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N579bn Not Enough For Nigeria Army To Fight Terrorists, Others —- COAS Yahaya Tells Senate

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The Nigerian Army on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to exempt it from the annual envelope budgeting being adopted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaya, made the appeal when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Army to defend the 2022 budget.

Yahaya told the panel that the sum of N579bn approved for the Nigerian Army for the 2022 fiscal year was grossly inadequate to fight terrorism and banditry in the country.

He said, “In preparing for the year 2022 budget, the Nigerian Army proposed the sum of N710bn.

“However, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning budget ceiling reduced it to N579bn.

“This reduction would impede the capacity and tempo of the Nigerian Army in carrying out its constitutional duties particularly the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorists and other criminalities across the country.

“The National Assembly should prevail on the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to exempt the Nigerian Army from the current budget ceiling or envelope allocation system.

“I therefore passionately appeal to this (Senate) committee to impress it on the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to begin the release of the year 2022 Nigerian Army capital budget from the First Quarter 2022.

“This would help the Nigerian Army to rehabilitate dilapidated accommodations in over 138 barracks and training facilities across our units, and formations as well as procure the needed equipment and platforms to prosecute the war against terrorism and other criminalities across the country.”

The army chief urged the Senate panel to approve the sum of N642.7bn as the Nigerian Army personnel emolument for the 2022 budget.

He also requested the approval of N29.6bn as overhead cost and N37.6bn as capital expenditure.

He assured the panel that the Nigerian Army was committed to securing the territorial integrity of Nigeria from any violation.

Yahaya said, “The timely and complete implementation of the 2022 budget will thus enhance the fulfillment of the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate and thus engender peace for the socio-economic development of our country Nigeria.”

He said the COVID-19 pandemic affected the global socioeconomic activities including that of Nigeria, adding that the attendant negative consequences allowed insecurity to fester.

The army chief also said he recognized the need to boost the morale of the soldiers and that he had been doing so regularly.

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My Only Regret In Life Is Bleaching My Skin — Toke Makinwa

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Toke Makinwa, famous Nigerian media personality, has revealed that bleaching her skin is her only regret in life.

Toke made this known during a recent interactive session with her fans on the X (formerly known as Twitter) platform.

A fan had asked, “If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?”

In response, the media personality noted that regret is exhausting and bleaching her skin was the ‘dumbest’ thing she ever did.

She, however, said she is grateful for her good genes and money, which suppressed the side effects of the skin bleaching.

Toke said, “Nothing. Regret is so exhausting! Wait, maybe bleaching my skin. It was the dumbest thing ever and I’m just so thankful for good genes and money cos….”

Meanwhile, Toke Makinwa has disclosed that she underwent surgery to remove 13 fibroids from her body.

Makinwa explained that she had always known something was wrong because she had a very big tummy, irregular periods, and a bulge when she lay down.

She narrated that fibroids affected the majority of women in her family and some had to remove their wombs.

Makinwa made the revelation following the release of Stephanie Coker’s documentary titled “Where the Heck is My Period.”

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Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road: Ohanaeze Distances Self From Peter Obi’s Vilification Of Umahi

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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday condemned the unfair slander that Peter Obi and other opponents had perpetrated against Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

Obi and his backers had publicly blasted Umahi for overseeing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, claiming it was a waste of tax dollars.

In a statement released by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze stated that the organisation remained unwavering in the face of a barrage of unjustified criticism and unfounded insults directed at Umahi’s visionary efforts and the Lagos Calabar Coastal Road.

It said the cacophony of disparagement and negative fervour surrounding these transformative initiatives raised eyebrows and prompts reflections on the true motives behind such aggression; clearly not in the interest of the Nigerian people.

“In response to the recent controversies clouding the Lagos Calabar Coastal Project, Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally denounces the unjust vilification aimed at Senator Dave Umahi by Peter Obi and other detractors.

“Setting the records straight, Ohanaeze calls for private dialogue and constructive engagements rather than resorting to public confrontations that could impede the much-needed infrastructural development in the Southeast.

“The recent expressed interest by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reconstructing major federal highways in the Southeast is a monumental step towards remedying decades of neglect, exemplified by ongoing projects like the Markudi-Nsukka-Nightmile-Enugu,the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar Expressway and others, enabled by innovative Cement Technology,” the body said.

Ohanaeze urged Obi to seek diplomacy and engage privately with Umahi to gain firsthand insights into critical national development projects.

The organization stressed the importance of fostering respectful dialogue and discouraged actions that could sow discord among the Igbo community and Nigerians at large.

The body said it is privy to intelligence reports debunking the baseless arrest rumours swirling around Obi, dismissing these as spurious fabrications propagated by malicious elements seeking to undermine the transformative infrastructure strides led by the Tinubu administration under the able stewardship of Umahi.

“It is imperative for Peter Obi to refrain from public acrimony towards Senator Dave Umahi, a stalwart of progress and development in Nigeria and the Southeast, in recognition of the monumental efforts by President Tinubu and Umahi to rectify longstanding infrastructural deficits in the region.

“The Southeast craves an infrastructural revolution that transcends political affiliations, cherishing progress over petty opposition accolades,” Ohanaeze stated.

Ohanaeze emphasised its clarion call for unity and mutual understanding and reiterated support for the contentious Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, asserting that the shoreline falls under the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way jurisdiction.

“Ohanaeze reaffirms the unwavering solidarity of Nigerians and the Igbo community in championing President Tinubu and Senator Umahi’s laudable efforts in advancing national infrastructure, exemplified by the recent allocation of a 2.75 billion compensation fund for affected property owners along the project’s Right-of-Way.

“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering harmonious dialogues, unity, and progress for all Nigerians. The organization echoes a clarion call for collaborative advancement to ensure a prosperous and united Nigeria,” the body said.

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AY Makun, Seyi Law, Others Grace Dedication Of Ali Baba’s Triplets In Lagos [PHOTOS]

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Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, had a dedication ceremony for his triplets, and in attendance were celebrities like AY Makun, Seyi Law, Chi Girl, MC Lively, and many more.

Gathering Ali Baba’s friends, family, and business associates, the celebration was held on Sunday at Lagos.

An event at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Christ The Lord Central Parish in Lekki, served as the kickoff for the dedication.

At an event centre on Hakeem Dickson Street in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, there was a reception held after the service.

Other guests at the event included Chigul, Bunmi Davis, Ajebo Comedian, and Adebola Williams.

Ali Baba had on April 1 announced that his wife, Mary was delivered a set of triplets.

Many, however, did not believe the information which they tagged April Fools’ message.

 

See More Photos Here:

 

Photo Credit: The Cable.

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