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Bashir Ahmad, former Special Assistant on Digital Communications to former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has argued that Almajiri children should not be regarded as out-of-school kids.
Ahmad shared this in a tweet on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, affirming the sentiment of the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Saidu on the matter.
Almajiri is an Hausa word which means a group of people or children who leave their homes in search of Quranic knowledge. However, the term has been colloquially expanded to refer to any young person who begs on the streets and does not attend secular school.
In his submission, Bashir called for the integration of the Almajiri education system into the national educational framework.
The ex-presidential aide argued that the Federal Government’s recognition of the Almajiri set up as a system of education could make the north become the region with the least number of out-of-school children in the country.
“The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Saidu, is absolutely correct that Almajiri children should not be classified as out-of-school children, as the Almajiri is a system of Islamic education. However, I believe the best way to address this is by integrating the Almajiri education system into our national educational framework or ensuring it is officially recognized by the system.
“Once this is achieved, the northern states could become those with the lowest numbers of out-of-school children, as it is rare to find a child in the north who does not attend either formal or Islamic school,” he said.
He added that Almajiri children are visible on the streets primarily because the current system does not adequately provide for their needs.
“If Almajiri schools were given treatment in terms of support and structure similar to that of boarding schools, the narrative would change entirely,” he said.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, alleged he and his family have received death threats over his remarks about Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Morka stated that the threats were triggered by Obi’s accusation that his remarks during a Sunday interview on Arise Television constituted a threat to the LP candidate’s life.
During another appearance on Arise News on Wednesday, the APC spokesman disclosed that he had recorded over 400 threats, including approximately 200 explicit death threats, many of which were described in graphic detail.
Morka said, “Peter Obi’s allegations that my words in that interview threatened his life have triggered serious consequences.
“As of now, I have documented 400 threats, about 200 of which are explicit death threats. These are written threats that I will be submitting to law enforcement agencies.
“In these messages, individuals have detailed how they plan to harm me—threatening to shoot me, behead me, and carry out other gruesome acts. This is not mere rhetoric. It has even extended to direct threats against some members of my family. These are explicit and graphic threats, not vague insinuations.”
He strongly denied making any comments that could be interpreted as threatening Obi’s life, describing the allegations as baseless.
“This entire situation is baseless and cannot be attributed to me. I did not threaten Peter Obi in any way. Those issuing these threats are acting on their own, but I trust that law enforcement will respond swiftly to bring them to justice,” he added.
Morka’s initial remarks during Sunday’s interview sparked outrage after he accused Obi of “crossing the line” in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that the former governor“deserved whatever came his way.”
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, called on the APC to apologise to Obi and Nigerians for what he described as inflammatory and disgraceful language.
Similarly, the Labour Party issued a seven-day ultimatum to Tinubu, demanding that Morka be reprimanded for his comments.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Marcel Ngogbehei, Director-General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration, decried what he described as a targeted campaign against Obi.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has openly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, accusing him of implementing policies that are detrimental to the country’s progress and well-being.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, the Chief Promoter of the Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Governor Mohammed described Tinubu as a leader who does not listen to the voices of the people. He expressed frustration over the president’s refusal to address the hardship caused by his administration’s policies.
“Tinubu and I are not on good terms because his policies are causing hardship for the citizens,” the governor stated, adding that the northern region has been particularly affected by the recent tax reforms proposed by the federal government.
The governor emphasized the North’s economic vulnerabilities, noting that many states in the region heavily depend on federal allocations for survival. He warned that the tax reforms would exacerbate the region’s challenges, plunging it into further economic strain.
“The North, unfortunately, heavily relies on federal allocation to survive. The reforms he is proposing will put the region under dire strain,” he said.
The governor urged Sheikh Jingir to use his influence to appeal to President Tinubu to reconsider his stance on these policies.
“Thank God you are alive today to use your wise words of wisdom in this regard because us politicians tend to use harsh words in our approach, i believe you can inform the change we require” the governor emphasized.
He called for a more inclusive approach to governance that prioritizes the needs of all Nigerians, particularly the economically disadvantaged regions.
The President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Oye, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
Oye said the President’s economic policies have not helped the country’s economy, including the growth of the private sector.
In an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, he decried the continued decline of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the slide of the nation’s economic ranking among other African nations.
Recall that the NACCIMA’s President, in his New Year statement, condemned the country’s 2024 economic performance.
He warned that borrowing more loans or increasing taxes would not help the nation’s economy.
“What is important is that we normally have inflation when government has spent its revenue. And the tendency for government is to try to borrow or to increase taxes to fill that gap. If you do that, you only make Nigeria poorer.
“If you look at our current GDP, in 2014, we were at $568 billion. And we are going down every year. So you cannot use the same treatment for a sickness that has never worked before. Last year, we had a budget for 2024. And look at it in real terms, we are declining.
“In fact, this year’s budget is far lower in real terms than last year’s budget. And we are shrinking. And also look at our standing in the African GDP. We are about number five now, maybe going to six. All these are due to the domestic policies that have been made, deficit financing, this coordinated transfer from the private sector to the public sector. So what you are seeing is that the private sector is shrinking while the public sector is expanding,” he said.
2025 Budget, Loans, Tax, Cost of Governance and Collaboration with Private Sectors
Oye faulted the 2025 budget, stating that it lacked the essentials to lift the hardship plaguing the nation. According to him, there was not much difference between the 2024 budget and that of 2025.
He called for collaboration between the government and private sector. He stressed the need for the government to include the private sector in some of its policy formulation and execution.
“So government must listen more to the business and the business that will generate the income that will be used to pay these loans. The loans are not sustainable, but they will start cutting down costs in the government sector. It will be very difficult to grow the economy. So government must listen more to the private sector.
“We are not aware of the effort the government has made in giving us two ministers recently in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to support the private sector. We are grateful and we are fully engaging with them. But what is important, government must also get its other organizations, other MDAs, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, all of them to key in and work with the private sector. Because we are the ones to pay the loans back from our production. Government does not produce any goods or services. A holding contract is not an economic activity or you are launching a project. What pays for these bills is the efforts of the private sector. So government must work with us,” he noted.
NACCIMA President enjoined the President to listen less to praise singers. He warned that too much taxation would shrink the economy more.
Oye further advised the government to consider business competitiveness, particularly, in comparison with other nations before further actions on taxes.
“And if you look at the current budget, tell me, anything that is different from the 2024, there is nothing. It is the same old, same old budget. So we need to change. The people that are telling the President that he is doing very well, they should show us. All the indices show there is a decline. So it is not to tax us more or to increase tax.
“In fact, to increase our competitiveness, we must find a way to reduce tax. Anytime we are making laws in Nigeria, look at what our neighbors are offering. Before we plug in our own rates so that we can be competitive. So this is the reason. We cannot tax ourselves out of this problem. We have to increase capacity of the private sector. We are not asking for a handout. We are not asking for money from government. We have the formula that will bring down interest rates so that people can borrow at a sustainable level,” he explained.
He reiterated that private sector players want a conducive business environment from government and not handouts.
“The President himself gave us an eight-point agenda that he will give us single-digit loans. I’m not asking for government to give us money. Government should create the enabling environment. We need to sit down with government to establish this. So this is what NACCIMA is saying in nutshell,” he added.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party have strongly criticized the ₦55.5 billion allocated for the maintenance of the presidential fleet in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, currently awaiting approval by the National Assembly.
The contentious allocation includes expenses for the overhaul of three aircraft engines, fuelling, fumigation, air navigation, cleaning, and general maintenance.
If approved, it would surpass the total spent on the fleet between July 2023 and September 2024, which amounted to ₦19.43 billion.
Critics argue that the budgetary priority is misplaced, particularly given Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The South-West Chairman of the PDP, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, in an interview with Punch questioned whether the presidency was planning to procure additional aircraft.
Similarly, Labour Party factional National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, described the allocation as “inhuman and satanic,” criticizing the government for prioritizing luxury expenses while millions of Nigerians struggle to make ends meet.
A breakdown of the 2025 budget showed that ₦8.6 billion was earmarked for air navigational equipment repairs, ₦5.5 billion for an engine overhaul of an aircraft with the registration number 5N-FGW, and ₦3.1 billion for the overhaul of two additional engines.
Other expenses include ₦1.5 billion for aircraft fuel, ₦1.25 billion for general maintenance, ₦149 million for security operations, and ₦7.5 million for cleaning and fumigation.
Additionally, ₦311.1 million was allocated for aircraft insurance premiums, a sum likely to be handled by foreign insurance companies due to the lack of capacity among local insurers.
Local companies, acting as intermediaries, often facilitate these transactions with insurers based in the United States and the United Kingdom.
For comparison, the entire aviation ministry’s budget for 2025 is ₦105.95 billion, with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development allocated ₦71.12 billion. Sub-agencies such as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (₦9.82 billion), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (₦7.98 billion), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (₦10.03 billion), and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (₦7 billion) also received allocations.
Arabambi in his take said, “The presidential air fleet already has some aircraft, including a recently purchased Airbus A330, which cost over $100m.
“The government’s spending habit is a clear indication of its lack of commitment to reducing poverty and inequality.”
The executive chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, noted, “What we are getting from this administration is opposite to our expectations… an administration that has fallen in love with profligacy.
“It’s time the government rethink its priorities and start putting the needs of its citizens first. The proposed expenditure on presidential jets is a national shame, and it’s time for Nigerians to demand better from their leaders. As you noted, it’s surprising that the same people who are complaining about the government’s wasteful spending will likely vote for the same politicians in the next election. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.”
‘How Can You Disengage Staff In The Name Of Restructuring’ – Ex-CBN Staff Denies Voluntary Disengagement Claim
AFOLABI
Former employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have challenged the claim by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso that no staff member was forcefully disengaged from the institution.
Naija News understands that the governor made the assertion while appearing before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating staff disengagements under the Early Exit Program (EEP).
Represented by the Deputy Governor of Corporate Services, Mohammed Bala Bello, the CBN stated that the EEP was a voluntary program initiated by the Bank’s Management in response to staff requests.
Bello emphasized that participation in the program was entirely voluntary, with incentives provided for those who opted to exit the Bank. He insisted that no staff member was compelled to leave.
However, when questioned further about disengagements that occurred before the introduction of the EEP, Bello acknowledged that some staff had indeed been retired earlier. He maintained that these employees received their full benefits as stipulated.
Disgruntled former staff, however, accused Governor Cardoso of omitting key details before the committee.
Speaking to Daily Trust, they alleged that over 200 confirmed and pensionable staff, including executives, were arbitrarily retired under the guise of restructuring and reorganization.
They argued that these actions violated Section 14(4) of the CBN Act, which mandates Board approval for the appointment and disengagement of staff at the level of Assistant Director and above.
“How can the Governor and his deputies justify disengaging staff, including senior executives, without a formal restructuring program or the necessary Board approval?” the former staff queried.
They further alleged that Bello misrepresented facts by claiming the Board had not been inaugurated at the time of the disengagements.
According to them, the Board was officially constituted following the Senate’s confirmation of members on February 29, 2024, nearly two weeks before the disengagements began on March 15, 2024.
The former employees are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter, accusing the CBN’s leadership of overstepping their authority and violating due process in their actions.
2027: Stop dreaming of presidency, Tinubu will rule till 2031 – Igbokwe tells Obi, Atiku, others
AFOLABI
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has urged those aspiring for the presidency to perish the thought.
This comes amid speculations that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, are teaming up to sack President Bola Tinubu in the coming election.
A post shared by Igbokwe on his official Facebook page warned those nursing presidential ambitions to desist, stating that Tinubu would remain Nigeria’s president until 2031.
According to Igbokwe, the president needs a second term to enable him to “set the records straight.”
He wrote: “If any presidential aspirant is dreaming of winning presidential elections in 2027, I will advise that candidate to perish the thought till 2031.
“PBAT is destined to remain in the seat of power till 2031. He needs eight years to set the records straight.”
Ogun State Police Command has raised concerns over a significant increase in reports of missing persons in the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, made this known in a statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Odutola stated that the command had noticed an unprecedented rise in the number of missing persons across all age groups.
She explained that only a small fraction of the individuals had been found, with many regrettably not returning home.
The police image maker urged residents to remain vigilant and more security-conscious while prioritising their safety.
She further stated that as a proactive and community-oriented force, the command was committed to raising public awareness about this concerning trend.
“We encourage everyone to prioritise their safety by maintaining a heightened sense of security to avoid becoming a victim.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has outlined essential measures and guidelines to keep residents informed about the most pressing issues.
“Based on insights from individuals who were rescued, the Commissioner advises parents not to allow their children to use commercial transportation services with strangers.
“Additionally, he encourages restless youth to activate the digital communication and sharing features on their mobile devices, especially when traveling or in moments of distress,” Odutola said.
The PPRO reiterated that the public could contact the police control room at 09164859299 and the Police Public Relations Department at 09159578888 for assistance.
Delta State Police Command led by CP Olufemi Abaniwonda has confirmed the arrest of an 18-year-old boy, Oghenetejiei Kosini over alleged defilement of a 2-year-old baby girl, his landlady’s daughter.
It was learnt that the suspect allegedly defiled the baby on 12 December, 2024.
A source hinted that the mother of the baby was busy outside when the suspect sneaked into their apartment and carried out the heinous act.
He was arrested by the Orerokpe Police Division after the mother of the baby discovered the incident, as the baby bled profusely.
Information revealed that the suspect boasted that nothing would happen after he was released by the police.
However, following an intervention by a human right activist, Comrade Israel Joe, he was re-arrested.
Comrade Joe condemned the act and insisted that the Police must prosecute the suspect to serve as a deterrent to others.
He said the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, in charge of the matter earlier released the suspect on December 24, 2024 against the provision of extant laws.
“In a quest to frustrate the investigations, the IPO also allegedly refused to give them a form to go for a medical check up at the general hospital with an excuse that the said boy did not deny and had put it down on his statement that he actually did it.”
“Where on earth would the police condescend to a level of not carrying out proper investigation, holding to the confessional statement alone of a suspect that could be denied in court tomorrow?” He queried.
He urged the Delta State Commissioner of Police to charge the suspect to court as soon as an investigation is concluded.
The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says corps members in the country will soon start receiving ₦77,000 as their monthly allowance.
NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja, according to a statement by NYSC spokesperson Caroline Embu.
General Ahmed, who said his administration places a high priority on Corps welfare, added that arrangements for the payment of new corps members’ allowance have been concluded.
The increase of the monthly allowance for corps members followed the review of Nigeria’s minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in July 2024.
In 2020, the NYSC increased the allowances of corps members from ₦19,800 to ₦33,000, months after a new minimum wage bill of ₦30,000 was signed.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the minimum wage bill into law, ending months of deliberations between government authorities, labour unions, and the private sector.
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Two persons have been injured in an accident in front of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) headquarters office in Lagos.
A statement by the agency on Wednesday said the sad incident occurred after the bus had a brake failure.
“We just recorded a sad incident Infront of LASTMA HQ inward Oshodi Oke on Apapa Oshodi Exp way.
“A commercial bus had a brake failure and rammed into the Culvert. There are 2 victims on ground who are about to be taken to the nearby hospital.
“Our officials are also at the location to maintain sanity and ease the traffic backlog,” LASTMA wrote on its X handle.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari has disclosed that he went from being an Almajiri school pupil to becoming the head of the national oil company.
Kyari stated this on his X handle, @MKKyari, on Wednesday as he celebrated his 60th birthday.
He expressed profound gratitude to Nigeria for the opportunities that came his way from his humble beginnings to the height he has attained.
He thanked Nigeria and particularly former President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPCL.
Reflecting on his life, Kyari stated that he walked through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, failures and successes and many more, noting that only the sufficiency of Allah could explain them.
He wrote “Allah, by his grace, spared my life to this exceptional day, making it my 60th year from birth, even much earlier on the Hijri calendar.
“I am profoundly grateful to my country for giving me the opportunity to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company.
“Even more particular, I deeply appreciate the exceptional privilege given to me by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPC Ltd.
“Reflecting backwards alone can’t account for the profoundly eventful life I spent to this date, walking through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, fails and successes and many more that only the sufficiency of Allah will explain.
“At this milestone, I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense so deeply pleasing.
“I am hugely indebted to my family for being nearly absent for most of my later years serving our nation and the common good.
“My deep appreciation to my family, friends and associates, my colleagues at work and my teachers (western and of Almajiri extractions), and many unmentioned people who account for many of my accomplishments, unconditional support and my overall well-being.
“This is a turning point, and I seek forgiveness from anyone I might have hurt unintentionally or unavoidably.”
The China Development Bank (CDB) has granted a loan of 245 million euros ($254.76 million) for the construction of the Kano-Kaduna railway project in Nigeria.
A statement by the bank on Tuesday said the move was to provide financial support for the smooth progress of the project.
The Kano-Kaduna railway, with a total length of 203 kilometres, is a standard-gauge railway. Once completed, it will provide direct rail connectivity between Kano and Abuja.
“This railway will also promote the development of related industries along the route. The construction and operation of the project will create numerous job opportunities in Nigeria.
“The Kano-Kaduna railway project has been included in the list of practical cooperation projects for the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation,” the statement partly said.
The project is being constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) with financing support provided by the CDB.
The CDB stated that in the next phase, it will work closely with the Nigerian side to ensure the continued disbursement of loans and effectively manage the completion of the work.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, on his 60th birthday.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised Kyari’s exceptional leadership and transformative impact on NNPCL.
He commended the GCEO for steering the organization toward profitability and achieving remarkable milestones in Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Despite initial skepticism, Kyari has proven his mettle by revitalizing two key refineries, enhancing domestic natural gas consumption, and boosting oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day,” the President noted.
Tinubu described Kyari as a “shinning example” of the Renewed Hope Agenda and highlighted his commitment to expanding opportunities and ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s energy sector.
Reflecting on Kyari’s illustrious career at NNPC and OPEC, Tinubu lauded his professionalism and dedication to public service, crediting him for setting a high standard as the first Group Chief Executive Officer of the restructured NNPCL.
The President also offered prayers for Kyari, wishing him continued health, wisdom, and strength to further serve the nation while mentoring the next generation of leaders in the energy industry.