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2021 Budget: Magashi Defends Over 340 Billion Naira For Defence

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4 years ago

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The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has presented and defended the Ministry of Defence budget proposal of Three hundred and forty billion, three hundred and fifteen million, three hundred and fifty nine thousand, two hundred and fifty five naira ninety five kobo.(N340,315,359,255.95) for the 2021 fiscal year.

The Minister made the presentation before the 9 man Senator Aliyu Wamako led Senate Committee on Defence at the National Assembly Complex Abuja.

General Magashi who was supported by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Hussaini Babangida said the budget is based on the 2020-2023 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) as well as anchored on providing adequate security through strengthening the Tri-Services and other institutions under the Ministry to enable them perform their roles with all the necessary requirements.

While giving a breakdown of the budget proposal he explained that two billion, seventy six million, four hundred and nine thousand, eight hundred and forty four naira (N2,076,409,844.00) is proposed under the main overhead cost of the Ministry of Defence for the year out of which the sum of One billion five hundred and twenty million (N1,520,000,000.00) is for the Brigade of Guards. Additionally ,the sum of five hundred and fifty six million, four hundred and nine thousand eight hundred and four naira (N556,409,844.00) is for its regular overhead expenditure to arrive at the grand total of three hundred and forty billion, three hundred and fifteen million, three hundred and fifty nine thousand two hundred and fifty five naira ninety five. kobo( N340,315,359,255.95).

On Critical Capital Projects to be executed by the Ministry in the 2021 fiscal year,he said in addition to the on-going projects there are other Special projects approved by Mr President which include acquisition of Defence Equipment on government to government basis in the sum of $692,968,573.00 out of which 30% was released by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

According to the Defence Minister, the Ministry is mandated by the President to execute a stalled contract put at USD269,734,420.50 for the delivery of seven hundred (700) Troops Carrying Vehicles and fifty (50) buses awarded since 2014 by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Retrospectively, the Minister in a 5 paged 2021 budget proposal had earlier summarised the 2020 budget performance as at 26th October which revealed that 88% of the Overhead was utilised while the total Expenditure for Capital utilised stands at 16% owing to what he blamed on four causative challenges. They include, the general effects of Covid-19 pandemic, paucity of funds, late releases of Capital funds and bureaucratic bottleneck associated with procurement process.

While appealing for favourable consideration of the budget proposal by the Senate Committee on Defence, General Magashi said the Ministry under his watch is committed to actualising its core mandate of providing adequate security for a peaceful, stable, secured and united Nigeria.

Responding to questions raised by some members of the Committee who observed that the budget proposal for the Overhead and Capital Projects are low, the Minister said procurement which should be entirely the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence is in the purview and pursuit of the Services.

In a statement by Muhammad Abdulkadiri said the Chairman Senate Committee on Defence Aliyu Wamako while assuring the Minister of Defence that the Ministry’s budget proposal will undergo the usual thorough examination by members of the Committee with a view to doing justice to it, he gave an ikling for possible upward review of the total estimates.

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Kano State Hosts 8th Annual Audit Forum to Enhance Transparency and Accountability

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10 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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The 8th Annual Audit Forum, organized by the Office of the Auditor General of Kano State, was held recently, focusing on strengthening transparency and accountability in public financial management. .

Isma’ila Musa, the Auditor General of Kano State, welcomed the participants and highlighted the constitutional and legal mandates that guide the auditing process. “Sections 125(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and 36(i) of the Kano State Audit Law, 2021 (as amended) mandate the Office of the Auditor General to audit the accounts and financial statements of the State Government and all Offices and Courts,” he stated.

Musa expressed immense gratitude to His Excellency, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State, for his support in making the event possible. “It is very important to note that a strengthened fiscal transparency will help build trust in governance,” he emphasized. He added that the Audit Forum is a reform intended to reduce opportunities for corruption and abuse of public resources, thereby increasing the efficiency of public expenditures.

The Auditor General also acknowledged the contributions of various officials, including the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Accountant General, the Executive Chairman of Kano Internal Revenue Services, and former Auditors General, among others. “My sincere appreciation to all the invitees here present for honoring our invitation. I wish us a successful 8th Kano State Annual Audit Forum,” Musa concluded.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Honorable Tukur Fagge, praised the exercise for its potential to enhance resource management and ensure the success of the tasks at hand. “This exercise will enhance resources management and will realize the success of the task,” Fagge stated.

Sarkin Shanon Kano, Shehu Muhammad Dankadai, who served as the royal father of the day, also graced the event, adding to the significance of the occasion.

The forum underscored the commitment of the Kano State Government to upholding transparency and accountability, reflecting the administration’s dedication to effective and efficient service delivery.

 

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Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93

Published

16 hours ago

on

November 21, 2024

By

Late Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi

 

A former secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, has passed away.

A family source, Jafar Yakubu, informed NIGERIAN TRACKER about the death of the pioneer secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, who supervised the 1979 general election.

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Jafar Yakubu said Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi died at the age of 93 and his Janaza funeral prayers will take place by 2:30 PM at Kurfi in KATSINA state .

 

Dr. Amadu Kurfi, OFR, was born in 1931. He was a former chairman of the then Marketing Board, former Federal Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, and the first person to acquire a BSc degree in the whole of Katsina State, at University College London in 1957.

 

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President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar

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1 day ago

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November 20, 2024

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The governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has been dissolved by President Bola Tinubu.

The president dissolved the council and approved the removal of the institution’s vice-chancellor Bernard Odoh and the university registrar, Rosemary Nwokike.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy said the action by Tinubu follows allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

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He also said that the council led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin was accused of bypassing due process to appoint an unqualified candidate, prompting federal intervention.

Onanuga said, “The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.

He added that following the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address the rivalry between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the institution.

“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, Onanuga added.

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