The Nigerian senate on Wednesday, passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, to the tune of N1.485 trillion.

The passage came after the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor.

This came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session.

DAILY POST reports that the bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

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According to the approved budget breakdown, N120.8 billion is for debt servicing, N287.38 billion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N1.077 trillion is for capital expenditure.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), while supporting the passage of the bill, however, raised a concern regarding the additional 50 billion naira earmarked for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.

The lawmaker charged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.

DAILY POST reports that with the passage, the Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.

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It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in May submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.

The president also wrote to the House of Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Kebbi State Government has said it would review existing laws to impose death penalty or life imprisonment on convicted informants aiding the criminals in the state.

This is coming in the wake of renewed attacks by armed bandits in parts of the state.

The State Governor, Nasiru Idris made this disclosure on Tuesday, when he paid condolence visits to Tadurga village in Zuru and Kyebu in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Areas, both recently targeted by bandits in attacks that claimed 30 lives.

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The governor, while describing informants as deadly to society, reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity and promised to treat the issue with utmost seriousness.

He expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, praying for the victims and asking Allah to grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi and a quick recovery to those injured.

“We are here to see things for ourselves, commiserate with you and reassure you of the urgent steps we have taken to improve security,” he said.

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The Governor called on the public to refrain from politicizing security issues or spread unverified information on social media, warning that such actions could jeopardise ongoing efforts to restore peace.

Responding, the Chief of Danko, Ibrahim Al’aji, and the Chief of Dabai, Suleiman Sami, appreciated the governor for his swift intervention and called for enhanced security measures, especially along routes used by bandits entering from neighboring states.

The Emir of Zuru, Rtd. Major General Sani Sami also expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and ongoing commitment to security in the emirate.

The Ondo Catholic Diocese has condemned what it described as the “sudden and unannounced” demolition of the memorial park in Owo.

This was contained in an official statement signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Jude Arogundade.

The memorial park, built by the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to honour and immortalise worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, who were killed three years ago, was demolished by the state government on the order of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

However, the church stated that the action by the Ondo State Government violated communal respect for human dignity and the memory of the victims.

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The diocese expressed shock that the park, which was publicly commissioned by the state government and blessed by the church, could be demolished without prior consultation or notice.

“There is no doubt that the demolition is a violation of our common respect for the dignity of life and the memory we share of our 41 brothers and sisters who were unjustly killed,” the Catholic diocese stated.

It added that it had written to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa seeking an official explanation for the action, but, over 72 hours later, had received no response.

The church said the purpose of the requested audience was to seek clarity on the demolition, the government’s reasons, and whether any plans exist to establish another memorial.

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“It was legitimately acquired and developed by the state government and designated as a memorial park. The faithful and the general public were shocked and deeply saddened that the state government, in collaboration with the Olowo, chose to demolish the site,” the church stated.

While urging calm and assuring the public of its commitment to dialogue, the Catholic diocese emphasised its preference for “due process, mutual respect, and constructive engagement” in resolving the matter peacefully.

Recall that the memorial park was built following the June 2022 church attack.

The incident left over 40 people dead and dozens injured, drawing national and international condemnation.