NEWS
Lavish Spending Amid Hardship: Akwa Ibom Budgets N3bn To Furnish Hotel, N1.2bn For Ceremonies
A review of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s 2025 approved budget has stirred public debate after it emerged that N3 billion was allocated for furnishing a “hotel apartment” at the state’s liaison office in Abuja, while another N1.2 billion was earmarked for celebrations.
According to the budget document, N700 million was set aside for a week-long event marking the state’s creation anniversary on September 23, 1987, while N500 million was allocated for Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration.
Both allocations are domiciled under the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
READ MORE: Police Probe Death of Man Shot Inside Akwa Ibom Church
In comparison, key developmental sectors received lower allocations. Only N611 million was budgeted for the College of Nursing Sciences, N360 million for the State Health Insurance Agency, N1 billion for the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, and N631 million for the Akwa Ibom State Water Company figures that fall below the amount set aside for ceremonies.
The state’s spending priorities have raised questions, especially as poverty and infrastructural challenges persist. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index indicates that 19% of school-aged children in Akwa Ibom lack access to education.
Additionally, 70% of households are without adequate sanitary facilities, while 64% are deprived of clean drinking water.
Flooding also remains a recurring problem. Earlier in May, heavy rainfall submerged about 50 houses, displacing residents.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has already listed Akwa Ibom among states projected to face severe flooding in 2025.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
SEE MORE: PDP Chieftain Explains Why Peter Obi Could Restore National Hope in Nigeria
The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
READ MORE: WC 2026: Don’t Go Into Debt to Support Scotland, Coach Warns Fans
According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
ALSO READ: Pastor Bakare, El Rufai Devastated by PMB’s Failure
El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
Political Earthquake Brewing? Peter Obi, Bala Mohammed in Closed-Door Talks
JUST IN: Nigeria’s Debt Profile Set to Rise as Tinubu Requests Fresh $516m Foreign Loan
Shock as Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Bail Application, Orders Continued Detention
JUST IN: Senate Grills Tinubu’s Ministerial Nominee Darma in Heated Screening Session
Gunmen Kill Two, One Missing as Fresh Attack Hits Plateau Community
Highway Horror Averted as Police Arrest Three Suspected Armed Robbers in Oyo
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
https://shorturl.fm/ubzmE
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post. I like
to write a little comment to support you.
Thanks for finally writing about > Lavish Spending Amid Hardship:
Akwa Ibom Budgets N3bn To Furnish Hotel, N1.2bn For Ceremonies < Liked it!
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
Extremely helpful info specially the last part :
) I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any points for novice blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
It’s going to be ending of mine day, however before ending I am reading this wonderful post to increase my experience.
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a
new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog
provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this
website. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts by you later
on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired
me to get my own, personal website now 😉
The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if
it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be
a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles
or reviews daily along with a cup of coffee.
441143 131634Respect to site author , some fantastic entropy. 499803
Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with almost all significant infos. I¦d like to look more posts like this .
Thank you for another magnificent article. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.
That is the best blog for anyone who needs to seek out out about this topic. You understand so much its virtually exhausting to argue with you (not that I actually would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
I think other website proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and magnificent user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing in your augment or even I fulfillment you get admission to constantly quickly.