President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of the Senate for the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s 2025Appropriation Bill

Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Wednesday.

“Pursuant to section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which vests legislative powers over the Federal Capital Territory on the National Assembly, I hereby present the 2025 FCT budget proposal to the Senate for consideration.

“The 2025 FCT Budget Proposal prioritises investment in health care services, job creation, youth empowerment, social welfare services, education infrastructure as well as increasing productivity in agriculture,” the letter read in part.

The president said that the budget was aimed at lifting as many citizens as possible out of poverty, adding that a total expenditure of N1.7 trillion was proposed for the 2025 fiscal year.

He said that 85 per cent of the capital expenditure was dedicated to the completion of ongoing projects, while 15 per cent was earmarked for new capital projects.

“This is to sustain the ongoing efforts at providing basic infrastructure and social amenities in the FCT,” he said.

Tinubu expressed the hope that the budget proposal would receive the expeditious consideration and passage by the senate. (NAN)

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is  seeking  the approval of the State House of Assembly to access the sum of Seventy Billion Naira bond from the capital market to fund critical ongoing infrastructure development. 

This was contained in statement signed by acting Head of department Media and publicity, Hajiya Mairo Adamu Mani of the State House of Assembly Wednesday.

According to her, the Niger State House of Assembly has received an executive correspondence from Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, regarding the issuance of a #70 billion bond.

 She explained that the correspondence was read during Tuesdays plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Hon.

According to the correspondence, the State Executive Council, at its 55th sitting on April 22, 2025, deliberated and approved the issuance of #70 billion out of the #100 billion Niger State 2025 bond raise program. 

The bond issue aims to finance critical projects in healthcare, education, infrastructure, water supply, and inter- and intra-state connectivity.

The Governor has requested the House to issue a resolution approving the conclusion of necessary documents for the bond issuance. 

“After the reading, the Deputy Speaker referred the correspondence to the House Standing Committee on Finance for further legislative action”

In another development, the House received a private member bill, presented by Hon. Murtala Adamu Badaru, Member representing Suleja Constituency. The bill seeks to regulate the activities of scavengers, old metal dealers, and panteka businesses within residential areas in Niger State.

The House commenced debate on the second reading of a bill to establish the Niger State Facilities Management Agency. After deliberations, the bill was referred to the House Standing Committee on Works and Infrastructure to report back to the House in two weeks for further legislative action.

By David Torough, Abuja

A political pressure group, the Zamfara Movement Democrat (ZMD), has lambasted Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State for what it describes as a complete failure to protect lives and properties in rural communities, two years into his administration.

The group claimed that the governor has done little to address the alarming security situation ravaging the state, accusing him of governing in a “desperado and emperor style” while neglecting the plight of his people.

In a statement yesterday, ZMD convener, Umar Sarki said residents in rural areas are being killed daily, properties looted and villages attacked without any meaningful response from the state government.

“People are being maimed, women and children displaced, and yet Governor Dauda has shown no serious action or empathy. Even condolence visits or emergency responses have been ignored,” Sarki said.

Sarki further said Dauda is currently receiving 3 billion naira each month in security votes, yet insecurity remains high. In contrast, during Matawalle’s administration, he received 300 million naira and was able to reduce insecurity to the barest minimum.

He criticised the administration’s failure to establish even a single police outpost in any of the 147 electoral wards, accusing the governor of instead ridiculing the police through state-sponsored litigation.

Sarki further alleged that Governor Dauda has prioritised political gain over public safety, highlighting the procurement of security vehicles at allegedly inflated prices and the establishment of a Security Trust Fund as mechanisms to siphon local government funds.

“The governor’s so-called security outfit only operates in urban areas and serves to suppress political opposition rather than protect the people,” the group claimed.

Drawing a comparison, ZMD praised former Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Dr Muhammad Bello Matawalle, for what it called proactive steps during his 2019–2023 tenure, including leading relief efforts, working with federal security forces, and establishing operational bases in the state.

“Governor Matawalle ensured the establishment of Operation Hadarin Daji headquarters in Zamfara and facilitated President Buhari’s launch of anti-banditry operations in the state. This brought relative peace before the current administration reversed progress,” Sarki added.