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Budget Defense: Defence Minister Urge for Upward Review of 2024 Budget as Joint C”ttee Pledge Supports
From Lateef Taiwo
The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badru has pleaded with the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Defence to assist through legislation the immediate upward review of the 2024 Budget for his Ministry.
Speaking during his appearance before the two committees at the National Assembly yesterday, the Minister who commended the lawmakers for their usual support and cooperation expressed the readiness of the country armed forces to sustain and overcome the ongoing war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
Earlier, the minister who was interjected by the Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan over his prepared and long speech, informed that his ministry is totally committed to defending Nigeria territorial boundary as well as ending all kind of terrorism and sanitary in the country.
In his response, Senator Lawan said he was personally not impressed by the minister’s presentation where he had repeatedly made case for the defence headquarters instead of speaking for the whole defence apparatus in the country.
The Chairman House Committee on Defence, Hon Babajimi Benson in his welcome address had commended the ministry for sustaining the anti-terrorism fight in the country informing of the 10th National Assembly commitment to ensuring that they do the needful to support the Armed Forces to carry out their mandate to Nigerians.
Hon Benson while speaking also urged for produdent management of fund and resources from tax payers calling on the ministry to make sure that the 2034 Budget is fully utilize for the purpose through which such was meant for.
While assuring the House Committee’s readiness to critically scrutinize the budget estimates, he also said that the members are in agreement with the observations raised by the joint committee chairman on the budget.
Moreover the deputy chairman of the House Committee Hon.Abdullahi Kalambe said that envelop system of budgeting adopted by the federal government is not providing adequate funds for the security agencies to secure the country.
At the budget session, the Minister had presented an estimate of N735,811,643:93 as the 2024 budget of the Ministry of Defence headquarters and called for an upward review of the estimate to enable the ministry and it’s agencies address the nations security challenges squarely.
He also presented the review of the N62 billion 2023 budget of the Ministry and its agencies and the level of implementation under the subheads of recurrent, overhead and capital expenditures adding that the release is 100℅.
He added that the support of the Senate and House Committees on Defence had no doubt helped in no small measure in the fight against insecurity in the entire country.
The National Assembly Joint Committee which assured the public that it would properly scrutinize the budget of the ministry and all its agencies also resolved to go into executive session to appraise the budget documents before any appropriation of funds for the ministry.
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning
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