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Why we advocated more funding for NIMC, NYSC, others in 2025 budget proposal – Reps Dep Spokesman

Published

5 months ago

February 3, 2025

The House of Representatives is pushing for adequate funding for some government agencies, over the proposed amount in the 2025 budget, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon Philip Agbese, has said.

Ahead of the possible passage of the N49.70 trillion 2025 budget proposal this week by the National Assembly, the Benue State-born congressman told The PUNCH that some agencies considered very critical to the nation’s socio-economic development have been penciled down for improved funding in the 2025 fiscal year.

While reiterating the commitment of the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas-led House to playing its part in birthing a new Nigeria; the lawmaker enjoined Nigerians to be hopeful, noting that the current hardship being felt across the country will soon give way to national prosperity.

He said, “We are making a case for improved funding for the National Identity Management Commission, the National Youth Service Corps and the Nigerian Defence Academy in the 2025 budget proposal. There are other agencies of government that are likely to benefit from this too.

“Yes, NIMC has become a very important agency of government in the past few years. A lot of Nigerians may not know how critical the agency is but we can’t talk about a national data bank without making and empowering that commission.

“They came up with a robust projection for 2025 but they can only deliver if they are empowered to train their staff members, and acquire the latest technological devices critical to the work they do. Without the NIMC, the war against terrorism will be difficult for the government and the security agencies.”

According to the All Progressives Congress lawmaker, the time has come for the reformation of the NYSC scheme, given its contribution to manpower needs of the nation in both the public and private sectors.

“The ideal of the NYSC must be sustained and this informed the decision to demand adequate funding of the corps. It is too early to disclose the amount we have agreed on but it is important to say that the National Assembly is not happy with the state of the NYSC. We need it to be better funded to meet the needs of corps members. During their service years; they gave a lot to the nation in a way that cannot be explained with ease,” he added.

He made a similar argument for the NDA, noting that “At a time terrorists continue to come up with new strategies despite the gallantry of our troops; we cannot but devise means to outwit them. One of the ways to do this is to improve the funding of the institutions charged with the mandate of building the capacity of our security personnel to tackle emerging security challenges.

“In all this, we also realized that the budget envelope system is not enough to meet the capital expenditure needs of most of these agencies. If you recall when the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle appeared before the House Committee on Defence to defend the ministry’s budget; one of the things he complained about was the paltry allocation of N50bn in the 2025 budget proposal. It is the same story for other agencies of government.”

He also noted that foreign missions deserve commendation for their services to the nation, adding that an upward review of their budget estimates has been agreed by the House.

Recall that in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, presented to the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was allocated N66.88bn for capital expenditure and N286.88bn for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure.

Disturbed by the poor proposed allocation, the Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke told PUNCH Online in January 2025 that “The needs assessment conducted by the ministry indicates they require N1.5tn.

“While the Federal Government may not be able to meet this in a single financial year, and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework approved by the parliament, the ministry and its missions should receive at least N500bn. We must also consider the impact of the unstable exchange rate.

“We have numerous obligations, including subscriptions to international organisations, passage allowances for Foreign Service Officers, and the United Nations General Assembly, among others.”

In the words of Agbese, “We have made a case for the missions because of the critical services they are rendering to Nigerians in other countries,” he said, pointing also that the parliament has been very impressed with the stewardship of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo.

“The Aviation Ministry under the watch of Festus Keyamo has brought in a lot of reforms aimed at boosting the government’s revenue as well as improving our national image. We are prepared to improve on the funding of the Ministry in this year’s budget proposal.

That said, Mr Agbese urged Nigerians to stay optimistic in the New Year, noting that the Federal Government with the support of the National Assembly is working hard to make life enjoyable to the citizens within the shortest possible time.

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FG Arraigns Kogi Central Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Assassination Claim

Published

4 days ago

June 19, 2025

Daily Mirror

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Wednesday on a three-count charge of alleged defamation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

The senator, representing Kogi Central, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of ₦50 million.

The court premises witnessed heightened security as the high-profile case unfolded, highlighting escalating tensions between key figures in Nigeria’s political elite.

The Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, filed the charges stemming from public statements made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a Channels Television programme and a private phone call earlier this year.

She is accused of alleging that Akpabio and Bello conspired to assassinate her, disguising it as a local mob attack—an accusation the prosecution contends was defamatory and knowingly injurious to their reputations.

The charges, brought under Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code, are being closely watched, particularly given their political backdrop.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who appeared in court at around 10:30 AM, had previously avoided arrest after the court declined the prosecution’s request for a warrant, citing improper service of court summons. A substituted service granted on June 16 enabled the case to proceed.

The case adds to a growing list of controversies involving Senate President Akpabio, who has consistently faced allegations since taking office.

In early 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, claiming her suspension from the Senate was a retaliatory act. Akpabio denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

Further controversy erupted after UK-based activist Dr Sandra Duru accused Akpabio of being linked to organ harvesting—a claim linked to the murder of Iniubong Umoren. The Umoren family dismissed the allegations, and no official investigation corroborated them. Dr Duru now features as a potential witness in the defamation trial.

Akpabio has also been entangled in electoral fraud claims and recent allegations of bribery involving the Rivers State emergency declaration—claims he has repeatedly denied.

His supporters argue the accusations are targeted attempts to discredit his leadership, while critics view them as part of a concerning pattern of alleged misconduct.

The trial of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is more than a courtroom affair; it reflects deeper questions of integrity and power within Nigeria’s political class.

With the country watching closely, the outcome of this legal battle could influence public trust in both the judiciary and the broader democratic process.

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COVEC Signs Agricultural Innovation Deals at CAETE 2025, Changsha

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

Daily Mirror

At the ongoing China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) 2025 in China, the Niger State Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (NS SAPZ) and the China Overseas Engineering Group (COVEC) signed agreements with nine leading agro-industrial processing companies.

The agreements formalize these companies’ readiness to co-locate within the NS SAPZ, focusing on agricultural value chains, including maize processing, soybean processing, rice production, wheat production, and power supply infrastructure.

What Niger State stands to benefit from this are:

Generate employment opportunities, and
Enhance the state’s agro-industrial capacity.
Boosting food processing capabilities and power supply,
The partnerships will also improve food security and long-term economic growth.
Position Niger State as one of the leading hubs for agro-industrial development in West Africa.

The signing was witnessed by the Honourable Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investmen, Hon. Aminu Suleman Takuma the Chairman of the NS SAPZ, Yomi Akopo

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3 Billion Dollar Refinery Fraud: Lawyers, CSOs Return to EFCC to Demand Arrest of Former NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari

Published

2 weeks ago

June 10, 2025

Daily Mirror

A group of lawyers and concerned Nigerian youths have returned to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja to demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The group, led by Barr Ojonugwa Benjamine Theophilus, submitted a petition to the EFCC on April 25, 2025, alleging that Kyari misappropriated billions of dollars during his tenure as NNPC boss.

However, 46 days after submitting the petition, the group claims that no concrete action has been taken by the EFCC.

“We are here today as a group of lawyers and concerned Nigerian youths to follow up on our earlier petition, with the above title, submitted and received by the commission on the 25th of April, 2025,” Theophilus said.

“It is now 46days since we submitted our petition which contained details of the billions of dollars that were allegedly misappropriated by Mele Kolo Kyari during his time as Group CEO of NNCL, and yet no concrete action or steps seems to have been taken by this commission to assuage the grievances of majority of Nigerians who demand accountability from public office holders.

“We are also chagrined that despite our well written petition, detailing allegations of misappropriation of funds, tax evasion, economic sabotage and abuse of office by the former NNPCL group CEO, the EFCC is yet to officially invite Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari for questioning.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us and we all have a stake in the growth and development of this country. While we appreciate the role the EFCC is playing and has continued to play in ridding this country of the fangs of corruption, we wish to demand the immediate arrest and diligent prosecution of Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, to answer to the monumental economic and financial crimes he is alleged to have committed against the Nigerian state. “

The group therefore called on the EFCC to act swiftly to restore public trust and demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption.