Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has  pre

sented an Appropriation Bill of N133.7 billion for the 2014 fiscal year to the House of Assembly.

Presenting the budget at the floor of the house in Bauchi, Yuguda said that N65 billion would be spent on recurrent and 68 billion on capital expenditures.

He explained that the budget was based on the predication of oil production of 2.5 million barrels per day at a bench mark of 75 dollars per barrel and a “robust and efficient system of internally generated revenue collection”.

He said the revenue profile consists of Statutory Allocation, N67.7 billion; Value Added Tax, N10 billion; Internally- Generated Revenue, N9.4 and Capital Receipts, N7.2 billion.

Borno

The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists

(NUJ), Mohammed Garba, has cautioned INEC against taking hasty decision on 2015 elections in states affected by emergency rule.

Garba said this during a courtesy call on Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State at the Government House, Maiduguri.

He said rather than conclude on postponing elections in the states, INEC should conduct research to find out the true situations in the states.

“My plea to INEC is that we hope this is not a ploy to truncate democracy.

“INEC should find out the true situation in the state by seeing things for itself before taking a decision on the issue,’’ Garba said

Ekiti

The Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Security

and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned against sale and purchase of “toy guns” during the yuletide season.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Mr. Afolabi Tolulope told newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, that the command had observed that, possession of “toy guns” either in the open or secretly, could cause apprehension in the minds of the people, considering the state of security challenges in the country.

He assured that the command, in pursuit of its constitutional role, would also guide against attempts on public properties by any individual or group, under whatever guise.

FCT

The Zimbabwean Government has given foreign in

vestors in the country up to January 1 to comply with its indigenisation policy.

The Zimbabwean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mabed Ngulani, told newsmen in Abuja that the government had not gone back on its decision to ensure that investors comply with the directive.

Ngulani, however, denied media reports that government had given a quit notice to foreign investors in the country.

“Let me make a clarification, Zimbabwe has not given an ultimatum to anybody, Zimbabwe has not given an ultimatum to Nigerians and to the Chinese, the story came in the media.

Gombe

Gombe State Government said it had begun the reg

istration of miners in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Science and Mineral Development, Alhaji Babagoro Abdulkadir, told newsmen in Gombe, that the exercise would generate data base of miners for socio-economic development of the state.

He said that the registration would show the specific activities of the miners, considering the vast nature of the sector.

Kaduna

Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has called for

the support and cooperation of the northern elders to ensure the growth, unity and development of the nation.

Yero made the call in Kaduna at a book presentation/fund raising on MD Yusuf, “Nagarta Cikin Aminci,” written by Abubakar Maijinyawa.

The governor also called on the people in the region to be united and speak with one voice, rather than allow ethno-religious differences to divide them.

He urged the younger generation to emulate the good virtues of the elders for the growth of the nation.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Agricultural and Rural Development

Agency, said it registered104, 525 farmers under the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES).

A Director in the agency, Alhaji Abubakar Lolo, told newsmen in Birnin-Kebbi that the figure was a quantum leap from the 65,000 that were registered before now.

He said the registered farmers would be provided fertilisers for the dry and wet season farming periods.

According to him, the increase in the number of registered farmers is sequel to the discovery by the federal authorities that the state has performed well in the scheme.

Kogi

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has presented a N128.7

billion Appropriation Bill for consideration by the state House of Assembly for the 2014 fiscal year.

Presenting the bill on the floor of the House in Lokoja, Wada said the amount was N3.9 billion or 2.98 per cent lower than the N132. 67 billion appropriated for 2013 fiscal year.

He said that over N58.7 billion was for recurrent expenditure, while N70.02 billion would be expended on capital projects.

Wada said that N79.6 billion would be generated from recurrent sources, while N49.1billion was expected from capital receipts.

Lagos

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has called

for effective survey of building projects for structural stability.

Fashola made the call in Lagos at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Lagos Branch of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS).

Fashola, represented by Mr Babatunde Hunpe, his Special Adviser on Rural Development, also enjoined surveyors to adhere to the ethics of their profession and also ensure standards.

According to him, provision of efficient services by surveyors will assist in preventing structural defects in buildings.

Ogun

The Police in Ogun State have arraigned two men,

Wasiu Bakare, 26; and Fatai Arowoseleaye, 21, before a Magistrates’ Court in Ota over alleged threat to life.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp Olajide Michael, told the court that the accused and others at large committed the offence on December 10 at about 3.00 a.m.at Olukotun Street, Ota.

Michael said that the accused and others at large stole N75,000 belonging to one Adeyemi Ayinde and threatened to kill him with a cutlass.

He said that the offences contravened sections 86, 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Revised Law of Ogun, 2006.

Oyo

A 43-year old security guard, Sunday Eje, was

dragged before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court at Iyaganku for alleged stealing from a warehouse he was employed to guard.

The accused person was docked over a two-count charge of alleged breaking-in and stealing.

The Prosecutor, Insp Samad Aliu, said Eje, who was employed to guard a warehouse, allegedly broke into and entered the warehouse, property of one Hachem Safieddine.

Aliu alleged that Eje stole the sum of N4 million property of his employer, Safieddine.

He said the offence was committed on December 3, at 10: 00 p.m . at Adegoke Area, Ibadan.

Zamfara

The British American Tobacco Nigeria Founda

tion, an NGO, last Wednesday donated a solar-powered borehole to Sungawa community in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

Presenting the certificate of the facility to the Commissioner of Water Resources in the state, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr Oluwasoromi George, said that the effort was aimed at saving the community from water borne diseases, especially cholera.

The executive director, who was represented by the General Manager, Mrs Abimbola Okoya, said that the project costs the foundation over N5.7 million.

Okoya urged members of the community to ensure its protection against misuse and vandals.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (left), presenting 2014 Budget to the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Mrs Monsurat Sunmonu, in Ibadan last Thursday.