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Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget

The Abia State government has assured its citizens that their inputs, rather than the preferences of the elites, will shape the 2026 budget proposals. The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike, gave the assurance on Friday during a citizens’ engagement forum to prepare Abia’s 2026 budget. He explained that residents drawn from different
Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget

The Abia State government has assured its citizens that their inputs, rather than the preferences of the elites, will shape the 2026 budget proposals.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Kingsley Anosike, gave the assurance on Friday during a citizens’ engagement forum to prepare Abia’s 2026 budget.

He explained that residents drawn from different communities, civil society organisations, and government agencies were invited to articulate their needs for the forthcoming budget, stressing that their inputs would be reflected in the plans.

“We build the budget from the ground, not the other way round.

“The budget is meant to be citizens’ budget, it is supposed to be a budget that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people, not the preference of the elites,” Anosike said.

He recalled that citizens’ contributions in 2024 influenced the 2025 Abia State budget by about five per cent and, therefore, urged residents to prioritise their most pressing needs.

In his remarks, the chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, commended Governor Alex Otti for tackling insecurity and providing agricultural inputs to farmers.

Eze Mbah called for increased budgetary allocations to agriculture and community security initiatives, as well as more medical personnel in rural areas. He further emphasised that engaging youths in agriculture would contribute to addressing insecurity across the country.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning, Eric Egwuibe, also assured citizens that their inputs would be considered before the 2026 budget proposal is finalised and presented.

Abia assures citizens’ needs will shape 2026 budget

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Nigerian Army warns officers against using enhancement drugs in promotion exercise

Authorities of the Nigerian Army have warned its officers and men against taking enhancement supplements or drugs to boost their physical performance. The Chief of Personnel Management, Maj. Gen. Adewale Adekeye, gave the warning during the opening of the Nigerian Army Warrant Officers to Master Warrant Officers promotion exercise 2025 at the 2 Division Nigerian
Nigerian Army warns officers against using enhancement drugs in promotion exercise

Authorities of the Nigerian Army have warned its officers and men against taking enhancement supplements or drugs to boost their physical performance.

The Chief of Personnel Management, Maj. Gen. Adewale Adekeye, gave the warning during the opening of the Nigerian Army Warrant Officers to Master Warrant Officers promotion exercise 2025 at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ibadan, on Friday.

He stressed that the promotion was not a do-or-die affair and advised officers not to engage in any unwholesome practice that could endanger their lives.

Adekeye noted that the use of enhancement supplements and drugs could be dangerous and urged participants with medical challenges to inform the medical screening committee for prompt attention.

According to him, their lives are precious not only to the Nigerian Army but also to their families.

“I urge you to have confidence in the system as represented by the board members that justice will be done, such that only those proven qualified and seen to be qualified will be promoted.

“I am confident that all the participants have put in personal efforts to prepare adequately for this exercise and I look forward to seeing warrant officers display the highest standard of discipline expected of their calibre,” he said.

Adekeye further urged them to shun cheating in any form, warning that attempts to induce anyone to gain favour during or after the promotion exercise would jeopardise their chances and lead to automatic disqualification.

He also urged the board members to remain objective, diligent, and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Adekeye said the responsibilities of a Master Warrant Officer are enormous, noting that the board had the rare privilege of selecting those who would best fit into the role.

He added that participants would undergo a compulsory medical examination to ascertain their mental and physical fitness for the rigorous activities outlined in the exercise.

The activities for the promotion, he explained, would include weapon handling, drill, current affairs, and general service knowledge.

Adekeye disclosed that about 490 warrant officers from different formations and units of the Nigerian Army had so far registered for the promotion exercise, with more still joining.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for finding the division worthy to host the exercise.

Nnebeife told the participants that they would undergo a two to three-week rigorous but fair selection process within the cantonment and urged them to put in their best to attain the Master Warrant Officer rank.

He said the board would test their abilities, technical skills, and experience acquired over the years, in the context of evolving security challenges, as well as their leadership and mentorship qualities.

Nigerian Army warns officers against using enhancement drugs in promotion exercise

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Arewa youths demand probe of Senator Buba over alleged ties to bandits

The Arewa Youth Movement, AYM, has lamented the escalating crisis of insecurity gripping the region and the nation at large. At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the AYM called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to take decisive action against those allegedly implicated in supporting criminal activities and inciting violence across communities
Arewa youths demand probe of Senator Buba over alleged ties to bandits

The Arewa Youth Movement, AYM, has lamented the escalating crisis of insecurity gripping the region and the nation at large.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the AYM called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to take decisive action against those allegedly implicated in supporting criminal activities and inciting violence across communities in the North.

In recent years, northern Nigeria has faced a rising wave of banditry and kidnapping, with once-peaceful communities transformed into battlegrounds of fear and despair.

These heinous acts have led to the loss of countless lives, the destruction of property, and the displacement of families. The psychological trauma inflicted on the people is immeasurable, as the spectre of violence looms large over their daily existence.

The pervasive sense of insecurity has not only eroded social cohesion but also stifled economic activity, leaving many families struggling to survive. Kidnapping has become a lucrative enterprise for criminal groups, targeting individuals across different sectors for ransom.

This alarming trend has created a climate of fear, as families live under constant threat of abduction. The economic implications are dire: businesses falter, investments dry up, and community trust deteriorates.

In its briefing, read by its spokesman Comrade Yahaya Muhammed Garba, AYM commended the Federal Government’s efforts to combat insecurity but stressed that the actions of some individuals were undermining progress in the fight against crime and violence.

The group said that the alleged involvement of such individuals with criminal elements posed a grave threat to the safety and security of the nation.

They were reacting to recent revelations, including a video clip purportedly showing the transfer of cash and motorcycles from Senator Umar Buba’s residence to bandits in Zamfara.

They said this painted a troubling picture of political involvement in criminal activities, adding that their “close ties with known bandit leaders and their facilitation of their operations cannot be overlooked.”

According to the group, Senator Buba’s actions represented a gross abuse of power, as he appeared to be using his position to support criminal elements and undermine the rule of law. They warned that such behaviour must not go unchecked, as it sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of democracy.

In light of these concerns, the AYM urged the Inspector General of Police to take immediate and decisive action against Senator Shehu Umar Buba. They demanded a thorough investigation into his activities and a commitment to prosecuting him to the fullest extent of the law.

The statement concluded that it was crucial to send the message that no one, regardless of position or influence, is above the law.

Arewa youths demand probe of Senator Buba over alleged ties to bandits