...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.

A former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tony Okeke has criticised the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and that of his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari. 

Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), took over from Buhari, his party member, in May 2023.

But Okeke claims both men have taken the country backward. The former PDP spokesman said this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. 

“In law, we say you cannot build something on nothing. The last administration [of Buhari] took this country like 50 years back. The present administration, I think, is trying to take us like 100 years back,” the PDP chieftain said on the show.

“The election of 2023 would have been the easiest election for the PDP to win because there were eight years of monumental disaster by the Buhari administration. People were fed up because the APC had nothing to offer,” Okeke said, blaming his party for its loss in that exercise.

Watch his interview below:

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has warmed that the police authorities would not tolerate the killing of policemen or assault on them in 2025.

He gave the warning while addressing personnel of the force during a visit to the  Enugu State Police Command.

He further warned that it is criminal to assault policemen, stating that any further assault on any of them would receive appropriate response this year.

He said the federal government is very passionate about the welfare of policemen.

Earlier at the Government House, Enugu, the Inspector General commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for his support to the Nigeria Police.

“I want to start by expressing our profound appreciation to the Governor of Enugu State for the support that you have given to the Nigeria Police Force in our quest to provide and ensure peace and security in Enugu State. Your commitment to our shared goal of a safer Nigeria is truly commendable.

“You are doing great things in Enugu State. The report I have been getting in Enugu has been truly good. I am very happy and glad to hear the force of work you are doing in the state to ensure that the people of Enugu State enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“Importantly, I congratulate you on your giant strides in the area of security and other areas.  I am pleased to note that the collaboration between the Nigeria Police and Enugu State government has continued to yield excellent results; and we are determined to build on this success.

“In 2025, I want to let you know that we are committed to pursuing our policing vision more vigorously. We will prioritise community engagement, professionalism, and the ethical conduct of our officers.

“I am very confident that with your support we are going to overcome all the challenges that we are facing presently and ensure that Nigeria becomes safer for all of us,” he said.

Governor Mbah thanked the IGP for the strong support given to his administration to fight crime and secure lives and property.

“We cannot thank you enough for the interest you have shown and continued to show in the security matters of Enugu State. You may not have been here before now, but from the outset, we have felt your presence here because you have provided us with all the support, both material and human, that we need to fight the challenges of insecurity to a standstill.

“We had a meeting on how to address the security challenges in Enugu and without sparing any time, you provided us with all the support to ensure we have special forces here. You provided us with the equipment.

“This is very important to us because the plan we have to grow our economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion can only happen with security in place. Businesses can deal with financial and commercial risks, but cannot deal with security risks, which is why we thought that for that growth to materialise, we will provide security. So, you have been a very strong pillar of support to the government,” he stated.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has dissolved the Nasarawa State Executive Council.

He announced the dissolution during an executive council meeting on Friday, 3rd January 2025.

The governor appreciated the outgone commissioners and the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State for the services rendered to the Government and people of Nasarawa State and wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours.

The outgone commissioners have been directed to hand over the affairs of their Ministries and all government property in their possession to the Permanent Secretaries of their respective Ministries.

In the same vein, the outgone Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State is also directed to handover to the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs and Special Services.