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Former Big Brother Naija reality star, Kiddwaya has revealed his intention to get married next year.
He revealed this on X while interacting with his followers on Monday.
“I’m officially settling down next year. I’m taking myself off the market,” he wrote.
Recall that Kiddwaya and his Caucasian fiancee, Laura, reportedly fell apart after she unfollowed him on Instagram for admitting to kissing a female colleague, Mercy Eke, during the Big Brother Naija All Stars show in 2023.
After his eviction from the show, Kiddwaya had expressed optimism that his fiancée would “come around”.
However, it’s unclear whether the two later reconciled after the incident.
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.
[DailyPost]
Rabiu Kwankwaso, the National leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP has made a denial.
He denied having an agreement with the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart from Labour Party Peter Obi.
Kwankwaso said claims of him ruling Nigeria for four years, Atiku ruling former four years, while Obi for eight years was false.
Speaking in an interview with BBC, the former Kano State governor said he was unaware of such a plan.
He, however, admitted to have heard that members of Atiku’s camp consulting and having meetings with regional leaders and clerics to push such narrative.
According to Kwankwaso: “I did not appreciate this at all.
“They were told that I had agreed to a deal where Atiku would serve for four years, I would serve for another four years, and Peter Obi would serve for eight years.
“This is completely false; such an agreement never existed.
“Such lies and deceit are precisely why we left. Myself, Peter Obi, Wike, and others all left.
“Now they are coming back, asking us to help those who humiliated us to achieve their goals.”
Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) has celebrated 24th wedding anniversary with his wife, Jumobi Adegbesan.
He took to his Instagram page to thank God for his goodness in their lives.
He wrote:
“24 and counting… Thanking God for His grace and mercy, which are sufficient to overcome it all. Happy Wedding Anniversary, Abiks.”
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.
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]
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the final say on the purported exit of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, in January 2025.
However, NNPC described Kyari exit claims in January 2025 as false.
NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye told DAILY POST exclusively in an interview on Monday.
This comes as some industrial stakeholders believe that Kyari, who would turn 60 years on January 8, 2025, may retire from service and be replaced with one Bayo Ojulari.
Reacting, Soneye said the claims are rumors and false.
According to him, Kyari has his time and tenure in the NNPC; however, it is the prerogative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to keep or fire the company’s GCEO.
“I don’t know anything about that; all those things are rumors and false. The man (Mele Kyari) has his time and tenure; the president has the final say. As the Minister of Petroleum, anything he wants to do, he will do. For us, it is to continue with our work and do it right.”
He further explained that NNPCL’s appointments are based on expertise, skills, and ability to deliver, not on ethnicity, religion, or other sentiments.
“This is a global energy company. Movement in the company is based on expertise, skills, and ability to deliver, not on the basis that you are from X, Y, or Z; you are Muslim or Christian. Gone are the days we did that; if we do that, we cannot have foreigners working for us. We have Dutch, American, and British managing directors of our businesses. If we are doing only Muslim, Christian, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, we won’t have them. Where we have Nigerians that can deliver, they are there. We, the company, look for professionals that can deliver,” he told DAILY POST.
This comes as some other players in the oil and gas sector stated that the GCEO’s tenure is expected to terminate in 2027, in line with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which states that, “The composition of the Board of the NNPC Limited shall be determined in accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act and its Articles of Association.”
DAILY POST reports that Kyari, alongside the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, are appointees of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari who have survived President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sack sledgehammer.
This comes as Kyari, in November 2023, was reappointed by Tinubu to continue to lead the country’s oil behemoth, its management board chairman, and members.
Recently, United States-based Nigerian professor of journalism Farooq Kperogi stirred controversy over Tinubu’s key appointments into NNPC.
Kperogi, in an article titled ‘Tinubu’s Buharisation of the NNPC,’ accused Tinubu of ethnic bias in his appointments at NNPCL in the manner former President Muhammadu Buhari did.
Reacting to Kperogi’s article, the ex-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, chided Tinubu, saying two wrongs cannot make a right and therefore urged that inclusion in NNPC would have trumped exclusion.
However, the presidency, through Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said El-Rufai is taking a cheap shot against the president.
Earlier, former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani faulted El-Rufai’s alleged nepotism claim at NNPCL.
DAILY POST recalls that in November 2024, NNPC appointed Adedapo Segun as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), taking over the position from Mr. Umar Ajiya.
Similarly, the company announced the appointments of Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Downstream, and Mr. Udobong Ntia as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream.
In July 2022, the oil firm transitioned from a public corporation to a limited liability company.
[DailyPost]
More...
Details about how the National Assembly plans to pass the proposed N49.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill have emerged.
According to the legislative timeline, the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriations will lay its report on the budget on Friday, 31 January 2025, setting the stage for its anticipated passage in early February.
The National Assembly’s timetable noted that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are expected to defend their allocations before the relevant committees starting Monday, 7 January 2025.
A memo obtained by our correspondent in Abuja revealed that the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Finance will meet with key government officials on Friday, 7 January, at 2 p.m.
These officials include Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation.
Joint budget defence sessions between the Senate and House of Representatives’ appropriations subcommittees, alongside relevant MDAs, will begin on Wednesday, 8 January, and continue until Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
The timetable indicates that the Appropriations Committee will present its final report on the budget on Friday, 31 January 2025.
Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, confirmed the timeline in Abuja.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the N49.7 trillion budget proposal, titled “The 2025 Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” during a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives on 18 December 2024.
The President highlighted the budget’s focus on securing peace, fostering prosperity, and ensuring hope for a greater future for Nigeria.
The Senate passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill for a second reading on 19 December, following a debate on its objectives and principles.
It was then referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Solomon Adeola (APC – Ogun West), for further scrutiny.
The House of Representatives also advanced the Bill to its Committee on Appropriations for additional legislative work.
With the legislative process underway, all indications point to the budget’s passage in early February 2025.
[TheNation]
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed Nigeria’s current challenges to both the actions of its leaders and the contributions of its followers.
Despite the difficulties facing the country, Obasanjo urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and not lose faith as the new year begins.
During an appearance on the Arise TV Morning Show on Monday, Obasanjo expressed confidence that Nigeria will soon assume its rightful position among nations, emphasising that he remains a steadfast optimist about the country’s future.
He said, “We wish all Nigerians a happy and prosperous new year, and I will say to Nigerians, We’re going through hardship, but they should never lose hope. I’m an incurable optimist about Nigeria, and we have a great country.
“Where we are is not where God wants us to be, and I believe that sooner than later we will get to where God wants us to be. God wants Nigeria to be a land flowing with milk and honey, not a desert, a basket case, or a failed country.
“That we’re where we are is either by inadvertent or advertent actions of our leaders and followers to some extent, but God is God of great things for Nigeria. I believe God has great things for Nigeria in the immediate future.”
Obasanjo also addressed the issue of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s previous remarks about Nigeria, emphasising the need for Nigeria to find a way to make Trump understand that the country is not what he described.
“Whether anybody likes it or not, the American people have decided that Trump will be their leader, and Trump, being the American people’s leader, will lead America for the next four years and will be the leader of the world.
“America is the greatest country in the world for now. It may change in a few years. Maybe China will take over and become the largest economy or surpass America in terms of technology or military power, but for today America is that country, and we cannot say we have nothing to do with Trump.
“We have to find a way of letting Trump know that what he calls a ‘shithole’ is not it, and we have to make him understand that. I believe that there will be policymakers around him that we can reach and talk to.
“America has an enlightened interest in Africa, and we must tell him, ‘This is your interest, and don’t ignore it. We’re ready to work with you; give us the respect and dignity that is due to us, respect our citizens who are in your country, and let us work together for a peaceful world. A world that is secured, stable, and where prosperity is shared and security will be common for everybody.’ I believe Trump will understand that.”
[Vanguard]
Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president, has condemned a “military parade” accorded Seyi, son of President Bola Tinubu.
A viral video appeared to show the president’s son inspecting a guard mounted in his honour.
In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, Abubakar demanded an investigation into the incident, saying it was a gross violation of military tradition.
“It is with utter dismay and concern that Nigerians were subjected to a nauseating video circulating online, where a group of young men, armed and in full military procession, bestowed upon the President’s son unwarranted military honours,” the statement signed by Paul Ibe, Abubakar’s media adviser, reads.
Abubakar said the group, identified as the ‘Nigeria Cadet Network’, is not a recognised entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He said it was “disturbing that the name ‘Cadet’, associated with young, formally trained military personnel, was exploited by civilians to tarnish the esteemed traditions of the military”.
“In an effort to uncover the truth behind this shameless procession, we instructed our legal team and military experts to investigate the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network’,” he said.
“To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity. What is even more alarming is the brazen use of firearms by civilians in this so-called parade — at a time when illegal arms proliferation is at a dangerous high in our country.”
Abubakar said the probe should ascertain the legitimacy of the ‘Nigeria Cadet Network’ and its use of the cadet when it is not a registered entity, the legality of the firearms displayed, and the propriety of the military honours granted to the president’s son by non-commissioned civilians under the protection of security personnel.
The politician added that preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces should be paramount.
“If it is determined that any legal violations were committed by the President’s son or members of the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’ it is the constitutional duty of Nigerian security agencies to ensure that the law takes its course and those responsible are held accountable,” Abubakar said.
[TheCable]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its will auction 15,325 litres of seized premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, to ease transportation during the festive period.
Hussein Ejibunu, national coordinator of the service’s operation whirlwind, made the announcement on Saturday at a press briefing held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos state.
Ejibunu said the product, valued at N27.5 million, was seized during operations in Lagos and Ogun states.
He said Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general of customs, has directed that the products be auctioned at the rate of N10,000 per 25 litres.
The coordinator further said a court condemnation order and all legal processes have been finalised by the office of the legal adviser to aid the auctioning.
“This operation has been on since 27 May 2024 and has yielded positive results, as the CGC has urged the operatives to continue sustaining the tempo until the activities of these economic saboteurs are stamped out of this country,” Ejibunu said.
“On this note, the CGC has directed Auctions of the seized product to members of the public at the rate of N10,000 per 25 litres. This will ease the transportation hardship during this festive period.”
