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CSO Scores Budget Minister, Atiku Bagudu High In Ministerial Performance Appraisal

Published

8 months ago

October 14, 2024

***Lauds Equal Spread of Appropriations in Key Capital Projects

The Initiative for Transparent Leadership (ITL) has commended Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Planning, for his outstanding performance in promoting transparency, inclusivity, and sustainable development.

At a press conference, the CSO praised Bagudu’s efforts in ensuring an equal spread of budgetary allocations across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. The group said that marks a significant departure from previous administrations where certain regions were favored over others.

In his address, Executive Director, Fabian Opialu said under Senator Bagudu’s leadership, the budget follows an even spread, ensuring that all six geo-political zones benefit from concrete projects that meet tangible realities on the ground.

This level of accountability, he said, is unprecedented and highlights Bagudu’s commitment to transparency in governance.

The CSO also commended the improved allocation of resources and their prioritization.

Opialu lamented that previous administrations struggled with ensuring that key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security received the necessary funding.

However, he noted that Senator Bagudu has worked meticulously to ensure that resources are allocated to projects based on national priorities and needs, rather than political considerations.

Opialu further said that this has led to visible improvements in several key sectors across all regions of the country.

He said Senator Bagudu’s actions have been firmly in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which prioritizes the economic integration of marginalized groups, particularly women and individuals with disabilities.

The CSO added that the Minister has played a critical role in ensuring that these groups are not only included but are also empowered to contribute meaningfully to the economy.

He said: “Unlike previous administrations where budget allocations often remained theoretical, under Senator Bagudu’s leadership, there has been a strong focus on implementation and monitoring of projects.

“For the first time in many years, we are witnessing robust systems being put in place to monitor projects and their progress, ensuring that funds allocated to specific regions are utilized for the intended purposes. This level of accountability is unprecedented and highlights the commitment of Senator Bagudu to transparency in governance.
“Furthermore, one of the most remarkable successes of the current administration is the improved allocation of resources and their prioritization. Previous administrations struggled with ensuring that key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security received the necessary funding.

“However, Senator Bagudu has worked meticulously to ensure that resources are allocated to projects based on national priorities and needs, rather than political considerations. This has led to visible improvements in several key sectors across all regions of the country.

“Another significant achievement under Senator Bagudu’s tenure is the periodic review of projects and programs to ensure conformity with the objectives laid out in the national development plan. The ability to adapt and make necessary changes to the implementation process is a sign of great foresight. Regular evaluations have allowed the Ministry to correct course when necessary, ensuring that projects remain aligned with the government’s overall goals of promoting inclusivity and sustainable growth.

“Additionally, Senator Atiku Bagudu’s actions have been firmly in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which has inclusivity at its core. This agenda prioritizes the economic integration of marginalized groups, particularly women and individuals with disabilities.

“Senator Bagudu has played a critical role in Ensuring that these groups are not only included but are also empowered to contribute meaningfully to the economy. Unlike in previous administrations where inclusivity was merely a slogan, the current administration, through Senator Bagudu’s efforts, has made tangible progress in integrating these groups into the economic system a realistic endeavor.

“Another key governance issue that Senator Bagudu has helped address is youth unemployment. Nigeria’s youth population is one of the largest in the world, yet successive administrations have struggled to create meaningful opportunities for this demographic even on their meticulous planning, but only touching the surface.

“Senator Bagudu has been a trailblazer in contributing practical strategies for implementing the administration’s youth empowerment policies in her budgeting and planning. Through initiatives such as vocational training, digital skills programs, and entrepreneurial support, young Nigerians are being equipped with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. This is a marked departure from previous administrations, where youth empowerment policies were often poorly implemented or underfunded.

“Evidently, Senator Bagudu’s performance as Minister of Budget and Planning is underpinned by his great foresight. Amidst the noise and complaints surrounding critical economic reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the deregulation of the foreign exchange market, Senator Bagudu has remained steadfast in his support of these policies.

“He has demonstrated a deep understanding of their long-term benefits for Nigeria’s economy, recognizing that short-term pain is sometimes necessary for long-term gain. His advocacy for these policies has helped to shape public discourse and build support for the administration’s reform agenda.

The CSO recommended areas for improvement, including enhancing public engagement, intensifying monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and expanding youth empowerment programs.

Opialu emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

Related Topics:Atiku Bagudu Budget Minister CSO

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“I am not happy Iran, Israel violated ceasefire deal -Trump declares

Published

5 hours ago

June 24, 2025

ADMIN

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was holding, shortly after he lashed out at both countries and cursed as he accused them of violating the truce.

In a fast-moving series of declarations, the 79-year-old Republican, who was on his way to attend a NATO summit in The Hague, posted on his Truth Social app that “the Ceasefire is in effect!”

“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt,” Trump wrote.

Minutes earlier, he had castigated Iran and also close US ally Israel for violating a ceasefire he had originally announced late Monday.

The two countries have been “fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing, do you understand that?” the president told reporters at the White House.

Iran violated the ceasefire, “but Israel violated it too,” Trump told reporters on the White House’s South Lawn as he departed for the NATO summit.

“So I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran either. But I’m really unhappy if Israel is going out this morning.”

“I’ve got to get Israel to calm down,” he said. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a load of bombs the likes of which I’ve never seen before.”

Trump’s unusually public display of anger at Israel saw the US leader apparently trying to cajole his ally to call off warplanes in real time.

A man looks at items found in the rubble of a destroyed home in the northern Arab-Israeli city of Tamra, on June 24, 2025, days after an Iranian ballistic missile slammed into the neighbourhood. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

Earlier the same morning, he had posted on Truth Social: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS” — without it being clear which bombs he was referring to.

“IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”

If it holds, the truce would be a big political win for Trump in the wake of his risky decision to send US bombers over the weekend to attack three nuclear facilities in Iran that Israel and the United States say were being used to build an atomic bomb in secret.

The US leader had said the truce would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.

Israel has been bombing Iran in an offensive that began June 13. The United States joined the attack with a mission starting overnight Friday to Saturday against the deeply buried Fordow complex and two other sites.

cease-fire-iran-israel

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump insisted that the US bombing mission was a success.

“I think it’s been completely demolished,” he said, savaging US journalists for “fake news” and calling two networks “scum” for reporting that it remains unclear whether the Iranian nuclear infrastructure was truly dismantled.

“IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!” he posted separately on Truth Social.

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Just in: Senate extends 2024 budget cycle to December 2025

Published

6 hours ago

June 24, 2025

ADMIN

A bill for an Act to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to further extend deadline for the capital component of the Act and for other related matters 2025 was passed into law by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday.

The bill was passed into law by the Senate after it passed third reading, following a motion moved by Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, that was seconded by Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

The Nigerian Senate, during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, amended the 2024 budget and further extended the deadline set for implementation of the capital component from 30 June 2025 to 31 December 2025.

A bill for an act to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act to further extend the capital component of the Act from 30th June 2025 to 31st December 2025 and for other related matters 2025; third reading taken and passed,” the Deputy Senate President declared.

News

Thugs invade SDP headquarters over chairman, others’ suspension

Published

7 hours ago

June 24, 2025

Admin

Violence erupted at the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party in Abuja on Tuesday as a group of armed thugs dressed in black outfits stormed the premises, unleashing violence on journalists and party staff.

The attack comes amid a deepening crisis within the party, triggered by the suspension of key national officers, including the National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.

The party’s National Working Committee had announced the suspension of Gabam, National Auditor, Nnadi Clarkson, and National Youth Leader, Chukwuma Uchechukwu.

They were accused of gross financial misconduct, including embezzlement, misappropriation, and unauthorised diversion of party funds running into hundreds of millions of naira.

Journalists who had gathered at the party office for a press briefing were caught in the fray as hoodlums descended on the premises.

Cameras and phones were seized while some reporters, including our correspondent, were physically assaulted, before security agents intervened.

The violence became public knowledge after the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, released a statement announcing the suspensions.

“The decision followed resolutions made by members of the NWC, where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without the committee’s approval,” the statement read.

According to the party’s leadership, the situation escalated when Gabam allegedly submitted an unauthorised financial statement to the Independent National Electoral Commission and caused a summary of the accounts to be published in the media.

This, insiders say, prompted alarm within the party’s inner circle.

“The NWC resolved to alert law enforcement agencies and commence a full-scale internal investigation,” Aiyenigba revealed, emphasising that the party “has zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of office.”

In the wake of the crisis, the NWC has appointed Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North), as Acting National Chairman, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Aiyenigba also disclosed that an interim investigative panel has been constituted to audit all financial records and recommend possible legal action against those found culpable.

The committee is expected to scrutinise all transactions, especially those related to the proceeds from nomination forms sold ahead of the 2023 general elections, funds believed to have been misappropriated.

“The party will not shield any individual found guilty.

“Our goal is to restore public confidence in the SDP as a credible alternative for national leadership,” Aiyenigba added.

The suspensions have already been formally communicated to INEC and other relevant agencies.