AU URGES DE-ESCALATION AS FIGHTING DISPLACES OVER 180,000 IN SOUTH SUDAN’S JONGLEI STATE. (PHOTO).

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 AU urges de-escalation as fighting displaces over 180,000 in South Sudan’s Jonglei state The Chairperson of the African Union Commission called for immediate de-escalation and strict adherence to South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, as renewed fighting in Jonglei State displaced more than 180,000 people and raised fears of further civilian harm. In a statement, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said he was deeply concerned by the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country, particularly Jonglei, where escalating violence and inflammatory rhetoric have put civilians—including women and children—at heightened risk. South Sudanese authorities estimate the number of displaced in Jonglei at more than 180,000, the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA said last week. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions immediately, and comply fully with the permanent ceasefire and power-sharing arrangements under the agreement, T...
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GOV. ALIA PRESENTS ₦605.5bn 2026 BUDGET, PRIORITISES RURAL DEVELOPMENT, LIVELIHOODS. (PHOTO).

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 GOV. ALIA PRESENTS ₦605.5bn 2026 BUDGET, PRIORITISES RURAL DEVELOPMENT, LIVELIHOODS 

22nd December, 2025   

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on Monday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦605.5 billion to the Benue State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.


Presenting the estimates at the Assembly Complex in Makurdi, the governor said the budget, titled “Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth,” is designed to reposition the state’s economy and improve the living standards of the people.


The total budget size stands at ₦605,506,764,066.16, comprising ₦281.09 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦342.42 billion for capital expenditure.


Alia explained that recurrent spending accounts for 46.4 per cent of the budget and represents a 21.69 per cent increase over the revised 2025 figure, largely due to the sustenance of the minimum wage, personnel costs and other overhead obligations.

He said capital expenditure, which forms the backbone of the 2026 fiscal plan, reflects the administration’s commitment to long-term development and inclusive growth.


According to the governor, 55.66 per cent of the capital budget is allocated to the sustained growth agenda, covering education and health investments, infrastructure for competitiveness, and innovation and digital transformation.

He added that 30.23 per cent is earmarked for rural development, including rural electrification, water supply, environmental protection, agriculture and agro-industrial development, while 14.11 per cent is devoted to livelihood support through social protection programmes, MSME growth and cooperative development.


Alia said transforming the rural economy remains central to the administration’s development strategy.

“Transforming our rural economy is not an option, it is a necessity. This budget prioritises targeted investments in roads and infrastructure that will unlock rural productivity and improve the quality of life,” he said.


He disclosed that 30.23 per cent of the capital budget has been set aside for the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads, feeder roads and bridges to connect farming communities to markets, schools, health facilities and processing hubs.


Reviewing the 2025 fiscal year, the governor acknowledged prevailing economic and security challenges but highlighted major gains across key sectors.

On security, he said the deployment of 5,000 personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, working with federal agencies and communities, had helped restore relative peace in previously affected areas.


In infrastructure, Alia reported the near completion of two underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, completion of about 50 kilometres of roads in Makurdi metropolis, and ongoing construction of over 387 kilometres of roads across the state, placing Benue among the top five states in capital expenditure per capita.


He also said salary arrears inherited by his administration had been reduced from 10 months to three, while pension and gratuity backlogs were similarly reduced, despite the pressure on state finances.


In the agricultural sector, the governor highlighted interventions such as the reactivation of the fertiliser blending plant, subsidised farm inputs, distribution of 150,000 oil palm seedlings under the Benue Alia Palm Project, and the test run of a fruit juice factory to reduce post-harvest losses.

He added that the Benue Beer project, nearing completion, is expected to generate over 1,000 direct jobs and strengthen linkages with local farmers.


The governor said investments were also made in education, health, youth empowerment and digital skills, including school infrastructure upgrades, recruitment of teachers, digital training for youths and civil servants, and the upgrade of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.


Alia assured the lawmakers that his administration would continue to uphold fiscal discipline, block revenue leakages and expand internally generated revenue through automation without imposing undue burdens on citizens.


He expressed confidence that, with legislative support, the 2026 budget would accelerate development and secure a more prosperous future for Benue State.

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