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…swears in new SSG
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has dissolved all political appointees serving in his government.
Governor Sule announced this Friday, February 7, at the Executive Council Chambers, Government house during a valedictory session with the Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants.
He thanked them for all the services and contributions they made in the cause of their appointments to the development of the State and assured them that some may be still be re-appointed in other capacities.
Governor Sule also swore in a new Secretary to the State Government, Barr Labaran Magaji who is the immediate past Commissioner and Attorney General of the state.
Others who were inaugurated were the Sole administrator of Udege Development Area of Nasarawa local government; chairman and board members of the Collage of Education Akwanga.
He charged the new appointees to work hard in assisting his administration to succeed.
The Governor who had in early January dissolved the state executive council said, he has sent a list of 16 commissionership nominees to the state house of assembly for screening.
[TheNation]
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for greater transparency and accountability following the recent increase in the Budget of Restoration to ₦54 trillion.
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu raised the proposed 2025 budget from ₦49.7 trillion to ₦54.2 trillion, citing additional revenues generated by key government agencies. The budget adjustment was conveyed in letters to both the Senate and the House of Representatives, which were read during Wednesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu explained that the increase was driven by ₦1.4 trillion in additional revenue from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, ₦1.2 trillion from the Nigeria Customs Service, and ₦1.8 trillion generated by other government-owned agencies.
In a statement on Friday via X, Obi acknowledged that while the sources of revenue were detailed, there was no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the budget hike. He emphasised the need for Nigerians to be fully informed about how public funds are allocated and spent.
“For transparency and accountability sake, Nigerians need to know how the resources generated from them are being allocated to ensure that they are judiciously spent on the country’s development and the well-being of the people,” Obi said.
He stressed that budgetary expenditures should focus on critical sectors such as education, healthcare, security and poverty alleviation to create meaningful impact on citizens’ lives.
Obi also pointed out that Nigerians are still awaiting a detailed account of the execution and expenditures of the Renewed Hope budget, which was passed in December 2023. He urged the government to provide clarity on how those funds have been utilised.
“I call on the National Assembly to seize this opportunity to obtain and make public the full details of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope. Transparency in this regard is crucial for ensuring accountability, learning from past budgets, and making informed decisions for the nation’s progress,” he stated.
The ex-governor urged lawmakers and government officials to prioritise openness and accountability to safeguard public trust.
“As we work towards passing the Budget of Restoration for 2025, let us uphold openness, accountability, and the welfare of the Nigerian people. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the future of our great nation,” he added.
[TheCable]
Naja’atu Muhammad, the founder of Northern Star Youth Initiative, says she would not retract her statement or issue an apology to Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).
In a video posted on social media, Muhammad said she stands by her earlier comments that Ribadu once reprimanded President Bola Tinubu; George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); and Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north.
Recently, Muhammad said during his stint as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ribadu accused Tinubu, who was governor of Lagos at the time, of corruption.
Muhammad, a former commissioner in the Police Service Commission (PSC), said Ribadu is now serving in a government led by people he once upbraided.
On Tuesday, the NSA, through a letter from Ahmed Raji, his lawyer, requested a public apology and retraction from Muhammad over the remarks.
Nasir el-Rufai, a former minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), contributed to the war of words by saying he was present at the federal executive council (FEC) meeting in 2016 when Ribadu accused Tinubu and others of graft.
‘MY WORDS ACCURATELY REFLECT MY VIEWS’
In the video, the former PSC commissioner said she would not be intimidated by Ribadu.
Muhammad urged Ribadu to approach the court as he has threatened to do.
“There is no retreat, no surrender, and no apology to Nuhu Ribadu,” she said.
“I’m speaking in response to the recent threat and intimidation by Ribadu using his attack dogs and lawyer, Ahmed Raji.
“Regarding my statement that the chairman of EFCC had publicly accused the then governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu of being ‘a corrupt government official who will not escape justice’.
“While I acknowledge that Nuhu Ribadu might have forgotten or chosen to retract his comments for the past, I stand by my statement and do not believe an apology is warranted. Apology to whom exactly?
“My words accurately reflect my views on the matter based on what is already in the public domain. I don’t believe that an apology or retraction is necessary. I would not compromise my position to appease Ribadu and his attack dogs.”
[TheCable]
The Labour Party (LP) said the kidnap and assassination of Hon. Justice Azuka, a lawmaker in Anambra State, shows that the State Governor, Dr Chukwuma Soludo has lost the will to enforce law and sanity in the state.
The national leadership of the Labour Party stated this while reacting to the assassination of Azuka, a lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, on the Labour Party platform.
The lawmaker was abducted on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 by gunmen while returning home on Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha.
However, his decomposing body was found around the 2nd Niger Bridge on Wednesday.
Reacting to the discovery of the Azuka’s corpse, national publicity secretary of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, said under Soludo’s watch, Anambra has become a war state where life has suddenly become nasty, brutish and short.
He added that the present leadership has completely lost the will-power to enforce law and sanity.
The party spokesman also said the Labour Party candidate in the last governorship election in Anambra State, Obiora Agbasimelo was recently abducted while campaigning and that his whereabouts remains unknown.
Ifoh said, “We are presently traumatized by this death and that of other deaths that have become a daily occurrence in Anambra State, a state that is gradually assuming a hobbesian status under the administration of Prof. Charles Soludo. Anambra has fully assumed the state of war, where life has suddenly become nasty, brutish and short because the present leadership has completely lost the will-power to enforce law and sanity.
“We are pained because not long ago, the Labour Party candidate in the last governorship election in Anambra State, Obiora Agbasimelo was abducted while campaigning and as we speak, his whereabout is still unknown. Neither the security agencies nor the government could account for his disappearance and his family is left traumatized.”
Ifoh said the whole essence of a government is to provide security and well-being for the people; that constitutional provision is lacking in Anambra State at present.
He added that it is unbelievable and unspeakable that a personality as high as a legislator could be abducted for over a month and the government was incapable of rescuing him.
“Though, information has it that the police has made arrests of some suspects, we are however calling for a proper and deeper investigation to unravel the real culprits. We are not by anyway suggesting political motive.
“That would be left for the security agencies to determine, however, we are not unmindful of the circumstances that led to his regaining his mandate after a court ruling ousted the previous winner, from another party who was initially declared the winner of the 2023 election.
“We are therefore calling on all our party members in Anambra State to maintain peace and allow the security agencies to diligently carry out their duties. We also encourage them not to be dampened by this unfortunate incident but rather remain focused on the activities ahead.
“On behalf of the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, National Executive Committee and the state executive committee, we pray that the Almighty God will grant the deceased eternal rest. We also condole the immediate family and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
When you intend to travel out of the country either to study or stay for some time, your host country needs to be sure you can sponsor yourself for the trip and also fend for yourself when you get there. Documents you need as proof of financial stability for a visa application are like a certification to ascertain that you have all the money you claim. That is, there must be evidence that shows that you have the money to meet your expenses whether to study, relocate, or for any other reason.
One notable thing is that if your family is involved; maybe your wife and or your children, definitely your financial capability must be high.
1. Bank statement
The most essential document you must tender to any country’s embassy is your bank statement. It is a record that contains all your financial transactions over a specific period. The account must bear your name and the details should be older than six months. Most banks include the following information:
• Transaction description.
• Transaction date.
• The deposits made into the account (credits).
• The sum taken out of the account (debits).
• Account balance.
2. Not having enough funds
It is possible not to have enough funds (it depends on the country) that can make you eligible to apply for a visa. There are other ways you can solicit help such as spouse sponsorship, employer sponsorship, moneylenders, or family and friends.
3. Employer sponsorship
Employer sponsorship is another document that can serve as proof of your financial stability. You have to provide an employment letter from the company that hired you, your account that has details of how you’re paid, and a sponsorship letter from your company. All these credentials can help you secure a visa.
4. Spouse sponsorship
Any document that can prove your relationship with your spouse is what you would tender at the embassy. Spouse sponsorship apart from employer sponsorship is one of the most common ways of getting help for a visa application.
5. Family and Friends
Your family and friends can be of great help to you by lending you money.
6. Moneylenders
There are different money lending fintech companies in Nigeria now. What they need from you is your phone number, Bank Verification Number, and guarantors’ details. But this kind of fund comes with a lot of interest.
Leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta North senatorial district yesterday resolved to commence legal processes to retrieve the party’s senatorial mandate from Senator Ned Nwoko who recently defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party leaders stated this at a meeting summoned and presided over by the Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme.
Nwoko, who represents the senatorial district, formally left PDP on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, citing crisis within his former party. He has since joined the APC.
Nwoko’s defection comes amid the State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s denial of defection plans to the APC.
However, the motion for the retrieval of the mandate from Nwoko was moved at the meeting by the member representing Ika federal constituency at the House of Representatives and seconded by the Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, (DSHA), Hon. Emeka Nwobi.
The motion was put to a voice vote by the deputy governor and it was adopted by the people.
Addressing the party leaders, the deputy governor, Onyeme, said all elected and appointed officials of the state government are PDP ambassadors.
Onyeme urged the leaders to be in touch with the grassroots and ensure members are not dissuaded by the opposition parties.
He said their political offices are platforms to serve humanity, the PDP and Delta State, noting that Delta North is the party’s bride which should jealously guard to maintain its dominance.
He told the PDP leaders to embark on various forms of empowerment programmes and directed the PDP senatorial and local government chairmen to ensure that they attended party activities and meetings.
Onyeme emphasised the need for elected and appointed officials to always go to the wards and council areas and asked council chairmen to jettison the habit of staying in Asaba.
“Delta North should remain PDP dominant Senatorial District. We must consolidate our position as the main determinant for all elections in Delta state.
As the debate continues to heat up around the alleged misappropriation of funds by the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, another group has come out to charge the anti-graft agency to do its job by arresting him.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday and signed by Barr Gideon Jato and Bro Sunday Adoka, President and Secretary, respectively, of Northern Christians Accord (NCA), the group reiterated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was long overdue to arrest Mallam El-Rufai.
The group wondered why the EFCC was yet to act, even after a series of petitions were submitted at the national headquarters after the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted El-Rufai and some key officials of his government of embezzling N423bn.
The Kaduna State Assembly ad-hoc committee probing the financial dealings of former Governor El-Rufai‘s eight-year administration in June 2024 indicted him and some key members of his cabinet for alleged corruption in the awards of contracts and management of both domestic and foreign loans obtained by his government.
In the report submitted to the House by the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Henry Danjuma, it said that there was evidence of several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the Government, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Kaduna State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023.
After adopting the report, the House recommended, amongst other things, that the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at Zenith Bank as Security for N20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and request the bank to refund all monies deducted on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof.
The House also recommended that all the Commissioners of Finance and the Accountants General of the State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.
Subsequently, in July 2024, a group under the auspices of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG) filed petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Mallam El-Rufai and his men over an alleged N423 billion fraud.
Seven months after the indictment by the Parliament and the attendant petitions to the anti-graft agencies, no action has been taken to arrest or probe the former Governor.
„We perceive this as an affront and total disregard to the rule of law and a great insult to the sensibility of the people of Kaduna State, especially the institution of the State House of Assembly.
„For the EFCC and ICPC to have closed their eyes and shut their ears against the indictments, petitions and cries of Kaduna people only means they support corruption in Nigeria and, as such, shielding El-Rufai.
“It is very glaring that the law in Nigeria is centrifugally positioned to favour some people and witch-hunt others. We remember how the EFCC was battling day and night a few months ago, looking for the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over a petition from a group in the state.
“But the same EFCC has brazenly become blind, deaf and dumb over the El-Rufai issue, despite the indictment by the House of Assembly and having received a series of petitions from various groups. In the case of Kogi State, the Assembly did not indict the former governor, but the EFCC went for him, arrested him, and arraigned him. However, Kaduna is a special case that cannot be handled because El-Rufai is untouchable.
“The man alleged to have stolen N80bn is already standing trial. Why is it taking EFCC and others years to prosecute a man indicted for almost N500bn?
“The Northern Christians Accord is giving the EFCC and other agencies responsible for the arrest, prosecution and recovery of the N423 billion confirmed by the Assembly to have been embezzled by El-Rufai to do the needful and save themselves and the nation of this monumental embarrassment.
“Failure to do so, we shall not hesitate to create awareness about the complacency of the agencies, both within Nigeria and to the international community. We shall also mobilise our members across the 19 northern states to march to the headquarters of EFCC and National Assembly“, the group added.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its operatives have arrested one Rabiu Aliyu Salisu for allegedly defrauding Deborah Woods, a US national, of $597,000.
Speaking during the parade of suspects on Thursday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said Salisu fraudulently used the identity of an American citizen to carry out the alleged fraud.
Adejobi said operatives of the cybercrime centre also arrested two suspects identified as Saidu Adam Usman and Yusuf Umar for allegedly creating fictitious accounts to commit N400 million fraud.
The force spokesperson said 82 suspects were arrested for internet fraud and other cyber related crimes in January 2025.
“Among these cases is the arrest of two individuals, Saidu Adam Usman ‘m’, and Yusuf Umar ‘m’, in connection with the creation and distribution of compromised financial accounts used to facilitate fraudulent transactions amounting to over four hundred million naira,” Adejobi said.
“The suspects created Moniepoint profiles using pre-registered SIM cards and email addresses and then distributed to local accomplices across different states for KYC verification, fraudulently obtaining bank verification numbers (BVNs) and KYC details from individuals.
“Upon completion of the KYC process, the suspects would change the passwords to secure them for their unknown foreign contractor.
“Another significant arrest is that of one Rabiu Aliyu Salisu AKA Rabo, involved in identity theft, computer-related fraud, and money laundering.
“The suspect had fraudulently assumed the identity of an American citizen, presenting himself as Matthew Ramsey, and defrauded one Deborah Woods, an American national, of $597,000.
“Following a filed petition for criminal defamation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and falsehood, the force also secured the arrest of one Idowu Smart Emmanuel, who eventually admitted to his crimes and confessed that his allegations were false.”
Federal workers associations in the US have asked a federal high court in Washington to stop the Donald Trump administration from shutting down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The lawsuit was filed by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
The workers hinge their suit on the argument that USAID is a creation of congress which cannot be dismantled by the executive branch of government.
USAID is the world’s foremost development agency responsible for billions of dollars in US aid projects across the globe. Its scope of operations include healthcare, disaster relief, nutrition, and sex education.
Trump and Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and head of the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have targeted USAID as part of a wide ranging move to shrink the federal workforce and save taxpayer funds.
On February 5, USAID announced that it was placing all directly-hired staff globally on administrative leave after DOGE staffers forcefully gained access to its headquarters and database.
The agency also said personnel posted overseas would be recalled within 30 days.
On Thursday, the Trump administration presented a plan to dismantle USAID — which would see the agency reduced to 300 staff from 10,000.
Democrats in congress have described the administration’s moves as unconstitutional.
In their suit, the workers are asking the court to compel the Trump administration to reopen USAID buildings, return employees to work and restore funding.
They said government officials “failed to acknowledge the catastrophic consequences of their actions, both as they pertain to American workers, the lives of millions around the world, and to US national interests”.
Trump intends to effectively dismantle USAID and move the organisation’s operations to the State Department.
Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, said USAID must align its programmes with policies of the Trump administration to move forward.
“The United States is not walking away from foreign aid. It’s not,” Rubio said on Wednesday during a visit to Guatemala.
“We’re going to continue to provide foreign aid and to be involved in programmes, but it has to be programmes that we can defend.
“It has to be programmes that we can explain. It has to be programmes that we can justify. Otherwise, we do endanger foreign aid.”
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has arrested Adam Imam Yusuf, a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Kogi State, over the alleged diversion of more than N3 billion.
Yusuf, who had been at large until now, was taken into custody from his residence in Gwagwalada, Abuja, and is set to face prosecution.
ICPC investigations revealed that the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd.), allegedly orchestrated the fraud through Yusuf and former Brigadier General Ishaya Bauka Gangum (rtd.).
The alleged scheme reportedly involved the diversion of public funds using 92 fictitious companies that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
An investigation by the ICPC traced these funds to Lahab Integrated, Gate Coast Properties, and other affiliated companies, leading to the acquisition of over 18 properties, including filling stations.
Four of these properties have been forfeited to the government so far, while legal proceedings continue regarding the remaining assets.
The ICPC is also intensifying efforts to apprehend other suspects who remain at large
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Immigration Service introduces contactless passport application system for Nigerians in Europe
AFOLABI
he Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has announced its readiness to introduce a contactless passport application system in some European countries to ease the burden of passport acquisition and renewal for Nigerians residing in those countries.
A statement issued in Abuja by the Service Public Relations Officer, SPRO, Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, quoted the NIS Comptroller General, Kemi Nandap, as saying that the contactless passport application system would be introduced in Europe on February 7.
Nandap stated that Nigerians in the United Kingdom, UK, and Ireland would be the first beneficiaries in Europe. It would be recalled that the service launched the contactless passport application system in Canada on November 5, 2024.
She added that the rollout in Europe marked the second phase of the service’s initiative for Nigerians in the diaspora.
“For emphasis, the contactless passport application, which is currently available on Google Play Store (NIS Mobile), is designed to allow Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting any passport center for biometric enrolment,” she said.
The NIS Comptroller General reiterated the service’s commitment to innovative and efficient service delivery to Nigerians worldwide
Erstwhile presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has said that there is no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the increase in the 2025 national budget.
The statement comes after President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, increased the appropriation bill for the 2025 fiscal year from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion.
DAILY POST reported that Tinubu announced the increment in separate letters, which he forwarded to both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Reacting to the development, Obi said that Nigerians need to know how the resources generated are being allocated for the sake of transparency and accountability.
This, he said, was to ensure that they were judiciously spent on the country’s development and the well-being of the people.
In a statement issued on Friday via his X handle, the former Anambra state Governor said Nigerians were still waiting for a detailed account of the execution and expenditures of the Renewed Hope budget passed in December 2023.
Obi further called on the National Assembly to seize this opportunity to obtain and make public the full details of the 2024 budget.
He said: “Yesterday, I read about the increase in the Budget of Restoration to N54 trillion due to increased revenue.
“While the sources of this revenue were detailed, there is no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the increase. For transparency and accountability sake Nigerians need to know how the resources generated from them are being allocated to ensure that they are judiciously spent on the country’s development and the well-being of the people.
“Such expenditures should be directed toward critical areas of development; education, healthcare, security, and poverty alleviation.
“Furthermore, Nigerians are still waiting for a detailed account of the execution and expenditures of the Renewed Hope budget passed in December 2023 to ensure that it has been properly utilized for the country’s future development and the well-being of its citizens.
“I call on the National Assembly to seize this opportunity to obtain and make public the full details of the 2024 budget of Renewed Hope budget.
“Transparency in this regard is crucial for ensuring accountability, learning from past budgets, and making informed decisions for the nation’s progress.
“As we work towards passing the Budget of Restoration for 2025, let us uphold openness, accountability, and the welfare of the Nigerian people. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the future of our great nation. -PO”
A former Governor of Ekiti State, John Fayemi, has apologised to the Nigerian people over the failures of the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the years.
Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti state said the APC has not done enough and has not been able to achieve “everything we promised” the nation.
The APC chieftain, who briefly served as a minister under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
According to him, those who see themselves in leadership positions, such as himself, should do better to move the country to a better place.
“Oh, clearly, we all have reasons…we must apologize to the Nigerian people. We have not succeeded in achieving everything we promised to the Nigerian people.
“And that’s not just because we were incompetent, but because there were other structural impediments that have made things more difficult for us.
“But clearly we haven’t done enough to make life abundant for the Nigerian people, and for that, I clearly would not hesitate to apologize for that. We can do a lot more…”
The All Progressives Congress came into power in 2015 with ex-President Buhari defeating the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government led by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Many Nigerians believe that things have changed for the worse for them since the almost 10 years of the APC administration.
Buhari handed over to his party man and former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu in May 2023.
Tinubu removed fuel subsidy on the very day of his swearing in, an action that ultimately worsened the situation in the country, throwing millions of Nigerians into abject poverty.
The 15 percent ports tariff increase announced by the Nigerian Ports Authority on Thursday has sparked a fresh price hike nationwide.
DAILY POST reports that on Thursday, the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, at an event in Lagos, announced a 15 percent port tariff increase.
He said, “This belated tariff review, borne out of necessity, constitutes a critical success factor in Nigeria’s quest to win back cargo handling business and its accompanying benefits, including job opportunities it had lost to its maritime neighbours.”
However, stakeholders in the sector said the tariff increase burden would be passed to goods consumed by Nigerians.
National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Mr. Ukochukwu Nnadi, said the 15 percent hike in ports tariff would lead to a rise in the cost of doing business nationwide.
“Definitely it will add to the cost of doing business because every kobo added to doing any particular thing, no matter what the thing is, will be passed to the customers, and the customers in this case are the stakeholders,” he stated.
This comes as Nigerians currently battle with high headline and food inflation rates, which stood at 34.80 percent and 39.93 percent, respectively.
Consequently, the latest NPA tariff is expected to trigger a further inflation spike in Africa’s most populous country, already faced with economic hardship.