Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, has dismissed reports claiming he has defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), stating that such rumors exist only on social media.

Reports emerged on Saturday suggesting that Odigie-Oyegun, along with some former ministers who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, had joined the SDP. The speculation follows a recent wave of defections from APC to SDP, especially after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, left the ruling party.

Reacting to the reports, Odigie-Oyegun denied the claim, emphasizing that at 86 years old, he is no longer interested in active politics.

He said: “I also saw the social media report the way you saw it.

“At 86 years, I should not be talking active politics. However, if there is a need to rescue Nigeria and it is a mass movement, I would not hesitate to participate.”

Meanwhile, Okoi Obono-Obla, a former Special Adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, criticized the former ministers accused of defecting, labeling them as selfish politicians with little influence.

In a WhatsApp post, Obono-Obla stated that these ministers failed to support loyal CPC members while in power and are now attempting to claim leadership in the opposition.

He said: “The so-called former ministers from the Buhari administration are not as influential or powerful as they claim to be. In fact, they’re seen as selfish and self-centered, having destroyed the bond and solidarity among members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

“While they were in positions of authority, they did little to help CPC supporters. Instead, they prioritized their own interests, abandoning those they now claim to represent. It’s no surprise that former CPC supporters don’t respect them or acknowledge their leadership.”

Obono-Obla identified Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as the true leader of the defunct CPC bloc within the APC.

He said: “Senator Al-Makura was the only governor elected on the CPC platform in 2011 and single-handedly financed staff payments at the CPC National Secretariat between 2011 and 2015.

“He also funded the CPC Merger Committee and covered allowances for its members from January 2013 to July 2013.

“Senator Al-Makura is a staunch supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and genuine APC supporters remain loyal to the party and its president.”

Obono-Obla dismissed the media reports on former Buhari ministers leaving APC, describing them as mere propaganda.

“The media hype surrounding former Buhari ministers leaving the APC is mere propaganda, especially since former President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, expressing gratitude for the party’s support during his presidency,” he said.

Fuel marketers decry closure of stations at border towns, citizens demand more Nigerian goods

Less than two years after President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, the effect of the decision is now being felt deeply by neighbouring Niger Republic.

Also, findings by THE PUNCH on Sunday from fresh data sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that trade between Nigeria and Niger Republic surged by 82 per cent in 2024 despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

This came as oil dealers raised concern about the closure of filling stations at border towns, stressing that marketers were losing so much revenue due to the development.

Since the start of March, Niger Republic has been grappling with an unprecedented shortage of the most widely used petrol in the West African country.

Economic activities were brought to a halt as filling stations in Niamey, the capital, and those in other towns ran out of petrol recently.

For several years, the country depended majorly on Nigeria for about 50 per cent of its local fuel consumption, industry players and experts confirmed. Petrol was usually smuggled into the neighbouring country through illegal routes.

However, since President Bola Tinubu’s administration removed the fuel subsidy in 2023, the price of petrol skyrocketed, making the smuggling of the product unattractive to illegal traders in border areas.

Aside from Niger, countries like Benin Republic and Togo were also beneficiaries of Nigeria’s petrol subsidy which stopped immediately after Tinubu took over on May 29, 2023.

The removal of subsidy and the attendant rise in the price of petrol has mounted pressure on Niger’s refinery, which can only produce a few tankers of fuel per day.

The Commercial Director of the state-owned Nigerien Company for Oil Products (Sonidep), Maazou Oumani Aboubacar, confirmed that half of the country’s consumption used to come from Nigeria until this was halted by the current administration.

Aboubacar told AFP that the Soraz refinery in Zinder is the only one in the country, saying it “can no longer satisfy domestic demand,” which has surged for more than a year now.

The reason is principally down to the drying up of the flourishing black market supplied from neighbouring Nigeria, a major global producer. It was learnt that the country’s refinery only provides Sonidep with “25 tanker trucks of petrol a day” when the daily national requirement is up to twice that.

Domestic consumption was said to have been boosted by a cut in fuel prices introduced by the military regime that seized power in Niger in 2023. The official stated that two years ago, prices tripled after the Nigerian President ended costly fuel subsidies.

“The fuel that came into Niger illegally from Nigeria represented up to half of the market. It supplied the large regions near the border between the two countries,” Aboubacar was quoted as having said.

With Nigerian smugglers supplying up to 50 per cent of the country’s daily petrol consumption up till 2023, the country’s refinery was producing a little to augment the supply from Nigeria.

However, the country faced the reality after Tinubu declared that “the fuel subsidy is gone” and tightened up the borders.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said the removal of subsidy, as well as the Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service going on across the borders, is taking its toll on Niger and other neighbouring countries.

Ukadike told our correspondent that when petrol was subsidised in Nigeria, neighbouring countries benefitted through illegal merchants who smuggled the product out of the country.

The marketer disclosed that the high cost of petrol reduced illegal bunkering, forcing Niger and others to either refine or import their petroleum products directly at the right price.

“It is true that when Nigeria was subsiding fuel, other neighbouring countries were enjoying subsidies too. As it is now, the rise in the price of fuel in Nigeria has reduced smuggling. The ongoing Operation Whirlwind has also reduced smuggling. The option available to the Niger Republic and other neighbouring countries enjoying our subsidy is to import PMS directly if they cannot refine it.

“When we subsidised our fuel, they were benefitting, and smuggling was thriving. Now that we have deregulated the downstream, smuggling has been reduced; security agencies are all over the borders through Operation Whirlwind. This has stopped illegal fuel export to Niger and it is one of the major reasons for their current fuel crisis,” Ukadike explained.

The PUNCH gathered that the fuel crisis in Niger reached alarming proportions last week after a litre of petrol sold for as high as N8,000 in some parts of the country.

Findings by our correspondents in Sokoto State, which shares a border with Niger, showed that the price of petrol varied depending on the distance from Nigeria.

A transborder businessman from Nigeria, Abubakar Usman, was quoted as saying, “There is a serious scarcity of fuel in the country. It depends on where one is getting the fuel.

“In Konni, the border town between Nigeria and Niger, you can get a litre at 1,200 CFA, which is about N2,500. If you go to Agadez, the same litre of fuel is 3,000 CFA, equivalent to N7,500 per litre. In Arilit, a local government under Agadez, which is the border town between Niger and Algeria, it is 3,500 CFA, which is about N8,750 when converted to our currency.”

To solve its fuel crisis, Niger Republic turned to Nigeria despite months of diplomatic tensions and a hostile relationship, as reported by Sunday PUNCH.

The report stated that a delegation of senior officials of the military junta travelled down to Abuja to meet Federal Government representatives behind closed doors.

At the end of the deliberation, 300 trucks of PMS were reportedly approved for delivery to the country as Nigeria, once again, played the ‘big brother’ role.

Sunday PUNCH also reported that a senior government official aware of the development said Nigeria approved the deal with the hope of using it as a “strategic bargaining tool” in ongoing negotiations with Niger.

According to the official, the delegation explained that Niger had been reliant on fuel from a Chinese refinery. However, due to issues with the supplier, the refinery was shut down, leaving the country with limited options.

“We do not want to blow our trumpet. Rather, we want to use it as a bargaining chip for negotiation as we continue to engage with them to bring them back to ECOWAS.

“Let them get more from us. I am confident that gradually they will come back to ECOWAS because they do not have enough resources to import food to sustain their citizens,” the source added.

Reacting, oil marketers said although they were not aware of the deal, the export of 300 tankers to Niger Republic would amount to about 13.5 million litres of petrol. It was calculated that 300 of 45,000-litre capacity trucks are about 13.5 million litres of petrol to be exported to the Niger Republic.

The dealers, however, stated that Nigeria had enough to save the junta-led country from the current fuel crisis rocking it. According to marketers, Nigeria may have passed the days of fuel scarcity as it now has the Dangote refinery, the Port Harcourt refinery, and others producing fuel locally even as importers bring more from other countries.

The National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, said he was aware of the fuel crisis in Niger Republic, adding that Nigeria had enough to bail out the country.

“I will not say we don’t have that capacity with the refineries we have in the country. I think we have enough to supply Niger Republic,” the IPMAN Vice President said

Similarly, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, agreed that the country had enough PMS to help its neighbours without running into any crisis. “If we have a diplomatic reason for that, it is doable,” Gillis-Harry asserted.

It was further gathered that the fuel crisis in Niger may have also been self-inflicted after a confrontation between the ruling junta and Chinese oil companies which had long dominated the country’s petroleum sector.

A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, in an article he published on X, revealed that trouble began in March 2024 when the China National Petroleum Corporation granted the Nigerien government a $400m advance, using future crude oil deliveries as collateral.

The deal was to help Niger cope with crippling economic sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States following the July 2023 coup in the country. However, when it was time to repay the debt, the junta was cash-strapped.

Instead of negotiating, the military rulers were said to have decided to strong-arm China, slapping an $80bn tax demand on Soraz (Zinder Refinery Company) despite the state-owned oil company, Sonidep already owing Soraz a staggering $250bn.

According to Makama, when China refused to provide additional loans, the junta retaliated by expelling Chinese oil executives from the country and seizing Soraz’s bank accounts. The decision was said to have backfired and led to the collapse of Niger’s petroleum sector, which is heavily reliant on Chinese expertise and investment.

Exports surge

Meanwhile, further findings by The PUNCH showed that trade between Nigeria and Niger rose by 82 per cent in 2024 despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the total trade volume between the two West African neighbours climbed to N91.92bn in 2024, up from N50.48bn recorded in 2023.

The sharp rise was largely driven by Nigerian exports to Niger, which nearly doubled from N46.51bn in 2023 to N82.38bn in 2024. The PUNCH observed that exports to Niger account for 89.62 per cent of total trade between the two countries.

Imports from Niger also rebounded from N3.97bn in 2023 to N9.53bn in 2024, indicating a recovery in economic exchanges despite strained relations between the two countries.

Trade between Nigeria and Niger has been volatile in recent years. In 2020, total trade was valued at just N6.69bn, before surging to N88.60bn in 2021 as Nigerian exports to Niger jumped to N78.40bn.

The momentum continued in 2022, with total trade reaching N95.76bn. However, economic activity between the two countries nosedived in 2023, dropping by 47.28 per cent to N50.48bn, following the fallout from the political crisis in Niger.

The coup in Niger in July 2023, which led to the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum, triggered a diplomatic standoff between the country and Nigeria, which spearheaded ECOWAS’ sanctions against the military-led government.

The sanctions included border closures, financial restrictions, and the suspension of the electricity supply, all of which disrupted trade and economic activities between the two nations.

Despite the tensions, trade rebounded strongly in 2024. The 82 per cent surge suggests that demand for Nigerian goods in Niger remains robust, while the recovery in imports indicates a gradual resumption of economic ties.

Nigeria and Niger share deep economic and cultural ties, with trade spanning across agricultural products, manufactured goods, petroleum products, and livestock. Nigerian traders have historically supplied Niger with essential goods, while Niger’s exports to Nigeria include livestock, food products, and raw materials.

In August 2024, Nigeria and Niger signed a security cooperation agreement aimed at tackling insurgency, smuggling, and other security threats along their shared borders. The agreement was seen as a step towards rebuilding relations, even though full diplomatic ties between the two countries remain fragile.

The resurgence of trade between the two nations signals a pragmatic approach to economic engagement despite unresolved political differences.

Niger is a major trading partner to Nigeria as noted in the recently released NBS’ foreign trade statistics report for the fourth quarter of 2024, which read in part, “In the same vein, Nigeria’s major trading import partner within ECOWAS was Ivory Coast (N41.40bn), followed by Ghana (N22.96bn), Liberia (N4.04bn), Niger Republic (N2.62bn) and Togo of (N2.21bn) representing (90.45 per cent) of total imports from the ECOWAS region.”

The PUNCH further observed that about N9.34bn worth of cigarettes were imported from Nigeria into Niger Republic. It was also observed that Nigeria’s imports from Niger Republic in Q4 2024 were led by agricultural and raw materials, with fresh or dried dates topping the list, according to data from the NBS.

The report shows that Nigeria imported N956.68m worth of dates, making it the highest-valued import from Niger during the period. The second most imported commodity was cement, excluding white cement, with a total value of N919.07m.

This indicates a growing demand for cement products from Niger, potentially driven by infrastructure development and construction activities in Nigeria.

Fresh strawberries were another notable import, valued at N255.97m. While not a major staple, the increase in strawberry imports suggests rising consumer demand for fresh fruits, possibly linked to Nigeria’s expanding food processing and retail sectors.

Raw materials also featured among the top imports, with whole hides and skins (weighing more than 16kg) accounting for N125.65m in imports. The leather and tanning industry in Nigeria continues to rely on imports of raw hides, especially from neighbouring countries, to sustain production.

Also, Nigeria imported N80.66m worth of shelled pine nuts from Niger. These nuts are often used in food processing and are valued for their nutritional benefits.

The PUNCH further observed that Trade between Nigeria and the Sahel nations of Burkina Faso and Mali experienced significant fluctuations over the past five years, with a notable surge in 2024.

Fresh data from the NBS show a sharp increase in Nigeria’s total trade with both countries, driven by rising exports and a dramatic spike in imports from Mali. Nigeria’s trade with Burkina Faso rose from N12.92bn in 2023 to N18.26bn in 2024, marking a 41.4 per cent increase.

This growth was largely fuelled by higher exports, which climbed from N12.92bn to N18.20bn. Imports from Burkina Faso, though much smaller in volume, also recorded a sharp rise from N4.41bn to N59.16bn within the same period.

Similarly, Nigeria’s trade with Mali saw an unprecedented jump, with total trade reaching N199.21bn in 2024, a massive leap from N12.57bn in the previous year. The most striking change was in Nigeria’s imports from Mali, which surged from just N269.87m in 2023 to N183.79bn in 2024.

This marked a significant shift in trade dynamics, raising questions about the factors driving such an increase.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s exports to Mali also grew from N12.30bn in 2023 to N15.42bn in 2024, maintaining a steady upward trend.

The rise in trade with Burkina Faso and Mali comes amid the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, a new regional bloc created by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in September 2023.

The alliance, established through the Liptako-Gourma Charter, aims to enhance security cooperation among the three military-led governments, following their deteriorating relations with the Economic Community of West African States.

The AES was formed as a response to ECOWAS sanctions imposed after the military takeovers in the three countries, leading them to seek alternative economic and security partnerships.

Despite political tensions, economic ties between Nigeria and the three Sahel nations appear to be strengthening.

However, the long-term sustainability of this trade surge remains uncertain, especially as ECOWAS continues to push for a resolution to the political crisis in the region.

The Economic Community of West African States recently activated its standby force to combat terrorism in the sub-region.

The regional body had, in October last year, hinted at the establishment of a 5,000-man kinetic force to tackle terrorism in the region.

Speaking at the 43rd ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, said the activation of the standby force underscored the collective determination of member countries to confront the threat of terrorism.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, also said that despite the recent withdrawal of three African countries from the regional body, ECOWAS would maintain the free movement of persons and goods for their citizens.

He also said plans were in place to mitigate the unforeseen consequences of the withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has called on the government to avoid intimidating or harassing a National Youth Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, for her statement against President Bola Tinubu.

He also warned the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) against subjecting the lady to any form of intimidation.

Peter Obi, in a statement on Sunday evening, said the current government has a worrying trend of threatening those who speak out against them or offer constructive comments.

Naija News recalls Uguamaye, in a viral video, had lamented the hardship faced by citizens as a result of the economic policies of the current administration and described Tinubu as a “terrible president.”

The development has earned her a summon by the NYSC administration and also support from public figures likes of Mr. Macaroni, Omoyele Sowore and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In his reaction, Obi said the action so far taken by the government against the lady resembles the intimidation, harassment, and name-calling he also suffers from the same government.

He said such actions against those who dare to speak the truth to power are unacceptable, undemocratic and worrying as the government should not silence the citizens.

“The National Youth Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, recently had an experience that highlights a troubling trend in our nation—one where voices of reason and truth are met with intimidation rather than dialogue and engagement.

“Reports indicate that she has faced threats from NYSC officials simply for expressing her concerns about the current administration.

“This pattern is not isolated. I, too, have been subjected to threats for daring to offer constructive suggestions and comments.

“I now face daily intimidation, harassment, and name-calling simply for expressing solution-based views on government policies.

“Such actions are antithetical to the principles of democracy. A government that silences its citizens is not democratic or one that is subject to accountability and good governance and is most often corrupt,” he said.

The former Anambra State Governor instead called on the government to allow constructive criticism.

He also charged the citizens not to allow fear or intimidation to stop them from speaking the truth as freedom of speech is a constitutional right and important feature of democracy.

He charged the government to instead focus on taking action on addressing issues raised by Nigerians.

“I urge the current administration to reflect deeply on its approach to dissent and recognize that constructive criticism is a cornerstone of democratic progress.

“To all patriotic Nigerians: Our nation’s future and development depend on our collective courage to speak out against misgovernance, injustice, and intimidation.

“Do not let fear stifle your voice. Stand firm, support one another, and continue to advocate for Nigeria we all envision—a nation where freedom of speech is sacrosanct, and leadership is accountable to the people, especially in critical areas such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.

“A just and prosperous Nigeria should be one where people like Raye are encouraged to speak out about the challenges they face, while those in government take urgent action to address these issues.

“A New Nigeria is POssible! -PO,” he said.

As talks of a political coalition gain momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election, former Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, has stated that he will support a fresh southerner or northerner who is willing to serve only a single four-year tenure.
Naija News reports that Okonkwo, who recently dumped the Labour Party in February 2025, said his decision is anchored on equity and fairness, aligning with Nigeria’s unwritten rule of rotational presidency between the North and South.

Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, Okonkwo stressed the need for a unified opposition to unseat President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

The discussion around a broad opposition alliance was further fueled by the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

El-Rufai has since been seen meeting with major opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Like El-Rufai, Okonkwo recently met with Atiku, advocating for a united front against the ruling party.

“My game plan is simple. If the opposition is serious about wresting power from this incompetent government, they must all come together and act like one because that was what APC did in 2013 and that was what helped them to wrest power in 2015,” Okonkwo said.

He insisted that forming a strong coalition would be the only viable strategy to remove the APC from power in 2027.

Okonkwo described the upcoming election as one of the most complicated political scenarios in Nigeria’s history.

“2027 is one of the most complicated and complex times in the political history of Nigeria because we have this gentleman’s agreement – eight years in the South, eight years in the North,” he explained.

He noted that a major dilemma would be whether to field a fresh southern candidate, which could spark resistance from the North, or to return power to the North, which could be seen as a betrayal of the South after just four years.

Okonkwo further stated, “Would you allow an incompetent government to continue just because you want to sacrifice the whole of Nigeria? Would you say let it go to the North when it has just been four years in the South? The South would say you are short-changing us. So, it is a very complicated thing.”

Calls For Single-Term Agreement To Balance Power
To resolve this dilemma, Okonkwo proposed that a single-term arrangement be agreed upon between both regions.

“The best thing, if politicians were to be trusted, is to have a free, fair primary where every qualified person, whether from the South or the North, would partake in it. And whoever emerges must agree to do just four years,” he suggested.

According to him, if a northern candidate wins, he should serve only four years before the presidency returns to the South. Similarly, if a southern candidate wins, he should complete the region’s eight-year cycle before handing over to the North for a full term.

He said, “If the North agrees that the person there now is not doing well, but it is not yet their turn, they can do four years before it returns to the South. That way, the power rotation remains fair, and the country avoids political instability.”

With coalition discussions intensifying, Okonkwo remains optimistic that opposition parties will find common ground to present a formidable challenge to the APC in 2027.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has summoned Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos State, following her viral TikTok post criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Naija News reports that a message from the NYSC Local Government Inspector (LGI), obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, instructed Rita, identified by code number LA/24B/832, to report to the Eti Osa 3 local government office by 10 a.m. on Monday without fail.

Recall that Rita had posted a tearful video on TikTok under the handle @talktoraye, expressing frustration over the rising cost of goods in Nigeria. Her emotional outcry quickly gained widespread attention, prompting an official response from the NYSC board.

In the video, she described Tinubu as a “terrible” President, accusing the government of neglecting the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.

“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she stated.

“I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”

She also lamented the financial struggles she faces as a corps member, stating that the monthly NYSC allowance is insufficient to cover basic expenses.

“So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up?

“Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.

“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and electricity (NEPA) bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills.

“The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?

“To make it worse, Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell?

“Being an NYSC corper, there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme. The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us.

“We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?” She questioned.

Less than 24 hours after posting the video, Rita shared another clip showing her receiving a call from an NYSC official.

She revealed that she had been receiving multiple calls from NYSC authorities, urging her to delete the video and stop criticizing the government.

Rita said: “Yesterday, I made a video talking about the Nigerian government and how terrible President Tinubu is, and I was crying in the video.

“Thirty minutes ago, I received a call from the NYSC board, starting with the secretariat before the LGI. I’m going to attach some of the things she said so you guys can hear.”

Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak helped Newcastle United win the 2025 Carabao Cup ahead of Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.

A stunning header from the newly selected England left-back, Burn put Eddie Howe’s team ahead just before half-time. This goal was well-earned, as Newcastle effectively restricted Liverpool to a mere single shot throughout the first half.

Shortly after Isak had a goal ruled out for offside, the talented Swede extended the lead to 2-0 with a precise finish following an assist from Jacob Murphy.

Naija News reports that Newcastle successfully executed their strategy in the first half of their Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool on Sunday evening.

Kieran Trippier delivered a corner kick that soared high and was directed deep away from the goal.

The intended recipient was none other than Dan Burn, the towering 6ft 7ins defender from Blyth, who stands nearly two meters tall.

Burn has consistently been the focal point for Newcastle’s corner kicks, successfully connecting with nearly everyone using his head, often against the significantly shorter Alexis Mac Allister. Meanwhile, Konate and Van Dijk occupied zonal positions within the six-yard box.

This arrangement effectively ensures that Burn is almost certain to win the aerial duels.

He did so, executing a perfectly placed stooping header into the bottom-left corner, eluding a diving Caoimhin Kelleher, who may have had an obstructed view.

A 94-minute goal from Federico Chiesa could not help Liverpool win the Carabao Cup trophy this season.

The Reds, however, are still favourites to win their first trophy under manager, Arne Slot with the club sitting top of the English Premier League.

An elder statesman and politician from the First Republic, Tanko Yakasai, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, which, according to him, have brought some relief for Nigerians.

According to Yakasai, the price of rice, beans, and other food items, as well as the price of petrol, has been reduced following President Tinubu’s policies.

He expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support and prayers for the success of the incumbent administration.

In a statement to journalists in Kano on Sunday, Naija News reports that Yakasai highlighted the administration’s advancements and accomplishments as evidence of Nigerians’ confidence in it.

He also noted the recent reductions in fuel prices, which he believes will alleviate the financial strain on the populace.

As a prominent advocate for Tinubu’s 2023 electoral campaign, Yakasai called on the people of the North to unite in support of the administration, stressing that the region remains an integral part of national matters.

He said, “From some of the reports I received, the prices of basic foodstuffs have been coming down. Unlike before, families can now afford to buy essentials such as rice, beans, maize, sorghum, and other food items needed to feed their homes.

“I was also made to understand that the cost of petrol at filling stations has been coming down.

“In some places, I was told that petrol is now being dispensed for about ₦850 per litre instead of the earlier ₦1,150.

“This is good for transportation costs and will make movement easier for Nigerians.”

The former adviser to President Shehu Shagari and the ex-National Publicity Secretary of the NEPU emphasized that President Tinubu’s most significant contributions are still forthcoming, as his administration has prepared a range of developmental and citizen-oriented policies aimed at benefiting Nigerians, particularly those in the North.

He urged Nigerians, particularly those in politics, to engage constructively in governance through thoughtful criticism and informed political participation, highlighting that such actions would enhance democracy and enrich the political environment of the nation.

Yakasai also took this opportunity to extend his condolences to the families of the late Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clarke, as well as to the communities in the southwest and South-South regions mourning their loss.

“The loss of these two great and patriotic Nigerians, who were not only my political associates but also personal friends, is a great tragedy for the nation,” he said, praying to Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who alleged that she received threats after a viral video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Atiku, in a statement shared on ? (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, described Raye as a symbol of a new generation of politically active Nigerian women, advocating for democratic participation and accountability.

“Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere.

“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition,” Atiku wrote

Naija News reports that the former presidential candidate compared Raye to historical female activists such as Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo, who played key roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and social justice.

He urged Nigerians to support the young corps member rather than vilify her for expressing her opinions.

“Rather than being met with hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of the Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future,” Atiku added.

Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, recently made headlines after her TikTok video went viral, in which she criticised the government’s economic policies and described Tinubu as a “terrible leader.”

In the video posted on her TikTok handle, #talktoraye, on Saturday, she lamented Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, arguing that hard work no longer guarantees financial security.

She further questioned the government’s commitment to easing the hardships faced by citizens, sparking intense reactions online.

Following the video’s circulation, Raye claimed she had received threats from NYSC officials, who allegedly pressured her to take down the post.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) executive secretary, Idris Bugaje, has asserted that University Degrees will lose relevance in the next 10 to 15 years.
Naija News reports that Bugaje made this submission while speaking on the claims that there are more people seeking university admission than polytechnics.

Bugaje highlighted a concerning aspect of Nigerian psychology, where there is a prevailing belief that a degree is superior to a diploma or even a higher national diploma.

According to him, the mindset is regrettable. He stressed the need to educate the public to change this perception.

The NBTE official also noted that one of the factors contributing to the low admission rates is that universities account for approximately 70 percent of total admissions, polytechnics represent only about 18 to 20 percent, and colleges of education comprise around 10 to 12 percent of admissions nationwide.

Another significant issue affecting these statistics is the existing divide in public service between degree holders and those with Higher National Diplomas (HND).

He explained that individuals with an HND are currently restricted to a maximum grade level of 14 in public service, whereas degree holders can advance to director positions. This limitation lacks a practical basis, as HND graduates often possess superior hands-on skills that enhance their performance.

“In the next 10 to 15 years, degrees will lose their relevance. Skills qualification is what will give you a job.

“There are so many reasons for that. There is some unfortunate psychology, the Nigerian mentality that a degree is higher than a diploma or even higher national diploma. It’s a very unfortunate psychology, and we need to sensitise people to reverse that.

“Another reason for the low dismal admissions is that universities take about 70 percent of the total admissions. Polytechnics account for just about 18 to 20 percent. Colleges of education take about 10 to 12 percent of the total admissions in the country. Now, the other reason for the dismal statistics is the dichotomy in the public service between degrees and HND.

“At the moment, an HND in public service cannot go beyond grade level 14. A degree holder can become a director, but an HND is limited to grade level 14 for no real practical reason, because when it comes to delivery, the HND will even do better than the degree holder because he has hands-on skills. The industry also prefers HND to a degree holder. So, for that reason, we are now proposing to the government to let us scrap the HND. In all our polytechnics, after the national diploma, let them go and do a bachelor of technology honours. But this will be a degree different from a university degree.

“In the universities, you give degrees based on character and learning. In the polytechnics, we shall give bachelor of technology degrees based on character, learning and skills. The three major components will be there. So, this is the best way to end the dichotomy, and by the time we do this, I’m very sure that we are going to grow the admissions into our polytechnics, and the dichotomy will be over. There will be a progression path for polytechnic graduates. Technical education will still end with ND — national diploma, technician qualification. But those who want to aspire higher can go for the bachelor of technology honours, and after that, they can even go for higher degrees,” Bugaje said in an interview with TheCable.

He added, “So, this is the option we are given. Ghana has implemented that. South Africa has been implementing it dually. The polytechnic where I did my sabbatical about 21 years ago in South Africa, they were offering both HND and bachelor of technology concurrently. So, it’s the choice of the candidate. Industries globally prefer the HND, but more importantly, industries today also recognise more of the skills qualification. The skills that you acquired during your training. That is why we have introduced the mandatory skills qualification in every polytechnic. Every ND, every HND must acquire skills qualification in addition to the HND. But our prayer is that the Polytechnic Act be amended to allow polytechnics to offer a bachelor of technology honours. The College of Education Act has already been amended. Now they are doing NCE and B.Ed honours. So, we want the same thing. We shall be offering ND and B.Tech honours.”

Bsc/HND Dichotomy A Sign Of Underdevelopment In Nigeria
Speaking on the Genesis of dichotomy between HND and Degree in the civil service, Bugaje believed that the reason is simply a sign of underdevelopment.

The NBTE official said, “The answer is simple. That is a sign of underdevelopment being exhibited in Nigeria. That dichotomy itself is a sign of underdevelopment. Countries that have developed don’t look at your papers. The degree will soon be obsolete and of no use. In the next 10 to 15 years, degrees will lose their relevance. Skills qualification is what will give you a job. Even if you get a job, you have to upskill from time to time, improve your skills, and get certifications on those skills. In that way, you can now move forward.

“In Nigeria, it’s very unfortunate. I don’t think it’s even colonial psychology. It’s a psychology of underdevelopment that is haunting us. If you look at the system, the civil service top echelon is dominated by degree holders. Even if you go to the polytechnics now, the lecturers and the heads of departments, 90 percent are from universities. That’s what we are trying to change. In the polytechnics, we are saying, we should allow HND holders to be employed as assistant lecturers. If we want, we can allow the degree holder also to be given assistant lecturer status.

“The polytechnic has its system. Somebody who has done a university degree and has no understanding of the polytechnic system will graduate and become an assistant lecturer, while HND holders will be given the position of a technologist. So, the new scheme of service that we propagated last year, that provision is there. HND holders will be given employment as assistant lecturers, primarily in the polytechnics because it’s their system. They have gone through it. So, they can now go to do their masters, become senior lecturers, do PhD, become chief lecturers, and eventually become rectors.

“We want HND holders to be heads of polytechnics, not university graduates. The civil service is dominated by university graduates, and they are deliberately trying to keep HND holders from progressing. There’s no justification for that dichotomy. And I hope this unwarranted dichotomy will come to an end very soon.”

On whether the National Assembly and the ministry will buy his idea on the lingering problem, Bugaje said: “For the commission, we have, but this one is in the pipeline. I have already written to the honourable minister of education on the amendment of the Polytechnic Act. We have a new minister of education who is very passionate about skills. He is trying to reposition the entire TIVET sector. Not only at the tertiary level but even at the sub-tertiary level. He is bringing NELFUND to support those who go for TIVET training, giving them stipends for certification of the skills training. So, we have an honourable minister who is very passionate about skills, and I am very sure he is going to support this change from a HND to be replaced with a bachelor of technology honours.”

Naija News understands that Bugaje was appointed as NBTE secretary in 2021.

Under his leadership, NBTE has introduced significant reforms to bridge the skills gap, enhance polytechnic education, and ensure that graduates are equipped with academic qualifications and practical expertise.

The Federal Government has launched an investigation into how suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central gained access to the recent Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without official nomination by Nigeria.

According to a report by an online newspaper, Premium Times, sources within the President Bola Tinubu administration confirmed that the Department of State Service (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were conducting the probe.

The agencies aimed to determine who facilitated the suspended lawmaker’s accreditation, whether her participation was orchestrated by interest groups to “embarrass the Nigerian government”, and if she violated any IPU or National Assembly protocols.

The IPU, a global parliamentary body, strictly regulates member participation, allowing only officially nominated delegates to attend meetings and speak on behalf of their respective countries. For Nigeria, the delegation comprises selected Senators, House of Representatives members, and parliamentary officials. Attendance as an observer requires explicit approval from both the IPU and the home country’s delegation.

However, Nigerian authorities argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not follow the protocols before gaining access to the IPU meeting on March 11. At the event, she addressed her recent suspension from the Nigerian Senate, alleging it was politically motivated and meant to silence her for exposing misconduct in the legislative chamber. She also raised allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In response, IPU President Tulia Ackson assured that the parliamentary body would investigate the matter while also giving the Nigerian Senate an opportunity to present its side of the story.

A member of Nigeria’s official delegation to the IPU meeting, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, countered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims. Speaking at the UN Secretariat a day after the embattled senator’s address, Mrs. Ogbara read a letter from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, stating that the suspension of Natasha was due to violations of Senate Standing Rules during plenary sessions, not retaliation for her allegations against Senate President Akpabio.

Bamidele also questioned the legitimacy of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s presence at the meeting.

“Outside of Nigeria, or outside of this Senate, when it comes to our inter-parliamentary engagements, every one of those organisations, from the Inter-Parliamentary Union to the Commonwealth Parliament, to the African Union Parliament, to the ECOWAS Parliament, is run on the basis of rules and regulations, drawn from the protocols establishing those organisations.

“That’s why the IPU president, after listening to our colleague, Distinguished Senator Natasha, had to go by their rule. One, that the issue she raised was outside of the agenda of the meeting. Number two, having heard her, it would also be important to listen to the other side because they are all guided by rules,” he stated.

He further emphasised that the IPU membership was based on national parliamentary organisations, not individual members, and that only designated delegates could officially attend.

“If, for any reason, one of our colleagues, who was not even supposed to be there, found her way to the place, sat on the seat meant for Nigeria, and spoke for herself rather than for Nigeria, that’s another issue altogether,” Bamidele added.

Similarly, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Activities, affirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan had no official authorisation to represent Nigeria at the IPU meeting.

“Her attendance was not approved by the Nigerian Senate or its Inter-Parliamentary Committee,” he said in a statement on Friday.

The probe by both intelligence agencies DSS and NIA followed complaints from the Senate regarding the suspended Senator’s participation at the international event. They were focusing on whether she obtained unauthorised credentials, if external facilitators aided her attendance, and whether her statements at the IPU misrepresented Nigeria’s official position.

The investigation will also determine if any individuals or organisations helped Natasha gain access without government approval and whether any breaches of IPU regulations or Nigerian parliamentary protocols occurred.