Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku has said that the lawmakers increased the state’s 2025 budget from N605 billion to N676 billion to enable the government address food insecurity.

Agbebaku disclosed this in Benin City.

Gatekeeper recalls that Monday Okpebholo on December 10, 2024, the state governor presented a budget proposal of N605 billion to the House for consideration and approval.

The House however raised the budget to N676 billion, an increase of over N71 billion.

Speaking on the rationale for the increase, Agbebaku said the additional sum was to adequately combat food insecurity and create food sufficiency in Edo State as against the sum of N4.5 billion initially allocated to the sector by the governor.

“Your Excellency, we present to you the final approved budget that will scale you through this new year. The budget will ensure infrastructure in all the constituencies in Edo State.

“The country is currently experiencing an acute shortfall in food production, a situation that has seen an astronomical rise in the prices of food production, and increased hardship among Nigerians.

“The Legislative Arm is committed to partnering with the Governor in ensuring that Edo takes the lead in agricultural revolution and solving the current food challenges plaguing the country.

“We looked at the budget carefully, digested the content, and decided, going by the current food insecurity in the country, to fund the agricultural sector to create food sufficiency in Edo State.

“So, the House agreed that the fund going to that sector be increased, and it was given a significant increase to ensure we achieve food sufficiency in Edo State,” the Speaker said.

In his remarks, the governor said the allocation of N70billion to the agricultural sector by the lawmakers was in line with his administration’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and making Edo sufficient in food production.

Okpebholo opined that the budget was meant to revive the economy of Edo State and deliver the dividends of democracy, with a special focus on agricultural revolution, food production, and infrastructural development.

“As an administration that is people-centric and concerned about the acute food shortage currently ravaging the country, the 2025 budget was given a significant boost to address the agricultural and make Edo State food sufficient.

“This significant allocation to the agriculture sector to address food sufficiency and agricultural revolution underscores my administration’s commitment to food security and reaffirmed my earlier announced plans to engage in massive mechanized farming across the three senatorial districts of the State in early 2025.

“It is therefore expected that, with this significant amount allocated to the agricultural sector, and the proposed mechanized farming schedule to kick-start in early 2025, Edo State will not only achieve food sufficiency but also begin to export agricultural produce to neighboring States in Nigeria,” he added.

DAILYPOST

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, says it will launch a holistic investigation into airstrikes on two villages in Sokoto.

Gatekeeper recalls that a fighter jet mistakenly bombed two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday morning.

Locals said the incident, which occurred around 7:00 am at Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Silame LGA claimed the lives of 10 civilians and left many other people injured.

Animals were also reportedly killed, with residents saying some of their houses were destroyed by the impact of the airstrikes.

The locals said the fighter jet was targeting Lakurawa terrorists in the areas, but in the process, dropped explosives on some innocent people.

A statement by the joint media coordinator for the operation, Abubakar Abdullahi, said the airstrikes targeted locations confirmed to be associated with the Lakurawa terrorist group.

According to him, all military operations are based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions to ensure precision and protect civilian lives.

“These reports have raised concerns; however, it is crucial to clarify that all military operations are conducted based on thorough intelligence and reconnaissance missions,” the statement reads.

Racting, the NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, insisted that the airstrikes were carried out based on credible intelligence from multiple sources and confirmatory aerial surveillance.

He, however, assured that reports of civilian casualties would be thoroughly investigated.

“The airstrikes were conducted based on credible intelligence from multiple sources, along with confirmatory aerial surveillance. Nevertheless, reports of possible harm to civilians will be thoroughly investigated and we will update you appropriately,” he said.

It was a night of glitz, glamour and celebration at the 18th edition of the SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards, held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Leading brands like Zenith Bank Plc, International Breweries Plc, NNPC Foundation, and others took center stage, carting home the coveted awards.

Zenith Bank Plc stole the show on the night by emerging as the overall Best Responsible Corporate Organisation in Africa ahead of NNPC Foundation, International Breweries Plc, and Nasper and Prosus, which came second, third, and fourth, respectively. The bank was also crowned as the Best Company in Transparency & Reporting and the Best Company in Gender Equality & Women Empowerment.

International Breweries Plc won two categories- Best in Poverty Reduction and Best in Climate Action, while NNPC Foundation was recognised as the Best in Good Health & Well Being and Best in Workplace Practice. The Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari was crowned as the CEO of the Year.

Other winners at the 2024 SERAS include Lagos Free Zone, IHS Tower, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Bank of Industry, BUA/Abdul Samad Rabiu Foundation, Nestle Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Live Your Dreams Africa, Building Practice, Polaris Bank, Seplat, Heir Insurance, Channels TV, OKOBI-an initiative of Imo State Government, and Airtel/UNICEF.

In her welcome remarks, Mary Ephraim-Egbas, the Executive Director of the SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards, stated that the award, which began 18 years ago, has evolved into a prime sustainability platform in Africa and the gold standard for recognising organisations at the forefront of driving change.

Egbas noted that the award has led to the transformative journey of initiatives that have shaped communities and inspired a shared resolve to actualise the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

She stated that this year’s edition was remarkable as it recorded an unprecedented 256 entries, with 41 organisations participating for the first time. According to her, the feat is not just a number but a confirmation of the growing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collective impact across the continent.

Speaking on the 2024 edition of the award themed ‘Beyond Sustainability: Enabling Business Transformation Through Full Disclosure,’ the lead convener, SERAS, Ken Egbas, affirmed that many organisations had demonstrated exemplary leadership, creativity, and a commitment to sustainable development considering the level of investment witnessed in the last 12 months. While congratulating the participants, including the winners, for making it to the finals of the awards, he noted that their contributions to sustainable development in Africa remain invaluable.

“Tonight is not just a celebration of achievements but a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and collaboration in driving Africa toward a more sustainable future. Whether you are a long-standing advocate or a first-time participant, your efforts ripple across the continent, creating a legacy of hope, resilience, and innovation,” he said.