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BREAKING: Lagos Assembly Approves N1.25tn As Amended 2021 Budget
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved N1.25 trillion as an amendment to the 2021 budget.
This followed a request brought to the House by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu recently.
The approval was made through a voice vote of members at the sitting presided over by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa,
Obasa, thereafter, ordered the Clerk of the House, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, to pass a clean copy of the report to the Governor for his assent.
Governor Sanwo-Olu had in September, 2021 requested the House to approve the amendment to this year’s Appropriation Law of N1.164 trillion passed by the lawmakers on December 29, 2020.
Obasa said the governor was requesting the House to authorise the reordering of N460.58 billion to N496.26 billion for the recurrent expenditure; and N702.93 billion to N759.59 billion for the capital expenditure.
During the deliberations leading to the passage of amended law, the Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, read the various sectoral allocations and announced the new appropriation law as N1,256,567,592,651 trillion.
According to Yishawu, a sum of N513,343,338,737 was approved for recurrent from the consolidated revenue fund.
He added that a sum of N743,224,253,914 from the Development Fund was approved for capital expenditure both for the year ending December 31, 2021.
Meanwhile, the members of the Lagos Assembly have agreed that law enforcement agents operating in the state needed to be trained always.
The lawmakers made their positions known as they read for a second time a bill for the creation of law enforcement training institute in the state.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the sitting, described the bill as very important adding that the proposal should have the stipulations that would make it a good law.
He committed the bill to the House Committee on Judiciary to report in weeks.
Earlier during the debate on the bill, Hon. Victor Akande, chairman of the Committee on Judiciary and Public Petitions, said it was long overdue.
“Policing in Lagos State has a little lacuna. Thus we have to put up a centre for the training of our own to teach them the modern way of doing it,” he said.
On his part, Hon. Bisi Yusuff said the institute was necessary because “most of our law enforcement agents do not understand the job. When well implemented, the institute will help to remold the agents.”
In his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Olowo noted that Lagos, being a mega city and economic hub of the country, has some challenges in relation to security.
“There are certain criteria for recruitment. The training institute will be able to look at that area,” he said adding that the institute would help train enforcement agents on use of modern technology in intelligence gathering and prosecution.
“Some of our security personnel do not even know how to use the smart phones. So this bill is apt,” he added stressing that the institute would help agents treat people with dignity.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu also argued that having an institute to train and retrain law enforcement agents would help them keep abreast of modern ways of securing the society.
For Hon. David Setonji, the bill is the first of its kind among states of the federation.
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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
News
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
