In a recently unveiled memoir titled “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023),” former President Muhammadu Buhari shed light on his decision not to dismiss the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, amidst speculations about his interest in the 2023 presidential race. The memoir, presented in Abuja on Tuesday, was authored by ex-Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina. Buhari, in the book, revealed that he refrained from sacking Emefiele because the latter never discussed his presidential aspirations with the former president. “I met…
Author: Editor Francis
During a panel session at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2024 Economic Outlook and Budget Analysis, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, revealed that the Federal Government is expected to save N8 trillion annually through the implementation of fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification policies. Oyedele emphasized the significance of utilizing the funds saved to alleviate the challenges faced by the average Nigerian. He urged the government to be intentional in spending the N8 trillion to positively impact the citizens, particularly those experiencing multidimensional poverty. The committee recommended the suspension…
In a recent announcement on its official platform, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reported the discovery of 83 illegal refineries and 15 illegal pipeline connections in the Niger Delta region within the past week. This revelation is part of the ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft, with the company highlighting a total of 211 incidents of oil theft and vandalism reported between January 6 and 12, 2023. The NNPCL, through a shared video, emphasized that its vigilance led to the identification and dismantling of these illicit operations. Additionally, a documentary on the official platform detailed the inspection…
Explosive devices stored by illegal miners have been identified as the cause of the recent explosion in the Bodija Area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, according to Governor Seyi Makinde. Govima report that the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the tragic death of at least 10 individuals, with 15 others hospitalized. The blast also affected prominent locations such as the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, and several residential areas. Governor Makinde, who personally visited the scene on Tuesday night, assured that thorough investigations were underway to determine those responsible. Preliminary findings from security…
President Bola Tinubu is currently engaged in a crucial security meeting with top service chiefs and heads of security agencies at the State House in Abuja. The gathering is in response to recent security breaches, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where kidnappers have perpetrated heinous acts in recent days. Key figures present at the meeting include the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and heads of…
In a shocking incident on Tuesday evening, the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo state capital, was engulfed in panic and confusion as a loud explosion resounded around 7:45 p.m. Reports from residents indicate damages at various locations, with two casualties reported in the Sango Area. The blast’s impact reached multiple areas, including Bodija, Apete, Ojoo, UI, Moniya, Awotan, Alaro/Poly Ibadan, and Jeje. Residents described feeling their homes shake, with some reporting damaged windows. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and damages were observed in homes, including part of the ceiling collapsing at Ace Mall, Bodija, Ibadan. Seismologists ruled out…
The Royal Court in Jersey, United States, has ruled that assets worth £6.9 million ($8.9 million), be returned to Nigeria. The funds, allegedly diverted by Nigerian government officials in 2014 under the pretext of purchasing arms to combat Boko Haram, were deposited in a Jersey bank account. The court found that the money was likely stolen by Nigerian government officials and not used for its intended purpose of buying weapons. The controversy surrounding the purchase of weapons during the fight against insurgency involved accusations against the then National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, for diverting funds meant for security equipment. In…
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, reflected on the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, recalling the impact of Dr. King’s iconic speech at the March on Washington. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, who was a young girl attending a segregated school in Louisiana when she first heard Dr. King’s words, emphasized how his belief in the interconnected struggle for justice in America and globally became the guiding light of her career. She highlighted Dr. King’s symbolic connection between the fight for justice in America and the struggle for independence in Africa, particularly during Ghana’s first independence day in 1957.…
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley and Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods conducted a visit to Nigeria on January 10-11, 2024, with discussions focusing on strengthening cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, countering extremism, and enhancing regional security. During the visit, Gen. Langley underscored the significance of collaboration in addressing security challenges in West Africa. The U.S. delegation engaged with Major General EV Onumajuru, Chief of Defense Training and Operations, exploring opportunities to bolster bilateral cooperation, counter violent extremism in the region, and acknowledge Nigeria’s leadership in addressing regional security issues. Gen. Langley reaffirmed the enduring commitment of the United…
Vodafone has entered into a 10-year strategic partnership with Microsoft, aiming to bolster Vodafone’s Internet of Things (IoT), capabilities and transform digital platforms for over 300 million businesses, public sector organizations, and consumers across Europe and Africa. The focus of the agreement is to enhance Vodafone’s global managed IoT connectivity platform, currently linking 175 million devices and platforms worldwide. Microsoft plans to make direct investments in this platform, intending to spin it off as a standalone IoT business by April 2024. The objective is to rapidly expand the partner and customer ecosystem, driving substantial growth in IoT applications across various…
Earlier this month, Kuda’s CEO, Babs Ogundeyi, proudly announced that the Nigerian online challenger bank had achieved almost N₦56 trillion (~$60 billion) in transaction value since its launch in 2019. However, recent revelations indicate that Kuda’s user base has reached 7 million retail and business customers, falling short of the ambitious projections presented during its 2023 fundraising efforts. In February 2023, Kuda aimed for new investments, projecting a user base doubling from 5 million to 10 million by the end of 2023. Despite eventually securing an estimated $20 million in mid-2023, the bridge round closed at the same $500 million…
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has chosen not to attend an invitation from the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) regarding an ongoing investigation into an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers. Our correspondent, present at the CCB headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, noted that the minister, scheduled for interrogation at 11 am, did not appear between 10 am and 1 pm. Veronica Kato, the CCB spokesperson, confirmed the development in a telephone interview, stating that the minister’s interrogation would be rescheduled due to his national assignment. “Yes, the minister’s interrogation has been rescheduled. He wrote,…