Popular activist and political commentator based in Kaduna, Mahdi Shehu, has been reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following allegations related to a misleading video that poses potential risks to national security.

According to a renowned counterinsurgency expert concentrating on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, Shehu was arrested over the weekend after the said video circulated widely on social media, raising alarms regarding its sensitive content.

Naija News reported earlier that the presidency slammed Shehu and accused him of attempting to cause anarchy in Northern Nigeria.

Shehu had recently made several allegations against the federal government about establishing a French military base in Nigeria’s northeast.

He also shared a series of videos claiming to show Nigerian and French troops offloading supplies in a coordinated operation.

Although Shehu promptly removed the video, it had already gone viral across social media platforms.

In a post via X on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, stated that Mahdi Shehu is hell-bent on burning Northern Nigeria with the use of old videos to pass off his allegation.

Dada warned Nigerians to beware of fake news merchants like Shehu.

Mahdi Shehu Is DSS Custody

In a publication, however, on Monday, Makama said Shehu is currently being held in custody in Kaduna and may soon face legal proceedings.

Makama quoted sources to have suggested that the charges pertain to the dissemination of outdated footage that inaccurately implied the Nigerian government was planning to establish a French military base in the North-West region.

He noted that authorities are said to have issued instructions for Shehu’s arraignment while ensuring that his rights are respected during his detention.

Furthermore, it has been highlighted that Shehu has a history of legal troubles, including a previous arrest for attempted extortion, as noted by former Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami.

Shehu’s legal representative argued that the arrest was politically motivated and linked to demands for an investigation into former President Muhammadu Buhari and his associates.

In contrast, Malami’s firm maintained that Shehu was detained for extortion and related offences.

[NaijaNews]

Kinsmen of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, have appealed to the former governor of the state, Peter Odili, to forgive their brother (Wike) over his recent statement against him (Odili).

DAILY POST recalls that Wike had stated that he restored life to Odili and his family, noting that Odili has no justification to speak against him.

The former governor, Odili, had earlier said that Governor Siminialayi Fubara, has successfully prevented one man from converting the state into his private estate.

Responding to the statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, a group of Wike’s kinsmen, Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, frowned at the attack by Wike on Odili, stating that it was unnecessary.

President General of the body, Chizy Enyi, who is a kinsman of the Minister of FCT, said it was wrong for Wike to say many unprintable things against Odili.

Enyi expressed concerns that Wike was referring to the same man whom he had declared was responsible for his success in politics.

“Our worry is that this is the same Nyesom Wike, who publicly in a live television said that if not for Sir Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, he could not have made it to be the governor of Rivers State.

“He swore that any day, he would say anything that would make the family of Dr. Odili to cry, that God should not allow him to grow. However, we have come to a realisation that his stock in trade is to say one thing and do another. In the same way, he bragged that he could never be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria again, and today, what is he?

“It is an obvious fact that the only Rivers man, living and dead, who has wanted to personalise Rivers State as his personal structure, is Nyesom Wike. We are all aware of the issues with the governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara, and Nyesom Wike is on who is to control the resources and structure of the state,” he said.

Enyi pointed out that Wike has become a showman because despite his duty as a minister, he returns to the state to cause issues, adding that the showmanship is affecting the development of the state.

He, therefore, pleaded with Odili to forgive the minister, stressing that it is Wike that wants to personalize the state.

“Wike’s showmanship is not good for Rivers development. Wike should always know what to say and how to say it. We hold Odili to a high esteem. Wike cannot reduce the golden governor to nothing.

“The showmanship of Nyesom Wike, in trying to be noticed always, has done more harm than good to him. Yet, he does not want to learn his lessons.

“On behalf of Rivers people, Nyesom Wike, inclusive, we apologise to Sir Dr. Peter Odili, the former Golden Governor of Rivers State and his family, as we plead with him to forgive Nyesom Wike, who does not have respect and regard for humanity,” he added.

In 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration introduced bold reforms to address Nigeria’s long-standing economic and social challenges. 

Key initiatives include approving an increase in the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 and signing the Student Loan Bill into law, among others. 

Here is a list of the administration’s major policies and actions in 2024: 

1. Minimum Wage Bill: President Tinubu, on 29 July, approved a minimum wage increase from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, ending months of deliberations between government authorities, labour unions, and the private sector. Following Tinubu’s signing of the bill, several governors have vowed to pay more than ₦70,000 to workers in their states. 

2. Student Loan Bill: President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, 3 April 2024, signed into law the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2024. The Act seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skills development for all Nigerian students and youths. The Act also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial aid to students pursuing higher education in tertiary institutions. 

3. National Anthem Act 2024: On 29 May, President Tinubu signed the National Anthem Act 2024, reinstating “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the country’s national anthem. This anthem was originally in use until 1978. 

4. Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Bill: On 13 August, President Tinubu signed a bill to increase the salaries and allowances of judges by 300 per cent. There have been calls for judges’ salaries to be raised. 

5. Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2024: Signed into law on 9 February, this bill introduces several reforms to the Nigerian electricity sector. These reforms include: 

Host Community Development: 5% of power-generating companies’ annual operating expenditures will be set aside for infrastructure projects in host communities. 

Transmission System Operator: A new entity responsible for operating, maintaining, and expanding the national grid. 

Open Market Platform: A platform allowing competitive electricity trading among market participants. 

6. Crude-for-naira deal: The Federal Government commenced the sale of crude oil and other refined products in naira on 1 October 2024. The Technical Sub-Committee on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil in Local Currency announced earlier in September that the Federal Executive Council, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, approved the sale of crude to local refineries in naira, along with the corresponding purchase of petroleum products in naira. 

7. LG financial autonomy: On 11 July 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils. The seven-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, unanimously upheld a suit brought by the federal government aimed at reinforcing the independence of local governments across the country. 

8. Port Harcourt Refinery: The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Tuesday, 26 November, announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced operations. After shutting down for five years, the Port Harcourt Refinery has resumed production of petroleum products.

[TheNation]

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has presented N1.188 trillion as a budgetary estimate for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

This figure is an increase from the 2024 budget of N800 billion that was presented in 2023 to the Assembly.

Fubara presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill shortly after delivering his address to lawmakers at the Assembly Auditorium, Administrative Block of Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He said the 2025 budget, christened “Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development,” will be implemented to achieve sustainable economic growth and accelerate the development of the state while improving the living standards of all residents.

Fubara explained that with the set-out objectives, the 2025 budget will strengthen the capacity of the state to weather possible external shocks from the volatility of the national economy while building a resilient economy that will advance the collective development and prosperity of the people.

He said, “The total projected revenue for Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year is N1,188,962,739,932.36.

“Two components of the budget are constituted as follows: Recurrent Expenditure of N462,254,153,418.98; Capital Expenditure of N678,088,433,692.03; Planning Reserve of N35,688,864,931.16; and a closing balance of N12,931,287,890.1935.

“This gives a Recurrent/Capital Expenditure ratio of 44:56%, indicating the sincere commitment of our administration to both infrastructural and human capital development of our people and state.”

The governor said nearly N31 billion has been allocated to support interventions in agricultural development to ease the implementation of a comprehensive agriculture transformation and support programme for Rivers youths in order to significantly resolve issues of youth unemployment and poverty.

He emphasised that the commitment is also to address food insecurity in Rivers State, and provide land preparation, farm inputs, and extension services, including training, tractors, and access to improved seedlings and fertilisers to farmers to enhance their productivity and farm yields.

In education, Governor Fubara assured that his administration will continue to provide access to quality education at all levels, enabling Rivers children to have the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers and contribute to the development of the state.

The governor said, “Consequently, we have proposed to spend over N63 billion, representing 9.3% of the budget on education in fiscal year 2025.

“With this, we shall access all outstanding matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission to rehabilitate, equip and furnish dilapidated public primary and junior secondary schools, and continue to provide free basic education to our children.

“We will also rehabilitate, equip and furnish as many senior secondary schools as possible across the State, including the provision of new classrooms, perimeter fencing, water and electricity, to provide a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.

“We shall work with the school-based management boards, administrators, parents and teachers to fix our broken school system, improve enrollments, keep learners in school, promote effective teaching, and improve learning outcomes.”

Fubara said with the proposed N97.750 billion for the health sector, representing 14.4% of the budget, all zonal hospitals, the upgraded neuropsychiatric hospital, and the new general hospital at Rumuigbo under reconstruction will be completed to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to the people of the State.

He also assured of rehabilitating more general hospitals and health centres across the state,  ensuring the procurement of essential drugs, medical supplies and equipment for effective and efficient healthcare delivery, while also providing more infrastructure to strengthen the capacity of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for quality, effective, and efficient tertiary healthcare services.

On Road and Transport Infrastructure, Governor Fubara said over N195 billion has been earmarked to complete all ongoing road projects and initiate new ones, support and facilitate the modernisation of the public transport system through necessary incentives to improve the quality of public transportation services in the State.

Fubara assured that all ongoing electrification projects, including delivering transformers and replacing the generator-powered streetlights with solar energy-powered streetlights across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, will be concluded and restated the determination to ensure the passage of the Rivers State Electricity Market Bill to regulate and open the State’s energy sector for private sector investments in order to achieve energy security and accelerate the industrialization of Rivers State.

He said, “In Social Development and Investments, Mr Speaker, we have proposed to spend N15.4 billion for the social development subsector of our economy to advance youth and gender empowerment, jobs and wealth creation, sports development, and social inclusion.

“We will collaborate with Local Government Councils to establish youth resource and digital transformation centres to enable access to digital tools, Internet services and training programmes for our youths to become economically successful and sufficiently self-reliant.

“We will also continue to support and strengthen the capacity of state-owned sporting teams, especially Rivers United, Rivers Angels, and the Hoopers, to enable them to excel and win more laurels in both national, regional and international contests.”

Fubara, who said the 2025 will be funded from FAAC, Internally Generated Revenue, Statutory Allocations, Mineral Funds, Valued Added Tax, Refunds/Escrow/ECA and others, explained that the 2014 budget performed excellently with the IGR figure hitting N100billion increase over the 2023 figure.

In his speech, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, applauded Fubara for recording over N100 billion increase in IGR, which he said shows a high level of transparency and accountability in governance, with the plugging of financial leakage, adding that it is also a testament to how attractive Rivers investment climate has become.

Oko-Jumbo pledged the continual support of the Legislature to the executive to ensure that the governor remains focused, sustains financial prudence, delivers democratic dividends, and to make life better for the people.

[Punch]

As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you lived your life and get ready for a fresh start to create a purposeful and fulfilling year.

Here are five essential things to consider before stepping into the New Year:

1. Prioritise your self-care

As you start the New Year, taking care of yourself should be your first priority. Examine your present self-care routines, noting what worked and what didn’t, and make plans for improvement. This could entail establishing a consistent exercise schedule, engaging in mindfulness or meditation, eating a healthy diet, or just finding more time for leisure and hobbies. Making your health a top priority lays a solid basis for confronting the upcoming year.

2. Financial planning

Your general well-being is greatly influenced by your financial situation. Review your present financial status, taking into account your debt, savings, and spending. Establish attainable financial objectives, such as budgeting, emergency savings, or investment planning. Careful financial planning offers security for the upcoming months and lessens stress.

3. Organise and clean your space

A neat and tidy environment enhances clarity of thought. Make use of this opportunity to tidy and arrange your house, office, and even digital documents. Get rid of things you don’t need, clear out your inbox, and organize your living space. A neat and orderly workspace not only increases output but also fosters a successful, peaceful environment.

4. Set goals for the New Year

The New Year provides a fresh start for making plans and objectives. Make sure your objectives are clear, measurable, and achievable, whether they are artistic, professional, or personal. To make them easier to achieve, break them down into smaller steps (short and long-term goals). Establishing specific goals gives you focus and inspiration to keep going all year long.

5. Evaluate relationships

The basis of happiness and pleasure is relationships. Think about the relationships you have in your life, both personal and professional. Determine which relationships make you happy and supportive, and then consider how you may strengthen them. On the other hand, think about removing yourself from relationships that are exhausting or harmful. Make an effort to develop meaningful relationships that improve your life.

Organising your home, prioritizing self-care, creating goals, budgeting your finances, and assessing your relationships are five factors that can help you start the New Year with clarity, purpose, and positivity.

Make sure the upcoming year is one of success, balance, and progress by taking the time to think things through and get ready. Make next year the best for yourself.

Vanguard News

Enyimba FC have confirmed the signing of Brown Ideye, former Super Eagles striker. 

The club announced the deal in a post on its X account on Monday.

Ideye, who has been without a club since leaving Kuwait’s Al Yarmouk in 2022, will wear the number 34 jersey at Enyimba.

“We are delighted to officially announce the addition of former Super Eagles Striker, Brown Ideye to our fold,” the tweet reads.

“We are expectant of the experience & professionalism he will add to our game/quest in our remaining games, this season especially under the new gaffer.”

Enyimba had recently parted ways with Yemi Olanrewaju as the club’s head coach after a nine-game winless run.

A more experienced Stanley Eguma immediately replaced the 32-year-old at the helm of the Peoples Elephant affair.

Ideye’s acquisition underscores Enyimba’s intention for the second half of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season and their continental campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Ideye will return to the NPFL after 17 years. He played for the Ocean Boys in 2006 before leaving for Europe.

The 36-year-old was integral to the Super Eagles squad that won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2013.

[TheCable]

The Federal Government has confirmed Saudi Arabia’s SALIC International Investment Company’s acquisition of a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri Holdings for a substantial $1.24 billion, marking a significant boost to Nigeria’s agricultural and livestock sector.

Minister of Finance Wale Edun made this announcement following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to fostering a stable macroeconomic environment that attracts high-value foreign investments.

“You all know and we all heard that Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Agriculture and Livestock Investment Company, had just around the 23rd of December increased its investment in Olam by a $1.2 billion additional investment,” Edun stated. “It’s that type of transaction that Mr. President has taken the steps of stabilizing the Nigerian macro-economic environment to encourage.” 

The deal, which closed on December 23, 2024, values Olam Agri Holdings at $3.5 billion. Olam Group retains a controlling 64.57% stake in the agricultural unit. The transaction, initially announced in March 2022, solidifies Olam Agri’s position as a key player in global agriculture while opening up new opportunities for Nigeria’s livestock industry.

As part of the agreement, Olam Agri and SALIC have established a Strategic Supply & Cooperation Agreement. This partnership aims to expand Olam’s footprint in the Middle Eastern markets while leveraging SALIC’s expertise in livestock and agriculture to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural exports.

Industry experts have hailed the transaction as a milestone for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, noting its potential to enhance food security, drive foreign exchange earnings, and create employment opportunities. The strategic partnership is expected to foster technology transfer, improve farming techniques, and introduce innovative solutions to Nigeria’s livestock and broader agricultural value chains.

Backstory 

Last week, Edun led a delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and the Presidential Economic Coordination Council to strengthen the economic partnership, focusing on enhancing export credit, insurance frameworks, and market access between the two nations.

• During the visit, the delegation engaged in high-level discussions with Saudi EXIM Bank, focusing on developing export credit and insurance frameworks, and expanding market access between the two nations.
• According to a statement issued by the delegation, the Saudi EXIM Bank expressed interest in deepening relationships with Nigerian institutions and participating in future transactions involving Saudi government entities.

“Additionally, the delegation held strategic talks with the Saudi Development Fund to explore potential areas of collaboration aimed at boosting infrastructure and economic development in Nigeria. The delegation also met with the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) to advance ongoing conversations about their investments in Nigeria,” the statement noted.

[Nairametrics]

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, announced this development on Monday.

During his visit to the facility earlier today, Kyari, who was addressing a team on the tour, said: “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. It is not 100 percent. We are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”

Among the tour team was the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Chief Executive Officer Farouk Ahmen.

“I must congratulate our team for their determination and extreme belief that this company can restart this plant.

“This has brought the result we are seeing in collaboration with our contractors. We have proved that it is possible to restart a plant that you deliberately shut down. We have proved this.

“This plant has three stages. We have started stage one which is called Area 1, able to produce AGO (diesel), Kerosene, naphtha and others. These are brands of high-quality products required in the country. We will also be able to export them. This country will make money to meet the promises of Mr president that this country will be an exporter of petroleum products.

“I must put on record the development was as a result of the charge by Mr President that we must get all three refineries to work. It is already happening. We have successfully started the Port Harcourt 65, 000 barrels per day refinery. We have also started the area 1 of the Warri refinery. The other plants that will produce PMS will also come live.

“Kaduna is also on stream. We are not going to give you a date but we will surprise you,” Kyari further remarked.

Situated in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji, Warri, the Petrochemical plant has an annual production capacity of 13,000 million tons of polypropylene and 18,000 million tons of carbon black.

Established in 1978 and operated by the NNPCL, the WRPC was designed to cater to the markets in the southern and southwestern regions of Nigeria.

As per the statement from NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, the mechanical completion of the facility was initially projected for the first quarter of this year.

“Warri should be done by Q1 (first quarter) 2024,” Soneye stated.

The other two include the old and new Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State.

The development came following the recent commencement of crude refining at the old Port Harcourt Refinery.

Naija News recalls that in a statement released in November 2024, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu acknowledges the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all Nigerian refineries and expresses gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.

Tinubu also commends the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for his unwavering dedication and commitment to overcoming challenges and achieving the new milestone.

President Tinubu directed that with the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, NNPC Limited should expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

The statement added, “These efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.

“The President underscores his administration’s determination to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that lacks the ability to refine its own resources for domestic consumption.

“Highlighting the values of patience, integrity, and accountability in the rebuilding of the nation’s infrastructure, President Tinubu calls upon individuals, institutions, and citizens entrusted with responsibilities to maintain focus and uphold trust in their service to the nation.

“In alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda focused on shared economic prosperity for all, the President reaffirms his administration’s commitment to achieving energy sufficiency, enhancing energy security, and boosting export capacity for Nigeria.”

[NaijaNews]