Category Nigeria News

Bassey Otu, the governor of Cross River State, described the state’s budget as a “Budget of Inclusive Growth,” referring to it as the “Budget of Inclusive Growth” that the state legislature will be hearing from the state legislature in 2026.

Governor Otu cited the proposal as a “sacred social contract between government and the governed” as it aims to consolidate the gains of his administration’s People First agenda.

He claims that extensive consultations with citizens, civil society organizations, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and citizens led to the creation of the 2026 budget.

He made a policy switch, moving from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the Human Development Index (HDI), promising to concentrate on improving rural communities’ access to electricity, healthcare, and education.

READ ALSO: Former PDP deputy governor Candidate in Cross River Joins APC

The governor made it known that the Cross River Social Investment Programme (CRSIP) would be run in a non-political, multi-sectoral manner to empower the elderly, women, youth, and other vulnerable groups.

A 17 percent increase over the proposed budget of 2025 results in a 519.6 billion (67%) allocation to capital expenditure, while a 260.96 billion (33%) is designated for recurrent spending. The economic sector receives 421 billion dollars, 163 billion for social services, 164 billion for general administration, 28 billion for law and justice, and 33.6 billion for regional development.

Following improved revenue inflows and prudent resource management, Governor Otu noted that the “Budget of Sustainable Growth” for 2025 was revised from 538 billion to 642 billion. He claimed that the adjustment provided funding for crucial initiatives like maternal and child health initiatives like road repairs and rural electrification.

The governor cited the success of the People First policy, which helped Cross River rank first nationwide in routine immunization coverage at 95%, underlining the year’s performance. He cited completed and ongoing projects, including the Yahe–Ebo–Wanakom–Wanikade Road and the Esuk Utan–Depot dual carriageway.

Otu also mentioned improvements to healthcare and power, including the completion of the Ikom General Hospital and the installation of solar streetlights in rural areas. He added that the state’s nursing schools are now fully accredited.

The governor disclosed that negotiations are raging for the Bakassi Deep Seaport while the governor provided updates on the infrastructure.

In terms of governance, Otu announced the full implementation of the national minimum wage, the expansion of fiber optic connectivity across MDAs, and the partial approval of retirees’ gratuities. He also confirmed that Certificates of Occupancy have been issued again, and that the state’s land administration system has been reworked.

The newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs made their first courtesy visits to Badaru Abubakar, the minister of defense, to his office at the Ministry of Defense’s Abuja headquarters.

The delegation, which is led by Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke, includes Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke, Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke, Chief of Air Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, and the Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, and the Chief of Air Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede.

The Minister’s office stated in a statement that “the visit underscores the Minister’s commitment to fostering a cohesionary defense leadership grounded in trust, collaboration, and shared purpose.”

Read more about Tinubu’s request for Senate confirmation of his new service chiefs.

Under the direction of President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the visit also fuels a renewed effort to develop a unified strategy and decisive action in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national interests, according to the statement.

See the statement below for more information:

PRESS ELEASE

TUESDAY, 28TH OCTOBER 2025

Advancing Unity, Leadership, and Strategic Direction, Defense Minister Badaru Receives Newly Appointed Chief of Defense Staff and Service Chiefs.

The newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs were shown by His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, MNI, at the Ministry of Defence’s Ship House in Abuja today, October 28th, 2025.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke, Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen W Shaibu, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I Abbas, and the Chief of Air Staff, Lt Gen OO Oluyede, were also present.

The visit demonstrates the Minister’s commitment to fostering a unified defense leadership built on trust, collaboration, and shared goals. Under the direction of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, it also rekindles a trend toward a unified strategy and decisive action in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national interests.

In order to strengthen Nigeria’s financial governance framework, the Senate has mandated its Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to continue conducting legislative oversight and policy reviews.

The Senate’s Executive, the President of the Senate, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and other stakeholders were the subjects of the urgent public interest resolution, which was sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende and was a response to a motion of urgent public importance.

Senator Udende noted that Nigeria’s removal from the FATF’s Grey List was a recent development in the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.

He made the observation that Nigeria’s inclusion on the list had raised the risk of increased international scrutiny and reputational harm, which weakened investor confidence and limited access to global financial markets.

NFIU: Nigeria No Longer On the Global Financial Watch List

Bola Tinubu, president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and other stakeholders were commended for their leadership and coordinated actions that led to the milestone.

The Senate predicted that the achievement would encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in key sectors like energy, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, strengthen the naira, create jobs, and promote economic stability in its long-term outlook.

In response, the Senate urged financial and regulatory bodies to maintain compliance with international standards and commend all key players who helped secure Nigeria’s removal from the FATF Grey List.

Lawmakers also urged Nigeria’s financial system to maintain transparency, accountability, and good governance through continued collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The newly appointed Service chiefs have been requested by President Bola Tinubu in a letter to the Senate.

In a plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the request for the commanders of the defense staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the army chief, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu, the chief of naval staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, the air chief, Air vice-martial Kennedy Aneke, and the commander of defense intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye.

President Tinubu urged the Senate to consider the appointments as quickly as possible in the correspondence.

Next week, the committee of the committee would hear the request for nomination screening and confirmation.

READ MORE: Tinubu Meets Service Chiefs in Closed-Door Meetings.

The military hierarchy was recently reorganized by Tinubu. General Christopher Musa was replaced by Oluyede, a former chief of army staff, as the chief of defense staff, after Tinubu removed him.

However, he kept in charge of the defense intelligence division as Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye.

According to presidential adviser Sunday Dare, the rejigging was a result of “the Federal Government of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen the national security architecture.”

He wrote that “every appointment comes into effect right away.”

However, some military leaders have criticized the move, with the opposition’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) asking President Tinubu to explain the reason behind it.

In a statement released by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC stated that “we still believe that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what actually happened.”

Three new judges of the Katsina State High Court were sworn in by governor Dikko Radda on Monday, urging them to uphold public trust with honesty, fairness, and the fear of God.

Maryam Umaru Abdullahi, Shamsuddeen Ammama, and Abubakar Dikko are the newly appointed judges.

At the swearing-in ceremony, which took place at the Government House in Katsina, dignitaries from the state’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, as well as members of the Katsina State Executive Council, traditional rulers, and appointees’ families.

The newly sworn-in judges’ profiles reflect distinguished academic achievements and professional accomplishments in a variety of legal field.

Justice Maryam has extensive experience in the justice sector and impressive academic credentials. She has held positions as State Solicitor, Head of the Supreme Court’s Notary Public Unit, and Deputy Director at the National Judicial Institute as well as an advanced degree from the University of Abuja.

Also Read: Governor Radda swears in eight permanent secretaries and three commissioners.

Justice Shamsuddeen joins the bench with youthful energy, academic excellence, and a wealth of professional experience. He has worked in academia, the National Judicial Institute, and the National Assembly as a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with two Master’s degrees, including one in oil and gas law from the United Kingdom.

Justice Abubakar has spent more than 20 years working as the country’s Supreme Court’s Head of Litigation. He was a research assistant to a former Nigerian Chief Justice and a University of Abuja graduate with a Master’s degree in law.

Governor Radda praised the swearing-in as “a remarkable milestone in the state’s judicial history,” claiming that the new judges’ appointments would advance Katsina State’s system of justice and promote efficient justice delivery.

He praised the Katsina State Judicial Service Commission for conducting a thorough and merit-based selection process that resulted in credible and qualified applicants.

Given their impressive credentials and years of professional experience, Governor Radda expressed confidence in the new judges’ ability to make a significant contribution to the state’s justice system.

“We are swearing in three new Katsina State High Court judges today. The governor said that this significant advance for our judiciary will strengthen our capacity and the state’s ability to administer justice.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would guide the new judges through their responsibilities in a moral compass throughout their judicial careers.

“First of all, I want to congratulate you and wish you God’s guidance in carrying out your responsibilities. We as members of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary can all reflect deeply on the obligations we owe, he said. This oath of office and an act of allegiance are sufficient.

The governor advised the judges to regularly take their oaths, stating that their positions are sacred trusts in the eyes of Katsina State and God.

I suggest that we all go back and read this oath once more after a while, perhaps a month. It will serve as a reminder that God is watching over and aware of our actions, he continued.

The Governor reaffirmed the crucial role that the judiciary plays as society’s last hope, particularly for the underprivileged and the marginalized.

Everyone values your justice, including those who have voice and those who do not. particularly those who do not. If you carry out your duties with diligence and sincerity, I believe your position will point you in the right direction,” he said.

Governor Radda prayed for the judges’ wisdom, patience, and strength to carry out their duties with justice, courage, and humility. He assured that his administration would continue to support the legislature and the judiciary to promote effective collaboration between the three branches of government.

“To ensure harmony between the three branches of government, we will continue to support the judiciary and the legislature.” Without a strong and efficient judicial system, there is nothing that we can accomplish as a state. According to him, the judiciary is still our society’s foundation for peace, order, and justice.

He also reaffirmed the value of prompt justice delivery, warning that judicial system delays could harm the public’s faith.

Time waits for no one, as they say. To create the kind of society we all aspire to, one based on justice, peace, and unity, he added, “it is crucial that we dispense justice promptly and fairly.”