The Federal Government has announced the addition of hairstyling, plumbing, GSM repair, makeup and 12 other new trades/new subjects to the basic education curriculum.

The development comes following ongoing reforms in various sectors of the economy.

A statement issued by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the new trades were added to the Basic Education curriculum to boost students’ practical skills and employability.

The new subjects include plumbing; tiling and floor works; POP installation; event decoration and management; bakery and confectioneries; hairstyling; makeup; interior design; GSM repairs and satellite/TV antenna installation.

Others are CCTV and intercom installation and maintenance; solar installation and maintenance; garment making; agriculture and processing (including crop production, beekeeping, horticulture and livestock farming like poultry and rabbit rearing), and basic digital literacy (including IT and robotics).

The statement noted that the new subjects will take effect from January 2025 for primary and junior secondary students across the country.

Bandits have demanded a ransom of ₦540 million for the victims abducted during an attack on a General Hospital in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Naija News recalls that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, left a medical doctor, Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire, and another individual with gunshot injuries.

Dr. Dandashire sustained a gunshot wound during the raid, while several staff members were kidnapped.

Among the abductees is the Assistant Director of Nursing Services and head of the nursing department at the hospital, Yusuf Muhammad Mairuwa.

According to Daily Post, sources disclosed that the bandits are demanding ₦270 million for the release of Mairuwa and an additional ₦270 million for the other hospital staff and workers from a nearby fertilizer factory who were also kidnapped during the incident.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has condemned the attack, expressing his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of health workers.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Governor Radda acknowledged the progress made in reducing similar attacks but emphasized that the mission remains incomplete.

“We are restrategising our security approach to ensure that our medical professionals can perform their vital duties without fear.

“The safety of our healthcare workers and residents remains our paramount concern,” the governor assured.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has disclosed that the Federal Government saved as much as $10 billion in 2023 due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

The lawmaker made the disclosure during a meeting with some investors and a group of scholars at Oxford University in London on the sidelines of his ongoing United Kingdom-Nigeria Parliamentary Strategic Dialogue working visit to the United Kingdom.

He explained that removing fuel subsidy has positively affected the economy, adding that the policy led to a 22 percent increase in dollar remittances from the Diaspora, totalling $28 billion in 2024.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Friday, said the Deputy Speaker spoke on politics, security, economy, and development with the team led by Peter Claus, a Prof. of History and Access Fellow at Pembroke College, University of Oxford.

The Deputy Speaker noted that the removal of the subsidy had enabled the Federal Government to redirect funds to critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

He has also disclosed that synergy between the Nigerian armed forces and regional counterparts has resulted in the capture of over 1,500 insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin.

In the development sector, the Deputy Speaker said the government has launched various initiatives to promote technological advancement and innovation.

The statement quoted Kalu as saying, “The removal of the fuel subsidy saved the government $10 billion in 2023, redirecting funds to healthcare, education, and infrastructure, while dollar remittances from the Diaspora have increased by as much as 22 per cent, totaling $28 bn.”

Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari have testified before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris, France, denying claims that the Federal Government awarded a $6 billion contract for the Mambilla Power Project in Taraba State to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

The arbitration case was initiated by Sunrise Power and its founder, Leno Adesanya, who are demanding $2.3 billion in compensation over an alleged breach of contract by the Federal Government.

In their testimonies, Naija News understands that Obasanjo and Buhari argued that the alleged 2003 agreement between the Federal Government and Sunrise Power is invalid.

They maintained that Sunrise obtained a letter of award, signed by a former Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, just 24 hours after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected the company’s proposal.

The former presidents urged the arbitration court to disregard the document, asserting it was not a legitimate government contract.

Agunloye, who served as Minister of Power during Obasanjo’s administration, is currently facing trial in Abuja on charges of forgery, disobedience of a presidential directive, and corruption concerning the Mambilla project.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Agunloye of awarding a contract for the construction of the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station to Sunrise Power without budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.

Agunloye has dismissed the allegations, claiming the government is using him as a scapegoat to discredit Sunrise’s case before the arbitration panel.

Corroborated Testimonies

The former presidents’ testimonies were supported by current Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), former Justice Minister Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Power Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and former Water Resources Minister Engr. Suleiman Adamu.

Reports also indicated that former Justice Minister Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) was briefly present in Paris, although it was unclear whether he appeared for the Federal Government or Sunrise Power.

As of Thursday evening, Sunrise Power and its founder, Leno Adesanya, had yet to produce any witnesses at the arbitration hearing.

A source at the proceedings who spoke with TheNation said Obasanjo and Buhari were at their best to “defend the interest of Nigeria.”

The source added, “It is very important for nation’s case that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, was successful in bringing two former presidents – Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari to testify at the hearing

“By this action, the government of Nigeria sent a signal of its strong commitment to defending the nation’s interest.

“Both leaders-Obasanjo and Buhari-are known for speaking forthrightly and unequivocally, and this they were said to have exhibited in Paris.

“To the delight of the international team of lawyers representing Nigeria, the two past presidents did extremely well, exposing the Sunrise/Leno’s claim for what it is: an attempt at using fraud, deceit and lies to scoop settlement from Nigeria in the first instance, for the alleged violation of a 2003 contract for which there is no valid approval.”

The source branded Nigeria’s witnesses as “Team Nigeria” and united.

According to the source, “It was by and large a great showing, consolidated by the equally outstanding testimonies of former ministers Engineer Sulaiman Adamu, formerly of Water Resources, and Babatunde Raji Fashola, Power.

“The Arbitration Court in France had a week-long hearing 18th-23rd January in Paris on the ongoing dispute between Sunrise Company/Leno Adesanya and the government of Nigeria on the existence or the absence of a contract for the construction of the Mambilla Power Project.

“Although it is up to the chairman and other members of the tribunal to decide on who is right and who is wrong, it can be said at this point that Nigeria had a very good outing on the basis of certain facts that have emerged from Paris.”

The source said Sunrise and Leno Adesanya had not been able to produce any major witness.

The source added: “It is evident from the proceedings that the case of the complainants was rooted in a purported 2003 agreement.

“The 2003 contract was established not to have been validly in existence. This is worsened by the fact that the complainants failed to produce their major witnesses.

“The much-touted appearance of a one-time Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, did not also materialise. He was the one who allegedly signed a letter communicating the approval of the contract 24 hours after its rejection by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which meeting was presided over by Obasanjo.

“A third ‘key witness” a Senegalese lady, did not also appear at the hearing.

“So who spoke for Sunrise/Leno Adesanya?

“He did everything for and by himself.

“Another major setback suffered by the complainants was their over-reliance on an earlier witness statement deposed to by Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General under President Buhari.”

Malami, on whose testimony the complainants made heavy weather, ended up lining up behind his former boss, President Buhari, to support and prepare him well for his (Buhari’s) testimony.

The source said, “This strategy had the dual benefits of ensuring Buhari’s successful testimony and at the same time pulling the rug from under Leno Adesanya’s feet.”

Veteran actress, Oluwabukola Ajoke, aka Bukky Wright has opened up about her time away from Nigeria and how she changed careers during her stay in the United States of America.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, she said, “I will be practising it (tech) simultaneously with entertainment. The fact that I had to deviate totally from entertainment to tech was something many people thought I would not be able to do. I would tell all my mentees that if I can do it, they can do it too.”

On what she missed the most about Nigeria while away, Wright said, “What I would love to eat again would be proper Naija amala. What I would like to do again would be to act with Nollywood actors.”

As for her highly anticipated return to Nollywood, the actress promised fans plenty of exciting projects ahead. She added, “I have a lot for fans, including my project— ‘The Return of Omotara Johnson’, which is coming and a whole lot of other things. I am back to stay.”

Sharing the secret to her timeless beauty, she quipped, “I don’t joke with my beauty sleep.”

FG to raise N450bn from Jan bond auction

Nigeria’s inaugural domestic dollar-denominated bond has contributed a substantial N1.47 trillion to the nation’s total domestic debt, latest domestic debt report from the Debt Management Office (DMO) has shown.

The bond accounts for 2.12% of Nigeria’s total domestic debt stock, which stood at N69.22 trillion as of September 30, 2024. Its issuance represents a milestone in the Federal Government’s strategy to diversify funding sources and attract foreign investment. Unlike naira-denominated instruments, this dollar bond offers investors a unique opportunity to participate in Nigeria’s economy while mitigating the currency risks associated with naira volatility.

This comes as the federal government, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), has announced plans to raise N450 billion in its January 2025 bond auction. This represents a notable increase from the N360 billion offered in January 2024 and the N120 billion issued in December 2024.

The initiative is a strategic move to address the fiscal deficit, fulfill financial obligations, and provide attractive investment opportunities for both institutional and individual investors. The January auction features a blend of reopened and new bond issuances, thoughtfully designed to appeal to a diverse range of investors.

The auction includes three bond categories, one of which is a five-year bond with a 19.30% coupon rate, initially issued in April 2029. Through the reopening of this bond, the government seeks to raise N100 billion, further reinforcing its commitment to effective debt management and economic stability.

Meanwhile, the domestic debt recorded mixed performance, declining by 5.34% in dollar terms from $48.45 billion in June to $45.87 billion in September. In naira terms, however, domestic debt increased by 3.10%, from N71.22 trillion to N73.43 trillion.

Federal Government bonds remained the largest component of domestic debt, increasing by 4.47% to N54.65 trillion in September, up from N52.32 trillion in June. This represents 78.95% of the total domestic debt stock, an increase from 78.13% in the previous quarter.

The second-largest domestic debt component, Treasury Bills, declined marginally by 0.66% to N11.73 trillion, from N11.81 trillion in the previous quarter. This reduction aligns with efforts to moderate short-term debt and mitigate rollover risks.

Promissory notes, used to settle government obligations, grew by 5.80%, increasing from N1.67 trillion in June to N1.77 trillion in September.

Federal Government Sukuk, an infrastructure funding instrument, declined by 9.14% to N992.56 billion, down from N1.09 trillion.

Savings bonds increased by 16.11% to N64.09 billion, reflecting growing retail investor participation. Green bonds remained unchanged at N15 billion, maintaining their minimal contribution of 0.02% to the domestic debt stock.

A Nigerian police officer, Inspector Lawal Ibrahim, has reportedly died following a sexual encounter with a woman he met on social media.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at Palasa Guest Inn in Gwagwalada, Abuja, where Ibrahim, who was attached to the Kwali Division, had checked in with Maryam Abba, a woman he had invited from Dutse, Jigawa State.

According to Abba, the pair engaged in sexual activity overnight and resumed in the morning. She recounted, “After the second round, I noticed his breathing became irregular and stopped abruptly. I sprinkled water on him to revive him, but it was to no avail.”

Abba alerted the hotel manager, Danlami Palasa, who in turn contacted the police. Officers arrived at the scene and transported Ibrahim to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

A police officer at the Gwagwalada Division, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and disclosed that Abba has been taken into custody for questioning.

Efforts to obtain a statement from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

Nigerian crossdresser and self-proclaimed transgender, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, better known as Bobrisky, has dropped a jaw-dropping bombshell about her marriage plans.

In a candid confession, Bobrisky revealed he is set to marry a man who, to the public’s surprise, is already married.

Amidst the excitement, the drama thickens, as he disclosed that the first wife of her soon-to-be husband is fiercely opposing their union, doing everything she can to put a stop to it. But Bobrisky declared he isn’t backing down.

He wrote;

“My husband to be is a married man and he’s married. Guys be ready bottle is gonna be flying btw myself and my (iyale) my husband first wife.

“She’s trying to stop us from getting married. And me I’m in love cos he spend a lot on me. I’m not leaving him”

SEE POST BELOW

Bobrisky’s highly anticipated marriage plans, sharing exclusive details about what promises to be an unforgettable wedding spectacle.

The Nigerian crossdresser revealed that the grand celebration will span multiple countries, adding an air of international extravagance to the event.

The influencer didn’t hold back when it came to the price tags for the event’s attire. Bobrisky disclosed that the female Aso Ebi would be a jaw-dropping ₦2 million, while the men’s cap would set attendees back ₦1 million. It’s clear that this wedding will be no ordinary affair.

To add to the allure, Bobrisky made it crystal clear that this celebration will be an exclusive affair, stating boldly, “Broke asses are not invited, please.”

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria after testifying in arbitration proceedings filed against Nigeria by Sunrise Power at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France.

In a video shared on Friday by Bashir Ahmad, his former aide, Buhari is seen disembarking from an aircraft upon his return from Paris.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria after defending the country before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris in connection with the $2.3 billion arbitration case filed by Sunrise Power. pic.twitter.com/WgDxJ8mKpt

 

 

 

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) January 24, 2025

Sunrise Power initiated arbitration proceedings against the federal government over an alleged breach of contract related to the controversial Mambilla hydropower project.

TheCable reported that former President Muhammadu Buhari was scheduled to testify during the arbitration proceedings in Paris, which began on Monday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also travelled to France to provide his testimony in the case.

Ahead of the proceedings, reports circulating on social media claimed that Buhari was forced to testify in a Paris court regarding the $6 billion power contract dispute.

In response to these claims, the presidency clarified that no one was compelled to testify in the case.

THE MAMBILLA POWER PROJECT SAGA

Sunrise had, on October 10, 2017, started arbitration against Nigeria at the tribunal, seeking a $2.354 billion award for “breach of contract” in relation to a 2003 agreement to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba state, on a “build, operate, and transfer” basis valued at $6 billion.

In the second arbitration case, the company is asking for a $400 million settlement over the alleged failure of the Nigerian government to honour the settlement agreement both parties entered into in 2020 to end the arbitration.

Obasanjo had also denied authorising Olu Agunloye, former minister of power and steel, to commit Nigeria to the $6 billion power contract.

In February 2024, Buhari said he never authorised any settlement agreement with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited on the Mambilla hydroelectric power project.

Sunrise Power’s hopes of securing a $2.35 billion award against Nigeria in the arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) over the disputed Mambilla hydropower project were badly hit during ongoing hearings in Paris, France, TheCable understands.

While Nigeria was defended by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari as well as former ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu who testified as factual witnesses, those who had been listed as witnesses by Sunrise did not show up.

The panel sittings started on Saturday, January 18, but the hearings from factual witnesses started on Monday, January 20, and ended on Thursday, January 23.

Obasanjo testified on Wednesday while Buhari took his turn on Thursday.

The sittings continue till next week but only expert opinions are still being taken.

The parties to the arbitration will then submit written submissions to the tribunal, after which they will get a date to adopt the addresses.

The tribunal will thereafter pick a date to announce its determination.

Arbitration hearings are bound by a confidentiality rule and are not meant to be reported in detail in the media.

HEAVYWEIGHT WITNESSES

Getting two former presidents to testify for Nigeria was a masterstroke — in the opinion of those familiar with the proceedings.

TheCable understands that Obasanjo and Buhari testified “strongly”, “frankly” and “unequivocally” that the award of the contract to Sunrise in 2003 was without valid approval and the 2020 settlement agreement also lacked legitimacy.

Fashola, who was minister of power from 2015 to 2019, testified along with Adamu, minister of water resources from 2019 to 2023.

Both former ministers reportedly articulated their testimonies on the loopholes that question the processes that produced the original contract as well as the settlement agreement now in dispute.

Witnesses were also called to give expert opinions on the differences between corruption in the West and Africa.

Sunrise is trying to argue that the payments traced to government officials were not bribes but African cultural obligations.

Nigeria presented an expert from the US while Sunrise fielded one from South Africa.

SUNSET FOR SUNRISE

For Sunrise, promoted by Leno Adesanya, its key witnesses failed to show up to adopt their statements, meaning their submissions are deemed abandoned and of no moment.

Olu Agunloye, the minster of power who awarded the contract to Sunrise in 2003 a day after it was turned down by the federal executive council (FEC), was listed as a witness but he did not show up.

He is currently being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his role in the saga.

Michael Aondoakaa, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) who was also listed as a witness by Sunrise, showed up briefly in Paris and returned to Nigeria without testifying.

He has since denied claims that he was  under duress from the Nigerian government to withdraw from the arbitration. This could have been argued as witness intimidation before the tribunal by Sunrise.

A third key witness — a Senegalese lady allegedly offered to Abubakar Malami, Buhari’s AGF, to induce him to sign the 2020 settlement agreement — also failed to show up to defend Sunrise.

TheCable understands that Malami, who had earlier submitted a witness statement which Sunrise was hoping to use against him at the tribunal, did not take the stand.

Malami instead lined up behind Buhari to prepare him for the testimony.

This ensured Buhari’s testimony was “successful” and also pulled the rug from under Adesanya’s feet, those familiar with the proceedings told TheCable.

THE MAMBILLA SAGA

Sunrise had, on October 10, 2017, started arbitration against Nigeria at the ICC International Court of Arbitration seeking a $2.354 billion award for “breach of contract” in relation to a 2003 agreement to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba state, on a “build, operate and transfer” basis valued at $6 billion.

In the second arbitration, the company is asking for a $400 million settlement being the terms of the Nigerian government failing to honour the settlement agreement both parties entered into in 2020 to end the arbitration.

In an interview with TheCable in 2023, Obasanjo challenged his former minister of power, Olu Agunloye, to tell Nigerians where he derived the authority to award the contract to Sunrise in 2003.

“When I was president, no minister had the power to approve more than N25 million without express presidential consent. It was impossible for Agunloye to commit my government to a $6 billion project without my permission and I did not give him any permission,” Obasanjo told TheCable.

“If a commission of inquiry is set up today to investigate the matter, I am ready to testify. I do not even need to testify because all the records are there. I never approved it.

“When he presented his memo to the federal executive council (on May 21, 2003), I was surprised because he had previously discussed it with me and I had told him to jettison the idea, that I had other ideas on how the power sector would be restructured and funded.

“I told him as much at the council meeting and directed him to step down the memo. I find it surprising that Agunloye is now claiming he acted on behalf of Nigeria. If I knew he issued such a letter to Sunrise, I would have sacked him as minister during my second term. He would not have spent a day longer in office.”

Buhari, on his part, denied authorising the settlement agreement of 2020.

“While I understood that my ministers of justice, power and water resources were approached by Sunrise and were engaging with various stakeholders that were involved in the project to resolve the issues blocking the project’s implementation, at no time did I specifically instruct them to enter into and conclude any settlement agreement with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited,” he wrote to Fagbemi.

“Indeed, when the proposed settlement agreement and addendum were presented to me for my consideration and approval on 20th April 2020, I refused to approve the settlement deal because I was convinced that there was no basis for Sunrise’s claim.

“I hope the above clarifications will assist you in your defence of our country from these ‘invisible contractors who all too often quietly take Nigeria for many millions in out-of-court settlements’, as I stated in my recent statement regarding Nigeria’s victory in the P&ID saga.”