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2024: States Set N15.91trn Budget Benchmark [Breakdown]

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In the upcoming year of 2024, the nation’s 36 states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory, have collectively proposed a substantial budget of N15.91 trillion.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu previously presented a N27.50 trillion budget titled the “Budget of Renewed Hope” to the National Assembly in late November 2023.

Presently, this budget is undergoing evaluation and discussions for final approval.

The proposed budget is aimed at fostering economic growth with a focus on generating employment, maintaining macro-economic stability, creating a more favorable investment climate, enhancing human capital development, and addressing poverty while improving access to social security.

Following this, governors from each state across the federation proceeded to present their respective budgets to their state assemblies.

A breakdown of the states’ budgets by regions indicates that the Southwest took the lead with a budget of N4.20 trillion, trailed by the South South with N3.43 trillion, the South East with N2.29 trillion, the North West with N2.50 trillion, the North Central with N1.89 trillion, and the North East with N1.60 trillion.

Within the total budget of N15.91 trillion, Lagos state emerged at the forefront, allocating N2.25 trillion.

This was followed by Akwa Ibom with N845.63 billion, Rivers with N800.39 billion, Delta with N724.90 billion, Ogun with N703.03 billion, Imo with N592.23 billion, Abia with N567.20 billion, Bayelsa with N480.99 billion, Enugu with N521.56 billion, and Anambra with N410.10 billion.

Niger state took the lead among other northern states with a budget of N613.27 billion, followed by Kaduna state with a budget of N458.27 billion. Following closely was Katsina with a budget of N454.31 billion.

Other states include Oyo with N434.22 billion, Zamfara with 423.52 billion, Ondo with N384.53 billion, Kano with N350.20 billion, Borno with N340.62 billion, Edo with N325.30 billion, Taraba with N311.39 billion, Bauchi with N300.22 billion, Jigawa with N298.14 billion, Kwara with N286.40 billion, Plateau with N295.43 billion, and Osun with N273.91 billion.

Kogi state unveiled a budget of ₦258.28 billion, which will be managed by the incoming governor following the departure of Governor Yahaya Bello in February 2024, concluding his two terms of four years in office.

Sokoto followed with a N270.1 billion budget, trailed by Kebbi with N250.13 billion, Cross River with N250 billion, Adamawa with N225.89 billion, Benue with N225.73 billion, Yobe with N217.00 billion, Gombe with N207.75 billion, Ebonyi with N202.13 billion, and Nasarawa with N199.88 billion.

Ekiti state presented the lowest budget of N159.57 billion.

Previously, Economic Confidential, a PR Nigeria subsidiary, identified Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, and Edo as the most financially robust states in Nigeria for 2022.

Zekeri Idakwo, the Assistant Editor of Economic Confidential, revealed this information during a press briefing and the unveiling of the 2022 Annual States Viability Index Report in Abuja.

He mentioned that the report was assembled using data released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Account Allocation Committee.

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Fire Breaks Out In Kubwa As Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Station

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Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday after a vehicle crashed into a gas dispensary outlet at Liberty Junction on Arab Road, triggering a fire.

According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was travelling from Arab Road towards Liberty Junction when it reportedly lost control following a brake failure.

The vehicle subsequently skidded off its lane, crossed the road and plunged into the gas station, resulting in a fire outbreak.

ALSO READ: Panic at Oko Polytechnic as Three-Storey Students’ Hostel Collapses

The fire was quickly brought under control following a coordinated response by operatives of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The occupants of the vehicle were rescued unhurt by passers-by and witnesses who responded to the incident.

However, several makeshift shops adjoining the gas outlet were destroyed in the fire.

The prompt intervention of the emergency responders helped to curtail the spread of the fire and prevent further damage.

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‘Obi Did Not Loot A Kobo’ — Obiaraeri Compares Peter Obi, Akpabio’s Records

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Financial expert Nnaemeka Onyeka Obiaraeri has defended former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi against comparisons with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, citing what he described as differences in the financial records of the two states during their respective tenures.

Obiaraeri made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday while responding to comparisons involving the two former governors.

According to him, Akwa Ibom State, under Akpabio between 2007 and 2015, received an estimated ₦2.06 trillion, which he said was equivalent to about $15.5 billion at the time.

SEE ALSO: ‘Peter Obi’s Govt Left 101 Road Projects With ₦127bn Liabilities’, Says Anambra Govt

He further claimed that the amount would be worth more than ₦21.7 trillion in today’s naira value.

Obiaraeri wrote: “AKWA IBOM STATE, UNDER GODSWILL AKPABIO, 2007 TO 2015…..

“Between 2007 and 2015, during the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Akwa Ibom State Government received an estimated total revenue of approximately ₦2.06 trillion/$15.5billion…..

“In today’s naira value, Akwa Ibom under Akpabio received over N21.7trillion.”
He also claimed that Akpabio left loan obligations of $334 million, which he put at about ₦467 billion.

Obiaraeri further alleged that there were multiple EFCC files concerning Akpabio, claiming that they documented financial misconduct during his tenure.

Turning to Anambra, Obiaraeri said the state received approximately $4.06 billion, or ₦525 billion, during Peter Obi’s tenure as governor from March 14, 2006, to March 14, 2014.

He wrote: “ANAMBRA STATE UNDER PETER OBI MARCH 14, 2006 TO MARCH 14, 2014
“Total funds and revenues received by Anambra state under Peter Obi was $4.06billion/N525billion.

“In today’s naira term is N5.4trillion.”
According to Obiaraeri, Peter Obi left behind $156 million in savings invested in an investment that generated more than $43 million, bringing the total to $199.8 million.

He added that the figure amounted to approximately ₦279 billion in today’s naira value.

Obiaraeri also claimed that more than ₦36 billion, which he equated to about $240 million, was held in Treasury Bills and other short-term naira investments.

He wrote: “However, Peter Obi left behind a total savings of $156million in an investment that yielded over $43m totaling $199.8m/N279billion in today’s naira money and over N36bn/$240m in treasury bills and other short term naira investments.”

Defending the former Anambra governor against allegations of corruption, Obiaraeri stated: “Peter Obi did not loot a kobo of Anambra monies. HE HAS NO EFCC OR FBI FILES OF CRIMINALITY ON HIM….”

He also compared Obi with other governors who served around the same period, “The Only Governor in the league of PO during his time was Raji Fashola …… Anyway, I am not surprised at some of you, who do this baseless comparison…The difference between LIGHT and Darkness is so clear to DECENT men, who love LIGHT….

“THOSE WHO ARE ROGUES, AND ASPIRING ROGUES, USUALLY LOVE DARKNESS….THEIR HEART IS DARKENED AND MIGRATE TOWARDS DARKNESS ALWAYS.”

He said ‘This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil’.”

He then directly addressed those comparing the two former governors, stating: “I PUT IT TO YOU, who is mischievously comparing Apostle Peter to YOUR BARABASSES, that you are EVIL…QED.”

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‘Where Is Nigeria’s President?’ — Obi Questions Tinubu’s Third Straight UNGA Absence

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Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s continued absence from the United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation in the 81st UNGA.

Obi raised the question in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to Mahama’s address at the global gathering.

SEE MORE: Atiku Vows Probe of ₦33.75bn Cash Transfer to 3.29m Nigerians

The former presidential candidate wrote: “The dynamic President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, delivered a remarkable address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The international community has commended his leadership and the substance of his address.

“It is a reminder of what leadership can produce when competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character come together in the service of a nation.”

Obi then drew attention to Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level, asking why Tinubu had not attended the global gathering.
He wrote:

“Against this background, many are asking: Where is the President of Africa’s most populous nation, a country of more than 200 million people – more than Ghana – whose leader has been absent from the global stage for three consecutive UNGAs?

“Nigeria’s President, who ought to be representing the country and providing leadership for Africa at the international level, has not attended any of these three global gatherings. Where is he, particularly at a time when the country faces significant challenges, both domestically and internationally?”

Obi acknowledged that Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the UNGA but maintained that questions remained over the President’s absence.
He stated: “Although our Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was present, the question remains: Where is the President?

“Let us continue to pray for his return and for his leadership in addressing the many challenges confronting the nation.”
Obi ended the post with his familiar political message:

Tinubu did not attend the 81st UNGA, with Shettima representing Nigeria at the gathering.

The President’s absence marks his third consecutive non-attendance at the UN General Assembly after he also did not personally attend the 79th and 80th sessions.

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