Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, says he is working towards closing the internally displaced persons (IDP) in Bama.

In October 2021, Zulum commenced the closure of camps and the resettlement of IDPs in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Speaking on Friday during a visit to the reconstruction site in Darajamal, a community near Bama town, the governor reiterated his commitment to close all IDP camps in the state before the end of his administration.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing post-recovery projects for the resettlement of survivors of insurgency in Bama.

“I have earlier made a pronouncement that before the end of my tenure, we shall close all the IDPs. So, in the fulfilment of this promise, we started the resettlement,” he said.

“God willing, we are going to close one of the biggest camps in Maiduguri, which is Bama IDP camp, and that will be a game changer because it is no longer sustainable for us to continue to keep people at the IDP camps.”

The governor asked the Nigerian military to support the government’s resettlement efforts while warning against any form of sabotage.

“I want to appeal to the Nigerian military to support the government in our resettlement efforts because we shall not allow any person to sabotage the intention of the government,” Zulum said.

Zulum lauded President Bola Tinubu for providing financial support for the state despite the country’s economic challenges.

“I want to commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the funding that we have been receiving from the FG despite the low value of naira, we are still getting some funds,” he said.

“I want to acknowledge and inform the people of Borno state that we are receiving some funds from the federal government and what we are doing is the judicious utilisation of the funding.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he was made Governor of Rivers State by some political leaders in the state.

Wike, however, maintained that while he received political support from certain leaders, he ultimately fought his way to power.

He contrasted his rise politically to that of the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he claimed he made governor of Rivers State.

Wike made the remarks during a civic reception he held in honor of some Rivers State politicians loyal to him on Friday in Port Harcourt.

The statement follows the resurfacing of old videos circulating on social media, where former First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, appeared to present Wike to former governor Peter Odili and some political leaders in Rivers State as the preferred successor to then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The videos resurfaced amid a verbal exchange between Wike and Odili, arising from the political crisis in the state that has placed the FCT Minister at loggerheads with his successor, Fubara.

Odili had publicly shown support for Governor Fubara, which infuriated Wike, who believes the former governor should have refrained from taking sides and instead played the role of a father figure by addressing the political crisis in the state.

Wike said, “You didn’t give me. To be governor of Rivers State 2014, I fought for the party structure. I took it from Magnus Abe, yes, I did.

“So you can’t say you made me Governor. Nobody, I don’t want to make comments about certain people, I won’t do that.

“You Magnus, all of you, Victor Giadom, I fought you people, took the party structure.

“So, nobody can say I brought Wike, I dashed you. Nobody can say that. But it would be unfair to me, to Almighty God, for me to say nobody supported me.

“No you can’t say that. You need people’s support, but not to say you gave me.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience Jonathan, and Peter Odili were said to have played major roles in Wike’s emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2015.

At the time, former Governor Amaechi had fallen out with Jonathan and his wife, prompting them to throw their support behind Wike, who had served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff and later as Minister of State for Education under Jonathan.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the Federal Government to abolish the current electricity band system, describing it as discriminatory and unjust.

Under the band system, electricity consumers are divided into Bands A to E, each receiving different hours of power supply and charged varying rates. Band A consumers enjoy 20 hours of electricity daily, Band B receives 16 hours, Band C gets 12 hours, Band D has eight hours, and Band E endures just four hours per day.

The system has faced widespread criticism due to electricity distribution companies’ failure to meet supply targets, leaving many Nigerians dissatisfied with high tariffs.

Speaking to Punch, MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadri, argued that the band structure unfairly categorises residents without considering their income levels, household needs, or capacity.

“You should not in any way seek to introduce a concept like Band A, which is discriminatory and not based on any scientific consideration. It is very subjective to simply designate an area as Band A without considering certain factors,” Ajayi-Kadri said.

He proposed a consumption-based tariff system, explaining that individuals with lower electricity usage are likely to have limited incomes and should pay less, while those with higher consumption should pay more.

Ajayi-Kadri also highlighted the impact of high electricity tariffs on industries, calling for relief measures for businesses to support Nigeria’s economic development goals for 2025.

He urged the government to adjust the tariff structure and prioritise power supply to sectors critical for economic growth, ensuring that the system benefits both consumers and industries.

...addresses the growing presence of mockers

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has addressed AI-generated image circulating on social media, which depicted him as an alhaji.

According to Church Times Nigeria on Saturday, Adeboye spoke during the first Holy Ghost Night of the new year, held in the early hours of Saturday, January 4.

Late December last year, there were viral images which trended online depicting the RCCG pastor as a Muslim – clothed in Islamic garments – and as being in the Holy land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Adeboye also addressed the growing presence of mockers, predicting that many would not survive the year.

However, he emphasised that God does not desire the death of sinners.

With a wry smile, he acknowledged the AI-generated image of him as an alhaji, remarking, “I’m sure many of you saw that picture showing me as an alhaji.”

On international concerns, Adeboye urged prayers for peace, especially with the ongoing global conflicts, to prevent another world war.

He also prophesied that 2025 would witness an unprecedented earthquake of massive proportions.

In his message, titled, “The Glory Ahead,” Adeboye assured his listeners that despite current challenges, the future would be brighter.

He assured the congregation that God’s purpose for humanity on earth remains paramount, explaining that God isn’t in a hurry to take people to heaven because He needs them to fulfill His divine mission here on earth.

Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adelabu Adedeji has stated that he won’t join the race to replace Seyi Makinde as the next governor of Oyo State in 2027.

Adedeji who had previously held cabinet position in Oyo State (Commissioner for Finance 2011-2015) has been mentioned as one of the prominent personalities likely to fill the position.

He, however, in a recent outing dispelled having such ambition, saying he only wants to focus on the task before him at the moment.

He said, “I want to use this to respond to a lot of requests, I, Zacch Adedeji will not contest for governorship election in 2027.

“I know a lot of people would not be happy about this, but everybody knows the responsibility and grace that God has given to us. I was commissioner of finance 14 years ago. And by that time, with the grace of God, we’ve done all of what God wants us to do in the state.

“He has given us that platform. So the only thing I need from you is your prayers for strength to end well with what I’m doing now. So I would not want to be distracted’. He concluded in the clip

Adedeji was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in September 2023 to head the FIRS.

The Nigerian government’s budgetary spending has dramatically increased over the past 27 years (1999–2025), with President Bola Tinubu’s ₦49.74 trillion 2025 budget pushing the total expenditure to ₦232.55 trillion.

According to an analysis by Saturday Vanguard, this amount is roughly equivalent to $667.89 billion based on official exchange rates.

However, using parallel exchange rates, the total would fall below $500 billion.

The total spending is a culmination of annual budgets and supplementary appropriations since 1999, when Nigeria returned to civilian rule.

While the figures appear impressive, Nigeria’s development indicators, including education, housing, and maternal health, tell a different story, raising critical questions about the real impact of this immense fiscal outlay on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Breakdown of Expenditures by Administration

1. Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007)

During his two terms, Obasanjo allocated ₦12,332,000,000,000 ($121,350,000,000), representing 5.30% of the 27-year total. This figure includes the budget inherited from General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

2. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007–2010)

Yar’Adua, during his 1,071 days in office, spent ₦10,949,000,000,000 ($79,130,000,000), or 4.71% of the cumulative budget.

3. Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015)

Jonathan, who succeeded Yar’Adua, oversaw ₦25,296,000,000,000 ($156,569,000,000), making up 10.88% of the total.

4. Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023)

Buhari allocated ₦97,018,000,000,000 ($228,641,000,000), the largest share of 41.72%. His figure includes a supplementary ₦574,533,000,000 in 2015.

5. Bola Tinubu (2023–2025)

Tinubu, in just 17 months, has already spent ₦37,332,000,000,000. With the proposed ₦49,740,000,000,000 for 2025, his administration’s total expenditure would reach ₦86,972,000,000,000 ($81,977,000,000), or 37.40%.

Political Party Spending

– People’s Democratic Party (PDP):

₦48,556,400,000,000 ($257,069,000,000) over 16 years.

– All Progressives Congress (APC):

₦183,990,000,000,000 ($310,818,000,000) over 11 years.

Developmental Outcomes

Despite the huge budgets, Nigeria, the world’s largest black nation, has witnessed little or no development.

For instance, there were 7.019 million out-of-school children in 1999. In 26 years, the figure has jumped to 18.3 million according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

These children aged six to 14 are not enrolled in primary and secondary school.

More women die today in Nigeria during child delivery than 26 years ago. According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was 289 per 100,000 live births in 1999.

In 2024, it was 576 deaths per 100,000 live births, making Nigeria have the fourth highest maternal mortality ratio in the world.

Nigeria also housed its citizens better in 1999, when with a population of 119 million, the housing deficit was 10.271 million.

As of 2023, national statistics showed that the housing deficit had skyrocketed to 28 million and could be more now with experts predicting a need for 700,000 new homes annually.

Tellingly, more Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor today than in 1999. The number of Nigerians living on less than $1 a day was 83.3 million in 1999 but 28 million as of 2023.

Although life expectancy improved from 46.61 years in 1999 to 62.2 years in 2024, and infant mortality rate dropped from 75 per 1,000 live births in 1999 to 53.674 per 1,000 live births in 2024, Nigeria’s human development index would have been better if the humongous budgets had been efficiently expended.

1. Education

Out-of-school children rose from 7,019,000 in 1999 to 18,300,000 in 2024 (UNESCO).

2. Maternal Mortality

Maternal deaths increased from 289 per 100,000 live births in 1999 to 576 per 100,000 in 2024 (UNICEF).

3. Housing

The housing deficit soared from 10,271,000 in 1999 to 28,000,000 in 2023, with an annual requirement of 700,000 new homes.

4. Poverty

Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty rose from 83,300,000 in 1999 to 133,000,000 in 2023.

5. Life Expectancy

Improved marginally from 46.61 years in 1999 to 62.2 years in 2024.

6. Infant Mortality

Dropped from 75 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1999 to 53.674 in 2024.

Nigeria’s budgets in ₦/$ since 1999

1999 – ₦407 billion ($18.59 billion)
2000 – ₦702 billion ($8.16 billion)
2001 – ₦1.318 trillion ($13.31 billion)
2002 – ₦1.0648 trillion ($9.77 billion)
2003 – ₦1.45 trillion ($12.72 billion)
2004 – ₦1.3 trillion ($10.24 billion)
2005 – ₦1.8 trillion ($14.01 billion)
2006 – ₦1.88 trillion ($14.63 billion)
2007 – ₦2.39 trillion ($19.92 billion)
2008 – ₦2.74 trillion ($23.03 billion)
2009 – ₦3.049 trillion ($21.03 billion)
2010 – ₦5.16 trillion ($34.4 billion)
2011 – ₦4.972 trillion ($33.15 billion)
2012 – ₦5.0386 trillion ($32.93 billion)
2013 – ₦4.987 trillion ($31.17 billion)
2014 – ₦5.23 trillion ($32.67 billion)
2015 – ₦5.6425 trillion ($29.67 billion)
2016 – ₦6.061 trillion ($30.74 billion)
2017 – ₦7.441 trillion ($24.40 billion)
2018 – ₦9.12 trillion ($29.90 billion)
2019 – ₦8.92 trillion ($29.25 billion)
2020 – ₦10.59 trillion ($29.42 billion)
2021 – ₦14.573 trillion ($38.45 billion)
2022 – ₦17.908 trillion ($43.66 billion)
2023 – ₦24.007 trillion ($55.10 billion)
2024 – ₦35.055 trillion ($43.82 billion)
2025 – ₦49.74 trillion ($33.16 billion)
Total – ₦232.546 trillion ($667.887 billion)

A recent social media feud between popular singer, Burna Boy and socialite, Cubana Chief Priest has taken a new turn, with Speed Darlington’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, challenging the Grammy-winning artist to arrest Chief Priest for defamation.

This comes after Chief Priest claimed that Burna Boy had an illicit relationship with American music executive Diddy to win a Grammy.

Recall that Speed Darlington was previously arrested for making similar claims.

The controversy began when Burna Boy threw a shade at Chief Priest, prompting the socialite to respond with a series of posts, including the allegation about Burna Boy’s relationship with Diddy.

Reacting to this, Stan Alieke, Speed Darlington’s lawyer, called out Burna Boy to take action against Chief Priest, citing the singer’s previous petition, which claimed that the defamation caused “irreparable damage” to his reputation and led to lost gigs.

Alieke argued that if Burna Boy fails to take action against Chief Priest, it may be perceived as cowardice.

On his Instastory, Alieke wrote:

“Your petition claims that the Diddy and baby oil banter has caused ‘irreparable damage to your international reputation and has made you lose a lot of gigs.’

“Hey, another person with more reach and influence just referenced the baby oil and Diddy banter so the world is expecting you to engage the police and arrest him since that’s your modus operandi or the street will interpret it as cowardice.

“Well, I’m just a lawyer that wants justice to go round.”

Operatives of the Odeda Division of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested Akintoye Waris for allegedly stealing and slaughtering a Savannah he-goat valued at N200,000 for his child’s naming.

The spokesperson for the command, Omolola Odutola, on Saturday, revealed that Waris was arrested on January 2, 2024, in the Odeda Area of the state, along with his accomplice, Ajayi Yusuf.

The suspects had allegedly invaded a farm in the area to steal the goat, having ensured that the farm owner, simply known as Mark, had taken the cattle for grazing on December 25.

Odutola stated that after discovering one of the goats was missing upon his return, a search was conducted in the community.

During the search, the police said some villagers confirmed seeing the two suspects with the missing goat on a motorcycle, heading toward Olodo town.

The command noted that while acting on the tip-off, detectives were immediately dispatched, leading to the arrest of the suspects in the early hours of January 2, 2025.

Odutola stated, “During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, explaining how they stole, transported, and later slaughtered the he-goat on December 27, 2024.

“They disclosed that the goat was used to prepare food for the naming ceremony of Akintoye Warris’s daughter, which was held at Olodo.

“The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation at the Divisional Crime Branch.”

She assured the concerned residents that the suspects would be prosecuted in court once the investigation is concluded and added that any further developments in the case would be communicated in due course.