News

Why N’Assembly Rejected Solid Mineral Ministry’s 2025 Budget Revealed

Published

7 months ago

January 11, 2025

The National Assembly joint committee on Solid Minerals, on Friday, rejected the budget estimates of the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

The committee said that the estimates presented were greatly inadequate.

The Chairman of the joint committee, Sen. Ekong Sampson, stated this after the minister, Dele Alake, presented the ministry’s 2025 budget estimate before the committee.

The call for the rejection of the budget followed a motion moved by Sen. Diket Plang (APC-Plateau) and seconded by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi).

Moving the motion, Plang expressed displeasure that the ministry got just N9bn as an envelope out of the N539.7bn it proposed for capital expenditure in the 2025 budget.

The chairman also expressed displeasure over the ministry’s budget because of the importance of solid mineral sector to the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

He said, “This is because of the potential in not addressing the key concerns in this sector at a time that Nigeria is in a grand need to diversify the economy.

“The estimates presented before us are grossly inadequate and will not help our economy at this critical period, when we have to invest in the future, consistent with what obtains in other economies.

“We’ve taken this position in the interest of this country and as a support item to the vision of government as it were that this budget clearly needs a review.

“The need for this review clearly contemplates the peculiarities in the sector.

“Time has gone by and you have to take a very bold step in exploration, in data gathering, in tackling major drawbacks that have put us in dire situations as a nation richly endowed but faced, as it were with the contradictions in abundance.

“It is the view of the joint committee that the budget of this sector be reviewed upwards.

“I think that is the spirit of the meeting, in the meantime, we will suspend further decisions on this budget unless those steps are taken.

“The budget for this sector needs radical upward review. So the joint session rejects the estimate before us. We will step everything down.”

The co-chairman, Mr Gaza Gbefwi, representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituencies, also supported the move for the suspension of the budget defence.

“I move that we suspend this budget screening for the Ministry of Solid Minerals for the fact that what is appropriated to them, if it is true, is beyond imagination.

“Also, we are here to pass a budget not for the ministry, not for us, but for Nigerians and the progress of this country.

“I, therefore, propose that we step down this screening of the budget presented to us and request that we invite the Minister of Planning and Budget to appear before this committee,” he said.

Earlier, Alake said that the ministry in 2025, proposed N539.7 billion for capital expenditure and N2 billion for overhead cost, making it a total budget of N541.7 billion for the ministry.

“In contrite distinction to the avowed objective of the economic diversification of Nigeria away from oil into green energy, into harnessing the solid minerals sector, the envelope that the ministry received was a far cry from our proposal.

“We proposed N539.7 billion for capital in 2025, but the envelope that came is a paltry N9 billion,” he said

On the 2024 budget performance of the ministry, Alake said that the overhead cost was 100 per cent performance while the capital was a dismal 18 per cent performance which was based on releases.

“When I did a panoramic view of the entire budget from other ministries, it is a kind of a general problem.

“The budget releases were not as expected which really hampered the capital budget in 2024.

“We rely on your support and effort to correct this anomaly, because if we are going to achieve all our objectives, there is no way we can achieve them,” he said.

In terms of revenue generated, Alake said that the ministry generated N37.8 billion in 2024 as above the N11 billion projected.

(NAN)

News

Fintiri Hikes Corps Members’ All

Published

12 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has increased the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps members serving in the state from N20,000 to N30,000.

The governor made the announcement on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony for the 2025 Batch B Stream I corps members, held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Damare, Girei Local Government Area.

“As a government, we are committed to improving the welfare of corps members.

“This increment aligns with our promise to create a friendly and supportive atmosphere for you,” the governor stated.

Fintiri also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development and welfare, stating that the allowance hike complements ongoing support efforts such as regular food provision and other welfare initiatives.

Speaking further, he disclosed that plans were at an advanced stage for the construction of a new NYSC orientation camp in the state.

He directed the NYSC State Coordinator to involve corps members with relevant qualifications—such as architects, civil engineers, and quantity surveyors—in supervising the project.

Congratulating the new corps members, Fintiri welcomed them to Adamawa and assured them of government support.

He described them as vital partners in delivering key government policies, particularly in education.

“As bonafide citizens of Adamawa during your service year, you are expected to uphold discipline, engage in community development, and cultivate healthy interactions,” Fintiri stated.

He emphasised the importance of the orientation programme in preparing corps members for their national assignment.

The state Commissioner for Youths and NYSC Governing Board Chairman, Wali Yakubu, urged corps members to take the course seriously, follow camp rules, and embrace skill acquisition for post-service self-reliance.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Osoro Caroline, commended the corps members’ discipline and participation so far.

She said the orientation course was tailored to equip them for meaningful national contributions.

Osoro praised Fintiri’s consistent support, describing him as a “visionary leader and a beacon of youth empowerment in Nigeria.”

The event also featured the oath of allegiance administered by the Chief Judge of Adamawa, Justice Hapsat Abdurrahman, and a ceremonial presentation of the NYSC journal to the governor.

News

Fintiri Gifts Super Falcons Coach N50m, House For WAFCON Victory

Published

13 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has gifted Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu, a three-bedroom bungalow and N50 million for leading the national women’s football team to victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

According to a Facebook post by the governor’s aide, Pius Iliya, the presentation was made at the Government House in Yola, the state capital.

Madugu, an indigene of Adamawa, was hailed by Fintiri for his role in the Falcons’ triumph at the tournament, which took place in Morocco earlier this year.

“Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, on behalf of the Government and people of Adamawa State, has gifted Justine Pwanidi Madugu ( Coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons) a three-bedroom bungalow and a sum of N50m for leading the team into winning the 2024 Women African Cup of Nation that took place in Morocco this year,” the post read.

News

Policeman Rejects N800,000 Bribe To Free Robbery Suspect In A’Ibom

Published

13 hours ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

CSP Ebong Thompson

A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Ebong Thompson has rejected the sum of N800,000 offered to him to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and cover up the crime.

This is as the command has arrested the suspects in connection with the bribe

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday said the suspects involved in the deal have been arrested and taken to custody.

According to the statement, 53-year-old David Isaac was arrested after a Samsung phone that was snatched at gun point was traced to him.

John stated that the suspect has a record of similar offences having been arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.

She added that the other suspect, Emmanuel Peter, was arrested and taken to custody after he brought the the sum of N.8m to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police who has given a commendation letter to the officer, warned the public to desist from compromising police investigation.

The statement read in part, ”A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected N800,000 bribe offered to him on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

“The money was intended to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and also cover up the crime.

”The suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung phone that was gotten at gun point was traced to him. Isaac has a history of similar offences as he was arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.

”The other suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter was arrested after he brought the bribe to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect. He was taken into custody after the offer was rejected.

”All officers concerned with this discreet investigation received a commendation letter from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare. The CP, while addressing officers at the end of the month briefing, charged them to emulate the Distinguished officers.

”Members of the public are therefore warned to desist from compromising police investigation.”
(PUNCH)