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Reps to Pass 2025 Budget by January Ending, Commences Defence Tuesday, January 7

By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to passing the 2025 Appropriation Bill by the end of January, as budget defence sessions with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are set to commence on Tuesday, January 7.
This was disclosed by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Bichi, following a meeting with chairpersons of the House standing committees on Monday in Abuja.
Rep.Bichi stated that the budget defence process would run from January 7 to January 17, 2025, with reports from the exercise likely to be harmonised by January 22, and that the Appropriations Committee plans to present its final report to the House during plenary on January 31.
According to Bichi, the committee, alongside other standing committees, was committed to conducting a detailed and thorough review of the budget to ensure it aligns with the needs of Nigerians.
He said: “We just had an integration meeting today for the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which you are aware the President presented to us. By tomorrow (7th January), we’ll start the budget defence with all the MDAs. This will run until the 17th. We will likely harmonise by the 22nd.
“We are going to study the budget; all our committees will study the budget. I believe the budget is for Nigerians, for our development – infrastructure and other important things – and I am sure Nigerians will be happy with it.”
The chairman further assured that the proposed expenditures, revenue projections, and other components of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, submitted by President Bola Tinubu, would be subjected to rigorous scrutiny.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that President Tinubu presented the N49.74 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2024.
The House passed the bill through second reading on December 19, 2024, referring it to the Appropriations Committee, with all standing committees serving as sub-committees for a detailed review.
News
Anambra govt prohibits students from using phone in school

The Anambra State Government has placed a ban on the use of mobile phones by students in secondary schools across the state.
Chairman of Post Primary Schools Service Commission in the state, Prof Nkechi Ikediugwu, made the announcement at the Anambra Schools’ Cultural Day celebration on Friday in Awka.
Ikediugwu, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, directed principals and teachers of secondary schools in the state to confiscate mobile phones brought to school by students.
She said the decision was aimed at curbing distractions and enhance academic performance.
Ikediugwu stated that there was the need to maintain discipline and focus in learning environments, noting that the increasing use of mobile phones by students during school hours had become a serious distraction to their studies.
“I am authorising principals and teachers to seize phones from students who come to school with them so that we can ensure that students concentrate on their academic work without the interference of phones.
“Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is making significant investments in education to promote academic excellence and instill discipline among students,” she said.
She emphasised the beauty and uniqueness of Igbo traditions, describing them as valuable identity that should be cherished.
“Igbo culture extends beyond clothing and dancing, as the Igbos are also known for their honesty, truthfulness, hard work, respect for elders, and many other admirable qualities.
“It is important to continuously educate our students on the values and norms of Ndigbo, to preserve the rich heritage of the Igbo people,” she said.
News
EU pledges €820m to support Nigeria’s digital transformation initiatives

The European Union has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy with an €820 million investment aimed at fostering innovation, developing digital infrastructure, and creating employment opportunities for young people.
At the Omniverse Summit in Lagos on Friday, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, stressed the importance of digitalisation in driving economic growth.
He noted that the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy is focused on empowering Nigeria’s digital ecosystem through regulatory support, skills development, and strategic partnerships.
“The EU is keeping its commitment with the over €800 million digital package announced for Nigeria. We believe that the challenges facing humanity require collective action, and Nigeria, Africa, and Europe’s destinies are closely interlinked,” Mignot stated.
With this investment, the EU aims to strengthen Nigeria’s digital sector by enhancing governance infrastructure, supporting startups, and enabling young entrepreneurs to access new opportunities in the global digital economy.
The summit is organised in collaboration with various partners, including the European Union, GIZ’s Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEED) and Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Federal Ministry for Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, among others.
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Court dismisses criminal charges against Lizzy Anjorin

Nollywood actress and businesswoman, Elizabeth Anjorin, better known as Lizzy Anjorin, has been discharged of all allegations in a case involving her and Saheed Mosadoluwa, aka Ibile, Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The case filed as a direct criminal complaint was heard at the Upper Area Court I, Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
During the proceedings, the Attorney General stepped in, took over the case, and applied for its termination.
Presiding over the matter, Hon. Yunus Kayode ruled in favour of the Attorney General’s request, leading to the dismissal of the case.
The court’s ruling, issued on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, read, “Upon a direct criminal complaint made by Muazu Baba Yusuf, Esq., dated February 26, 2025, and after listening to A. M. Abdulraheem, Esq., for the complainant and Prof. O. Y. Abdulhamid, Esq., with I. M. Adedo, Esq., Taofeeq Olateju, Esq., and Abdullahi, Esq., for the defendant.
“Having listened to the submission from the complainant counsel and that of the defendant and particularly the application of the Attorney General to take up this case and pray for termination of the case, on this premise, the direct complaint dated February 24, 2025, and the cross-complaint dated March 11, 2025, are hereby terminated and the defendants are hereby discharged.”
The judgment was given at Ilorin under the seal of the court and the hand of the judge on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Reacting to the ruling in an interview on Friday, Lizzy Anjorin, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Califonia Paradise City, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, described the case as a cross-sue, adding that she and the complainant became defendants in the case before the ruling cleared her of all the criminal allegations.
She said, “The case bordered on a land dispute and it all happened in Lagos. But the complainant went ahead to file a criminal suit against me in Ilorin, Kwara State, to lock my enemy away in prison, and when I got there, I presented my evidence, cross-sued and both of us became defendants.
“I was summoned on Friday based on his case and I showed up, but we counter-sued him and on Tuesday, they sent his summon but he didn’t show up and when they wanted to continue with the case we filed against him, I withdrew it and left him for God.
“I am thankful to my fans, and most especially my lawyers for doing a good job. I also appreciate the judicial system in Ilorin. I appreciate the fact that they did a thorough investigation and also accepted my complaints and the evidence presented.
“The Kwara State Government, through its judiciary system, did not use their office and state to punish innocent people like me and for that, I am grateful. With all that people have been saying, my case proves that Ilorin is not how people paint it when it comes to their judiciary system.”
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