fbpx
Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

News

Kano: Skyrocketing price of land in Hotoro area due to presence of Maryam Abacha American University — Agents

Published

on

 

Some land agents at Hotoro GRA have attributed the rise in the price of land in the area to the presence of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria which is situated at Kwanar Maggi in the area.

One of the land agents, Muhammad Najume, told our reporter that the rise in the price started immediately after the commencement of academic activities in the university.

Mr Najume disclosed that a plot of land that was sold at N20 million in 2023 is now sold at about N150 million or above.

“This can be attributed to the economic situation and the presence of the university in the area.

“The skyrocketing has not only affected the Hotoro Area but has extended to the Kawo Community,” he added.

Another agent, Mallam Isa, also disclosed that a house that you should buy at N500,000 in the last 3 years is now N3 million today.

“People are buying old houses to renovate them to hostels that will accommodate students,” said Mr Isa.

Speaking with a resident who is also a house owner, Musa Okuri, said the University has brought massive development to the community with its corporate social responsibility.

Mr Okuri said: “The university management recently renovated one of the community secondary schools which they decided to name after the founder, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo.

“The establishment of new private universities in Northern will not only add value to the region by boosting its economy but will help in building cities in the area they are located in.

“This is exactly what the Hotoro residents are experiencing today.”

On his part, Usman Yahaya, a businessman at the area who sells Shawarma, Burger, narrated the development the university brought to them.

He said: “Before the university was establishment, we don’t make profit, but now there is security, we make huge profit, and the place has become very busy. This is a massive development. ”

Another businessman who owns a provision store, Ibrahim Haladu, said there is profit unlike before the presence of the university.

“My business is growing, the place is busy, there is employment opportunities and is as a result of the university.” Ibrahim said.

Haruna Tijjani Kwa, a student of Business Administration in the University who resides in Kawo, described the university and the environment as conducive.

“I’m enjoying my stay here, and I’m proud of studying at Maryam Abacha American University.”

Umma Salma Auwal Muhammad, a law student who came all the way from Maiduguri, described the university as one of the best for providing them with a conducive learning environment and good lecturers”.

“I live here at Hotoro, the people here treat us very well, I feel like I’m at home.” She said.

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria: Rabiu, Galadima, Dantiyye, Barau, Kawu, Andishu top SWAN 2024 national awards list

Published

on

 

 

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN would confer various categories of awards on Nigerians that have distinguished themselves in various segments in the sports industry.

The national umbrella body of sports writers is scheduled to hold its national Full Council Meeting in Kano northwest Nigeria.

The outline of events reveal that the national event will commence from.1st to 6th May 2024 in the ancient city of Kano.

The chairman, SWAN National Mobilization Committee, Abdulgafar Oladimeji disclosed that arrangements have reached zenith stages, adding that, it can be confirmed that all planned activities will kick off from May 1st.

According to him , prominent Nigerians have been dominated for the conferment of various categories of awards.

He further disclosed that those to be conferred with the awards includes, Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL legend and Kano Pillars captain, Rabiu Ali.
Others are , former president of the now defunct, Nigeria Football Association, NFA, (Dr) Ibrahim Galadima, Kano state commissioner of information, Halilu Baba Dantiye.

” prominent Nigerians which includes, deputy senate president of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Barau Jubril, chairman senate Committee on sports, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila and UK based businessman and sports consultant, Moses Andishu.”

He said the awards ceremony will be held at the sidelines of the SWAN Full Council Meeting in Kano.

Continue Reading

News

One Voice Development Seeks God’s intervention for the release of DCP Abba Kyari

Published

on

The group during the prayer session

 

One Voice Development initiative, a non-governmental organization, seeks God’s intervention for the release of DCP Abba Kyari.

The payer session organized by the group was held in Kano

One of the leading prayer warriors, Musa Buhari, said there is nothing that overpowers our Creator and, as such, the need to seek Allah’s help in ensuring the timely release of Abba Kyari.

The prayer session

The prayer session

Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai, the convener of the group, urges President Tinubu to use every legal means available to release Kyari.

Yakasai said Kyari’s service is needed most at this trying moment of Nigeria’s history, due to insecurity spreading in many parts of Nigeria.

 

Continue Reading

Trending