***Presents N584 Billion 2025 Budget to Kogi Assembly

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called for legislative support for the state’s ambitious 32-year development plan, as he presented the 2025 budget proposal to the Kogi State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement, indicated that the plan, which spans from 2024 to 2056, is designed to ensure sustainable development in the state, providing a strategic roadmap for infrastructure, human capital development, economic diversification, and social progress.

In his address, Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of securing legislative backing for the 32-year plan, which he described as essential to maintaining continuity and avoiding project abandonment. The Governor stated that the proposed legislation would provide a legal framework to guide the long-term growth of Kogi State, ensuring that all future administrations adhere to the same strategic vision for the state’s development.
Governor Ododo explained that the 32-year development plan is organized into three phases, each addressing specific goals for the state’s transformation.
The first phase (2024-2033) focuses on laying the foundation for growth by prioritizing critical infrastructure and human capital development.
The second and third phases (2034-2043 and 2044-2056) will focus on accelerating economic growth, enhancing governance, and consolidating gains, particularly in innovation, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability.

The Governor highlighted that having legislative backing for this development plan would ensure that each phase is fully implemented without disruption, regardless of changes in administration.
“This plan is not just a vision for the present, but a sustainable framework that will ensure Kogi’s prosperity for generations to come,” Ododo said.

By securing legal recognition for the plan, Governor Ododo hopes to prevent deviations from the strategic vision and ensure that ongoing projects, especially in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic diversification, are sustained over the long term.
Alongside the development plan, Governor Ododo presented the 2025 budget proposal of N584.4 billion, a 43.34% increase from the revised 2024 budget.
The budget is designed to support the objectives of the 32-year plan, with a significant portion allocated to capital expenditure (51.99%), including investments in infrastructure and human development.

The Governor outlined a comprehensive fiscal strategy, which includes improving revenue generation, reducing waste, and ensuring efficient public spending.
With a focus on completing ongoing projects, the proposed budget aims to boost economic growth, enhance service delivery in education and healthcare, improve road infrastructure, and support job creation.

Governor Ododo urged the Kogi State House of Assembly to expedite the passage of the legislation for the 32-year development plan and approve the 2025 budget to set the stage for the state’s transformation.
He stressed that the backing of the legislative arm is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of the state’s development agenda, calling for bipartisan support to make the vision of a prosperous Kogi State a reality.

In his closing remarks, Governor Ododo emphasized the need for collaboration between the executive and legislative branches to achieve the goals outlined in the 32-year plan.
He also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to making Kogi State an attractive destination for investment, innovation, and prosperity.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

GOVERNOR Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi has presented an Appropriation Bill of N582.4 billion as total estimated expenditure for 2025 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly for approval.

Presenting the Appropriation Bill on the floor of the Assembly on Tuesday, Governor Ododo said the budget represented a total estimated revenue (Recurrent Revenue and Capital Receipts) and total estimated expenditure (Recurrent and Capital).

Tagged “Budget Of Inclusive Development” Ododo said the budget was designed to achieve six major goals aimed at promoting economic growth, reducing financial burdens and creating a more attractive business environment for investors and partners of the state.

According to him, the total budget outlay of N582,404,119.489 is divided into Recurrent Expenditure of N279,590,215,687 representing 48.01 per cent and Capital Expenditure of N302,813,903,802 representing 51.99 per cent.

“The total estimated revenue (recurrent revenue and capital receipts) stands at (N582,404,119,489 for the year 2025 and the total estimated expenditure (Recurrent and Capital) stands at N582,404,119,489 for the year 2025 making the 2025 Draft Budget a balance budget”, Ododo revealed.

The governor hinted that the fiscal strategy of the Government for the next three years would be anchored on the on-going Public Financial Management Reform (PFM).

Over the period 2025-2027, the State Government’s fiscal policy would be directed at Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of spending and ensuring greater control of the State Wage Bill.

He said the fiscal policy would also aim at directing capital expenditure to critical infrastructures such as e Road, Housing, Education, Health and other thematic areas of Job Creation, Youth Engagement, Infrastructure and Utilities and Public Sector and Pension Reforms.

Boosting revenue receipts by identifying and blocking revenue leakages; and gradual fiscal consolidation to achieve a level of public spending consistent with macroeconomic stability and sustainable debt would also be pursued.

Addressing the governor earlier, Speaker of the House, RT Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf described the occasion as a “Moment of historic significance” as it marked the first time Governor Ododo was presenting a budget to the House since his assumption of office as Governor.

“This presentation underscores the vital partnership between the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government. As representatives of the people, it is our sacred duty to scrutinize the budget proposals”, he said.

The exercise, according to the Speaker, is to ensure they reflect the financial plan, vision, priorities and commitment of the State Government in addressing the welfare, needs and aspirations of the citizens of Kogi State through inclusive development, economic growth, social security and justice.

Pledging to ensure timely passage of the Appropriation Bill, Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf said, “This process symbolizes our shared commitment to advancing the progress of our dear State through effective governance”, he said. (Ends)

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

AS the world marks the 2024 World AIDS Day, Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) has called on the Nigerian government and all stakeholders to scale up HIV testing and treatment services particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

In a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja, as part of activities to commemorate the day, CISHAN said the call is aimed at entrenching efforts toward achieving a resilient and sustainable HIV response in Nigeria.

The statement signed by Dr Remi Obinatu, Chairman of the Governing Council of CISHAN restated its commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria achieves the 95-95-95 targets by 2030.

CISHAN also called on the Nigerian government, Civil Society Organizations, and all stakeholders to address the social and economic determinants of health including poverty, stigma, and discrimination, which exacerbate the HIV epidemic.

“As we mark World AIDS Day 2024, the Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria CISHAN joins the global community in reaffirming our commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

“This year’s theme, “Closing the Gap,” resonates deeply with our mission to promote a resilient and sustainable HIV response in Nigeria.

“Today, we honor the lives lost to AIDS and celebrate the progress made in the fight against this disease.

“However, we are equally mindful of the gaps that remain in our response, particularly in reaching marginalized communities and ensuring equitable access to HIV services”, the statement added.

CISHAN reiterated its commitment to promoting human rights and gender equality by recognizing that they are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic.

The body also advocated the promotion of Human Rights and Gender Equality by recognizing that these are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic.

“We urge everyone to join us in this effort, as we strive to create a world where people living with HIV can lead healthy and fulfilling lives, free from stigma and discrimination”, the statement added. (Ends)