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Gov Mbah presents record N971bn 2025 Budget to Enugu House of Assembly

Published

1 year ago

November 26, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

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…Crashes Recurrent further to 14% at N133.1bn

…Capital Expenditure rises to N837.9bn

…Again, Education gets over 33% of budget

… Ramps up IGR from N37.4bn to N144.7bn in 2024

…Assembly promises early passage

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has proposed a record N971bn budget bill for the 2025 fiscal year to the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Presenting the estimates entitled “Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity” at the floor of the House on Tuesday, Mbah said the proposed estimates comprised N837.9bn Capital Expenditure, representing 86 per cent of the budget estimates, and a Recurrent Expenditure component of N133.1bn, representing only14 per cent of the budget.

This topples the record-holding 2024 budget of N521.5bn, consisting of N414.3bn Capital Expenditure, representing 79 per cent of the total budget and N107.2bn Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent.

However, like the 2024 budget, the 2025 budget proposal emphasizes huge investment in education as well as basic but critical infrastructure and amenities like roads and bridges, water supply, transport services, energy, modernization and digitization of public services and associated processes, with the Education sector getting a lion-share of N320.6bn, representing over 33 per cent of the total budget for two consecutive years.

Mbah said that this was in line with his administration target of poverty eradication and an inclusive development model, which ensures that no one or segment of the society is left behind.

The governor equally announced a growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, from N37.4bn at the end of 2023 to N144.7bn in September 2024, representing a radical 286.2 per cent increase in line with the administration’s deliberate effort to wean the state off reliance on FAAC allocations.

Addressing the House, Mbah said, “In crafting this budget, we have sort to continue to lay the right foundation in Enugu to enhance the economy and attract even more private investment.

“In spite of the dreary economic environment across the country, for us here in Enugu, we have elected to remain bullish in our aspirations, and to double down on our commitment to elevate our state to top three status in terms of GDP nationally, and eradicate poverty from our midst.

“Indeed, we see this as a vindication of our previously espoused view that sustainable national growth can really only be driven from the sub-national units to the federal levels, and not the other way round as we have attempted to do to date.

“It is on account of this that we are proposing to the House of Assembly today, a budget with a total envelope of N971,084,000,000.00 as against the budget for 2024 fiscal year which totaled N521,561,386,000.00.

“This represents an 86.4 per cent increase from the 2024 revised budget.

“The budget is broken down as follows: N133,140,000,000.00 as Recurrent Expenditure and N837,944,000,000.00 as Capital Expenditure,” he said.

On sources of revenue, he said, “In the area of our revenues, we estimated that total Recurrent revenues during 2025 will amount to N692,179,000,000 as against the approved revised provision for 2024 of N383,789,000,000.00.

“The Recurrent revenues for 2025 are broken down as follows: opening balance – N32,000,000,000; Internally Generated Revenue, IGR – N509,947,000,000; statutory revenue – N48,749,000,000; exchange rate differential – N26,559,000,000; and Value Added Tax, VAT – N74,924,000,000.

“With the total Recurrent Expenditure at N133,140,000,000.00, this translates to a Net Recurrent Revenue of N559,039,000,000.00, which is thus transferred to the Capital Development Fund.

“The total Capital Expenditure for the year 2025 is projected at N837,944,000,000.00 as against N414,334,120,000.00 for the 2024 Revised Budget. The Current Capital Expenditure estimate will be funded from the sum of N559,039,000,000.00 to be transferred from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and the Capital receipts of N278,905,000,000.00 to be realized as follows: External and Internal Aids and Grants – N15,000,000,000; other receipts – N80,202,000,000; Domestic Loans/Borrowings receipts – N55,000,000,000; and International Loans/Borrowings – N128,503,000,000.”

Meanwhile, in terms of broad sectors, the Economic Sector got a lion share of N462bn, representing 55.1 per cent of the Capital Expenditure, followed by the Social Sector with N345.7bn, representing 41.2 per cent.

In terms of specific sectors, Education got 33.2 per cent, the largest chunk, in sync with Mbah’s effort to eradicate poverty and graduate the state to a knowledge-based economy.

“As we must all know by now, Education is both our ‘sword’ and ‘shield’ in this battle to achieve economic growth in our state and banish poverty and want among our population. Consequently, we are maintaining the ambitious direction we charted in 2024 by voting a total of N320,609,059,000,00 for that sector. This represents 78% of the social sector of the budget and 33.2% of our Capital Expenditure this year,” he stated.

The governor explained that the 2025 budget would also focus greatly on health, road infrastructure, transport, agriculture, and water sectors, among others.

“There can be no economic growth without quality healthcare. This is why we are spending N45,830,896,000.00 on the sector this year.

“In the area of Works and Infrastructure, we will continue our relentless advance towards our target to build or refurbish all key roads across the state by 2031. In line with this, we will spend a total of N213,120,267,000.00 in 2025.

“Food inflation is a major component of core inflation in Nigeria. Consequently, food production is critical to moderation of the currently high levels of inflation in the Country. As a result, we will be spending up to N82,300,761,000.00 in the agricultural and agro-industrialisation sector this year.

In the area of Transport, we will be spending a total of N41,132,463,000.00 to expand Enugu Air with the acquisition of 4 additional aircraft. In addition, we will be consummating the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam international airport as well as the construction of an international cargo terminal. We will also be floating a new taxi scheme in collaboration with the private sector to modernize urban and inter-urban transportation for Ndi Enugu.

2024 Budget Performance

Giving a breakdown of the state’s IGR and overall performance of the 2024 budget, the governor noted a remarkable increase in the state’s IGR since the inception of this administration, explaining that while the state’s IGR stood at N26.8bn in 2022, the administration it by 39 per cent to N37.4bn at the end of 2023.

However, as at September 2024, the state’s IGR had drastically increased to ₦144.7bn, representing a 286.2 per cent increase, expressing confidence that ti would surpass 200billion by the end of the year.

“In terms of budgetary performance, the total revenue realised in the state as at October 2024 came to N459,851,309,396.47, which comes to a budget performance of 88%. Of this amount, N178,354,494,502.47 related to Statutory Receipts, while N136,700,000,000.00 related to Capital Receipts and N144,796,814,894.00 to Internally Generated Revenue.

“As at October, these inflows had been applied to Expenditure with N382,427,929,564.00 as Capital Expenditure and N76,546,090,116.18 as Recurrent Expenditure. These translated to a budget performance of 88%. Additional revenues and Expenditure are still expected before the end of the year, with IGR envisaged to surpass the N200 billion mark.

“While we may make bold to say that our progress in this past year is commendable given the odds that were arraigned against the state economy, we are not yet ready to rest on our oars,” Mbah said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, has promised early passage of the budget by the House to sustain the governor’s development strides.

“He exhibited his leadership mantra, tomorrow is here.

“Because you have demonstrated enormous capacity; because you have exhibited enormous potential of the very fabric of our state’s economy, I want to assure you that the House of Assembly shall expeditiously consider this and give you the legal framework to continue flying high,” Hon. Ugwu stated.

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Gunmen kill pastor, wife, children in fresh Plateau attack

Published

1 hour ago

April 27, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Gunmen have attacked Gako Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State killing a pastor and three members of his family in what residents described as a renewed wave of violence in the area.

The victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance.

Residents said the attackers invaded the community at about 11 p.m., shooting sporadically and forcing people to flee into surrounding bushes for safety.

A community member, Martha Dalyop, described the incident as part of a recurring wave of violence that has left residents in constant fear, preventing many from sleeping in their homes or working on their farms.

Confirming the attack, the publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the assailants appeared to operate in coordinated groups during such raids.

Gunmen abduct 23 schoolchildren from orphanage home‎ in Kogi

According to him, while one group attacks residents, others destroy farmlands or block escape routes to prevent intervention.

He also disclosed that large portions of farmland, including maize, cabbage and hot pepper crops, were destroyed in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, within the past 48 hours, worsening food insecurity in the region.

The latest killings have further escalated fears across Riyom and neighbouring communities, with residents calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to halt the ongoing attacks and protect rural populations.

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Three mourners killed, two abducted as gunmen lauch fresh attack in Benue

Published

16 hours ago

April 26, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Tragedy struck Sati-Ikov Council Ward in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State after armed men reportedly ambushed mourners returning from a burial ceremony, killing three persons and abducting two others.

Residents who spoke on Sunday said the attack occurred on Saturday night when the victims were returning home from a burial event in the community, plunging the area into fear and tension.

One resident, who spoke anonymously for safety reasons, said the attackers laid an ambush close to the community and opened fire on the unsuspecting mourners.

“Some mourners who were returning from a burial were attacked close to our community, Sati-Ikov, on Saturday night by local militias. Three of them were killed, and two others, a male and a female, were kidnapped,” the source said.

The attack has since been confirmed by the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Simon Gabo, who condemned the recurring violence in the area.

Gabo described the situation as disturbing, noting that the constituency has been experiencing repeated attacks in recent weeks.

“I received a call from my people at about 4 am that they went for a burial and on their way back, they ran into armed men,” he said.

“The armed men shot and killed three of them and collected their bags. They also robbed some residents and kidnapped two people. The victims were all young men.”

He identified the deceased as Bem Msughter of Mbakyombo, Daav-Ikov; Aondo Chia of Mbamegh, Daa-Ikov; and Sunday Terwase of Mbakyor, Daav-Ikov.

The abducted victims were named as Aondongu Amos, a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, and Mrs Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine dealer in the community.

Gabo, who also serves as Deputy Majority Chief Whip of the Assembly, lamented that his constituency had become a recurring hotspot for violent attacks.

He added that similar incidents had occurred just weeks earlier, leaving several residents dead.

“Apart from that, we have had one or two such incidents every other week,” he said.

The lawmaker alleged that the attackers often cross from neighbouring areas before striking and retreating into forested and mountainous terrain believed to provide cover for criminal activities.

“So they cross from there to our side, attack and return to their side. It is a mountainous area with large forests,” he explained, adding that the suspects were believed to operate from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

He further said he had reported the incident to security agencies, noting that police personnel had already been deployed to the area.

However, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

The latest attack adds to growing concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Benue State, where rural communities continue to suffer repeated assaults and abductions.

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Armed men attack APGA House of Reps aspirant, shoot two security aides

Published

24 hours ago

April 26, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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Fear gripped some residents of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday morning as an aspirant for the House of Representatives under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Ifeanyi Ibezi, was attacked at Agbaja, Abatete, leaving two of his security aides with gunshot wounds.

Dr Ibezi, who seeks to represent Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, said the incident occurred at a community civic centre where he had scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting as part of his consultations ahead of the next general elections.

Addressing journalists at the scene, the former lawmaker said the injured security operatives had been rushed to hospital and were undergoing surgery.

“Two of my security men were shot and wounded. They have been taken to the hospital and are currently in the theatre,” he said.

The aspirant explained that all arrangements had been concluded for the meeting when he received, on Saturday evening, a purported letter allegedly issued by the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, barring him from using the venue.

According to him, the letter was circulated on social media and was neither formally delivered to him nor verified through official channels.

He said he subsequently forwarded both the letter and his rebuttal to relevant authorities, including the state governor and party leadership.

“I wrote to stakeholders of Idemili North and South for a meeting today to discuss my aspiration to return to the House of Representatives. Everything was in place until I saw a purported letter on WhatsApp claiming I could not use the facility,” he said.

Ibezi stated that despite the development, preparations continued until early Sunday morning when he was alerted that armed personnel had taken over the venue.

“By about 6 a.m., I got a call that a contingent of armed men had cordoned off the premises. When I arrived, I was confronted by security operatives and local vigilantes who said they were acting on the instruction of the local government chairman to stop the event,” he alleged.

He further said that one of the operatives threatened him with a firearm, warning him against proceeding with the meeting.

According to him, the situation escalated as the armed men began firing shots into the air for over an hour, causing panic in the area.

“I immediately contacted the State Director of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police, and other relevant authorities, including the governor. While I was on the phone, the shooting continued,” he said.

Ibezi said the shooting later turned violent, resulting in two security officers attached to him being hit by bullets.

“It was in the course of the shooting that two of my policemen were shot. We have video evidence of everything that happened,” he added.

The aspirant also alleged that some of the armed men issued threats to his life, but he instructed his team not to retaliate in order to avoid further escalation.

“I told my men to remain calm, not to respond or engage them. I am a law-abiding citizen and will not take the law into my hands,” he said.

He disclosed that he had earlier spoken with the state governor on Saturday night, who, according to him, expressed concern over the situation and promised to intervene by contacting the local government authorities.

“As of this morning, I have not been able to reach the mayor, and he has not returned my calls. The governor is aware and is making efforts to reach him,” Ibezi stated.

Citing constitutional provisions, the aspirant insisted that he had the right to hold a lawful assembly, describing the disruption as a violation of his rights.

“Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of assembly.

This was a private event in a community facility, and there was no justification for stopping it in this manner,” he said.

The Udo Ga-Achi security operatives who cordoned off the venue of the botched event threatened to seize the cameras and phones of journalists, calling them unprintable names.

“Go and seize those cameras and phones. What are they here for? We are on instructions not to allow anybody here What is journalist?” their commander roared.

Efforts to reach the Mayor of Idemili North for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident through the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, but said details were still sketchy. (The Razor)