Al Nassr are making efforts to sign Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen before the end of the winter transfer window.

The Saudi Arabian club is looking to bring in Victor Boniface to fill the void left by Anderson Talisca, who is set to transfer to Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared this on his official X page on Monday, January 27.

Romano wrote, “Al Nassr have initiated official talks for Victor Boniface as their new striker! Negotiations are underway with Bayer Leverkusen to secure the Nigerian talent to succeed Talisca. Another potential candidate is Jhon Durán, but Aston Villa remains determined to retain him.”

Despite recently extending his contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2026, making him one of the top earners at the club, Boniface is not deemed unsellable. It’s anticipated that Leverkusen will seek at least €50 million for the 24-year-old striker from prospective clubs.

Meanwhile, Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers has said he is not rushing to leave the Light Blues this month.

After losing his starting position to Hamza Igamane, Dessers has been the subject of transfer speculation. However, he remains focused on his performances, having scored six goals in his last four matches for Philippe Clement’s team.

In an interview with Daily Record, Dessers indicated he has not yet engaged with senior figures at Rangers about a potential departure. “I have not had any talks. I’m focusing on my football and the events on the pitch,” he said.

“What I can control is my performance. I’m enjoying being on the field with my teammates, fighting for points, and contributing. I have unfinished business at Rangers, which is why I’ve been pushing hard in training and maximizing my minutes.”

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has announced the commencement of the process for recruitment of Nigerians into the Federal Civil Service.

This was made known in a statement on Monday by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Taiwo Hassan.

The vacancy announcement was published on the Commission’s website and also announced in several national dailies.

Applicants who are physically challenged should state the nature of their disability.

Applicants are to upload the following documents as applicable:
i. Curriculum Vitae
ii. Ph.D/Master’s Degree Certificate
iii. Degree/HND/NCE Certificate
iv. WAEC/NECO/NABTEB Certificate
v. Primary School Certificate
vi. NYSC discharge/exemption/exclusion certificate
vii. Birth Certificate/Declaration of Age
viii. Local Government Identification
ix. Recent Passport photograph

Naija News reports the deadline for the submission of applications is Monday, 10th March, 2025.

Eligible applicants are to apply for only one position via the application link: https://recruitment.fedcivilservice.gov.ng.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerian universities that his administration was committed to addressing challenges confronting the university system.

Naija News reports the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, stated this as she represented the President at the 44th Convocation Ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on Saturday.

Tinubu challenged universities to intensify research efforts and bring out practical solutions to challenges affecting the economy.

Former presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has accused the Kano State Command of the Nigeria Police Force of acting in an unprofessional manner.

Kwankwaso, accused the Kano Police Command of issuing a false security alert in an attempt to prevent the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order’s annual Maulud celebration from taking place.

According to him, the action not only jeopardized the success of the gathering, but put the lives of the people of the state at risk. 

Naija News recalls Kano Police had, on Friday, issued a terror alert on the eve of the planned gathering of the celebration scheduled for the Sani Abacha Stadium, saying terrorists planned to attack public gatherings in the state.

However, Kwankwaso, in a reaction on Monday via his account on the X platform, said the Police took a partisan decision by allowing itself to be used by the federal government in dabbling into the affairs of Kano State.

He said the alert issued by the Police turned out to be false and left a bad impression about the conduct, integrity, and activities of the Police.

While congratulating the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order, their Spiritual Leader, Shiekh Ibrahim Inyass, the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, and the Governor of the state, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for successfully hosting the event, Kwankwaso went ahead to caution the federal government against interfering in the local activities of Kano State.

He said: “I wish to congratulate the Tijjaniyya Sufi Order on the successful completion of the annual maulud of Shiekh Ibrahim Inyass, their Spiritual Leader, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

“I particularly felicitate with His Royal Highness, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano and His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State for successfully organising the monumental event.

“However, I am concerned by a ‘terror alert’ from the Kano State Police Command on the eve of the event. This alert, not only jeopardised the success of the gathering, but put the lives of the people of the state at risk by creating palpable fear among the people of Kano, those that came from other countries and parts of Nigeria.

“Such conduct by the police, which has already been marked as a willing partner for the Federal Government in its habitual dabbling into the affairs of Kano State further puts its integrity in doubt.

“Issuing a threat alert of this magnitude, which later turns out to be false sets a dangerous precedent. I am afraid that it will lead to people to be complacent in the event of a genuine threat in the future.

“Due to the international nature of the event, the conduct of the police leadership in Kano also leaves a bad impression of the Nigeria Police Force globally.

“I urge the Police Force in Kano to be professional and avoid being identified as deeply partisan in the affairs of Kano State and in other parts of the country.

“For the umpteenth time, I also urge the Federal Government to avoid dragging itself into unpleasant situations by further putting its hands in affairs that are strictly under the jurisdiction of the good people of Kano State and its Government

The Federal Government has commenced the selection process for a new Accountant General of the Federation and is also working to fill vacancies for permanent secretaries within the Federal Civil Service.

A memo dated 24 January 2025 from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office, Fatima Mahmoud, outlined the timeline for the process.

The memo was sent to the Offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, ministers, and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies.

Naija News recalls that in December 2024, President Bola Tinubu appointed Babatunde Ogunjimi as acting Accountant General following the commencement of pre-retirement leave by the then-AGF, Dr Oluwatoyin Madein.

The appointment was announced in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

However, Dr Madein’s tenure was subsequently extended until 7 March 2025 by a directive from the Head of Service, allowing her to return to her duties.

This decision led to the reassignment of Ogunjimi, who was redeployed to the Public Service Institute of Nigeria as Director of Accounts.

Spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General, Bawa Mokwa, clarified that civil service regulations permit terminal leave to be optional.

He noted that Dr Madein’s reinstatement raised questions within the treasury department regarding its impact on Ogunjimi’s acting appointment.

Recruitment Process for Accountant General

The memo from the Head of Service detailed the accreditation process for candidates, set to begin on 28 January and end on 1 February 2025.

It also outlined the examination schedule for eligible candidates:

– Stage 1: Written Examination for eligible Candidates from North-West Zone and Oyo State on Monday, February 10, 2025.

– Stage 2: Written Examination for eligible Candidates/Directors (Accounts) in the Pool of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation on February 11, 2025.

– Subsequent Stages: Computer-based tests scheduled for 12 and 13 February 2025.

– Final Stage: Oral interviews to take place on 14 February 2025

A report has claimed that some lawmakers in the National Assembly have set up a bribery scheme targeting federal universities and other tertiary institutions in the country.

According to the report by Premium Times, lawmakers are using intimidation and threats to force the heads of universities to pay ₦8 million each to approve their allocations in the 2025 budgets.

The extortion scheme allegedly involves senators and members of the House of Representatives.

The lawmakers, operating through the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund and the House Committee on University Education, are demanding money from universities to approve their budgets.

Using an elaborate and complex system created by the lawmakers, 60 federal university vice chancellors are required to pay ₦8 million each (₦4 million each to Senate and House Committees).

The lawmakers are expecting ₦480 million from the extortion, and they have assigned two vice chancellors from the North Central and North West geopolitical zones to coordinate the payments to avoid detection.

It was gathered that the House Committee, chaired by Hassan Fulata (APC, Jigawa), set the extortion scheme in motion on 16 January during a meeting with some vice chancellors. At the meeting, the VCs were given clear and firm instructions about what was expected of them.

Initially scheduled for 10 a.m. that day, the meeting was delayed until 3 p.m. due to behind-the-scenes discussions between lawmakers and some vice chancellors.

Speaking anonymously to the aforementioned publication, one of the vice chancellors said the lawmakers were explicit in their demands.

The source revealed that the lawmakers criticised the vice chancellors for not cooperating, unlike other institutions that comply without resistance.

At one point, the tone of the meeting became more threatening. Sources at the meeting said the committee members “cajoled, threatened, and even humiliated” some vice chancellors.

“They threatened us with probes if we failed to play ball with them.

“Most other agencies are not grumbling like the VCs”, one attendee told the publication.

The majority of the vice chancellors reportedly grumbled and complained about the lawmakers’ demands, expressing frustration over the repeated extortion.

However, the more they complained, the more aggressive the lawmakers became, escalating their threats of probes

 32-year-old murder suspect, Timileyin Ajayi, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu.

Naija News reports that the suspect was arraigned on Monday at the High Court of Justice in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

He was charged with one count of culpable homicide punishable by death, contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.

However, upon his arraignment before Justice Simon Aboki, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Meanwhile, Timileyin Ajayi has stated that he feels no regret in killing his alleged girlfriend, Salome.

Recall the suspect was apprehended for the alleged murder of a 24-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving at Nicon Insurance in the Nation’s capital, Abuja.

Adaidu was murdered when she visited the suspect at his house in the Papalana axis at New Karshi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The suspect was nabbed Sunday, January 12, while trying to dispose of the head of the deceased after killing her and dismembering her body parts when she visited him at his house.

Speaking to Channels Television, Ajayi stated that he did not plan to kill Adaidu, but that he carried out the act because they do not have time for each other

Media personality, Toke Makinwa has reacted to the alleged spilt between Afrobeats veteran, Innocent idibia, popularly known as 2baba, and his wife of 12 years, Anne Idibia.

Recall that the singer had announced the separation in an Instagram post on Sunday.

He wrote, “Hello my beautiful people of all federation. Well this thing I have to say short but also long… I and Annie Macauley have been separated for a while now, and currently filed for divorce.

“I would grant a press release soon to say my story. Not because it is anyone’s right to know about my personal life, but because I love my people and I want them to know my innocence or offense. Stay bless my people.”

Reacting to 2baba’s post, Makinwa slammed the singer for taking to social media to announce his separation and imminent divorce from his wife.

While reacting to a video 2face posted confirming his separation, Toke wrote, “This is wrong on all levels and you should be ashamed of yourself for bringing this here. Bring it on, if you think she’s alone let me tell you here that you’ll have to f!ght all of us.”

She called on other women to stand up in defence for Annie.

A nationwide protest is currently brewing in Nigeria following the recent approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, for telecommunication operators to increase tariff by 50%.

DAILY POST reports that following the mounting financial struggles birthed by the devaluation of the naira and increasing operational costs in Africa’s most populous nation, telecom operators like MTN and Airtel had demanded a 100% tariff increase.

However, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, on Monday, January 20 announced the approval of a 50% tariff increase.

By the time the Mobil Network Operators implement the approved tariff, Nigerians are expected to pay N16.5 per minute for calls from N11, the cost of SMS to N6 from N4, and the cost of 1 gigabit of data – N431.25.

There are, however, stiff oppositions from some stakeholders, who argued that the increment is coming at the wrong time, citing the economic hardship bedeviling the nation at the moment.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC had, while reacting to the proposed tariff increase, rallied Nigerians to reject “another harsh burden”, threatening to mobilize workers to boycott telecom services.

Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC described the tariff scheduled to begin in February as outrageous, lamenting that it will worsen the harsh living conditions of workers and Nigerians.

Halt the tariff hike now – Yunusa Tanko tells FG

In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Saturday, the National Coordinator, OBIDIENT Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko urged the Federal Government to halt the tariff increase, saying it is a “wrong timing, wrong action and wrong choice”.

According to him, a “50% tariff increase by the NCC at this time is only a final burial to the already struggling economy.

“All sectors of the economy need adequate communication to keep up with their game; the outturn will be spontaneous”.

Yunusa lamented that there “was an influx of 14 million Nigerians into poverty in one year, caused by uninformed government policies and poor economic decisions”, stressing that the country has “never experienced this height of surge since her independence”.

He appealed to the NCC and the Communications and Digital Economy Ministry to “thread cautiously and wisely, get the data right, opt for accurate information, do their analysis objectively, consider the post and aftermath of such actions, and always put the interest of the Nigerian people first.

“Have we thought about what would happen to the SMEs, SMSE, etc? Communication is the life wire of any nation.

“We are yet to recover from the inflation surge affecting basically all foodstuffs and household items, high cost of transportation and other internal disruptions caused by the fuel subsidy removal and other government policies.

“In a nutshell, a 50% tariff hike is a no no no for me; wrong timing; wrong action; wrong choice: and probably wrong outcome.

“The NCC should adopt an immediate reversal of the hike, substantially plan for it, and if there is any need for implementation after a period of time, not 50%. 15% will do”.

Nigerians plan nationwide protest

Irked by the development, DAILY POST gathered on Saturday that a cross section of Nigerians are currently planning to stage protests across the nation to compel the government agency to reverse its decision.

Popular Nigerian activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore told DAILY POST on Saturday that discussions on the nationwide protest are underway.

In a chat with our correspondent, Sowore, who described the tariff increase as unjust, said he recently met with the leadership of the NLC to harmonize plans for nationwide actions to reverse the decision.

“I met with the NLC leadership yesterday to discuss possible nationwide action against this unjust and backbreaking tarring increase.

“Yes, I will support any form of credible protest”, he said.

Another activist, Comrade Timothy Onyilo said the tariff increase would discourage students from research in higher institutions.

According to him, “the only language the government understands is protest and they are going to have it.

“Did they really consider students before coming up with this decision or they just feel like everybody is the same?

“We are already pained that students are suffering due to the high cost of living and you still want to add to their problems.

“Every student needs the internet for academic research. I am doing my MSc in the Abuja university here.

“We spend a lot of data doing research. Things are already hard and some people are still making it harder.

“Instead of them finding a way to improve the services, they are only interested in taking money from us.

“Sometimes, MTN, Glo and even Airtel will frustrate your life as if they are giving you service for free, yet nobody is talking about that”.

DAILY POST recalls that the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to reverse the decision or face nationwide protests.

The association in a statement on Wednesday noted that affordable internet access was crucial for bridging the educational gap in Nigeria and warned that the tariff hike would further exclude millions of students from accessing quality education, deepening the digital divide.

Meanwhile, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, had mandated the telecommunication industry to prioritize service improvement including network reliability, speed and accessibility, in the planned tariff adjustments.

In a recent statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondanje Ijagwu, FCCPC said although it acknowledged the economic pressures faced by telecom operators in the country, including increasing operational costs, “consumer interests remain paramount”