FEATURES

FEATURES

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for publicly acknowledging his efforts and calling him “Mr Infrastructure.”

Speaking to State House correspondents after the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr homage at the Presidential Villa IN Abuja, Wike described the President’s praise as a strong vote of confidence and a motivation to keep delivering results for residents of the FCT.


“I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me,” Wike said. “If your boss, in public, says you are doing well, that, of course, is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job you’ve been assigned.”

The Minister, who has spearheaded a series of infrastructure and service delivery reforms across Abuja, said he remains committed to meeting the expectations of both the President and the people of the Territory.


“For us, we’re happy to be identified in this administration, and we’ll continue to do what Abuja people will be happy with,” he said. “So I’m happy each time Mr. President talks about us and tries to say the little we have done. That means he’s watching, and we will not disappoint him.”

When asked about the next wave of infrastructure projects expected as the Tinubu administration approaches its second anniversary, Wike confirmed that a fresh round of projects was already in the works.

“The committee is working,” he revealed. “You can be assured it can’t be less than what we did last time,” Wike added.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has stated that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibom Ibas (retd) is only dismantling all the governance structures put in place by the suspended Governor of the state, Siminialayi Fubara.

PDP also described the immediate past Head of Service of the state, Dr. George Nweke, as a serial betrayer, alleging that Nweke has become a tool for Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, to spread false information against Fubara and his team.

The Chairman of PDP in the state, Nname Ewor, spoke while reacting to allegations made by former Rivers HoS Dr. George Nwaeke, against Fubara, PDP and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Ewor condemned the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in the state and accused the Sole Administrator of dismantling governance structures put in place by Governor Fubara.

Ewor questioned the motive behind the declaration of the state of emergency, which he claimed has no basis in reality, adding that the state is not under war, or threat of war, and no occurrence of natural disaster to warrant such declaration.

He queried if the actions already carried out by the Sole Administrator could ensure restoration of peace and order, or spark more crisis?

The PDP chairman also addressed specific allegations made by Nwaeke, including claims that Governor Fubara was involved in the bombing of the House of Assembly and that he promised to work for Senator Bala Mohammed in the 2027 general election. Ewor dismissed these allegations as false and baseless.

He said: “Nwaeke, highly compromised and a serial betrayer, became a ready tool in the hands of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to carry out a campaign of calumny, libel defamation and distortion of facts against our Governor and his team, the chairman of PDP Governors forum, Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor, ljaw nation, Militants etc.”

Tinubu wrong to release Rivers allocation to Sole Administrator — Emiaso, retired judge

Meanwhile, a former President of the Delta State Customary Court, Justice Miakpor Emiaso (retd.), has said that President Bola Tinubu made a blunder in releasing Rivers State allocation to the Sole Administrator of the state.

He said: “It is unlawful, it is unconstitutional, you cannot release funds to a sole administrator, and I mean it is very wrong.

“The constitution does not conceive of a situation where you even appoint a sole administrator to run a state. Appointing a sole administrator is unconstitutional; anything the sole administrator does there is ultra vires, null, and void because there is no arrangement under the constitution for the appointment of a sole administrator to administer a state.

“There is no arrangement in the constitution that permits any authority in this country to suspend an elected officer, least of all a governor, so the president suspending the governor of Rivers State is a very major threat to our democratic system.

“It means that the president can suspend any governor of any state; that is not democracy, and that is not the spirit of our constitution. He has no power to suspend an elected officer.

“There are so many decisions of our courts to that effect that nobody can suspend the governor. Nobody can suspend even members of the House of Assembly if they are elected. There is a process for removing them, and it is not by suspension.”

“By my own assessment Nwaeke is neither under any spell nor under duress. He is a career civil servant in the civil service of Rivers State, whose career span over 40 years service in the state civil service. He rose to the apex of the civil service. Therefore he knows exactly what he has done.

“Mr. Nwaeke procured flight ticket from Port Harcourt to Abuja, left his house on his own, boarded his flight, landed in Abuja and headed straight to his destination to deliver and read out the script already written by his co-conspirators. The aim of the script is to discredit the Governor, make the President lose confidence in him and paint him black before the general public.

“As a party, we know that all what Nwaeke read in the written script were all lies from the pit of hell and cannot stand the test of time. We therefore want to use this medium to set the record straight, and educate Rivers people and indeed Nigerians on the true nature of the man “Dr George Nwaeke and the true state of affairs in the state.

“That George Nwaeke lied when he claimed that he was with the Governor, when he handed over bag of money to Edison Ehie to bomb the House of Assembly. The true position is that when the bombing incident took places in the House of Assembly, men of the Nigeria police made over 7 arrests, transferred the suspects to force Headquarters Abuja.

“The suspects were charged to court in Abuja and remanded in kuje correctional Centre for over 8 months. They were later transferred to Port Harcourt division of the Federal High Court.

 

“They were equally remanded in the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre because of lack of diligent prosecution by the police. The presiding judge struct out and dismissed the case early this year and the suspects were set free. Accusing the Governor, Edison and Chijioke Ihunwo of being responsible for the bombing is neither here nor there.”

“His claim that Fubara promise to work for Sen Bala Mohammned in 2027 General election is also a lie. As we know, Bala is the Governor of Bauchi state and chairman PDP Governors forum, Fubara doubles as his Deputy. Both of them are at liberty to meet anywhere, anytime to discuss matters of PDP.

“Besides, Bala has not told Nigerians he is running for the office of president in 2027. Nwaeke and his co-conspirators simply put together this narrative to pitch the president aganst our Governor. It is dead on arrival.”

There is growing anxiety in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector as operators await the Federal Government’s decision on the future of the naira-for-crude deal between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The six-month deal, which began in October 2024, officially ends today, Monday, March 31, 2024, and the parties involved have yet to finalize whether the deal will be extended or discontinued.

The uncertainty surrounding the deal has had a direct impact on fuel prices, with petrol prices rising sharply. Dealers have blamed the recent surge on the government’s failure to extend the naira-for-crude deal, which had previously helped stabilize fuel prices.

Petrol prices have increased from around ₦860 per litre to over ₦930 per litre in just one week, with projections indicating that prices could hit N1,000 per litre if the deal is not revived.

In addition to the concerns over the naira-for-crude deal, industry sources revealed that the Dangote refinery, which produces 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is expected to shut down its petrol-producing unit for maintenance in June.

The maintenance, scheduled to last for 30 days, is expected to further strain Nigeria’s petrol supply.

An insider at the Ministry of Finance who spoke with Punch and familiar with the ongoing negotiations revealed that no significant progress has been made regarding the extension of the naira-for-crude deal.

“Nothing new has happened. Probably after the holidays, the committee will sit and meet,” the source stated, expressing frustration over the lack of resolution.

When the deal was first implemented on October 1, 2024, it aimed to improve supply, reduce Nigeria’s reliance on costly petroleum product imports, and decrease pump prices. However, the deal’s suspension has led to disruptions, including a sharp increase in petrol prices.

On March 19, 2025, the Dangote refinery announced a temporary halt to the sale of petroleum products in naira, citing a mismatch between the naira-denominated sales proceeds and its crude oil purchase obligations, which are denominated in US dollars.

“We must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency,” the refinery said in a statement.

Following this announcement, petrol prices at private depots in Lagos jumped to about ₦900 per litre, from under ₦850 previously. Retail stations across the country quickly followed suit, with prices reaching ₦930 in Lagos, ₦950 in Abuja, and ₦960 in the northern parts of the country.

The situation has sparked widespread concern among industry stakeholders, who are calling for urgent resolution of the deadlock.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, in a chat with Punch expressed frustration over the issue, stating, “We’ve called for a stakeholders meeting. We are going to meet to discuss it and come out with a way forward.”

The meeting, initially scheduled for this week, has been postponed to May 1, 2025, due to the Sallah and Easter breaks.

Ukadike noted that the price fluctuations over the last six months have led to losses exceeding ₦200 billion for marketers, with many bulk buyers being discouraged by the risks involved in purchasing and selling at a loss.

Dealers have also placed blame on the Federal Government for the ongoing increase in petrol prices. According to them, the government’s failure to extend the naira-for-crude deal has led to the current crisis, with many marketers struggling to manage the volatile pricing environment.

The Special Assistant to the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, Jerry Omotsegunwa, has stated that neither Governor Fubara nor the public has been informed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, about the specific reasons behind their ongoing political hostilities.

The political feud between Wike and Fubara, which has escalated since late 2023, led to a state of emergency being declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.

This decision resulted in the suspension of Governor Fubara and members of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a recent interview, former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi suggested that the rift between Wike and Fubara was centered around money-sharing issues.

However, Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, criticized the imposition of emergency rule by President Tinubu, calling it unconstitutional.

Responding to Amaechi’s claims, Omotsegunwa told Punch on Sunday that Wike had yet to clarify the reason for his anger towards Governor Fubara.

Omotsegunwa described Amaechi’s statement as his personal opinion while reiterating that the cause of the rift remains unresolved after almost two years.

He explained, “As it stands right now, I will not dispute Amaechi’s position even though he has the right to his own opinion. This crisis has dragged on for almost two years now, and nobody has told us what the actual problem is.”

He further emphasized, “The FCT minister has not told us anything that led to the crisis, and the governor too has not provided any clarity.” Omotsegunwa also recalled a recent conversation where Wike suggested Fubara had tried to destroy his political structure, but still, no clear explanation has emerged.

Omotsegunwa concluded by acknowledging that Amaechi was entitled to his opinion but emphasized that without Wike providing a detailed explanation, the true cause of the political conflict remains unclear.

“So, as much as I don’t want to say he has lied, I also say he has the right to his own opinion, and that is his personal opinion,” he said.

Last modified on Monday, 31 March 2025 08:17

The World Bank is set to approve a total of $632 million in fresh loans to Nigeria on Monday, aimed at supporting crucial sectors such as nutrition improvement and quality education, despite mounting concerns over the country’s rising debt profile.

According to Punch, the loans consist of $80 million for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria 2.0 project and $552 million for the HOPE for Quality Basic Education for All programme.


Both projects are currently in the final stages of negotiation and are expected to receive approval later today. These loans are part of a broader strategy by the World Bank to assist Nigeria in achieving its development goals, focusing on healthcare, education, and community resilience.

The funds will enhance the Nigerian government’s efforts to improve nutrition outcomes and increase access to quality education for Nigerian children.

The approval of these loans follows the $500 million loan granted to Nigeria last Friday to support the Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme.

This initiative, launched on March 28, 2025, aims to address Nigeria’s economic challenges by providing grants for vulnerable households and supporting small businesses affected by economic downturns.

The Community Action Programme is focused on improving food security and providing economic opportunities for communities most impacted by recent economic fluctuations.

This is part of the World Bank’s broader support for Nigeria’s development amid ongoing challenges like inflation and high living costs.

While the latest loans provide a boost to Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts, the World Bank’s disbursement of earlier loans has raised concerns.

The $800 million approved for the National Social Safety-Net Program Scale Up, which aimed to support vulnerable Nigerians, has experienced delays.

According to Punch, only $315 million has been disbursed out of the total loan amount, with the remaining funds stalled due to issues such as fraud detection under the program.

In addition, former humanitarian minister Betta Edu was suspended following an alleged misappropriation of ₦585 million for palliative distribution, and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, is under investigation by the EFCC for alleged financial misconduct.

These issues have raised questions about the efficiency and transparency of government-managed programs.

As the World Bank continues to offer financial support, Nigeria’s debt burden continues to grow. In 2023, the World Bank approved loans worth $2.7 billion for projects in renewable energy, education, and women’s empowerment.

The figure surged to $4.32 billion in 2024, reflecting Nigeria’s increasing dependence on concessional financing to stabilize its economy and address pressing challenges.

By 2025, Nigeria is set to secure six new loans from the World Bank, totaling $2.23 billion. These loans, aimed at sectors like healthcare, nutrition, digital infrastructure, and education, will bring Nigeria’s total World Bank loans to $9.25 billion over three years.

While these loans provide necessary fiscal relief, they contribute to concerns about the country’s growing debt, with Nigeria spending $5.47 billion on external debt servicing in the past 14 months alone.

Singer and songwriter Waje has shared valuable insights from her music career, cautioning that talent alone is insufficient for success.

Speaking at Funke Akindele’s Creative Blueprint Masterclass, Waje emphasised the importance of business knowledge in the music industry.

Waje admitted that she initially believed her vocal talent would guarantee success, but she soon learned that understanding the business side was crucial.

She explained that artists must view their music as a product and their audience as a market.

Waje urged artists to adapt to the evolving music landscape, where creativity must be balanced with business acumen.

 
 

She advised focusing on branding, audience engagement, and long-term financial sustainability to build a lasting career.

Waje said: “When I started as a musician, I absolutely thought my voice was enough, but experience taught me that there were many other things I had to equip myself with. In the music business, your music is your product, and your audience is your market. Without a clear business approach, you could be leaving money and opportunities on the table.

“The world has changed, and so has the way people consume music. As an artist, it’s not enough to rely solely on raw talent—you must also understand and engage with the business side of things. You are your brand, so how are you cultivating that to ensure you’re earning money?

“You have to start making sure that you’re crossing your T’s and dotting your I’s with your brand and the people who form your audience.

“As great as music is, how sustainable is it? Be smart enough to know that as you’re being creative, you’re also a smart creative—investing in other fields”.

[TheNation]

A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has admonished leaders at all levels to prioritise the wellbeing of Nigerians.

Abubakar made the plea in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe on Sunday in Abuja.

He also urged leaders to lead in the fear of God.

“While the Ramadan season encouraged charity to the less privileged, it becomes imperative on leaders to make sure that after Ramadan, governments initiate interventions that will ensure that wellbeing and welfare of the people are sustained.

“It is important to call the attention of those in positions of authority to the practices of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that teaches about obligations of leadership to the people.

“It is not enough that the government will ask that the people should brace themselves for harsh economic conditions.

 

“It is more sufficient for the leadership to show compassion on the masses and by acting with fear of God,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting.

He described the completion of Ramadan fasting as a blessing from the Almighty.

He reminded Muslim faithful that the celebration of Eid-el-fitri, “should be an opportunity to remind ourselves to continue to intensify the good deeds that was embraced during Ramadan.

He also advised people to continue to pray for progress in their private lives and that of Nigeria.

(NAN)

 

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, led a delegation of Abuja residents to the presidential villa on Sunday to pay Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohamed Idris, and other prominent FCT indigenes were also present at the Sallah homage.

President Tinubu commended Wike for working hard to give Abuja a befitting status as the nation’s capital city.

The development came amidst partisan rumours that the minister had collapsed at a meeting on Friday and flown to France for medical help.

Vanguard recalls that Wike had on Friday afternoon received the leadership of the Body of Benchers and thereafter went on inspection of several ongoing projects in the territory till 5pm.

Speaking at the Villa during the homage, the minister congratulated President Tinubu and the Muslim Ummah on the completion of 30 days of fasting, prayers, sacrifice and supplications to God.

He said the visit marked a historic moment, as it was the first time the FCT residents have had the opportunity to extend their greetings and best wishes to the president in person during this blessed period.

“As we approach the second anniversary of your administration, we are excited about the array of impactful projects that we have lined up for commissioning”, Wike added.

According to him, these projects, designed to improve infrastructure, economic opportunities, and the overall quality of life, stand as evidence to the president’s commitment to national development.

“We look forward to hosting Your Excellency in the FCT to witness firsthand the tangible progress that has been made under your leadership over the last 12 months.

“Your Excellency, as the leader of our great nation, your unwavering dedication to fostering unity, good governance, and national development inspires us all. The residents of the FCT are deeply grateful for your leadership and the initiatives being undertaken to enhance the well-being of all of us.

“We reaffirm our unwavering loyalty and support for the Renewed Hope Agenda and pledge our continued cooperation in ensuring the success of your exemplary programs and policies.

“Mr. President, the delegation before you today is a reflection of the rich diversity of the Federal Capital Territory. It comprises representatives from all spectra of the nation’s capital, including religious, political, and traditional leaders, heads of security agencies, officials of the FCT Administration, members of the media, and ordinary residents.

“Despite our different backgrounds, we are united in our unwavering support for your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. This unity demonstrates the collective commitment of the people of the FCT to national progress and development under your visionary leadership”, he added.

Thanking the president for his unparalleled support for the FVT Administration, Wike said none of the significant strides the Administration has recorded in governance and development would have been possible without the president’s commitment to the well-being of the FCT and its residents.

“Your approval of the exit of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the establishment of two new critical Mandate Secretariats for Women and Youths, and the appointment of Permanent Secretaries have strengthened our governance structure and improved service delivery translating into a better life for the ordinary citizen on the street.

“These bold initiatives have enhanced the efficiency of the FCTA and positioned us to achieve greater milestones. We still have not forgotten the unprecedented support you granted us last year during your first anniversary by being physically present in five out of the nine projects commissioned to commemorate the occasion”, he stated.

[Vanguard]

 

Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru, has updated her Instagram bio to reflect her 2Baba’s surname, now identifying as “Honourable Natasha Idibia.”

The change was spotted today by Guardian, just days after 2Baba’s estranged wife, Annie, signed off an Instagram post using her maiden name, “Annie Uwana Macaulay” — excluding “Idibia” for the first time in years.

Natasha’s move comes weeks after 2Baba proposed to her in a viral video, shortly after confirming his separation from Annie.

“I and Annie Macaulay have been separated for a while now and currently filed for divorce,” the African Queen singer announced on Instagram.
“No one hacked my account. I said what I said. I come in peace.”
Since the announcement, 2Baba and Natasha have been seen together publicl, from luxury boutiques to political outings.

Meanwhile, Annie has wiped her Instagram page and unfollowed her husband, fuelling further speculation about the state of their marriage.

Annie and 2Baba got married in 2012 and have two daughters.

Natasha, a lawyer and former beauty queen, now steps fully into the spotlight, bearing a name that no longer appears on Annie’s profile.

[Guardian]

Aisha Achimugu, managing director/CEO of Felak Concept Group, has reacted to the decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to declare her wanted over money laundering allegations.

On Friday, EFCC asked persons who know the whereabouts of Achimugu to notify the agency.

The anti-graft agency had said Achimugu was declared wanted in a “case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering”.

 

In a statement published on her official Instagram handle on Sunday, Achimugu said she had been inundated with calls and messages from friends and families over the past few days.

 

The socialite said she remains a “firm believer in the rule of law and due process and will never do otherwise”.

The statement was signed by Bodex Hungbo, head of media to Achimugu.

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out in concern and solidarity,” the statement reads.

 

“Your kindness has been a source of strength during this trying period, and it reinforces our faith in our shared humanity and the values that bind us together.

“As a responsible citizen and entrepreneur, Dr. Aisha remains a firm believer in the rule of law and due process and will never do otherwise.

“We trust that these principles and justice will prevail as this matter unfolds. Our business practices have always been grounded in transparency, integrity, and respect for our nation’s laws.

“To our valued business partners, families, professional associates, and well-wishers worldwide, please be assured that she is fully committed to all processes involved as a responsible and law abiding citizen who has contributed so much to the growth of our Nation as well as being a National Asset.”

 

In January 2024, Achimugu made the headlines when she set the Caribbean Island of Grenada alight with a seven-day 50th birthday party attended by some of the crème de la crème of the Nigerian entertainment industry and prominent figures — including a governor.

[TheCable]