Government – National Infinity Magazine

Again, Northern Elders caution Tinubu against tax reforms

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has again raised concerns over the Federal Government’s proposed Tax Reform Bills, urging immediate suspension of the implementation and calling for extensive dialogue with stakeholders. The forum criticized the government for failing to engage critical stakeholders and experts before drafting the reforms. NEF expressed its position in a statement on Saturday signed by its Chairman of Management Board, Al-Amin Daggash, highlighting the reforms’ potential adverse effects on Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole. Daggash said: “Once again, it is necessary to reiterate, that…

TRIBUTE: Good Night Jimmy Carter – the prolific writer and global crusader, by Lanre Ogundipe

As the world celebrates the passage of the phenomenal of a man called- Jimmy Carter, he was not a president of the first rank, but he survived and his impact resonated through the corners of the world by dint of hard work and determination and etched a global recognition in his post – office efforts and stamp his footprint on the sands of time. By devoting himself to the project of promoting world values – peace, political stability and progress. Cater became an iconic world leader, with an inspiring, if…

Of Hunger Pollutions, And No Solutions: A clarion call to stop further death toll, by Lanre Ogundipe

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” -Proverbs 29:2 KJV In Ibadan, Oyo State, 35 children we confirmed lost their lives, with several others hospitalised after a Christmas funfair turned into a chaotic disaster. Organised to distribute cash and food, the event at Islamic High School, Bashorun, was overwhelmed by an unanticipated crowd of over 7,500 people, far exceeding the 5,000 the organisers had planned for. Days later, as if the lives lost the previous days were not enough,…

Alake on Rescue Mission: A review, by Tunde Rahman

By Tunde Rahman “Alake on Rescue Mission” is much more than a photo book of activities, events and work of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, in one year in office. It’s a serious-minded and exciting piece of writing on the minister’s stewardship. If you see it as the official book on the Minister’s achievements in one year in office, you will hit the nail on the head. Appointed on August 15, 2023, Dr. Alake has spent around 14 months as Minister of Solid Minerals, meaning…

10 major takeaways from Tinubu’s 2025 budget speech

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, outlining an ambitious financial plan themed the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.” The proposal focuses on stabilizing the economy, creating an equitable environment for business, and fostering inclusive growth. Here are 10 major takeaways from President Tinubu’s 2025 budget speech 1. Theme of the Budget: The 2025 budget is titled the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.” It focuses on stabilizing the economy, improving lives, and laying a…

Minister seeks accurate reporting of events in Nigeria by foreign media

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on international media organisations to move away from what he described as negative in their coverage of Nigeria. The minister, while meeting with a delegation from the British Broadcasting Corporation in Abuja on Thursday, challenged the global media to adopt a more accurate, balanced, and fair approach to reporting on the country. “There are not only bad things coming out of Nigeria,” he said in a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, while stressing that the country…

My house in Maiduguri, better than Tinubu’s house in Bourdillon -VeePee Shettima

Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice-President has described his bossman, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a modest person who does not believe in extravagance. Shettima made this revelation at a book launch in Abuja, on Thursday. The Vice-President reportedly said Tinubu is preoccupied with changing the country’s fortunes for the better. Shettima, who said his house in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, is better than Tinubu’s house in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos, narrated an encounter when the president opted for garri and groundnut. At the same time, guests at his house were served various…

Enraged! Women Affairs Minister, Kenedy-Ohanenye stops food security event, arrests organiser

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kenedy-Ohanenye, on Thursday, disrupted an ongoing event in the Federal Capital City of Abuja, accusing the organiser of impersonating the ministry. In a one-minute video posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, #TheICIR, the minister disclosed that the organiser had been arrested and that the event was on hold. The event was planned by Mela-Chiyoma PAT Limited and themed “Unveiling the Power of Women in Food Security”, although other details of the event…

FG’s duty free rice, others goods begins next week -Customs CG

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The guidelines for the suspension of customs duty and taxes on imported food items are to commence next week, the Federal Government announced on Tuesday. In July the Federal Government approved a 150-day duty-free window to allow the importation of maize, husked brown rice, and wheat as part of measures to combat rising food inflation across the country. The initiative was based on implementing the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan. Speaking at a meeting of heads of security agencies in Abuja on Tuesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi,…

Protest: Minister Tijani laments destruction of Kano tech hub

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, has lamented the destruction of a technology hub in Kano, just days before its scheduled launch. The Digital Innovation Park, designed to support Nigeria’s technical talent accelerator program (3MTT), was reportedly set ablaze and looted during the protests on Thursday. “Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano slated for launch next week to support our technical talent accelerator (3MTT) has been set ablaze and looted by protesters,” Tijani stated in a post via X on Thursday.…

Disregard LG election notice -OGSIEC, Akinmade

The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, on Monday, debunked the notice of the next local government elections scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The purported statement was said to have been signed by the Chairman of OGSIEC, Babatunde Osibodu, dated Wednesday, July 24, and flooded social media on Sunday. The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr Kayode Akinmade, however, told newsmen that the statement was fake news and should be disregarded by the residents of the state. Responding, Osibodu said on Monday…

Petroleum minister, Lokpobiri meets Dangote, oil industry chiefs over refinery crisis

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to resolve the ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery. The meeting, held on Monday, brought together Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari. This was contained…

Tinubu names ex-lawmaker who allegedly ‘branded COVID-19 palliatives as birthday souvenirs’ as ED, NSITF

Mojisolaoluwa Kehinde Alli-Macaulay, a former lawmaker in Lagos State who came under fire in 2020 due to a condescending statement she made about the Nigerian youth, has been appointed as the Executive Director (Operations) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). When the news of her appointment, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu, surfaced on Saturday, many social media users decried it, as they recalled the past statement she made. While addressing a plenary session of the Lagos House of Assembly regarding the looting and violence that followed…

Tinubu appoints Walson-Jack to replace retiring Yemi-Esan as Head of Service

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from August 14, 2024. A presidency statement issued by presidential spokesman. Ajuri Ngelale, announced this on Wednesday evening. Mrs. Walson-Jack was appointed as Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and has served in several Ministries. The new appointee will take over from the incumbent Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, who is due to retire on August 13, 2024. President Tinubu, while…

Nigeria’s oil crisis worsens as Aliko drops NNPCL stake in Dangote Refinery to 7.2%

The lingering crisis in Nigeria’s petroleum sector took a new dimension on Sunday as the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation now owns a 7.2 per cent stake in the mega refinery following the nations oil industry regulator to pay up its balance for a 20% stake. Aliko Dangote made the revelation during a media briefing held in Lagos State on Sunday. He said, “NNPC no longer owns a 20% stake in the Dangote refinery. They were meant to pay…

How we detected and removed 1,618 ghost workers from FG payroll -HoS

Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan the Head of Service of the Federation says the Federal Government has uncovered 1,618 officers in the Civil Service with illegal and fake employment letters. Dr. Yemi-Esan made this known on Wednesday in Abuja, during a media parley organized as part of programmes marking the 2024 Civil Service Week, with a theme: Education an African fit for the 21s Century: Building Resilient Education System for Increased Access to Inclusive Longlife, Quality and relevant Learning in Africa. She disclosed that through physical verification conducted by the Ministries, Departments…

FG declares Monday, Tuesday as public holidays

The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 17 and Tuesday, June 18, 2024, public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival. In a statement on Friday signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, quoted the minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as congratulating all Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion. Tunji-Ojo called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to…

Tinubu names Tanimu Yakubu as DG, Budget Office

The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the appointment of Mr. Tanimu Yakubu as the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation. Yakubu’s appointment follows the expiration of the tenure of Mr. Ben Akabueze. The Presidency announced the appointment in a statement issued on Thursday, June 13, 2024. The new DG Budget Office, an accomplished economist, was Chief Economic Adviser to late President Umar Yar’Adua from 2007 to 2010. Yakubu was Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria from 2003 to 2007, and Commissioner…

Tinubu praises Tolarams Group for faith in Nigeria’s economy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Indonesian business conglomerate, the Tolaram Group, for believing in Nigeria and having absolute faith in her economy. Tolaram, which partnered Nigeria to build the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the country’s first deep sea port, has acquired Diageo’s 58.02 per cent shareholding in Guinness Nigeria Plc. According to an announcement at the Nigerian Exchange on Tuesday, 11 June, 2024, Tolaram will also enter into long-term license and royalty agreements for the continued production of the Guinness products and its locally manufactured Diageo ready-to-drink…

How ex-CBN director, John Ikechukwu Ayoh demanded $600,000 bribe for Emefiele

Victor Onyejiuwa, a principal witness in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over alleged abuse of office and accepting of gratification to the tune of $4.5bn and N2.8bn has revealed how he was reportedly pressurised by the management of the CBN to pay the sum of $600,000 as bribe to secure the payment for a contract which he had executed. Onyejiuwa, is the Managing Director of The Source Computers Limited. This was as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)…

FG suspends accreditation of degree certificates grom Benin Republic, Togo

The Federal Government has suspended the accreditation and evaluation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo. This move followed a report detailing how a degree was acquired from a university in Benin Republic in under two months. “This report lends credence to suspicions that some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a Degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified,” the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education Augustina Obilor-Duru said in a Tuesday statement. “The Federal Ministry of…

2024: NNPCL pledges to produce 2m barrels of crude oil daily

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The newly appointed Board and Management team for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) on Monday pledged to produce two million barrels of crude oil on a daily basis from 2024. Chief Pius Akinyelure, Non-Executive Board Chairman of NNPCL, stated this while briefing State House Correspondents shortly after the inauguration of the board by President Bola Tinubu. Akinyelure also promised that the board would overhaul the security architecture of the NNPCL with a view to curb incidents of stealing and vandalisation of pipelines. “We have just concluded our inauguration…

LASTMA impounds 78 trucks packed on top of bridges

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said it has impounded another 78 illegally parked container-laden trucks on top of the High Bridge by Lilly Pond inward Apapa and Sifax axis of Ijora (Olopa). LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq in a statement said the enforcement operations was led by the General Manager, Bakare Oki Olalekan in conjunction with relevant security Agencies. “The enforcement operations were carried out to ensure smooth/seamless traffic for Lagosians during the Christmas and New Year celebrations and beyond,” Taofiq said. Taofiq also confirmed that the early Sunday…

How to apply for Federal Govt grants, loans for nano business, SMEs

The Federal Government of Nigeria under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, is rolling out two initiatives – the Presidential Conditional Grant Programme & the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme. The minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite said the programmes aim to alleviate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal. Nano businesses will receive N50,000 grant, while MSMEs and manufacturers will access loans up to N1 million and N1 billion respectively. The target beneficiaries are 70% women and youth, 10% people with disabilities,…

Industry experts say hope for reduced fuel price brightens as refinery begins operations

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

Stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sub-sector drawn from the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) have assured that the prevailing crisis in the energy sector would soon end with the envisaged return of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, Rivers State in January. The national president and chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of NOGASA, Mr Kenneth Korie and his PETROAN counterpart, Dr. Billy Harry, who spoke after the inauguration of Akwa Ibom State chapters of the…

Tinubu orders harmonisation of identity numbers as Int’l Passport home delivery begins February 2024 -Tunji-Ojo

Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, has said Nigerians will have their passport delivered to their homes, offices, and other locations of their choice from February 2024. Speaking on Monday at the opening ceremony of the International Week of the University Of Lagos, titled, ‘Breaking the Borders of Partnership,’ Tunji-Ojo said that by January next year, Nigerians would be able to complete the application process online. He said, “We have commenced the automation of our end-to-end passport application process, and we have given a timeline from which Nigerians will…

Local meter manufacturers withdraw court case against FG

The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) has formally withdrawn a court case it instituted to stop the procurement process for phase two of the National Mass Metering Program (NMMP). This decision was taken after the intervention of the Hon Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu at a stakeholder meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Power on Tuesday, where all the association’s concerns were tabled before the Minister. In attendance at the stakeholders’ meeting were the Chairman, NERC, represented by Mr. Nathan Shatti; Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Dr.…

NERC jerks up prices of pre-paid meters

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved an upward price increase for prepaid electricity meters in the country by 40 per cent. The commission announced this in an order released with the number, NERC/2023/020, jointly signed by the commission’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and its Commissioner, Legal, Licencing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye. The commission stated that a single-phase meter would now cost N81, 975.16k from the previous price of N58,661.69k, while the price of a three-phase meter was raised to N143,836.10k from N109,684.36k. NERC stressed that the increment was to…

Betta Edu, Humanitarian Affairs minister opens up on N-Power

Dr Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, says plans are underway to rejig the N-Power scheme to accommodate more people and ensure prompt payment of beneficiaries’ stipends. Edu disclosed this in a statement on Sunday by her Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Rasheed Zubair, in Abuja. The statement reported the Minister as saying that the challenges faced by N-Power beneficiaries in terms of delay in payment of their stipends would soon be addressed. “We will change the modalities so that people will get their delayed stipends,…

Sanwoolu, first passenger as Lagos Blue Line launches commercial operations

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line System has begun its long-awaited commercial operations. The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, became the first passenger to ride on the train during its inaugural ride as operations began on Monday. The governor boarded the train from the Marina terminal enroute Mile 2. The Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, announced on Thursday that the Lagos Blue Line Rail would commence commercial operations on Monday, September 4. Akinajo added that Governor Sanwo-Olu would be the first passenger during…

FG files contempt charge against NLC, TUC over strike

The Federal Government on Wednesday filed a contempt lawsuit against the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the Trade Union Congress for proceeding on an industrial action. The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba had twice stated that the industrial action by organised labour was illegal, noting that there was a subsisting interim order restraining NLC from embarking on any industrial action. But in defiance, the organised labour went on with the protest across the country on Wednesday. However, in the suit marked NICN/ABJ/158/2023, the…

Labour leaders return to negotiation table as Tinubu assures Port Harcourt refinery will commence production in December

The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday night, assured the leaders of the organised labour that the Port Harcourt refinery will commence operations by December 2023, so says the the organised labour. The labour centers also noted that the president made a series of promises following which they agreed to return to the negotiations table. The national presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero and Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo in the statement also hailed Nigerians for supporting the nationwide protest. “It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that…

Why petrol hit N617 per litre -Kyari, NNPCL boss

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has attributed the rise in petrol pump prices in Nigeria to market forces. This follows a recent price increase from N540 to N617 per litre, which he said reflects the dynamics of a market-regulated pricing model. Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja, Kyari said, “They are just prices depending on the market realities. This is the meaning of making sure that the market regulates itself. Prices…

NAF trainer jet crashes in Markurdi

Report says a Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft has crashed in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. According to reports monitored on Channels Television, the incident happened on Friday evening, while on a routine training exercise. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed this in a statement on Friday. He said two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed in a military facility. “Luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. Additionally, there was no…

Tompolo’s security outfit arrests second time offender, vessel MT Tura with 150 tonnes of stolen crude oil

Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo led Tantita Security Services Limited, has arrested a vessel, “MT Tura 11”, laden with 150 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil on Escravos sea in Delta State by operatives of the pipeline surveillance security outfit. The private security operatives apprehended the vessel, with a 500 metric tonnes capacity, in the early hours of Friday while on an illegal operation on the high sea around the Ondo State axis of the Niger Delta creeks. It was gathered that the operatives of the pipeline surveillance firm succeeded in…

Pres. Tinubu sacks boards of FG parastatals, agencies, institutions, govt-owned companies

The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and in the Public interest. The dissolution did not, however, affect Boards, Commissions and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. These were contained in a press release signed by the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the…

Unveilling AVM Bala Abubakar, the new Chief of Air Staff

Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on 11 September 1970. He hails from Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State. He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA RC 39 and commissioned Pilot Offr on 19 Sep 92. Abubakar bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence, Academy Kaduna. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU, Zaria. He was Admin Officer 16 Engineering Wing, 1 Engineering Group NAF Makurdi. He also held the position of Officer Commanding Admin Services…

Meet Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff

Rear Admiral A. Emmanuel Ogalla Ogalla is from Nnsuka, Enugu State. Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla was former Director of Audit, Naval Headquarters. More follows…

Meet the new Army Chief, Lagbaja

The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, a Maj. General in the Nigerian Army as the new Chief of Army Staff. Lagbaja, a member of the 39 regular course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, is the immediate past General Officer Commanding of 1 Division in the Nigerian Army, Kaduna and was the GOC 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu. More details…

Meet Maj. Gen. Chris Gwabin Musa, the new Chief of Defence Staff

Wura Kelani, Crime Reporter

Major General Chris Musa, born Christopher Gwabin Musa on December 25, 1967, in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria, was on Monday night named as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s choice as Chief of Defence Staff. The Infantry officer and ex- Theatre Commander of the North-East Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) takes over from General Lucky Irabor the CDS. Musa received his primary and secondary education in the conservative Muslim state of Sokoto, despite being originally from Zangon Kataf Local Government Area in the Christian South of Kaduna State. In 1986,…

Pres. Tinubu retires Service Chiefs, NSA, Customs CG names replacements

The President. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in one swoop, has regig the nations security architecture ordering the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service and approved the appointments of their replacements with immediate effect. This was contained in a statement by the Director, Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, on Monday. The newly appointed Officers are: S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS 1 Mallam Nuhu Ribadu National Security Adviser 2 Maj. Gen. C.G Musa Chief of…

Pres. Tinubu suspends EFCC boss, Bawa, now in DSS custody

The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has indefinitely suspended the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office. He said this is to allow for a thorough investigation into his conduct while in office following “weighty allegations ” of abuse of office against him. This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is currently in custody of…

NLC recants, embarks on nationwide strike over fuel subsidy

The Nigeria Labour Congress has recanted on its earlier decision no not to go on strike because of the fuel subsidy removed by the Federal Government and will now commence a nationwide strike Wednesday. The strike will be embarked upon if the government fails to reverse the new pump price for Premium Motor Spirit. The national president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. This comes amid fuel shortages across the country occasioned by President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural speech, in which…

Buhari’s Valedictory Broadcast: Nigerians chose Tinubu, the best man for the job, says I have laid strong foundation for the future

FAREWELL SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s outgoing president says majority of Nigerians overwhelmingly voted Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wh he discribed as the best man for the job to lead Nigeria as President. Buhari, who will be handing over to Tinubu, tomorrow May 29, 2023 made the disclosure during a valedictory nationwide broadcast on Sunday morning. Read the full speech below: My fellow Nigerian brothers, sisters and friends of Nigeria. 2. I address you today, in my last assignment…

Buhari takes Tinubu on tour of Presidential Villa

Ahead of the May 29 inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, took the President-elect, Bola Tinubu round the State House, Abuja, on a familarization tour to the offices within the seat of power. The Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima was earlier on Thursday conducted round the VP wing of the Villa by outgoing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on familiarisation tour. The duo of Buhari and Tinubu walked through the Press Gallery in the State House shortly after they both observed the Jumat prayers at the Mosque situated in the Presidential Villa.…

FG spends N1m annually on each inmate – Interior Minister

Benjamin Chukwudaalu, Political Reporter

The Federal Government says it spends N1 million annually to cater for each of the inmates at the correctional facilities in the country. Sola Fasure, the Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. According to the statement, the minister said this while inaugurating a 20-bed COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund Hospital and Equipment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt. The minister said that the project would be an enduring legacy and a testimony of the utmost importance…

Tinubu meets Abbas, Kalu, jets out to Europe on working visit

The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, left Nigeria for Europe on a working visit. This is coming Two weeks after he returned to the country from a trip to London, Saudi Arabia and Paris. This was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Tunde Rahman. According to the statement, Tinubu will use the opportunity of the trip to finetune the transition plans and programmes, and his policy options with some of his key aides without unnecessary pressures and distractions. During the visit, the President-elect will engage with investors…

Soludo threatens salary cut for workers who obey IPOB sit at home

Prof. Charles Soludo, Anambra State governor, has threatened to cut salaries of workers who stay away from work on Monday in compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by the Simon Ekpa led faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The governor said the Monday sit-at-home had become an excuse for workers to stop coming to work on Mondays, insisting that such could not continue. Soludo spoke while addressing the state workers during the 2023 May Day celebration held at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka on Monday. The governor had…

Breaking: FG suspends subsidy removal

The National Economic Council (NEC), has suspended the planned removal of subsidy on fuel and other petroleum products by the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Ahmed noted that the removal of the subsidy will likely take effect in June because the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA and the 2023 budget provided subsidy till June, hence…

Fuel subsidy: Civil servants to get FG 40% pay rise by April ending

Barring any last-minute change of plans, the Federal Government will begin payment of the planned increase in civil servants’ pay by the end of April 2023. President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to give his final assent for disbursement any moment from now. If the proposal sails through, it means the increase will be coming about two months before the June date proposed for the removal of the petrol subsidy. Officials of the Federal Government told The PUNCH exclusively that the fresh pay increase, tagged consequential allowance, would lead to a…