Latest News
FEATURES
General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, has said the Boko Haram war is taking long because it is not a conventional one.
Musa stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday.
He added that it is very difficult to fight people who have nothing to lose.
Musa said, “This Boko Haram thing is a lot and for them to have succeeded for 16 years and still fighting, how are they getting their funding? Who is sustaining them? Because they can’t not just be doing things like that.
“What I tell people is that no country should allow this kind of thing to commence. It is a difficult thing to eradicate. You know why? Before now when we had conventional warfare, you knew you were for territory you wanted to achieve. Now you have to fight with people who have nothing to lose. It is an ideology they have in their mind.
“They believe they are right and you are wrong. He believes that if he kills you, he is getting blessings. If you kill him, he believes he is going to heaven. Absolutely, he has nothing to lose.
“That makes it very difficult and it’s not written on their forehead. So, how do you identify who is who? We obey international laws and they don’t. So, what do they do? They use human shields. And time they go into people because they know you can’t shoot.
“When people say why it’s taking so long, it is a very difficult operation to do. You make mistakes and kill innocent people, the country comes after you. If you don’t kill them, the people will come after you. It’s difficult on both sides.”
He said that the army is working hand-in-hand with the national assembly to supervise arms purchase, thereby tackling corruption.
He said, “No more corruption in the arms purchase. We are working closely with the National Assembly. There is an oversight function that is being carried out. We have both people that come and check what we are doing. We are very open and I can bet you that we love this country and we want to give the best to the country.
“If you look at the amount we are getting and buying. The sixteen years of fighting Boko Haram has enabled us to build the capacity of our repair team, our engineers and mechanics. Now we can pick a completely burnt down MRAPV, fix it and put it back into work.”
On equipping personnel, the general said that the army would soon start producing its weapons.
“With the signing of the DICON bill by Mr president last, it has afforded us the opportunity to partner with original equipment manufacturers all over the world to come and produce. Because even with our money we can’t produce some of this equipment. Now we are producing our ammunition. We want to start producing our own weapons.”
[DailyTrust]
Residents of Saburi residential district in DeiDei area of Abuja are now living in heightened fear following renewed activities of hoodlums.
According to them, the hoodlums send scavengers to survey the area before striking.
The gunmen have attacked the area about thrice since January 1 and made away with valuables, and money worth millions of Naira, residents say.
DAILY POST gathered that some of the gunmen who were masked first attacked the area during the crossover night on December 31, 2024, while residents were returning from church.
The gunmen specifically attacked houses in Ikejani street, Osumeayi Street, Sani Abacha lane, and Saburi.
During the attack, the hoodlums attempted to destroy the eyes of a security man in a failed move to eliminate him. They also shot at a resident who tried to prevent them from gaining access into his compound.
Residents recount ordeal
A resident, who wished to be anonymous, disclosed that Saburi used to be synonymous with kidnapping.
He said to curb the menace, residents mounted three gates at various locations around the community.
“We had three gates due to rampant kidnappings. Every two or three days they would pick somebody.
“Now, they have resorted to armed robbery.
“Only God can help because when people more than 20 with guns invade a place what can you do? I believe they collaborated with some boys from here and those from Saburi One to carry out the attack,” he told DAILY POST.
How they attempted to slaughter me
The security guard on duty, Sunday Ogbor, recounted how they attempted to kill him by cutting through his face and leaving him for dead.
Ogbor told DAILY POST: “I was at the security house when I heard voices and I thought they were my fellow guards who usually come by 3am to call my attention to ring the security bell.
“When I came out with my gun and knife, they collected them and started hitting me on my head, one jumped on my chest, while another tied me.
“While they were rough-handling me, I was shouting and they kept hitting me, they used the knife to cut me from my ear through my eyes to my other ear.
“After the incident, some people came and rushed me to hospital. Now, I can’t see properly.”
Another resident, Gift Udago of Sani Abacha lane in Saburi recalled how the boys numbering over 30 invaded his house, broke his window protector and used a matchet on his doors in an attempt to rob him and his tenants.
“Early in the morning on Monday, the boys about 30 pushed down my gate and came inside.
“I looked out the window and saw that they were many, I didn’t know what to do, even the tenants were all scared that night because they came with matchets, axes, and guns.
“They were shouting ‘where is the money – your money and your phones’ – they packed a lot of things after scattering my things, including my door.
“That night was so terrible for me because I have never experienced such in my life.
“This is not the first time; on 31 December, 2024, the same boys attacked the other side of Saburi, on 15th of January they also attacked the Four Bedroom area of Saburi, they even shot somebody on his leg.
“These are the issues we are facing and we are praying that the government will address it,” he said.
The Women Leader of Saburi, Princess Amaka Chijioke said the boys had information that she withdrew a large volume of money, which they made away with.
She said: “I have had an experience with these boys three times. The first one was terrible because they just jumped inside my room. I had just lost a son then.
“They threatened to murder my second son the way the first died, after which they carried everything.
“They came informed I had withdrawn money from the bank, which I kept in my room. While I tried to hide the money in the toilet, one of them smartly followed me and carried the bag.
“The moment God removed them from my room, I picked my son and ran to one of my tenants.
“The fact is that when they were robbing me, the tenants were not even aware of it. There were about 20 people that invaded the compound.
“We are asking the government to come to our aid because this is too much, they use machetes and guns, they shot somebody the day before yesterday. It’s not an experience somebody wants to narrate.”
Police failed to respond – Residents alleged
Meanwhile, the residents are worried over the alleged failure of the police to respond to their calls.
One of them said: “Our police here have not really helped. We have a situation where it will take the police close to an hour before they will come and by then the robbers have finished all they want to do and have gone. The police will come to meet residents in agony and pain.
“From January 15, we no longer sleep and have decided to turn ourselves into security men and women. We come out in the night to guard our streets.
“Saburi residential area is under attack and needs the government’s intervention.
“We have a situation where armed robbers will be attacking and when you call the closest police station, they will tell you it’s not within their area of jurisdiction.
“We also have policemen and Army guarding the railway, the distance to where this robbery took place is just like a pole, but you will never see the police or Army at the railway trying to intervene, they simply maintain the railway station.”
The Vice Chairman of Saburi residential district, Engr Gerald Aziegbe lamented that there is no strong police presence in the locality.
He said: “We wouldn’t say that we have a strong police presence here because this is the fifth time we have been robbed here and there is no police presence.
“Nobody was apprehended, they succeeded and left. For the fifth time in more than three years, they succeeded, so I wouldn’t say we have a strong police presence here.”
Similarly, the Chairman of 4Bedroom Area of Saburi, Anyanwu Ugonna lamented the refusal of police officers stationed within Saburi to respond to their distress call.
Ugonna said the police officers claimed that the robbery spot was outside their coverage area.
He told DAILY POST: “I reside here at 4Bedroom in Saburi close to the railway station.
“On January 25, 2025, around 1.55 am, we heard a gunshot at the back of the house and on peeping through the window, I saw about 15 men trying to scale through the fence and enter some of the buildings in the compound.
“I alerted my neighbours. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that they were already approaching our own gate.
“On sighting us, the only thing I heard was ‘shoot’ and they shot. I was trying to retreat when I heard a gunshot and I felt my leg was heavy. The person with me was running and I was telling him that I was wounded but we went through the fence at the back of the building.
“We tried contacting the police, the ones that are very close to us; what we heard was that they are not the ones in charge of this area. At about 3:45 am, the GwaGwa police came but the boys had left.
“The police station in Saburi is closer than GwaGwa yet they refused to come because it’s not their area.”
Involvement of scavengers (Baban Bola)
Ugonna also disclosed that the boys first disguise themselves in the form of scavengers (Baban Bola) to survey the area before coming back in the night to strike.
He added: “Like I said, this place has been robbed like five or six times and in most cases, you will find out that there is always someone who has come to do surveillance and when they come most times, they come in the form of buying or selling something, while others come in the name of scavengers to pick things from the dust bin.
“This was the major reason we stopped residents from dumping refuse within the residence; we have noticed that there is a link between them.”
Efforts by DAILY POST to reach the Police Public Relations of the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh to get her comment proved abortive as she didn’t answer her calls nor respond to message sent to her mobile contact as of the time of filing this report.
[DailyPost]
Senior Pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has claimed that God revealed secrets to him that can lift Nigeria out of its economic challenges within five years.
However, Ibiyeomie has stated that he will not share these secrets until he is called upon to do so.
In a video circulating online, Ibiyeomie recalled an instance where he partially shared the secrets, only for a top politician repeat them on television.
He likened his situation to that of Joseph in the Bible, who only shared part of Pharaoh’s dream and kept the implementation details to himself.
Ibiyeomie emphasised that Nigeria is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and he believes that with the right approach, the country can overcome its economic woes.
Ibiyeomie said: “I’m standing before the Holy Ghost, I’ve said it before, if I tell you the secrets of what God told me, Nigeria will come out of her economic woes in five years, but I will never share it.
“Ask me why. Did Joseph just talk anyhow?. I’m not bragging, I’m telling you before God, I know what Nigeria will do, five years Nigeria will never beg.
“I shared part of it one time, and a top politician went on television and repeated exactly what I said.
“Joseph told Pharaoh the dream, he didn’t tell him how to implement it. He put that one in his pocket, so Pharaoh said come, come and implement it.
“When you want to solve a problem, when you give them a part, keep the other part until they call you to speak.
“Nigeria is one of the wealthiest countries in the world.”
[TheNation]
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, stormed the speaker’s Lodge at Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday morning.
The PUNCH reports that the supporters, wearing several pro-Obasa vests and caps are currently in their scores at the lodge in the area.
Multiple sources told our correspondent that the supporters were planning a “heroic welcome” for the lawmaker who was recently impeached by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
Obasa was replaced by Mojisola Meranda, the former deputy speaker, who has presided over two sittings since Obasa’s removal, with the former speaker absent from the sittings.
The former Speaker was not in the country when he was impeached.
There is controversy over the choice of the Speaker’s Lodge at 47, Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, as Obasa’s purported arrival point, given that he is no longer officially entitled to the residence.
“I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them”, a resident was heard saying.
Our correspondent who is currently on the ground and monitoring the development reports that armed security personnel, including the police, are presently in the area to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa is yet to be sighted.
[Punch]
For the uninitiated, the alphabet BBL might draw a blank. Not so for aspiring and practising socialites in our big capital cities of Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
'We aren't just a band of blind musicians; we have journalists, teachers and computer...
For the latter, BBL stands for Brazilian Butt Lift, a procedure that augments the look of your buttocks in addition to removing fat from other parts of your body and transferring it to the buttocks area for a more voluptuous appearance.
Plastic and cosmetic surgeries
Once upon a not-too-distant time, engaging in plastic surgery was almost taboo. There were few practitioners in the country anyway, and most were to be found in the teaching hospitals where they mainly performed corrective surgeries on patients with natural conditions such as cleft lips, club feet and mastectomy patients.
OBGYN Consultant and Surgeon, Dr Loretta Ogboro Okor tells Vanguard that patients of such procedures must exercise caution on many different levels, saying the side effects are not to be joked around with, as they are potentially fatal.
”You will remember that the Brazillians have all these festivals and they are very body image conscious, so they are very focused on all these cosmetic surgeries and BBL is one of such.
“ Before BBL people got butt implants, but BBL became better and more fashionable. In the immediate term there is the risk of bleeding whether we like it or not, because tissues are being cut and incisions are being made”.
A high risk procedure
Ogboro Okoh advises BBL patients to patronise the right practitioners who will carry out proper investigations.
”Some of us bleed a lot more than others and in the Nigerian situation people don’t usually do check ups often so we don’t even know what is wrong with us. Some people even have Von Willebrand disease, where you bleed a lot.
“First few days after surgery are very painful and people are asked not to lie on their back. Imagine if someone already has gastro esophageal reflux disease or cardiac conditions and have to lie on their tummy for the first few weeks. The pain is real, swelling and bruising. Over time the skin may be discoloured”.
Lumps and bumps can appear on the intermediate run and of course, scarring and some form keloids. Blood vessels can become blocked and cause thrombosis, which can be fatal.
You can have fat embolism and that can go into the lungs. You can have fat necrosis. Blood vessels can clot and form a haematoma in the immediate postoperative period and blood will just be gathering there.
A serious skin infection can happen, called cellulitis.
These are the reasons ladies are made to wear compression garments immediately post op”.
Obeying gravity
Ogboro Okoh says infection is a big risk and recommends optimum hygiene before going in for the procedure.
“On the long run, what will your BBL be 10 years down the line or maybe when you are 60 or 70? The fat that is transferred will now start obeying gravity and maybe some fat has necrosed, so before you know, it is drooping on one side”.
Area targeted exercises
“They will tell you that the procedure is safe between the ages of 18 and 55, but I think a moderate lifestyle with proper exercise would help. Even just doing squats can make your bum come out.
I see some people using what they call BBL creams. Some of these creams have hormones. People have risks for certain hormone based cancers. The question is, is it really good for you? “
Targeted family size
The surgeon told Vanguard that BBL should be done when subscribers have completed their targeted family size, adding that moderation is key for best outcomes.
“Some surgeons will tell you it doesn’t matter but these people are looking for their money. You are going to expand during pregnancy, so you have to wait at least two years. You can’t get pregnant immediately.
BBL and fertility
“There is no clear cut link between BBL and fertility. However, there are certain infections that people have had which would make pregnancy a challenge”.
Weight loss pills, injections
A new class of weight loss medications have suddenly appeared in the horizon. Ozempic is the most favoured by Nigerian socialites, many of whom can now be seen sporting new, unusually slim body frames.
Though this class of drugs has been treated as prescription drugs in other countries and very much available in pharmacies, a false scarcity has been created in the socialite circles, with supplies sold only to the highest bidders. Sources claim a dose can go as high as 500,000 naira, as treatment, once proceeded, must be continued.
Though it can be a highly beneficial drug, Dr Ogboro Okoh warns of potentially harmful side effects.
“These groups of medications were used to manage type 2 diabetes. What was found as a side effect was weight loss. What the world is now trending and using it for is the side effect of these medications. The pharmacological names are Semaglutide with trade name Ozempic, then Tirzepatide, which is called Mounjaro.
“It will reduce your appetite and slow down the movement of the digestive tract and reduces the release of glucose from the liver. It is technically going to decrease your appetite. It also helps the pancreas to create more cells to make insulin”.
Adverse effects
Nausea, vomiting, constipation and jaundice are some adverse side effects of these drugs, according to Ogboro Okoh, who recommends full medical checkup before administering.
“It’s also been found that people who take these medications should not have a history of thyroid problems. In terms of weight loss it’s very effective”.
Fertility
”Anytime we lose weight, we improve our fertility- sperm count in men and ovulation and regularity of cycles in women. In fact in a situation like PCOS, once you lose weight you have treated that condition. We also know that when blood sugar levels improve, fertility increases. Ozempic actually works by decreasing inflammation in the body and when people are trying for babies we tell them to take vitamin E, an antioxidant.
However on the flip side, we still have concerns and research is still ongoing”.
Testosterone
“There has been talk that Ozempic can reduce testosterone in men and that can affect sperm count, but studies have not been concluded on this.
Results are showing that people who don’t want to get pregnant, once they start using Ozempic, they just start being super fertile. We now have Ozempic babies. Look at the side of the fence you are before you start taking these medications.
If you are taking birth control pills and you are taking Ozempic you might be setting yourself up for failure.
Again, she urges users to adjust their diet and lifestyle to get the best benefits, favouring diets rich in fiber to tackle constipation and arresting gastro paralysis and intestinal obstruction.
She also recommends physical activities for sustained weight loss, saying research is still evolving.
For celebs, visibility is currency
Part of being a celebrity is being seen. In the world of Nigerian celebrities, visibility is everything, particularly in this social media age. You must not only play the part and be seen to be playing the part, but you must also look the part. Competition is frenetic and new players are joining the queue every single day.
The recent wedding of afro pop crooner, popularly known as Davido with his long-term partner, Chioma saw video plays as high as one billion views on their official pages alone.
Black might be beautiful, but Nigerian celebs prefer a different kind of beauty, the type that shines even when there is no light.
From Bobrisky to Iyabo Ojo, there is hardly any successful female celeb whose skin tone has not significantly changed over the years. Even the men are not spared, particularly those of Southwestern stock in Yoruwood and indigenous pop music.
Bleaching or toning?
“There’s a big difference between bleaching and toning”, says Anthonia, a youth corper who recently completed her service. “Pimples, sun and things like that change the skin tone, especially poverty.
Many ladies don’t want to bleach but they don’t want different patches of colours on their skin, hence the use of creams”. With a dismissive laugh, she declined to reveal if her own skin tone is natural.
Asked if she is aware of the dangers of using skin colour changing creams, whether for bleaching or toning. Tonia says: “there’s nothing new in these things. The end justifies the means”.
Chemical peels have also become common cosmetic procedures.
Creams containing glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or pyruvic acid are applied to the skin in the spa. These acids destroy the upper layer of the skin, called the epidermis and this is subsequently peeled off to reveal a fresher, smoother, lighter layer.
No NAFDAC numbers- NAFDAC
Many of these bleaching or toning creams are mixed by untrained individuals who obtain the ingredients from unregulated black markets in the Agege and Ojota areas of Lagos, according to informed sources.
Pharmacist Ebele Perpetua Anto, Deputy Director, cosmetics and medical devices, drug evaluation and research at NAFDAC, says even those sold on shelves do not all have NAFDAC numbers.
In a sensitization workshop on dangers of bleaching creams and regular controls, Anto revealed that skin bleaching has become an evolving health problem whose patrons believe they will achieve a higher level of relevance and acceptability.
77% of Nigerian women bleach — WHO
According to Anto, the demand for skin lightening products are on the increase, despite sensitization efforts. Due to the negativity attached to the word “bleaching”, she said new words have emerged such as toning, whitening, lightening, fading, exfoliating, peeling, brightening and so forth. The use of bleaching agents is also gaining popularity in baby and children products.
Citing a WHO 2018 study, Anto claims 77% of women in Nigeria regularly use skin lightening creams. The same study claims skin lightening is one of the fastest growing beauty industries worldwide, estimated to be worth $31.2 billion by 2024.
Risk of cancer
Encouraging cosmetic producers to register with NAFDAC, she enumerates the risk of cancer as one of the side effects of using bleaching agents.
Others are premature skin ageing, damage to the kidney, skin burns and skin infection.
“Elevated mercury levels in the hair, blood and urine can damage the nervous system and affect an unborn child. Various agents, including the natural ones, can cause allergic reactions “, she said as she called for the shunning of such products.
Tight fitting garments
For those who cannot afford the luxurious results of BBL and other cosmetic, invasive procedures, there are clever, figure enhancing undergarments to the rescue; but while some are just soft, lush and curve inducing, others are dangerously and viciously tight, putting the ribs, lungs and other body parts in danger.
Cause and effect
Dr Ogboro Okoh offers explanations and alternatives. “That being said, I don’t think it’s really a crime to want to change what is not very good about one’s body. Some lack proper self esteem and think when they do such, it would boost their esteem.
Women need to develop an internal level of self esteem and this can be got from the home growing up from the parents and those around them.
Life is not all about how they look but more about what they have between their ears.
Beauty, naturally…
Quincy Ayodele, a WHO certified naturopathic medical practitioner with decades of experience, has worked with hundreds of celebrities and helped them achieve their goals of slimmer physiques and better skins towards the goal of holistically healthier lifestyles.
In Quincy’s world, there are no diseases eradication, not to mention beauty goals, that cannot be reached by the use of herbs and plants that can be found within our own environment. This includes the attainment of a more voluptuous body frame.
With the World Health Organisation’s official recognition of naturopathic practitioners following their outstanding success in the handling of COVID 19 cases in their respective countries, Ayodele is convinced more Nigerians will begin to embrace their natural and more sustainable procedures, in their quest for beauty.
[Vanguard]
Adams Oshiomhole, chairman of the senate committee on interior, has alleged that retired military generals are behind the spate of illegal mining activities in the country.
According to Channels Television, the senator made the allegation on Friday during the budget presentation by Sampson Ekong, chairman of the senate committee on solid minerals development, to the senate committee on appropriation.
“The ongoing illegal mining across the country is being carried out by retired generals, and we know them. They use helicopters to cart away gold, making billions of dollars, while the country suffers,” Oshiomhole said.
“This issue has been left unchecked for too long. We have the data and surveys showing where these activities are happening. It’s time for the government to deploy joint task forces, just as it has done in tackling oil theft.”
Oshiomhole said he had written to former President Muhammadu Buhari about the situation during his stint as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), detailing how illegal miners arm local groups and use sophisticated equipment to exploit resources.
The senator asked the federal government to take decisive action on the illegal mining crisis, advocating for robust measures similar to those deployed to combat illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
Last year, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, launched the mining marshals to checkmate illegal mining of solid minerals across the country.
[TheCable]
The administration of President Donald Trump on Friday directed federal agencies to start terminating staffers working in positions related to diversity programs, after placing them on paid leave earlier this week.
The axing of jobs aimed at combating discrimination such as racism and sexism is the latest in a blitz of right-wing measures the 78-year-old Republican has put in place on his return to the White House.
“Each agency, department, or commission head shall take action to terminate, to the maximum extent allowed by law, all DEI, DEIA, and ‘environmental justice’ offices and positions within 60 days,” said a memo from the US Office of Personnel Management, referring to jobs aimed at boosting “diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.”
Earlier this week Trump had ordered government agency heads to submit a written plan for reducing employees in DEI offices by close of business on Friday.
The reference to environmental justice appeared to be new, however.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s website defined it as “the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment.”
During last year’s presidential campaign, Trump vilified DEI policies in the federal government and corporate world, saying they discriminated against white people — men in particular.
He also demonized any recognition of gender diversity, attacking transgender people — notably transgender women in sports — and gender-affirming care for children.
Trump has already ended what he called “radical” affirmative action in awarding federal contracts, revoking an order crafted to combat racism that dates back to the civil rights era of the 1960s.
He has also promised to sweep away policies supporting transgender people, insisting that the United States will officially recognize only two genders.
His earlier orders also required federal department and agency bosses to ask “employees if they know of any efforts to disguise these (DEI) programs by using coded or imprecise language.”
[Opinion Nigeria]
The Federal Government has announced the addition of hairstyling, plumbing, GSM repair, makeup and 12 other new trades/new subjects to the basic education curriculum.
The development comes following ongoing reforms in various sectors of the economy.
A statement issued by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the new trades were added to the Basic Education curriculum to boost students’ practical skills and employability.
The new subjects include plumbing; tiling and floor works; POP installation; event decoration and management; bakery and confectioneries; hairstyling; makeup; interior design; GSM repairs and satellite/TV antenna installation.
Others are CCTV and intercom installation and maintenance; solar installation and maintenance; garment making; agriculture and processing (including crop production, beekeeping, horticulture and livestock farming like poultry and rabbit rearing), and basic digital literacy (including IT and robotics).
The statement noted that the new subjects will take effect from January 2025 for primary and junior secondary students across the country.
Bandits have demanded a ransom of ₦540 million for the victims abducted during an attack on a General Hospital in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Naija News recalls that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday, left a medical doctor, Dr. Murtala Sale Dandashire, and another individual with gunshot injuries.
Dr. Dandashire sustained a gunshot wound during the raid, while several staff members were kidnapped.
Among the abductees is the Assistant Director of Nursing Services and head of the nursing department at the hospital, Yusuf Muhammad Mairuwa.
According to Daily Post, sources disclosed that the bandits are demanding ₦270 million for the release of Mairuwa and an additional ₦270 million for the other hospital staff and workers from a nearby fertilizer factory who were also kidnapped during the incident.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has condemned the attack, expressing his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of health workers.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Governor Radda acknowledged the progress made in reducing similar attacks but emphasized that the mission remains incomplete.
“We are restrategising our security approach to ensure that our medical professionals can perform their vital duties without fear.
“The safety of our healthcare workers and residents remains our paramount concern,” the governor assured.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has disclosed that the Federal Government saved as much as $10 billion in 2023 due to the removal of fuel subsidy.
The lawmaker made the disclosure during a meeting with some investors and a group of scholars at Oxford University in London on the sidelines of his ongoing United Kingdom-Nigeria Parliamentary Strategic Dialogue working visit to the United Kingdom.
He explained that removing fuel subsidy has positively affected the economy, adding that the policy led to a 22 percent increase in dollar remittances from the Diaspora, totalling $28 billion in 2024.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Friday, said the Deputy Speaker spoke on politics, security, economy, and development with the team led by Peter Claus, a Prof. of History and Access Fellow at Pembroke College, University of Oxford.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the removal of the subsidy had enabled the Federal Government to redirect funds to critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
He has also disclosed that synergy between the Nigerian armed forces and regional counterparts has resulted in the capture of over 1,500 insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin.
In the development sector, the Deputy Speaker said the government has launched various initiatives to promote technological advancement and innovation.
The statement quoted Kalu as saying, “The removal of the fuel subsidy saved the government $10 billion in 2023, redirecting funds to healthcare, education, and infrastructure, while dollar remittances from the Diaspora have increased by as much as 22 per cent, totaling $28 bn.”
More...
Details Of Obasanjo, Buhari Statements In Paris Court Over $2.5 Billion Mambilla Power Dispute Emerge
AFOLABI
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari have testified before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris, France, denying claims that the Federal Government awarded a $6 billion contract for the Mambilla Power Project in Taraba State to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
The arbitration case was initiated by Sunrise Power and its founder, Leno Adesanya, who are demanding $2.3 billion in compensation over an alleged breach of contract by the Federal Government.
In their testimonies, Naija News understands that Obasanjo and Buhari argued that the alleged 2003 agreement between the Federal Government and Sunrise Power is invalid.
They maintained that Sunrise obtained a letter of award, signed by a former Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, just 24 hours after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected the company’s proposal.
The former presidents urged the arbitration court to disregard the document, asserting it was not a legitimate government contract.
Agunloye, who served as Minister of Power during Obasanjo’s administration, is currently facing trial in Abuja on charges of forgery, disobedience of a presidential directive, and corruption concerning the Mambilla project.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Agunloye of awarding a contract for the construction of the 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station to Sunrise Power without budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.
Agunloye has dismissed the allegations, claiming the government is using him as a scapegoat to discredit Sunrise’s case before the arbitration panel.
Corroborated Testimonies
The former presidents’ testimonies were supported by current Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), former Justice Minister Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Power Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and former Water Resources Minister Engr. Suleiman Adamu.
Reports also indicated that former Justice Minister Mike Aondoakaa (SAN) was briefly present in Paris, although it was unclear whether he appeared for the Federal Government or Sunrise Power.
As of Thursday evening, Sunrise Power and its founder, Leno Adesanya, had yet to produce any witnesses at the arbitration hearing.
A source at the proceedings who spoke with TheNation said Obasanjo and Buhari were at their best to “defend the interest of Nigeria.”
The source added, “It is very important for nation’s case that the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, was successful in bringing two former presidents – Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari to testify at the hearing
“By this action, the government of Nigeria sent a signal of its strong commitment to defending the nation’s interest.
“Both leaders-Obasanjo and Buhari-are known for speaking forthrightly and unequivocally, and this they were said to have exhibited in Paris.
“To the delight of the international team of lawyers representing Nigeria, the two past presidents did extremely well, exposing the Sunrise/Leno’s claim for what it is: an attempt at using fraud, deceit and lies to scoop settlement from Nigeria in the first instance, for the alleged violation of a 2003 contract for which there is no valid approval.”
The source branded Nigeria’s witnesses as “Team Nigeria” and united.
According to the source, “It was by and large a great showing, consolidated by the equally outstanding testimonies of former ministers Engineer Sulaiman Adamu, formerly of Water Resources, and Babatunde Raji Fashola, Power.
“The Arbitration Court in France had a week-long hearing 18th-23rd January in Paris on the ongoing dispute between Sunrise Company/Leno Adesanya and the government of Nigeria on the existence or the absence of a contract for the construction of the Mambilla Power Project.
“Although it is up to the chairman and other members of the tribunal to decide on who is right and who is wrong, it can be said at this point that Nigeria had a very good outing on the basis of certain facts that have emerged from Paris.”
The source said Sunrise and Leno Adesanya had not been able to produce any major witness.
The source added: “It is evident from the proceedings that the case of the complainants was rooted in a purported 2003 agreement.
“The 2003 contract was established not to have been validly in existence. This is worsened by the fact that the complainants failed to produce their major witnesses.
“The much-touted appearance of a one-time Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, did not also materialise. He was the one who allegedly signed a letter communicating the approval of the contract 24 hours after its rejection by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) which meeting was presided over by Obasanjo.
“A third ‘key witness” a Senegalese lady, did not also appear at the hearing.
“So who spoke for Sunrise/Leno Adesanya?
“He did everything for and by himself.
“Another major setback suffered by the complainants was their over-reliance on an earlier witness statement deposed to by Abubakar Malami, Minister of Justice and Attorney General under President Buhari.”
Malami, on whose testimony the complainants made heavy weather, ended up lining up behind his former boss, President Buhari, to support and prepare him well for his (Buhari’s) testimony.
The source said, “This strategy had the dual benefits of ensuring Buhari’s successful testimony and at the same time pulling the rug from under Leno Adesanya’s feet.”
Veteran actress, Oluwabukola Ajoke, aka Bukky Wright has opened up about her time away from Nigeria and how she changed careers during her stay in the United States of America.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, she said, “I will be practising it (tech) simultaneously with entertainment. The fact that I had to deviate totally from entertainment to tech was something many people thought I would not be able to do. I would tell all my mentees that if I can do it, they can do it too.”
On what she missed the most about Nigeria while away, Wright said, “What I would love to eat again would be proper Naija amala. What I would like to do again would be to act with Nollywood actors.”
As for her highly anticipated return to Nollywood, the actress promised fans plenty of exciting projects ahead. She added, “I have a lot for fans, including my project— ‘The Return of Omotara Johnson’, which is coming and a whole lot of other things. I am back to stay.”
Sharing the secret to her timeless beauty, she quipped, “I don’t joke with my beauty sleep.”
FG to raise N450bn from Jan bond auction
Nigeria’s inaugural domestic dollar-denominated bond has contributed a substantial N1.47 trillion to the nation’s total domestic debt, latest domestic debt report from the Debt Management Office (DMO) has shown.
The bond accounts for 2.12% of Nigeria’s total domestic debt stock, which stood at N69.22 trillion as of September 30, 2024. Its issuance represents a milestone in the Federal Government’s strategy to diversify funding sources and attract foreign investment. Unlike naira-denominated instruments, this dollar bond offers investors a unique opportunity to participate in Nigeria’s economy while mitigating the currency risks associated with naira volatility.
This comes as the federal government, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), has announced plans to raise N450 billion in its January 2025 bond auction. This represents a notable increase from the N360 billion offered in January 2024 and the N120 billion issued in December 2024.
The initiative is a strategic move to address the fiscal deficit, fulfill financial obligations, and provide attractive investment opportunities for both institutional and individual investors. The January auction features a blend of reopened and new bond issuances, thoughtfully designed to appeal to a diverse range of investors.
The auction includes three bond categories, one of which is a five-year bond with a 19.30% coupon rate, initially issued in April 2029. Through the reopening of this bond, the government seeks to raise N100 billion, further reinforcing its commitment to effective debt management and economic stability.
Meanwhile, the domestic debt recorded mixed performance, declining by 5.34% in dollar terms from $48.45 billion in June to $45.87 billion in September. In naira terms, however, domestic debt increased by 3.10%, from N71.22 trillion to N73.43 trillion.
Federal Government bonds remained the largest component of domestic debt, increasing by 4.47% to N54.65 trillion in September, up from N52.32 trillion in June. This represents 78.95% of the total domestic debt stock, an increase from 78.13% in the previous quarter.
The second-largest domestic debt component, Treasury Bills, declined marginally by 0.66% to N11.73 trillion, from N11.81 trillion in the previous quarter. This reduction aligns with efforts to moderate short-term debt and mitigate rollover risks.
Promissory notes, used to settle government obligations, grew by 5.80%, increasing from N1.67 trillion in June to N1.77 trillion in September.
Federal Government Sukuk, an infrastructure funding instrument, declined by 9.14% to N992.56 billion, down from N1.09 trillion.
Savings bonds increased by 16.11% to N64.09 billion, reflecting growing retail investor participation. Green bonds remained unchanged at N15 billion, maintaining their minimal contribution of 0.02% to the domestic debt stock.
A Nigerian police officer, Inspector Lawal Ibrahim, has reportedly died following a sexual encounter with a woman he met on social media.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at Palasa Guest Inn in Gwagwalada, Abuja, where Ibrahim, who was attached to the Kwali Division, had checked in with Maryam Abba, a woman he had invited from Dutse, Jigawa State.
According to Abba, the pair engaged in sexual activity overnight and resumed in the morning. She recounted, “After the second round, I noticed his breathing became irregular and stopped abruptly. I sprinkled water on him to revive him, but it was to no avail.”
Abba alerted the hotel manager, Danlami Palasa, who in turn contacted the police. Officers arrived at the scene and transported Ibrahim to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
A police officer at the Gwagwalada Division, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and disclosed that Abba has been taken into custody for questioning.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or messages.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.