NEWS
Buhari to present 2023 Budget to NASS next month
The executive will present the 2023 federal government Budget proposal to the National Assembly by September.
Director-General Budget Office of the Federation Mr. Ben Akabueze, revealed this at the commencement of the training of Budget Officers of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in Abuja, yesterday.
According to Mr. Akabueze, who was represented by Mr. Fabian Ogbu, the Director Expenditure and Socials, “The Executive Budget Proposal will be submitted to the National Assembly by September 2022 pursuant to Mr. President’s directive, and in a bid to get the 2023 Appropriation Bill passed and signed into law by 31st December 2022”.
The D-G expressed displeasure over the failure of officers in charge of budget preparations in many MDAs to comply with details of Budget Call Circulars, in the past.
His words, “It has been observed however, that MDAs do not study the Budget Call Circular in detail and as such make mistakes that should ordinarily be avoided if they had complied with the relevant sections of the Budget Circular.
“To this end, one of the modules at the training will address key items and sections to note in the 2023 FGN Budget Call Circular.”
Mr. Akabueze said that the BOF decided to organise a series of engagements and stakeholder consultations with key revenue generating agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), the Nigerian Governors Forum, the National Executive Council (NEC), the National Assembly as well as the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
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He added that budget personnel were being trained to give them requisite knowledge, skills and the tools required to prepare and submit the 2023 Budget in a timely and efficient manner.
The DG Budget stated that for the 2023 budget preparation, the BOF “intends to maintain the use of the GIFMIS-BPS, adding, “We plan to leverage on some of your feedback and lessons learned from previous budget preparation exercises to improve your experience this year”.
He added that experts had been engaged to handle different aspects of the training including some fundamental budget concepts as well as hands-on training using the GIFMIS-BPS for budget preparation.
The D-G urged the participants to reflect their sectoral mandates and priorities in the preparation of the various budgets before submission to the Budget Office with the responsibility of collating and preparing the final federal government budget for submission to the National Assembly.
NEWS
FG Continues Probe Into Civil Servants Receiving Salaries Abroad
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to investigating civil servants who continue to receive salaries after relocating abroad, according to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack.
Speaking during an event in Abuja marking her first 100 days in office, Walson-Jack debunked claims that the investigation had been abandoned, emphasizing the government’s resolve to address the issue. The event also served as an opportunity to review her tenure in the civil service.
The investigation, launched five months ago by President Bola Tinubu, aims to ensure that civil servants who have relocated for better opportunities no longer benefit from Nigeria’s payroll system. Supervisors and department heads who facilitate such fraudulent activities are also being held accountable.
Walson-Jack revealed that the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) is being employed to scrutinize workers’ movements.
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“You are asking about civil servants who may have ‘Japa’. We know that the issue was raised, and some verifications were carried out. Since then, some returned quickly, while others retired honourably,” she said.
“Right now, we are continuing the process, scrutinising the IPPIS payroll to identify those who are still in the country and those who are not. This will be an ongoing process to ensure that people cannot receive salaries while living abroad,” she added.
Acknowledging progress, Walson-Jack assured that the government would monitor the situation until it is fully resolved.
Reflecting on her tenure, she expressed gratitude to her team, highlighting the support of the ‘Super Permanent Secretaries’ as instrumental to her success.
“The first 100 days in office is a significant milestone. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements made, assess progress, and set goals for the future,” she noted.
Walson-Jack also addressed job racketeering, pledging to work with the Federal Civil Service Commission to eliminate fraudulent recruitment practices.
“Where someone has obtained a job through fraudulent means, we will work with the commission to ensure that the person is sanctioned,” she stated.
This ongoing investigation underscores the government’s effort to restore integrity within the civil service system and ensure accountability at all levels.
NEWS
Driver Escapes Death As 40-Foot Container Crashes Onto Car In Lagos
A potentially tragic accident was narrowly averted on Monday morning when a 40-foot container toppled onto a Toyota Camry with registration number LSR 293 HJ.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. along the busy route to the Apapa Ports, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area. Miraculously, the driver of the car, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, survived the ordeal and was swiftly rescued by emergency responders.
Eyewitnesses commended the quick intervention of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency agencies, who ensured the driver was extracted from the mangled vehicle and rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.
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Officers from the Kirikiri Police Division secured the accident scene, allowing emergency teams to work without interference. Meanwhile, efforts to remove the container and clear the road were still ongoing as of 9:30 a.m.
Speaking on the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, decried the improper securing of containers, which he identified as a recurring cause of such accidents.
“This incident underscores the critical importance of ensuring that containers are properly fastened before being transported. LASTMA remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of Lagos roadways,” Bakare-Oki said.
The crushed Toyota Camry has since been removed from under the container. LASTMA officials continued operations at the scene to restore normal traffic flow in the area.
This latest incident highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding container-laden trucks in Lagos, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of road safety measures.
NEWS
NAF Launches Devastating Strike On Terrorist Logistics Hub In Lake Chad
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully carried out a decisive strike against a terrorist enclave in the Lake Chad Basin, delivering a significant blow to militant operations.
Recall that on November 23, 2024, fighter jets from the NAF’s Operation Hadin Kai targeted the notorious Jubillaram area, a known stronghold of terrorist elements in the Tumbuns region.
In a statement issued on Monday, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, confirmed that the operation was a direct response to recent intelligence.
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“This strategic location, identified through meticulous intelligence efforts, served as a critical food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters,” Akinboyewa said.
The airstrike, which followed a string of successful intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, was linked to several recent terrorist attacks, including an assault on Nigerian troops in Kareto on November 16, 2024.
“Intelligence had previously linked terrorists in this location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto,” Akinboyewa added.
During the operation, NAF fighter jets launched a precise air interdiction mission, destroying key infrastructure used by the terrorists, including food storage facilities.
This strike disrupted the militants’ logistical operations and significantly weakened their capacity for future attacks.
“The destruction of the terrorist enclave, including food storage facilities, severely disrupted their logistical operations,” Akinboyewa noted.
Following the airstrike, mop-up operations were conducted using cannons to neutralize any remaining hostile elements.
“Mop-up operations using cannons ensured the complete elimination of fleeing hostile elements,” Akinboyewa stated, emphasizing that the operation was a comprehensive success.
The NAF reaffirmed its commitment to continuing operations in the fight against terrorism.
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“This mission demonstrates the NAF’s unwavering commitment to defending our nation and people, acting singly and supporting surface forces in counterterrorism operations,” Akinboyewa said.
“The NAF will sustain these robust independent and joint operations until all enemies of Nigeria’s prosperity and wellbeing are brought to justice.”