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2021 BUDGET : Brigade Of Guards To Consume More than 1.5 Billion Naira

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has defended the Ministry of Defence 2021 budget proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence Chaired by Babajimi Bande at the Green chamber of the National Assembly.

General Magashi presented 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 Ministry of Defence 2021 fiscal year.

The Minister who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Hussaini Babangida said the budget is premised on the 2020-2023 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the government as well as predicated on strengthening the Services and other Military institutions.

This is to enable them perform their statutory responsibility without lacking the necessary requirements.

He gave a breakdown of the budget proposal of two billion, seventy six million, four hundred and nine thousand, eight hundred and forty four naira (N2,076,409,844.00) as main Overhead cost of the Ministry 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. In addition, the sum of five hundred and fifty six million, four hundred and nine thousand eight hundred and four naira (N556,409,844.00) is budgeted 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).

According to the Minister, the Projects to be executed by the Ministry in the 2021 budget include the on-going and Special projects approved by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari which cover
acquisition of Defence Equipment to be executed on government to government on win-win basis estimated at $692,968,573.00 out of which 30% was released by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

The Defence Minister, disclosed that the Ministry has the Presidential
directive 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.

Meanwhile, the Minister had earlier summarised the 2020 budget performance as at 26th October pointing out that 88% of the Overhead was utilised while the total Expenditure for Capital utilised stands at 16%. He however blamed the low Capital utilisation on four causative factors. They include, the challenge of the general effects of Covid-19 pandemic, paucity of funds, late releases of Capital funds and bureaucratic bottleneck associated with procurement process.

He assured the House Committee on Defence, that the Ministry is poised to actualising its statutory responsibility of providing adequate security to entrenche peace in a united Nigeria.

In a statement by Muhammad Abdulkadiri said the Chairman House Committee on Defence Babajimi Bande reiterated the commitment of members to doing the needful with the budget proposal without any delay.

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Mutiu Adepoju Urges NFF to Retain Augustine Eguavoen as Super Eagles Coach

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Former international, Mutiu Adepoju, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep Augustine Eguavoen in charge of the Super Eagles.

Eguavoen took charge of the Super Eagles in interim capacity in September.

The 59-year-old guided the team to qualify for AFCON 2025 with three wins, two draws and one defeat.

The NFF are reportedly still planning to hire a foreign coach for the three-time African champions.

Adepoju however said his former teammate should stay in charge of the team.

“I would rate him very well. Number one, we’ve qualified for the AFCON, which is one of the objectives,” he told Brila FM.

“I would say he has done well and is still doing well.

“They should keep encouraging him. I believe he’s getting things done, I will rate him high, let just keep supporting him.”

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

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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.

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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

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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.

 

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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