployment, which takes effect immediately, involves the following key appointments:

– Gabriel Aduda has been reassigned from the Ministry of Women Affairs to the Ministry of Defence.

– Olumuyiwa Abel will transition from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to the Ministry of Education, where he will understudy the Permanent Secretary.

– Temitope Fashedemi is moved from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to the State House.

– Shuaib Belgore is shifting from the Ministry of Regional Development to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

– Marcus Ogunbiyi is to take over at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security after serving in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

– Adebiyi Olufunso has been moved from the State House to the Ministry of Works.

– Ibrahim Kana has been moved from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

– Yakubu Kofarmata will now serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction after his tenure at the Ministry of Works.

– Raymond Omachi has been reassigned from the Common Services Office in OHCSF to the Ministry of Finance (Special Duties).

– Tinuke Watti, previously with the former Ministry of Sports Development, will now oversee operations in the Ministry of Regional Development.

– Maryam Keshinro will transition from the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs to lead in the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has signed the 2025 appropriation bill of Zamfara Gov Lawal Signs ₦546bn 2025 budget into law.

The 2025 budget, titled “Rescue Budget 2.0,” was presented to the governor by the Zamfara State House of Assembly Speaker on Thursday at the Council Chamber, government house, Gusau.

During the signing of the 2025 appropriation bill, Governor Lawal committed to completing all ongoing legacy projects and building on the successes achieved in his administration’s past 18 months.

The governor highlighted the importance of the 2025 budget, saying that “we must not only look at where we are or where we are going, but where we’ve been.”

“The situation last year was concerning. A decade of poor governance led to economic collapse, unpaid wages for civil servants, and liabilities that hindered children’s education. Infrastructure was damaged, hospitals were abandoned, and public services became bloated,” he said.

“Additionally, there was a lack of accountability, ongoing electricity bill issues, inadequate water supply, insecurity, and the rise of communicable diseases like cholera, along with declining internal revenue.

“If we had not acted swiftly to all the challenges, Zamfara State would not be a place we all could live in today.

“The 2025 Rescue Budget 2.0 is driven by our commitment to continue the work we’ve started for our people, reflecting strong policies and enthusiasm. This budget also accounts for the increase in the minimum wage for civil servants, rising from N30,000 to N70,000.

“The 2025 budget upholds the best practice of allocating 28% of recurrent expenditure compared to 72% for capital expenditure. The rescue agenda also focuses on key areas for the 2025 budget, including security, education, health, infrastructure, and agriculture.”

Governor Lawal revealed that it is time for Zamfara State to overcome its infrastructure decay and commit to quality architectural development.

The 2025 budget allocated resources to fund the ongoing projects at Gusau International Airport and the construction of the Gusau-Magami to Dansadau Road.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure drive which he says has transformed the nation’s capital and other cities in the country.

Akpabio said this on Wednesday during the president’s 2025 budget presentation to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The lawmaker listed the Coastal Road which runs from Lagos State to Calabar in Cross Rivers as part of the Federal Government’s projects which he said has increased connectivity in Nigeria.

“Notably, your infrastructure renaissance has paved the way for many roads, including the Coastal Road and crucial arteries in Abuja Capital City – imagine Abuja now looking almost like London — and other parts of our country,” the Senate president said.

“These developments are not merely about concrete and asphalt; they represent the lifeblood of our economy, connecting our people and fostering growth.”

Akpabio also raised concerns about ministers and other government appointees shunning the invitation of the National Assembly when summoned.

He said such a behavior is uncalled for.

“Those who disregard invitation by the National Assembly are not democratic and therefore have no place in your government,” Akpabio told Tinubu before a full house of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Akpabio re-echoed the need for the ministers and other government appointees to promptly honour invitations of the National Assembly to give an account of their stewardship.

He threatened to use the legislators’ “Constitutional powers to take further actions” against ministers, and others who fail to honour NASS invitations.

Tinubu presented a ₦49.7tn Budget Proposal presented before a joint session of the National Assembly.

Security and defence, infrastructure, health, and education were some of the sectors with high allocations in the budget proposal.

The President listed some of the highlights of the budget as defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn, health – N2.4tn, and education – N3.5tn, among others.