The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has expressed concern regarding the administration of local government funds under the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

The concerns were raised on Saturday by the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Bello Aliyu Goronyo, during a meeting with party executives from the state, zonal, and local government levels at the PDP secretariat in Sokoto.

During the meeting, Hon. Goronyo highlighted what he described as a need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of local government resources. He claimed that many local councils in the state are experiencing financial constraints, which he attributed to governance challenges.

He further noted that such financial difficulties, if not addressed, could hinder development efforts and affect the delivery of essential services in local communities.

The PDP also commented on the state of basic infrastructure, pointing to issues such as limited access to potable drinking water in parts of Sokoto metropolis. Goronyo called on the current administration to prioritize the welfare of residents by addressing these needs.

Despite the party’s concerns, Hon. Goronyo expressed optimism about the PDP’s prospects in the 2027 gubernatorial elections, stating that the party is committed to offering what he described as a more responsive and people-oriented alternative.

“We believe the people of Sokoto State deserve quality leadership and improved living conditions,” he said. “The PDP remains focused on providing solutions that meet the needs of our communities.”

As political activities begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the PDP has reiterated its commitment to engaging citizens on key governance issues while working to regain the trust and support of the electorate.

 [Vanguard]

Here are the seven top business stories you need to track this week — April 14 to April 18.

FG SAYS NAIRA-FOR-CRUDE OIL DEAL WILL CONTINUE 

The federal government says the naira-for-crude deal will continue after the first phase ended on March 31.

The ministry of finance announced on April 9, after a meeting between the technical sub-committee on the crude and refined product sales in naira initiative, Wale Edun, minister of finance, and Zacch Adedeji, the chairman of the committee and the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

“The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, as directed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” the ministry said.

‘NIGERIA INSULATED FROM GLOBAL TARIFF SHOCKS’ 

Edun, also said Nigeria is well-positioned to withstand global trade disruptions, including the new United States import tariffs.

Speaking at the recent corporate governance forum organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) in Abuja, the minister said while oil and minerals are exempted from the tariffs, the broader economic impact could be felt through declining oil prices

He stressed that Nigeria remains relatively insulated due to early reforms and a shift in economic strategy.

‘PETROLEUM IMPORTS DECLINED BY 23%, NON-OIL IMPORTS FELL BY 12%’

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a balance of payments (BOP) surplus of $6.83 billion for the 2024 financial year.

CBN, in a statement signed on Wednesday by Hakama Sidi-Ali, its acting director of corporate communication, said the balance of payments in 2024 represents a surplus compared to the deficit of $3.34 billion recorded in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.

According to the CBN, the current and capital accounts recorded a surplus of $17.22 billion in 2024, driven largely by a goods trade surplus of $13.17 billion.

“Petroleum imports declined by 23.2% to $14.06 billion, while non-oil imports fell by 12.6% to $25.74 billion,” CBN said.

FAAN PHASES OUT PHYSICAL LUGGAGE SCREENING AT LAGOS AIRPORT 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has phased out physical luggage screening at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

This follows the installation of advanced Rapiscan screening machines and surveillance systems at key checkpoints within both the old and new terminals.

FAAN said the new technology is aimed at streamlining security processes and reducing pre-flight check-in time.

NERC FINES EIGHT DISCOS N628M FOR OVERBILLING UNMETERED CUSTOMERS 

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sanctioned eight power distribution companies (DisCos) for noncompliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.

The affected DisCos, according to a statement, are Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola.

NERC said the companies overbilled customers in violation of energy caps set by the regulator for the third quarter of 2024 (July to September).

NCC PROPOSES NEW GUIDELINES ALLOWING SUBSCRIBERS TO RECLAIM AIRTIME ON INACTIVE SIMs

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new draft requiring telecommunications operators (telcos) to develop solutions that prevent customers from losing their unused airtime.

The NCC announced the ‘Draft Guidance on Unutilised and Unclaimed Recharges’ during a high-level virtual stakeholders’ engagement forum on Tuesday.

The commission said the aim is to strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving telecom sector.

‘NIGERIA’S OIL RESERVES DROPPED TO 37.28BN BARRELS IN JANUARY’ 

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the nation’s crude oil reserves, including condensate, dropped to 37.28 billion barrels as of January 1, down from 37.5 billion barrels in 2024.

The commission said Nigeria’s gas reserves also hit 210.54 trillion cubic feet (tcf) during the same period, up from 209.26 tcf in 2024.

In a statement on April 11, Gbenga Komolafe, NUPRC’s chief executive officer (CEO), said oil and condensate reserves stood at 31.44 billion barrels and 5.84 billion barrels, respectively — amounting to 37.28 billion barrels.

[TheCable]

The Presidency has observed, with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities promoting the 2027 campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Worth noting is that some of these billboards with pictures of the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emblazoned on them are springing up in Abuja and Kano in particular.

While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima greatly appreciate their teeming and loyal supporters across the country for their enthusiasm and continuing support, the two leaders do not support any campaign that breaches the laws of the land.

The electoral law that guides the conduct of elections and political campaigns forbids any form of campaign for the 2027 general elections. Premature campaigning can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and create unfair advantages. As law-abiding leaders, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima do not support any action that undermines our institutions and the electoral process.

Until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sets the timetable for the 2027 elections, the President has not endorsed or authorised anyone or any group to mount a 2027 campaign for him through any media channel—be it Out-of-Home, print, digital, radio, or television.

Therefore, we urgently call on individuals and groups funding this 2027 political campaign through the ongoing deployment of materials on billboards nationwide to cease immediately.

President Tinubu and his deputy are fully committed to delivering the ongoing task of nation-building they have set for themselves. This commitment is evident in their focus on economic revitalisation, human capital development, infrastructural renewal, social investment, and national security.

When INEC signals that the processes for the 2027 elections can start, President Tinubu will duly inform Nigerians of his plans.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President,

(Information & Strategy)

We hereby express the heartfelt sympathy of the members of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) with the Government and people of Benue and Plateau State for the loss of lives in the genocidal attacks unleashed on unarmed citizens by terrorists, bandits and gunmen. It is unbelievable that the nation's security forces have failed to defeat the ill-equipped gunmen terrorising unarmed people in Benue and Plateau states.

Under the former Buhari administration, the Northern Governors Forum and Southern Governors Forum collectively resolved to ban open grazing in the country. In accepting the resolution, the federal government adopted ranching as a solution to the violent clashes between herders and farmers. The federal government gave N6.2 billion to the Katsina State Government for ranching. Our call on other state governments then to demand for the same amount and for the same purpose fell on deaf ears.

However, instead of further relying on the nation’s security forces, the Benue and Plateau State Governments followed the example of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu SAN of blessed memory by settling up State Security Agencies. The allegation that the security outfits are not well funded should be addressed by the Benue and Plateau State governments. As a matter of urgency, the operatives of both security agencies should be well trained and well motivated to rout out the merchants of death operating in both states.

Furthermore, we have confirmed that between January and December 2024, the combined teams of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces arrested over 1,000 suspects for their involvement in banditry, kidnapping, killing and other violent crimes committed in Benue and Plateau State. In addition, not less than 100 dangerous criminal suspects have been nabbed by the security forces between January and March 2025.

We are, however, disturbed to note that most of the arrested suspects were briefly detained and released either conditionally or unconditionally. Hence, the killing and abduction of innocent persons have continued unabated. It is high time that open grazing was banned by the Governments of Benue and Plateau States.

We call on the Attorneys-General of Benue and Plateau states to charge all suspected killers before the appropriate courts for the contravention of the various provisions of the Penal Codes applicable in both states.

Without any further delay, the federal government should establish ranches in Benue, Plateau, and other states and ban the movement of cattle in the Federal Capital Territory and all states of the Federation.

Femi Falana SAN,
The Chair, Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB)

President Bola Tinubu has directed relevant education regulatory bodies to intensify efforts in clamping down on illegal tertiary institutions operating across Nigeria.

Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday, the President ordered the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, and other agencies to take decisive action against what he described as “certificate millers” undermining the credibility of the education sector.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, warned that the integrity of the academic system must not be compromised.

“At this juncture, it has become imperative to reiterate that this administration remains committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education to enhance efficiency and quality,” the President said.

He added, “The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) are working in alignment to improve the quality of education and ensure that cases of forgery and unrecognised institutions both within and outside the country have no place in our education ecosystem.

“I therefore charge the heads of these agencies to remain steadfast in upholding government’s resolution to safeguard our education sector from quack and fake institutions as the integrity of our academic system must not be compromised and that the activities of certificate millers are checked and put to a stop permanently.”

At the convocation, 51 inmates from correctional centres across the country graduated from NOUN, including 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduates.

The event also featured the conferment of honorary degrees on the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.

Tinubu further tasked NOUN to lead the country’s transition into a digitally skilled economy, urging the university to embrace full online learning in line with its Open and Distance Learning model.

[Punch]

Former Nigeria international and member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, Adokiye Amiesimaka has said that his former teammate and captain at the national team, late Chairman Christian Chukwu lived his full life.

Reacting to the news of Chukwu’s passing, Amiesimaka said, “Chukwu lived his life, my condolences. I will reach out to the family. But what I detest is the hypocrisy of the Nigeria Football Federation. I read somewhere that they were expressing sorrow. That’s utter rubbish, they are not sincere. Do you know they were owing him? Except he was paid recently, they owed him for years; his due reward for services rendered, and they have the audacity to express grief over his death.

What a shame.” Continuing the former winger said, “for me I am happy I had the opportunity of knowing him and playing alongside him at the national team and we had an excellent relationship. Even after football we enjoyed a wonderful relationship.

I even represented him in some legal matters here in Port Harcourt.” The former international said it is always sad when one loses a friend but I want to dwell on the fact that we had sweet memories then as members of the Green Eagles. We had a wonderful experience and I am happy we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 for the first time 45 years ago March 22, this year. I thank God for that privilege. On his part, Sylvanus Okpala, another member of the 1980 Green Eagles squad said, Chukwu’s passage was a sad story.

“It’s so unfortunate that Chukwu has passed on. When Onochie Anibeze buried his mother February, we were all there together, singing and dancing.” He said he would remember Chukwu as a gentleman. “I never saw him quarrel with anybody since the first day I knew him.”

Continuing, Okpala said Chukwu was one of the finest footballers he has ever met. ” As a defender he was very calculative. An attacker could hardly beat him. And he was a free kick specialist too.” He recalled that the late Chukwu made Enugu Rangers what it is today. “He joined Rangers in 1973 and grew through the ranks to become the face of Rangers and a national icon. We have lost him.”

Devastated Okala mourns Chukwu

Emmanuel Okala, former Nigeria international goalkeeper, says he is “devastated” by the death of Christian Chukwu in the early hours of yesterday. ‘Chairman’ Chukwu captained the then Green Eagles to Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in Lagos in 1980, following a 3-0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 22nd edition of the continental showpiece.

He also captained Rangers International to victory in the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977, and later helped Nigeria win the 1985 FIFA U-17 World Cup in China as Assistant Coach to the late Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen. Chukwu, MFR, was Technical Director of Enugu Rangers International FC until his passing. The club is currently vying for a possible eighth NPFL title. Following news of Chukwu’s demise, Completesports.com reached out to his close friend and former Rangers teammate, Emma Okala, who is almost the same age as the late defender.

The Okosi, Onitsha-born lanky shot-stopper expressed heartbreak over Chukwu’s death, noting their decades-long friendship and professional camaraderie. “I’m devastated. This is sad news for me”, Okala said. “You know how close I was to him. From our days at Rangers, we’ve been Chukwu: Amiesimaka attacks NFF over unpaid allowances together—so closely knit. “We spoke just two days ago. I’m not in a position to confirm his death formally, as only the Chairman of the Ex-Rangers Forum, Pastor Igwe Okolo, is in a position to do that,” Okala added, his voice filled with emotion.

Okala is just a few months younger than Christian Chukwu. When contacted, Pastor Igwe Okolo confirmed the passing of the 74-yearold Obe, Nkanu-born centre-back but declined to offer further details. “Yes, my brother, Chukwu has passed on. May his soul rest in the perfect peace of God,” Igwe Okolo said before ending the call.

[Vanguard]

Charles Bassey, a former Green Eagles player, has died after a prolonged battle with ill health. 

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Bassey’s death in a statement on Sunday.

Bassey died in his native town of Eket, Akwa Ibom, on Saturday — few hours after the death of Christian Chukwu, former Eagles captain and coach. Both ex-footballers were members of the Eagles side that won Nigeria’s first Africa Cup Nations (AFCON) in 1980.

In 2019, Bassey revealed he had suffered a “nerve root compression” in his spinal cord following a car accident in 1986.

The ex-footballer added that the damage was worsening, and he was experiencing difficulty walking. He made a public plea for financial support.

In 2021, Bassey said the Femi Otedola Foundation funded his spinal cord surgery.

Bassey was also a manager, and he managed many football clubs in the Nigerian league, such as Calabar Rovers, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus of Eket, and Akwa United Football Club.

Bassey’s death brings the number of members in the 1980 AFCON team who have departed to nine.

They include: Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atugbu, Mudashiru Lawal and Martins Eyo.

[TheCable]

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has mourned the passing of Mr. Christian Chukwu, a distinguished football icon and a true patriot, who died on Saturday 12, April 2025.

In his condolence message, Governor Soludo stated that Mr. Christian Chukwu’s name is etched in the annals of Nigerian football history and his contributions to the development of the sport in our nation are immeasurable, leading the national team in winning the Nations Cup (AFCON) in 1980 

The Governor noted that as a player, he was a colossus, a formidable defender and a leader of men, captaining the legendary Enugu Rangers International Football Club and the national team, the Green Eagles now Super Eagles, with unrelenting dedication and exemplary skill. 

His leadership on the field earned him the nickname "Chairman," inspiring generations of footballers and igniting a passion for the beautiful game across the country.

The Governor also recalled that Mr. Chukwu’s tenure as coach of the Super Eagles further solidified his legacy, as he guided the team with his characteristic wisdom and tactical acumen. His commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a spirit of unity within the team left an indelible mark on the Nigerian football landscape 

Therefore, Governor Soludo consoles the family of Mr. Christian Chukwu, the Nigerian football fraternity, and all who mourn his passing, praying that his soul rest in perfect peace.

Signed,

Christian Aburime

Press Secretary to the Governor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received a State Department representative from President Donald J. Trump's administration, Mr. Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa, on Thursday in Paris.  

The meeting focused on developing a strategic economic and security partnership between Nigeria, Africa, and the United States anchored on mutual respect, prosperity, and regional stability.

The US State Department rep conveyed President Trump's strong interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa. The US wanted to work closely with President Tinubu to expand American investment in Nigeria and Africa, support energy and infrastructure development, and align trade and job creation efforts.

Both sides discussed actionable support and shared their perspectives on regional peace, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the Sahel.  

President Trump's advisor recognised Nigeria's regional and continental leadership and supported President Tinubu's interventions to stabilise key African regions.

President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria's readiness to build productive alliances with the United States, centred on transparency, opportunity, mutual respect and outcomes that strengthen Africa's place in the global economy.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President,

(Information & Strategy)