Author: Editor Francis

Gdwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has taken legal action to halt the federal government from pursuing additional charges against him. Currently facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS) on allegations of “illegal possession of a firearm,” Emefiele has approached a federal high court in Lagos seeking an order that prevents any further legal proceedings. In the application submitted by Joseph Daudu, Emefiele’s legal representative, the former CBN governor also seeks a court directive to absolve him of all charges laid against him. Emefiele claims that the federal government’s actions constitute a…

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The Nigerian federal government has unveiled plans to allocate N15 billion for the funding of safe schools in the year 2023. This announcement was made by Halima Iliya Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria initiative, during a press briefing held yesterday in Abuja. The initiative, known as the Safe Schools initiative, was launched by the federal government in December 2022. The primary objective of this program is to ensure that children who have been affected by conflicts and insecurity can continue their education without disruptions. It’s worth noting that on December 31, 2019, former President…

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The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has emphasised the need for enhanced community involvement in tackling the persistent security issues afflicting the nation. News Agency of Nigeria reports. Speaking through Dr. Jabbi Kilgore, the District Head of Kingori, during a town hall event organised by the Kukah Centre for Peace in collaboration with Global Right, an NGO, on Tuesday in Sokoto, Abubakar highlighted the importance of community representatives’ engagement in finding solutions to these challenges. The Sultan identified factors like bad governance, injustice, and inequality as contributors to the prevailing insecurity. He called upon leaders at all levels…

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As the seven-day ultimatum set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger lapses, the regional body has taken action by imposing additional economic sanctions on the country. President Bola Tinubu  has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to enforce these fresh sanctions against individuals and entities connected to the military junta in Niger. This move is aligned with the stance of ECOWAS heads of states, who previously imposed financial sanctions on the Nigerien military junta. Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the…

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Prominent pastor, Taiwo Odukoya, the senior pastor of Fountain of Life Church, has passed away. The sad news was confirmed by the church on its official Facebook page on Tuesday. The message conveyed that Pastor Odukoya, who founded The Fountain of Life Church, had transitioned to a higher realm on August 7, 2023, in the United States of America. The post also expressed the church’s acceptance of God’s will and gratitude for the life of the distinguished spiritual leader. Pastor Odukoya’s demise follows the loss of his wife, Nomthi, in 2021 after a two-year battle with cancer. His second marriage…

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In Abuja on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu expressed his unwavering dedication to breaking the troubling cycle of excessive reliance on borrowing for public expenditures, a trend that burdens Nigeria with the weight of debt servicing. This reliance adversely affects the prudent management of the country’s limited government revenues. The President inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, headed by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele. The President tasked the committee with enhancing the nation’s revenue generation and fostering an improved business environment. This initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s objective of achieving an 18% Tax-to-GDP ratio within a span of…

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has unveiled the Senate Standing Committees, with various Senators assigned to lead and oversee different key sectors of the government. The committees are part of the Ninth Senate’s effort to effectively manage legislative oversight and ensure the smooth functioning of governmental activities. Among those appointed are notable figures such as the President of the Ninth Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who will head the Defence committee. Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto State, has been designated to lead the Housing committee, while Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo State, will chair the Interior committee. Several other Senators have…

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ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc, announced that its leaders are set to convene on Thursday for discussions regarding the ongoing crisis in Niger.  The country’s military leaders have disregarded the ultimatum issued by ECOWAS, which demanded the relinquishment of power or the potential imposition of military measures. “ECOWAS heads of state will hold another extraordinary summit on the political situation in the Republic of Niger,” the 15-member bloc said in its first official reaction after Niger ignored Sunday’s deadline to reinstate democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The summit is to be held in Abuja, Nigeria, whose president, Bola Tinubu,…

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has announced the release of the results for the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). In a statement on Monday, Patrick Areghan, the Head of Nigeria’s Office at WAEC, revealed that out of the 1,613,733 candidates who took the examination, results for 1,476,565 candidates, which accounts for 91.5%, have been fully processed and released. The announcement was made in Lagos. He further mentioned that the results of 137,168 candidates, constituting 8.5%, are still undergoing processing for some of their subjects. This delay is due to various issues such as shortcomings, lack of…

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After the rowdy session during the screening session Festus Keyamo, the former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has issued an apology to the Senate for his past disrespect towards the National Assembly concerning the implementation of the 774,000 special public works program during the previous administration. Speaking after the Senate resumed from closed session, Keyamo said: “I apologise and the apology is without reservation.” He said the entire register of the “beneficiaries of the special public works and their details, including their account number and BVNs are with the NDE.” Senator Godiya Akwashiki (SDP Nasarawa), urged his colleagues…

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Drama in the red chamber on Monday over the screening of a Ministerial nominee, Festus Keyamo. The reason behind the rowdy session was when Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia Central), moved the motion requesting the suspension of the nominee’s screening. According to the senator, when Keyamo was a minister of state for labour and employment under former president Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration, he insulted the lawmakers from both chambers. He raised concerns over corruption charges and his failure to heed the National Assembly summons in 2020 during the screening process for his ministerial position. The charges were related to the employment scheme…

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Festus Keyamo, SAN, a nominee for a ministerial position, has had his screening suspended as the Nigeria Senate enters a closed-door meeting. Amidst multiple summonses allegedly ignored by Barr Keyamo during his tenure as Minister, a heated session ensued in the 9th National Assembly (NASS). Senator Darlington Nwokocha took action to halt Keyamo’s screening. More to come

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