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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has extended heartfelt Easter greetings to Christians across Nigeria, especially her constituents, as they mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In a statement issued by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Isreal, in Abuja, the senator wished Nigerians a joyful celebration filled with love, laughter, and quality time with family and friends.
Reflecting on the significance of Easter, Akpoti-Uduaghan urged Christians to uphold the values of sacrifice, compassion, and kindness, which she said are vital for building a peaceful, loving, and united society.
She said: “As we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I extend my warmest Easter greetings to all Christians, particularly my constituents and fellow Nigerians.
“May this sacred occasion bring renewed hope, love, and peace to your lives and families.
“May the triumph of light over darkness, life over death, and love over hate be a source of inspiration and strength to all. Let us reflect on the values of sacrifice, compassion, and kindness that Easter embodies, and strive to build a society that reflects these ideals.
“I wish you a joyous Easter celebration, filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. May the risen Christ fill your hearts with His peace and joy.”
[TheNation]
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda on Friday approved the appointment of the State Deputy Governor, Faruk Jobe as the head of the delegation, the Amiru – al-Hajj, 2025.
Other members include the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Nasiru Yahaya, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Ishaq Dabai, Alhaji Shafi’u Duwan, Shehu Daura and Justice Kofar-Bai.
Others are, Alhaji Lawal Bakori, Sheikh Aminu Usman, Sheikh Naziru Kofar-Baru, Barrister Umar Abubakar and Alhaji Aliyu Hussaini while the Governor’s office is to provide the secretary.
The appointment letters were signed by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Abdullahi Faskari and made available to newsmen on Friday spelt out the terms of reference for the state delegation to monitor and supervise all operational activities both at home and in the Holy Land so as to ensure a successful Hajj.
“The delegation was to also ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the State intending pilgrims while in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia.
“Other terms of reference included ensuring a hitch-free airlift and return journey of all the State pilgrims and performing any other functions as are necessary for the success of the exercise.
“The Hajj delegation is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the Governor on completion of the Hajj exercise”, the statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the SSG, Abdullahi Yar’adua said.
The press statement further disclosed that the delegation would soon be inaugurated by Radda.
Meanwhile, Radda wished the delegation, the State Pilgrims Welfare Board and the intending pilgrims Allah’s guidance throughout the Hajj operations.
[Punch]
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has said that Nigeria is still facing significant uncertainty in its economic outlook despite wide ranging reforms.
Concluding its 2025 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria’s public policy executives during the week, IMF’s team, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, its mission chief for Nigeria, acknowledged that Nigeria has taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth.
They added that these reforms have put Nigeria in a better position to navigate the external environment.
However, they have concluded that the macroeconomic outlook is marked by significant uncertainty, adding that the elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices would impact the Nigerian economy.
They also concluded that gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians saying that poverty and food insecurity remain high.
They, therefore, recommended that macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, reduce inflation, and support private sector-led growth.
The final report of the consultations stated: “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth.
‘‘The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies were removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved.
‘‘Gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians as poverty and food insecurity remain high.
‘‘The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.
‘‘The reforms since 2023 have put the Nigerian economy in a better position to navigate this external environment. ‘‘Looking ahead, macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, while creating enabling conditions for private sector-led growth.
“The authorities communicated to the mission that they will implement the 2025 budget in a manner that is responsive to the decline in international oil prices. A neutral fiscal stance would support monetary policy to bring down inflation.
‘‘To safeguard key spending priorities, it is imperative that fiscal savings from the fuel subsidy removal are channeled to the budget.
‘‘In particular, adjustments should protect critical, growth-enhancing investment, while accelerating and broadening the delivery of cash transfers under the World Bank-supported program to provide relief to those experiencing food insecurity.
“A tight monetary policy stance is required to firmly guide inflation down. The Monetary Policy Committee’s data-dependent approach has served Nigeria well and will help navigate elevated macroeconomic uncertainty.
‘‘Announcing a disinflation path to serve as an intermediate target can help anchor inflation expectations.”
The IMF team had met with Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso, senior government and central bank officials, the Ministry of the Environment, the private sector, academia, labor unions, and civil society.
[Vanguard]
Osita Okechukwu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former director-general of the Voice of Nigeria, has refuted claims that the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) bloc within the party intends to defect ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on ‘The Morning Show ‘ on Arise TV, Okechukwu emphasised that the CPC bloc remains committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid.
The CPC, originally a political party formed in 2009 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, played a key role in the merger that birthed the APC, ending the 16-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
“We got the rumour that the CPC bloc of the APC is leaving the APC. So we said no; that our resolution, after the meeting we held, was that we have no need to leave the house, the APC.
“We toiled from 2004, after losing the 2003 presidential election, 2007, 2011, that germinated on 2013. That we cannot destroy the house we built.
“There was a merger that brought all tendencies in the country, all religion, all tribes into one umbrella tree; that we cannot destroy that.”
Okechukwu said Tinubu played a vital role in bringing the merger to fruition and deserved their loyalty.
“We said we cannot, in all good conscience and honesty, forget the critical role President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR played in getting the merger to fruition,” he said.
“He was one of the leaders that held a meeting with Buhari and told Buhari that ‘you are going to be the president. We are going to support you. You have 12 million vote bank, mostly from the northern part of the country. We are going to bring the supplement’.
“And immediately he said so, we resumed the last talks of February 2013 in the residence of Chief Tom Ikimi.”
Okechukwu said Tinubu’s role was instrumental during the tense APC presidential primary in 2014.
“And it was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that gathered all the southern support base that gave Buhari victory at the presidential primaries, because that was a tense atmosphere,” he added.
“There were about five or six candidates — President Buhari, His Excellency Rabiu Kwankwaso, His Excellency Abubakar Atiku, Rochas Okorocha, Late Sam Nda-Isaiah.
“We said, when they split the votes of the north, what will happen? Asiwaju reassured us that his own delegation, spanning from Delta to the main southwest, that they are guaranteed. And that was fulfilled.”
Okechukwu said Tinubu remained supportive of Buhari throughout his presidency and deserves the same now.
He said the CPC bloc has created a mobilisation committee to reach Tinubu directly and communicate their concerns.
[TheCable]
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin has said that there would be a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Speaking at the party’s unity rally in Abuja on Thursday, April 18, Jibrin said he has confidence that Tinubu will be re-elected in the next presidential election of the country.
He said, “There will be a landslide victory for Tinubu in 2027. You can see the signs—many people are defecting to our party, and elections are a game of numbers. So there are clear signs that we will win a landslide, by the grace of God,” Jibrin stated.
He further called on party members and supporters of the APC to remain calm and patient with the policy implementation of the present administration.
Jibrin claiming that President Tinubu inherited numerous challenges upon assumption of office said there are better days ahead for Nigerians.Nigerian political art printsNigerian political art prints
While urging Nigerians to continue to support President Tinubu, the lawmaker assured that the APC would win the Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “We are going to win FCT landslide by the grace of God. We are going to make FCT proud, we are going to make APC proud, we are going to make Mr President happy, and we are going to make Nigerians happy.
“Let us continue to work together and give our full support to Mr President,” he added.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has alleged that a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and other political leaders are seeking coalition for their selfish interests.
Wike while speaking during his media chat with journalists in Abuja said several political leaders are only interested in becoming the president of Nigeria.Nigerian cultural tours
Citing the crisis rocking his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike said it is unfortunate that leaders have shied away from seeking solutions to ending the crisis and challenges experienced by the PDP as an opposition party.
Wike said, “On the other part of those who are looking for a coalition, is for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?
“Why not come in to repair your party, Everybody wants to become president of the country, nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.
“You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is, let me find a way; how I will be the one and if that does not happed; then it’s to your tent oh Israel,” the former Rivers State governor said.
Wike also lamented about the mistakes of party leaders and aspiring presidents who insist on making the same mistakes repeatedly.
He said PDP politicians cannot keep complaining of being rigged out without attempting to adopt workable political strategies.
“Who rigged you out, you already rigged yourself out by causing crisis and this is what I’ve always said but because people are not sincere to themselves and People like me would not accept that,” he added.
A leader of the Afenifere group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti has said that he is satisfied with the actions and policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu in Nigeria.
Fasoranti commended the president for what he described as great strides that have surpassed his expectations.
Speaking when the First Lady, Remi Tinubu paid him a visit at his residence in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said the president has done well since assuming office in 2023.
“I am satisfied with what he is doing in Nigeria. Well done,” Fasoranti said.
Also commending the First Lady, the leader of the Yoruba socio-political group offered prayers for God’s continued guidance and grace for the president and his team
Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna Central, says northern Nigerians remained silent during the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari because they benefitted from a culture of nepotism and favouritism.Nigerian political art prints
Sani made the remark during Politics Today, a Channels Television on Thursday.
He said Buhari’s government gave priority to appointments from Katsina, the former president’s home state.Politics-themed apparel
Sani listed several top positions that were filled by individuals from Katsina, including the director-general of the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
His words: “The DG of SSS, Daura was from Katsina state, the DG of NIA, Rufai was from Katsina state, the MPA, my sister Hadiza, she’s from Katsina state, Director of Federal Mortgage Bank, Katsina state, SMEDAN, Katsina state, FRCN Katsina state, NIMET Katsina state, NIMASA Katsina state, Railway Corporation, Katsina state.
“All those things, you don’t talk of Chairman of federal civil service — about 30 of them — we don’t have time, I can state all of them. All from Katsina state.”
The former lawmaker said military and paramilitary appointments were also skewed in favour of the northern region.
He cited examples such as the comptroller general of immigration, comptroller general of customs, commandant general of civil defence, and chairman of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Sani said northern voices remained muted because the region was the primary beneficiary of the imbalance.
According to him, the same silence would not have occurred if the situation had been reversed.
He said many southerners are now vocal about perceived lopsidedness in President Bola Tinubu’s appointments, suggesting that northerners would have reacted similarly if roles were reversed
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he is dissatisfied with the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, stating that he had hoped for the outright removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike made the remarks during a media parley held in Abuja on Friday, where he addressed ongoing political developments in his home state as well as in the FCT and the country in general.
It can be recalled that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing growing political instability and rising security concerns. As part of the emergency measures, the president suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
To oversee governance during the interim, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator, a move which is still being criticized by many
Speaking at the media session, Wike revealed that he had pushed for the complete removal of Fubara from office.
“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state,” Wike said.
He added, “The matter is in court but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not in my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power plane.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has credited President Bola Tinubu with playing a pivotal role in shaping his leadership journey, describing his first appointment in public service under Tinubu’s administration as the break that launched his career.
Speaking at the Lagos Leadership Summit on Wednesday, held at Konga Place, Lekki, Sanwo-Olu told a gathering of young Nigerians that competence in smaller roles often paves the way for greater leadership opportunities.Nigerian political art prints
“Your capacity to deliver on a set of simple tasks entrusted to you in smaller roles can serve as the foundation for greater leadership exploits,” he said.
Recounting his early days in public service, Sanwo-Olu explained how he was appointed Special Adviser on Economic Matters by then-Governor Tinubu in 2002 — a move that, according to him, unlocked several doors.
“That appointment was my first big break. I was given the chance to serve in key sectors like Transportation, Environment, Public Safety, and Education. Each role challenged me, and I gave it my all,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He described how the assignments exposed him to international engagements, strategic policy discussions, and leadership development under Tinubu’s watch.
“When I handled Transportation, I pushed the team to exceed expectations. In revenue generation, we improved figures and built staff capacity. Every role stretched me,” he noted.
Sanwo-Olu added that he never undertook those responsibilities with personal gain in mind but focused on impact.
He said those formative experiences equipped him to take on larger roles, eventually leading to his current position as Governor.
He also shared how he continued to serve under the succeeding administration of former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who also spoke at the event.
Fashola, delivering his remarks on the summit’s theme, “Transformative Leadership: Developing Responsive, Adaptive and Inclusive Models,” emphasized the need for diversity and inclusion in governance.
He called for genuine efforts to build unity and ensure citizens feel heard and represented.
He said: “Leaders must build coalitions of unity and belonging. What matters is whether the majority perceive that their leader is making genuine efforts not to exclude or marginalise anyone.”
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The Nigerian Presidency has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully in charge of the country’s governance, despite his current working visit abroad.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the president has been actively engaging in national affairs while away in Europe.
This reassurance comes amid growing concerns from opposition figures and citizens alike, who have urged the president to return to the country, particularly in light of the recent surge in insecurity and killings across parts of Nigeria.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance even though he is away in Europe,” Onanuga stated.
“His absence remains temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.”
“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”
“His return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday,” the statement revealed.
The statement said Tinubu is committed to his duties and that the administration will continue to function effectively under his leadership.
“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the presidency added.
Tinubu left the country on Wednesday, April 2, to France.
We’re tired of digging graves for our people – Christian youths tell FG over Benue, Plateau killings
AFOLABI
The members and leaders of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum have condemned the attacks and incessant killings of residents of Benue and Plateau States.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the group led by its convener, James Adama said they are tired of conducting mass burials in these states.
Adama said the growing spate of violence in the North Central region is a “national tragedy” that had continued to lead to the killing of innocent lives including women and children.
He also describes the attacks as one which threatens the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country.Nigerian political art prints
His words, “We are tired of mass burials. We are tired of digging graves for our people week after week,” Adama said. “This human carnage must stop, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice without further delay.”
Adama further accused the Nigerian government of a slow response to the worsening security situation in the region.Nigerian political art prints
He called on security agencies to improve their efforts towards safeguarding vulnerable communities across the country.
Also commending the gallantry of security personnel in affected areas, the group stressed the need for urgent and decisive action from the Federal Government to restore peace and stability.
“This is not just about Benue and Plateau, it’s about the future of our nation. Every Nigerian deserves to live in peace and dignity,” Adama stated.Nigerian political art prints
The forum also urged faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and international human rights agencies to speak out against what it termed “the ongoing carnage and silent genocide” in parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The group also advocated improved humanitarian support and the rebuilding of devastated communities by the Federal Government
A judge in the United States ruled on Thursday, that Alphabet’s Google illegally dominates two markets for online advertising technology.
This is another blow to the tech giant, paving the way for U.S. antitrust prosecutors to seek a breakup of its ad products.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, found Google liable for “willfully acquiring and maintaining monopoly power” in the markets for publisher ad servers and ad exchanges between buyers and sellers.
The ruling opens the door to another hearing to assess what steps Google needs to take to reestablish competition in those markets.
These steps may include divesting certain parts of its business in a future trial that has yet to be scheduled.
The second court ruling is that Google holds an illegal monopoly, following a similar judgment over an online search case.
Publisher ad servers are platforms that store and manage digital ad inventory.
Along with ad exchanges, the technology lets news publishers and other online content providers make money by selling ads. Those funds are the “lifeblood” of the internet, Brinkema wrote.
“In addition to depriving rivals of the ability to compete, this exclusionary conduct substantially harmed Google’s publisher customers, the competitive process, and, ultimately, consumers of information on the open web,” Brinkema wrote.
However, she wrote, antitrust enforcers failed to prove a separate claim that the company had a monopoly in advertising ad networks.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the ruling “a landmark victory in the ongoing fight to stop Google from monopolising the digital public square.”
“This Department of Justice will continue taking bold legal action to protect the American people from tech companies’ encroachments on free speech and free markets,” she said.
Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland said Google will appeal the ruling.
“We won half of this case, and we will appeal the other half,” she said, adding that the company disagrees with the decision on its publisher tools.
“Publishers have many options and they choose Google because our ad tech tools are simple, affordable and effective.”
Google’s shares dropped by 1.4% after Thursday’s ruling. Experts previously told reporters that the tech giant’s financial hit from a loss in the case would be minimal.
The company is best known for its search engine.
The DOJ has said that Google should have to sell off at least its Google Ad Manager, which includes the company’s publisher ad server and ad exchange.
[Leadership]
A former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to be unpopular until his policies start producing positive results.
Sani stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today.
He said that the president was setting a standard in Nigeria by allowing even people from the South West to criticize him.
He said, “When I stood up in the parliament to speak about the insecurity in the north, I faced serious resistance from senators from northern part of Nigeria.
“You were expected to be quite and embrace whatever it is because the president came from your region.
“Any attempt by you to raise alarm on the killings in the north or poverty in the north or the out-of-school children issue when Buhari was there, you would be reminded that you should not damage the image of the president because you come from that part of the country.
“Tinubu is embarking on a project he knows very well he will be unpopular. You either do two things: please people by doing what the people want, or to look at the future of the country where we are heading to and lose some popularity or votes for you to achieve it. Tinubu will continue to be unpopular untill the results of the reform start coming out.”
[DailyTrust]