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Lawmaker laments over 2023, 2024, 2025 budget running in one circle

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A Honourable member, representing Katagum Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Rep Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe has bemeaoned about Nigeria running four budgets concurrently in one year, including the 2023 and 2024 budgets and their supplementary budgets.

He described this situation as unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.

Gwalabe questioned the practicality of presenting the 2025 budget while previous budgets remain unresolved and highlighted the potential consequences of concurrent budget implementation, including, Delayed Project Implementation: The 2023 budget may extend into June 2025 or face further extensions, Inefficient Resource Allocation:, The overlap of budgets may lead to confusion and inefficiencies, Unclear Benefits: Nigerians may not feel the impacts of previous budgets.

The Lawmaker under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this Journalists in an interview shortly after the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

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As a member of the opposition party, Gwalabe emphasized his commitment to supporting policies benefiting the poor and grassroots populations and urged the government to fund the 2025 budget effectively to achieve its promised “Restoration” goals.

He therefore prayed that the government would be able to fund the 2025 budget or else the Restoration that they are talking about will not be possible.

“Because you can’t be running the budgets concurrently. My main concern about this budget is that it says it’s a budget of restoration, that’s okay; but the 2023 budget is still running.

“We are running four budgets in one year – 2023 budget and its supplementary and 2024 budget and its supplementary. The 2023 budget will probably enlaps in June 2025 or they may extend it.

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“Now, the budget of 2025 will enlaps when? That’s my major concern. When will the common man feel the impacts of the 2023 and 2024 budgets?

“If you look at last year’s budget, the capital expenditure was higher, which has never been in the history of Nigeria. The recurrent expenditure was low, less than 40%, but this budget of 2025 is saying 50% is going for the capital expenditure while 48% goes for the recurrent expenditure.

“So, there’s an increase in the recurrent expenditure, that’s where I have a very good question. I come from the opposition party”, he stressed.

“I pray that the government will be able to fund the 2025 budget or else that restoration that they are talking about will not be possible because you can’t be running the budgets concurrently.

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On the impact of the 2023 budget, the lawmaker said, “Ask yourself if there is any relief? Check the 2024 budget, is there any form of respite for the people, let alone the one that was brought today.

“Now the question is not for me alone, it’s for all Nigerians. They will have to decide if they have enjoyed the 2023 and 2024 budget” he noted.

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Celebrity boxing: Speed Darlington wants rematch after losing to Portable

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigerian singer Speed Darlington is calling for a rematch against Portable after losing to him in a celebrity boxing match.

Speed Darlington was knocked out in the second round, and he’s unhappy about the outcome.

In a video, he claimed Portable didn’t deserve the win and the prize money, saying he had plans to use the money to build a swimming pool for his community in Imo State.

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Portable, I want a rematch. E dey pain me say you dey carry all that money dey go. E dey break my heart.

” I want a rematch. It’s so unfair. You have up to two experience before me and you fight. I never enter ring before. I did not come from poverty,” he said.

“You don’t deserve that money. E dey pain me. I want to build swimming pool for my villagers. I need a rematch, Portable”, he said.

According to Speed Darlington, Portable had an unfair advantage due to his experience, accusing him of using supernatural means to win the fight.

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He also claimed he suffered a shoulder injury during the match despite not feeling tired.

Speed Darlington, who wants a rematch, said he needs 30 days to prepare better

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Israel’s remote controlled bulldozers breaking ground in Gaza war

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At first glance, there is nothing unusual about the bulky bulldozer turning up soil at a testing site in central Israel, but as it pulled closer it became clear: the driver’s cabin is eerily empty.

This is the Robdozer, a fortified engineering vehicle manned remotely, and in this case operated from a military expo halfway across the globe in Alabama.

Army engineers and military experts say that the Robdozer — the robotic version of Caterpillar’s D9 bulldozer — is the future of automated combat.

The Israeli military has used D9 for years to carry out frontline tasks like trowelling roads for advancing troops, removing rubble and flattening terrain.

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But since war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 and later in Lebanon, the Israeli military has increasingly deployed this robotic version in a bid to enhance its field operations and reduce the risks to its troops.

“The idea is to eliminate the person from the cockpit of the dozer,” said Rani, whose team at the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries developed the Robdozer.

An unmanned D9 bulldozer digs up a field during a demonstration to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) quarters near Tel Aviv on March 26, 2025. Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)

During the Gaza war, the military has increasingly opted for the unmanned version, which can carry out a full range of tasks “even better than a human”, said Rani, using his first name only for security reasons.

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While such vehicles and other systems are currently operated by humans, future versions could be autonomous, raising ethical and legal concerns over the unchartered future of warfare being shaped by the Israeli military in the Gaza war.

‘Changing the paradigm’
Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law.

Analysts say the growing Israeli deployment of the Robdozer reflects broader global trends towards automation in heavy combat vehicles, like remote-controlled personnel carriers that operate much like drones.

An Israeli military official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told AFP that the army has been using “robotic tools for over a decade, but in very small numbers. Now it is being used in large-scale warfare”.

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70-hour Chess Marathon: Onakoya reportedly breaks record set by Norwegians

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Nigerian chess sensation and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has broken the chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.

Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, are currently aiming to complete a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York.

The marathon, a four-day non-stop gameplay, started on April 17.

In a post shared on X shortly after surpassing the current record, he expressed fulfillment and called for action to educate and create opportunities for street children in Nigeria.

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For all the dreamers! We’ve officially BROKEN THE RECORD with my brother,” he wrote.

Although the official confirmation from Guinness World Records is still being awaited, Nigerians and chess lovers from different parts of the world have congratulated the chess master on his latest achievement.

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