Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has announced the official presentation of the N375.7 billion 2025 budget, signed into law on December 30, 2024. In a key statement, the government confirmed that no borrowing had been undertaken to fund any projects, sticking to its policy of zero borrowing in project financing. During the public breakdown and analysis of the 2025 budget at Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, Femi Ajayi, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, highlighted the administration’s commitment to sustainable growth and improved welfare for citizens. The budget, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Impact,” is aligned with the state’s six pillars of development. Ajayi further detailed the revenue projections for the 2025 fiscal year, noting that the budget would be largely funded by state revenue estimates, including 45% from federal allocations, 15% from Value Added Tax (VAT), 21% from grants by both domestic and international development partners, 8% from state-generated revenue, and 7% from loans aimed at financing specific capital projects. The goals of the 2025 budget include human capital development, expanding the state’s revenue base, enhancing agriculture and food security, completing key developmental projects, fostering employment, upgrading healthcare, advancing the digitalization of public service, promoting development partner collaborations, and increasing productivity. Ajayi emphasized the administration’s dedication to financial discipline and ensuring that every expenditure generates optimal value for the people. The budget was crafted to cater to the most critical sectors of the economy without overstretching the state’s financial capacity. In his conclusion, Ajayi reiterated that the administration of Governor Oyebanji had adhered strictly to its zero borrowing policy. While existing debts are being serviced, no new borrowing has been undertaken to fund state projects. He expressed confidence in the state’s economic growth and urged the people to continue supporting the government’s efforts to create a self-sufficient Ekiti State for future generations. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu urges UK government to support Nigeria in fighting corruption and advancing constitutional reforms. Read more on this UK-Nigeria collaboration! The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has appealed to the United Kingdom (UK) government to strengthen its support for Nigeria in the ongoing fight against corruption. Hon. Kalu made this call during the “UK-Nigeria Collaboration: A Parliamentary Strategic Dialogue” held in London on Wednesday. The event was graced by notable figures, including the Deputy Leader of the British House of Lords, Rt. Hon. Lord Collins, alongside other parliamentarians from both nations. Strengthening Bilateral Ties for Shared Prosperity In his address, Hon. Kalu underscored the significance of the collaboration between Nigeria and the UK in addressing critical challenges, particularly corruption. He applauded the enduring diplomatic relations between the two countries and stressed the potential to deepen their economic and social ties. “The UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for strengthening bilateral relations and achieving shared objectives,” Kalu stated. “This collaboration spans six pillars: Growth and Jobs through the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), addressing market barriers, fostering two-way trade, and promoting sustainable investments in manufacturing, agriculture, and energy.” The Call for Action Against Corruption The Deputy Speaker highlighted corruption as a major impediment to Nigeria’s development and urged the UK to play a pivotal role in combating it. He emphasized the need for the UK government to streamline the process for repatriating illicit funds seized from Nigerian officials and trapped in UK financial institutions. Kalu noted that addressing illicit financial flows and implementing bilateral agreements to facilitate asset recovery would significantly boost anti-corruption efforts. “Nigeria seeks the UK’s continued support in recovering illicit funds,” he emphasized. “This includes setting up mechanisms to curb illicit financial flows, strengthening anti-corruption institutions, and expediting asset recovery processes.” Advocating for Constitutional Reforms In addition to tackling corruption, Kalu, who also serves as Chairman of Nigeria’s House Committee on Constitution Review, sought the support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in advancing Nigeria’s constitutional reforms. He highlighted key issues under review, such as: “As Chair of the Constitution Review Committee, I acknowledge the monumental task of refining Nigeria’s constitutional framework to reflect the evolving needs of its people,” Kalu stated. He called on the FCDO to provide technical assistance, research expertise, and capacity-building programs to ensure the reforms align with international best practices. A Call for Deepened Collaboration Hon. Kalu emphasized that the UK’s support in these areas would not only bolster Nigeria’s democratic institutions but also uphold shared values of justice, equity, and security. He concluded by highlighting the potential of a robust UK-Nigeria partnership to empower marginalized groups, create safer communities, and establish a legislative framework for sustainable development. “This collaboration demonstrates a profound commitment to empowering marginalized groups, ensuring safer communities, and fortifying Nigeria’s legislative framework for future generations,” Kalu affirmed. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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Learn how climate change is affecting water levels in Plateau State, increasing the cost of drilling, and impacting communities. Discover sustainable solutions to reverse these effects. Kim Davou, a 42-year-old well digger from Shen, Jos South, has witnessed firsthand the alarming decline in water availability over the past decade. As new residential areas continue to emerge in Plateau State, the demand for water wells has surged, but so have the challenges of finding sustainable water sources. Changing Digging Patterns In earlier years, digging a 30-33 foot deep well during March or April sufficed for year-round water needs. However, in the last five years, Davou has had to begin digging earlier—January or February—and increase depths to 35-37 feet to find water. “This change in pattern is something I can’t explain,” he said, highlighting the difficulty posed by increasingly dry and compact ground conditions. Borehole Drilling Challenges Kassam Gaktuwe, a geologist and Managing Director of Benian General Services Limited, shared a similar story regarding boreholes. Previously, drilling 25-35 meters in Plateau was enough to access water. However, today, depths of over 100 meters often fail to yield results, forcing drillers to go as deep as 150 meters in some cases. “Climate change is affecting underground aquifers,” Kassam explained. “Aquifers that once held water are now empty, making it increasingly expensive to access water.” Rising Costs of Water Access The deeper digging requirements have significantly raised costs for both manual and machine-assisted drilling. Climate Change: A Shared Responsibility Dr. Meshach Alfa, an expert in water resources and environmental engineering, believes the crisis is reversible through collective action. He emphasized that unchecked resource exploitation and climate change threaten not just the environment but also global stability, infrastructure, and food security. Dr. Alfa advocated for: “Sustainable development requires an integrated approach that considers environmental, social, and economic factors,” he noted. Why This Matters Climate change affects everyone, regardless of social status. Ordinary individuals like Davou and experts like Alfa agree: urgent action is needed to integrate climate resilience into infrastructure and systems development. If ignored, the water scarcity in Plateau could soon become a nationwide crisis. By embracing sustainable practices and addressing climate change collectively, communities can secure a more stable future. SEO Details Let me know if you’d like further revisions! READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
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Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has expressed his backing for Nigeria’s economic reform agenda during a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Riyadh. The leaders met during the Arab-Islamic Summit to explore potential areas of cooperation, including oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure, and the establishment of a Saudi-Nigeria Business Council, as reported by Leadership.ng on Tuesday. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu proposed a $5 billion bilateral trade agreement with Saudi Arabia aimed at enhancing economic relations. This proposal follows the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company’s (SALIC) $1.24 billion investment in 2022, which secured a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri, a key Nigerian agricultural company. Talks are ongoing for SALIC to further increase its investment, with aspirations to position Olam as a leading global agro-allied company.Crown Prince Mohammed lauded President Tinubu’s reform efforts, drawing similarities with his own initiatives to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s stability and progress since becoming Prime Minister. He pledged unwavering support for Nigeria’s economic plans and committed to deepening the collaborative areas outlined in their discussion.The Crown Prince was joined by high-ranking officials, including Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of National Guard, and Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defence, highlighting the strong interest in enhancing Saudi-Nigerian relations. READ ALSO: Femi Falana Criticizes President Tinubu for Charging Peaceful Protesters with Treason and Terrorism This partnership seeks to harness the strengths of both nations to drive economic growth, bolster food security, and support sustainable development, marking a major step forward in bilateral ties.
