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Category: North Central

  • Nasarawa Assembly Passes N545.2bn 2026 Appropriation Bill

    Nasarawa Assembly Passes N545.2bn 2026 Appropriation Bill

    The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N545.2 billion into law, following deliberations at plenary in Lafia on Tuesday.

    The approved budget represents an increase of N27.6 billion over the N517.5 billion proposal earlier presented to the House by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

    Announcing the passage, Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, described the development as a major legislative milestone, noting that the budget would enable the state government to implement people-oriented projects aimed at driving overall development across Nasarawa State.

    According to Jatau, the approved estimates allocate N316.26 billion for capital expenditure and N228.72 billion for recurrent expenditure. He explained that the increase in the budget size was necessitated by the prevailing inflationary pressure, which has significantly affected the cost of projects and service delivery.

    He disclosed that security-related votes received an additional N14 billion, while the Ministry of Local Government was allocated an extra N7 billion. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism also got an additional N3.7 billion, alongside funding approval for the 55-kilometre Lafia–Kwandere–Garaku road project.

    The Speaker commended the House standing committees for what he described as their diligence and thoroughness during the budget defence and review process. He urged the executive arm to ensure full implementation of the budget once it receives the governor’s assent.

    “A Bill to authorise the issue of N545.18 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Nasarawa State for the 2026 financial year has scaled third reading and passed,” Jatau said.

    He subsequently directed the Clerk of the House to prepare a clean copy of the bill for transmission to the governor for assent.

    Earlier, the Majority Leader, Suleiman Azara, moved the motion for the passage of the bill, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Luka Zhekaba. The bill was unanimously adopted by members of the House.

    Governor Sule had presented the initial N517.5 billion budget proposal to the Assembly on November 26, describing it as the “Budget of Strategic Consolidation.”

    During the presentation, he commended the legislature for its consistent support, particularly in ensuring the timely passage of appropriation bills.

  • Wike Names Galadima as New SSA on Development

    Wike Names Galadima as New SSA on Development

    ControlThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the appointment of Mukhtar Galadima as Senior Special Assistant on Development Control and Planning.

    The announcement was made on Wednesday in Abuja by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media.

    Galadima, a seasoned town planner, brings more than three decades of professional experience in urban planning and administration within the FCT Administration.

    Over the years, he has served in strategic capacities, including the Department of Development Control and the Satellite Towns Development Agency, before his appointment as Director of Development Control under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council in 2016.

    He retired from the civil service in November.

    Olayinka noted that Galadima has served on key committees such as the Abuja Masterplan Restoration Task Team and the Committee on the Review of Revoked Land Titles and Change of Land Use.

    The appointment, he added, takes immediate effect.

  • Benue juice factory, ready for commercial production

    Benue juice factory, ready for commercial production

    The Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) on Wednesday test-ran its juice factory known as Benfruits Juice Industry and is ready for commercial fruit juice.

    The sweet, fresh and additive-free juice was produced during the test run.

    Those who tasted the juice described it as natural and one of the best that they have taken.

    BIPC Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, told newsmen shortly after the test run that the juice was produced purely from Benue oranges.

    Asemakaha stated that when the factory becomes fully operational, no Benue oranges would leave the state in large quantities.

    GMD pointed out that orange farmers would not only get a market for their products but full value as well.

    He said that the factory would also create many jobs for Benue people.

    “This is the juice produced from our Benue oranges. From these same oranges we will produce oil, and the chaffs will be used for organic fertiliser. There is no waste here.

    “After this test running, we will check the whole process again and make sure that everywhere is set for takeoff.

    “We are going to do something that has not been done before in this state. Just give Gov. Hyacinth Alia six more years, and our yams, mangoes and oranges will never waste again. Our farmers will have full value for their products,” he said.

    He recalled that BIPC took over the management of the state-owned juice processing factory in July.

    According to him, the company was dormant for over 20 years, and BIPC, upon takeover, engaged Sono Company, experts in juice production in the world, to revive the industry.

    The factory’s Plant Engineer, Mr Henry Boager, said the factory has the capacity to produce four metric tonnes of juice per hour.

    Boager boasted that they have a competent technical team to handle the factory machines for optimal results.

    He assured the people that post-harvest losses would be minimised and farmers would get real value for their produce.

  • New academic year: Massive turnout at Abuja schools – FCTA 

    New academic year: Massive turnout at Abuja schools – FCTA 

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says FCT schools have recorded an impressive turnout of students, pupils and teachers as they resumed 2025/2026 academic session.

    Some FCT Administration’s top management officials, led by the Secretary for Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo, said this while carrying out a routine inspection visit to schools in Abuja on Monday.

    The inspection activity was carried out in primary and secondary schools within Garki Area 11, Garki Area 3, Wuye, Wuse Zone 6 and Wuse zone 3 respectively.

    Hayyo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Joy Okeke, said both private and public schools in Abuja recorded an impressive turnout of students, pupils and teachers.

    He said that school inspection was part of the secretariat’s ritual at the beginning of every term to monitor students’ resumption and teachers’ preparedness.

    He expressed satisfaction with the resumption level .

    “This shows that the school children are ready to learn, and the teachers are also ready for their teaching activities,”he said.

    Hayyo urged the parents whose children and wards are yet to resume, to release them so that they can join others in learning.

    “All FCT schools both private and public have resumed, I am very impressed with the situation.

    “As we can see, the environment is looking well renovated. Because our Minister, Nyesom Wike’s priority is education.

    “That is why he has invested billions of naira in the renovation of the schools.

    “Relevant stakeholders are grateful to the Minister for renovating their schools because they are very good and conducive for learning”, he stated.

    On his part, James Kuta, Director and Principal, Government Science Technical College (GSTC), Area 3, Garki-Abuja, said lessons have started as the turnout was encouraging.

    Kuta said that prior to the resumption, the school management had done fumigation, levelled the grasses, cleaned the classes and hostels, for the students to begin learning.

    “They are supposed to be 1,060 plus students, we have 631 on resumption. So, we have just about 400 left, and I am sure they will be back.

    Similarly, Gold Iyabo, Principal of JSS, Garki, Area 11, revealed that on the first day of resumption, the school recorded attendance of 238 out of its total number of 520 students.

  • Flood preparedness: NEMA engages stakeholders on 2025 mitigation strategies

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has engaged stakeholders on preparedness and mitigation strategies against anticipated floods in Niger state.

    Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on National disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2025 in Minna on Thursday.

    The theme of the engagement is: “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”.

    Umar, represented by Dr Ishaya Chonoko, Zonal Director in Charge of North West Zone of NEMA, said that the engagement was to strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness, and response to flood disasters across the country.

    She said NEMA had received insights into rainfall patterns and flood scenarios for 2025 from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    “NEMA will deploy teams to all states to engage with flood-prone communities, taking early warning messages to the grassroots.

    “This will be done with the support of state Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and community volunteers,” she said.

    The director-general called on partners such as the traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups and the media, to support the initiative, saying disaster management was everyone’s business.

    According to her, all hands must be on deck to take the right early warning to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in various communities.

    “There is a need to step up our games on what we can do differently from the past and come up with solutions and prepare for quick response.” she added.

    Also speaking, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, Overseeing Director-General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the meeting would proffer solutions to flooding, preparedness, and response from expected flooding to save lives and property and minimise flooding.

    Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Yumu, Commissioner, Ministry for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the campaign would help reduce impacts of annually recurring floods in the state.

    Also in attendance were Mr Hussaini Isah, Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Akapo Adeboye, traditional leaders and stakeholders from the police, army amongst others.

  • In a raging face-off, Benue assembly speaker rebuts executive, “weren’t saboteurs”

    In a raging face-off, Benue assembly speaker rebuts executive, “weren’t saboteurs”

    The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Hyacinth Dajoh, has said that the lawmakers are not saboteurs but representatives of their people, who desire the success of the executive for the good of the state.

    Dajoh spoke in Makurdi at the inauguration of a new executive/appeal fund for an administrative office for the Association of Emcees (ABE), Benue Chapter, says the assembly desires the success of the executive for the good of the state..

    It would be recalled that the state assembly recently resolved not to honour correspondence from the executive until the assembly’s demands were met.

    The lawmakers said that the executive had “flagrantly refused to obey the Assembly’s resolutions”, hence declined the screening of the commissioner nominees.

    But the speaker, represented at the event by Mr Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South State Constituency, said that their actions were always guided by responsible representation and meant for the good of the state.

    “Whatever decision the assembly takes is not that we are fighting the governor or the executive.

    “What we are doing is to support the governor to succeed and leave lasting legacies.

    “All we do and say is to support him. We are not fighting; we are not saboteurs,” he said.

    The speaker lauded ABE for electing credible officials to lead the association.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Cephas Dyako, who is the Minority Chief Whip of the Assembly, lauded the members of the association for coming under one umbrella to coordinate their activities.

    Dyako promised to support the association to achieve its targets.

    The Wife of the Speaker, Mrs Cynthia Dajoh, commended ABE members for their unity and professionalism.

    Dajoh promised to furnish the ABE secretariat, whenever it was ready for use.

    Chief Solomon Iorpev, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, who was the guest speaker at the event, spoke on “Building a Successful Brand as an MC”.

    Iorpev listed some tips that make a successful master of ceremony and advised the ABE members to be properly guided by the best standard protocol rules.

    The Speaker of the new ABE executive, Mr  Terver Adom, commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for gradually changing the narratives of Benue.

    Adom said that the state had witnessed an unprecedented development in the last two years that Alia mounted the saddle. 

  • Ground rent: Wike threatens immediate sanction for defaulters

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Friday, demanded the list of ground rent defaulters across the territory for immediate implementation of necessary sanctions.

    Wike gave the directive in Abuja while inaugurating two committees to address land issues at River Park Estate and abuse of land use act in the FCT.

    The FCT Administration had on June 2, published a demand notice for the payment of ground rent due to the FCT Administration from 2014 to 2024.

    The FCT Administration gave the defaulters two weeks to comply.

    Wike noted that the two weeks had long elapsed into months, adding that it was time for enforcement of necessary sanctions.

    “We have allowed so much time. Initially we gave two weeks; it has passed one month, two months, three months.

    “You know how Nigerians are, if you don’t take steps nothing will happen.

    “So, all those owing, from the ones we have published up to 2025, you have to provide the list so that we commence immediate implementation.

    “This will enable us to receive the needed funds that will aid us in the development of infrastructure in the FCT,” he said.

    The minister said that the FCT 2025 budget had been passed and assented to, by President Bola Tinubu.

    He, however, pointed out that without funds, there was no way the administration would undertake projects that would have a positive impact on the lives of FCT residents.

    “So, please, Directors of Land, Abuja Geographic Information System, Development Control, Urban and Regional Planning, you need to work tirelessly to make sure that this is achieved,” the minister said.

  • FCT Minister inaugurates committees on river land use abuse

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, Friday in Abuja, inaugurated two committees to address land issues at River Park Estate and abuse of the land use Act in the territory.

    Wike, while inaugurating the committees in Abuja, described the two issues as “very important” in streamlining the activities of the FCT Administration on emerging land matters.

    He said that the River Park Committee would be chaired by the General Counsel/Secretary, Legal Service Secretariat and acting Director, Public Service as secretary.

    He pointed out that sometimes the government gives out letters of intent to those who declare interest to develop mass housing.

    According to him,  the FCT Administration always signs MoUs with estate developers, adding,  however, that in most cases, the clauses in the agreements end up being violated.

    The minister explained that the river park estate committee was inaugurated to look into the land issues in the estate and advise the FCTA on the necessary steps needed to correct the anomalies.

    He said that the committee has two weeks to conclude the assignment, adding that there would be no extension of time.

    “So, if it requires you to sit from morning till night, may it be so. We will not delay,” he said.

    Wike advised the committee to carry out the task with utmost professionalism and warned the members against giving in to internal or external influence.

    “If I hear that somebody has interest, be it from outside or be it from the FCTA, particularly Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) and the administration department, you know the consequences of it.

    “If there’s any department that’s trying to stop you from getting information, let me know on time,” he said.

    The second committee was on the review of land uses/purpose clauses of land and properties at locations overtaken by commercial and other activities.

    It will be chaired by the Director, Development Control, with Director, Urban and Regional Planning as Secretary.

    Wike explained that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) always indicates the purpose for usage, which could be for commercial, residential or other uses, in line with the provisions of the Abuja Master Plan.

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    “Today you find out that all those provisions were being violated without prior approval from the government.

    “You will see people with C of O, whose purpose is for residential, but turned to commercial. This, of course, is a violation of the certificate that was issued,” he said.

    The minister explained that the committee would identify all those areas that were in violation of the use of the C of O given to residents, as the case may be.

    He said that the area could be in the Central Business Area, Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, Wuse I, or Wuse II, as the case may be.

    “Having identified them, you have to recommend to the government what appropriate steps to be taken in compliance with extant guidelines.

    “This is very, very important to us. Are you going to say outright revocation for not complying with the provisions in the C of O or there would be a penalty if they asked for conversion and pay the appropriate fee?

    “The committee has two weeks to deliver on the task and come up with a robust recommendations of what the government is to do.

    “Like I said earlier, this job has to be done without outside or inside interference,” he said.

    Wike said that the move was necessary for the public to know what the government was doing to address the anomalies in land use in th FCT.

    Members of the river park estate committee included Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning and Deputy Director, Land.

    Others are Director, Security Services Department, Director Development Control, and Director, AGIS.

    For the committee on the review of land uses/purpose clauses of land and properties at locations overtaken by commercial and other activities, the members included Director, Land Administration and Director, Surveying and Mapping.

    Others are Director, AGIS, and Director, Engineering Services.

  • Police arrest 176 suspects for various crimes in Benue

    The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the arrest of 176 suspects for allegedly committing various crimes in July.

    Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, Commissioner of Police (CP), Benue Command, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference in Makurdi.

    Emenari said that the suspects were arrested for cult activities, armed robbery, banditry, theft and culpable homicide, among others.

    The CP said that out of the 176, 22 were arrested for alleged cultism, 26 for alleged armed robbery, while others were for other various offences.

    He also stated that the command within the said period recovered 30 different types of arms, 4000 different types of ammunition, 8 motorcycles, one tricycle and two vehicles from the criminals.

    Emenari explained further that some of the arms recovered included four rocket launchers, 12 AK-47s, 11 locally made pistols, and four locally fabricated rifles, among others.

    The CP added that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has successfully destroyed all the bandits camps in Benue.

    He pointed out that with the destruction of the bandits camps, many locals have returned to their ancestral homes and farms in most parts of the state.

    Emenari said that criminals committing all kinds of atrocities and hiding under cover of bandits would be arrested and prosecuted.

    The CP announced that he has relocated the area commander overseeing Otukpo axis to Agatu with strict orders to apprehend all criminals terrorising the area.

    According to him, the command is conducting series of operations and raids in Sankara axis to ensure that all the bandits and other criminal elements terrorising the area are apprehended.

    “A large number of bandits have been repelled from these areas, while some were neutralised in the course of these operations.

    “It is important at this point to mention that some police officers lost their lives during these operations.

    “While we commiserate with their friends and families, we remain committed to this course, as our dear state cannot be left in the hands of criminals.

    “Our desire is to provide security to all Benue residents, and the command under my watch in the month of July has been able to reduce crime to the barest minimum and will continue to ensure that the state is crime-free.

    “Measures put in place during the period under review include planned operations in the hinterlands to raid communities of bandits, patrols within the metropolis, intelligence gathering for proactive policing, raids of black spots and stop and search operations,” he said. 

  • Benue govt. dissolves boards of sports associations

    Benue govt. dissolves boards of sports associations

    In an abrupt move, taking sector watchers by surprise, the Benue Government has approved the immediate dissolution of all boards of sports associations in the State Sports Council.

    Benue Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Terkimbi Ikyange, gave the approval on Monday in Makurdi.

    The commissioner, in a statement by the acting Director of Sports, Anthony Torbunde, noted  that the dissolution had become expedient.

    He explained that the decision was to enable the council align with the subsequent National Sports Commission/Federation elective congress timelines.

    “The management of the sports council wishes to thank all the chairmen and members of the various sports associations for their enormous contributions towards the sustenance of their various sports.

    “The job of developing sports in the state is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the sector.

    “All former board members should remain resolute and ready to serve the state at all times in whatever capacity,” he said.