News
As hunger continues to ravage Nig, Tinubu to spend N164m on tyres, others
President Bola Tinubu has said that his government in 2025 will spend N164million on tyres for the State House bullet proof vehicles and the sum of N29.5million on buying and maintaining sports and gymnastic equipment for the State House Sports Club and State House Central Gymnasium.
This was contained in the 2025 fiscal appropriation bill (proposed budget) President Tinubu presented before the joint National Assembly – the Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
A review of the 2025 Executive Proposal of the proposed budget by SaharaReporters showed that Tinubu proposed that his administration will spend the sum of N12,815,481 for the purchase of sporting equipment for State House Sports Club.
Another N16,733,357 will be spent on the procurement 6/maintenance of equipment for the State House Central Gymnasium.
Further review of the proposed budget showed that the President proposed to spend the sum of N164.9 million on buying tyres for State House bullet proof vehicles, plain cars and Jeeps.
According to the official document of the proposed 2025 budget, Tinubu’s government will spend the sum of N164,990,169 on the purchase of tyres for bullet proof vehicles, plain cars, CCU vehicles, platform trucks, Jeeps, Ambulances and other utility and operational vehicles for State House.
Meanwhile, the N164.9million for the purchase of the vehicles including operational vehicles as indicated on page seven (7) of the 2025 proposed budget Executive Proposal official document, is different from N3,661,566,123 proposed for the purchase of State House operational vehicles on page eight (8) of the same document.
It is also different from the sum of N1,098,469,837 proposed to be spent on replacement of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) vehicles for the State House.
Meanwhile, Tinubu in his address on Wednesday while present the proposed budget before the National Assembly said, “This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilising the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance.”
The President added, “The 2025 budget that I present today is one of restoration. It seeks to consolidate the key policies we have instituted to restructure our economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get our manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of our economy.
“We do not intend to depart from this critical path to strengthen the Nigerian economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges, l also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people.”
News
Let oracles decide Owa-Obokun stool, contestant tells Osun govt, kingmakers
Prince Kayode Adewale, a contestant for the vacant Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land throne, has urged the Osun state government and traditional kingmakers to rely on oracles and deities in selecting the next monarch of the ancient town.
Prince Adewale of the Owa Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family, made the call during a press conference in Ilesa, Osun State, on Thursday.
He noted that the Ifa oracle, along with the Obokun and Ogun deities, should be the determining factors in the selection process.
The stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on September 11, 2024, after a 42-year reign.
As the contest intensifies, an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke and others from appointing a new Owa-Obokun from the Haastrup family or any other candidate.
Amid the ongoing legal battles, Prince Adewale reaffirmed his interest in the throne, advocating for adherence to traditional processes to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
He said: “The Owa Obokun stool is not for sale. In Ijesaland when it’s comes to selection of a new King the Ifa, Obokun and Ogun deities will be consulted and the person that has the highest vote from them will emerge as the king.”
Declaring his intention, Adewale said he is committed to standardizing mining practices and implementing robust land reclamation policies.
“Ijeshaland is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly in gold mining. However, our gold resources must be harnessed responsibly and sustainably. Under my leadership, I will work towards the standardization of gold mining practices, ensuring that this wealth benefits the people of Ijeshaland while preserving our environment for future generations.”
News
Reps approve extension of 2024 budget implementation to June next year
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.
It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption.
News
ALGON condemns suspension of Edo LG chairmen, councillors
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday condemned in strong terms the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and councillors in Edo state by the House of Assembly.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had accused the suspended chairmen of disobeying his instructions by allegedly refusing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the ALGON’s National Executive Council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday jointly condemned the decision saying the governor and lawmakers did not give the council chairmen fair hearing to defend themselves.
The association at an emergency meeting in Katsina state, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasising the need to respect the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
“ALGON views this suspension as a setback for democracy and abuse of power, particularly since the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves.
“This suspension is invalid. It contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment granting local governments autonomy,” the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu Anani, in a statement said.
Anani stated that if the Edo State House of Assembly’s decision was right, it would not have generated criticisms across the length and breadth of the country.
“This suspension is unconstitutional; it is null and void.
“ALGON is hereby urging the Edo State House of Assembly to reverse the decision and respect the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance.
“ALGON also appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt this abuse of power,” the statement said.
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