The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the tragic loss of five personnel in a road accident on Tuesday near Hawan Kibo along the Jos-Akwanga Expressway. The incident was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information for NAF, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, in Abuja.

According to Akinboyewa, the personnel were en route to a sporting event in Abuja when their vehicle collided with an oncoming truck. In response, the NAF has activated necessary administrative protocols to provide support and comfort to the bereaved families.

Akinboyewa urged the public to respect the privacy of the victims’ families during this challenging time and to avoid spreading unverified information. “May their souls rest in perfect peace,” he said, adding that further updates will be provided as appropriate.

[Nigerian Tribune]

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday night, bowed to pressure and openly recognised the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

Earlier, a faction of the Party loyal to Mohammed had sought a court order to stop the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission from annulling Thursday’s planned National Executive Council meeting.

The lawsuit, filed by a certain Imam Auwal at a Zamfara High Court in Gusau Judicial Division, also sought to vacate an earlier injunction from an Abuja Federal High Court Abuja barring the PDP from removing Damagum from office.

But on Tuesday, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum welcomed Damagum’s leadership at a stakeholders meeting convened to ease tensions among warring party leaders in the National Working Committee.

Only five of the 13 governors were in attendance as of the time of filing this report.

They include Governors Bala Mohammed; Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Siminalaye Fubara (Rivers) and Caleb Muftwan (Plateau).

The development comes a few hours after the Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led Reconciliation Committee set up to resolve the factionalisation of the NWC announced that it has successfully resolved their differences for the party to forge ahead in its task of nation-building.

In his opening remarks at the expanded meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum with the Board of Trustees and former governors late on Tuesday, Mohammed said they had only one agenda, which is to reconcile all differences.

He said, “This is a PDP meeting, not governors meeting. It is not a caucus meeting but a meeting of PDP stakeholders. It is a one-item agenda meeting. As you can see, we are all united today under the leadership of Umar Damagum, we are here to discuss germane issues.

“We will resist any attempt to make Nigeria a one-party state. We will use our experiences since 1999 to provide Nigerians with an alternative platform. “

[Punch]

President Bola Tinubu has told Nigerian motorists to either buy petrol at N1000 or the compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at N200.

The President said this during a meeting with the company’s executive on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja.

He also praised NIPCO’s contributions to the nation’s energy transition efforts, particularly its support for the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI).

During the meeting, President Tinubu acknowledged NIPCO’s role as a critical player in enhancing the adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel.

He noted that such investments aligned with his administration’s energy security and economic diversification strategy.

The President emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in driving the transition to cleaner and more affordable energy solutions for Nigerians.

Tinubu lauded NIPCO’s efforts in promoting and supporting the “Switch to CNG” campaign, which boosted public awareness and provided affordable CNG conversion kits even before the official kickoff of the Presidential CNG Initiative.

He highlighted the significance of the initiative in reducing the nation’s reliance on petrol and cutting down fuel costs for consumers.

“CNG, being a cleaner and more affordable fuel, reduces the carbon footprint and saves consumers significant fuel costs.

“Nigeria’s motorists can buy petrol at N1,000 per litre or equivalent gas per Standard Cubic Meter at N200.

“We have also introduced incentives for commercial motorists to convert from petrol to gas ‘free of cost,’” Tinubu said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for private sector investments and expanding Nigeria’s CNG infrastructure to enhance energy efficiency and economic growth.

He further encouraged NIPCO to continue its innovative approach to CNG expansion while supporting the government’s broader goals in the energy sector.

Mr Ramesh Kasangra, NIPCO’s director, who led the delegation, thanked Tinubu for his steadfast support for the CNG sector.

He expressed NIPCO’s commitment to furthering the partnership with the government to ensure Nigeria’s energy transition remained on track.

He assured the President that the company was ready to invest in infrastructure to make CNG more accessible nationwide.

According to him, NIPCO has been a key player in various sectors of Nigeria for over four decades and will continue to believe in Nigeria for the long term.

[Vanguard]

Seyi Law, the renowned stand-up comedian, has opened up about his relationships with his senior colleagues.

In a recent episode of Trending by Hip TV, the 41-year-old emphasized his respect for veteran comedians like Alibaba, Julius Agwu, AY Makun, and Basketmouth.

He said his focus is on collective success over individual competition, adding that “I don’t want to be one of those people dragging ranking with anybody”.

“At some point in the comedy industry, there was no rift and there wasn’t any reason to start categorising the comedians. I have played with everybody and I still respect everybody,” he said.

“We respect the likes of Alibaba. At some point, I had to go on a comedy tour with Julius Agwu who did not discriminate against me. I have covered events for Basketmouth. He has paid me for shows. I’ve also worked with AY

“As a Yoruba person, we don’t disrespect anybody who has given us food. So, they are all highly respected. I respect them a lot. And no matter the differences they have, they’re still my senior colleagues in the business. And they have not had reasons to compete with me.

“So anywhere you place me on the ranking is okay by me. I don’t want to be one of those people who is dragging ranking with anybody in the industry. As long as we are all doing fine, kudos. The most important thing is that we must not allow the industry to suffer.”

[TheCable]

Nigeria is a country blessed with an abundance of natural resources, geographical diversity, and a youthful population. From the moment of its creation, the signs of divine favor were evident in the land. The nation was endowed with fertile soil that could yield crops all year round, a coastline teeming with marine resources, and a rich reserve of oil and gas that would shape its destiny as a global economic player. In His boundless mercy, God baked a “National Cake”, a figurative blessing, a wealth of resources meant for all Nigerians to partake in. However, despite the prosperity this metaphorical cake symbolizes, today it seems that only a few are eating it, leaving the rest of the population to suffer in want. The critical question is: why should only a few be eating the cake God baked for all Nigerians?

From the Niger Delta’s oil reserves to the vast agricultural plains that spread across the north and the entire south, God’s generosity to Nigeria is unmatched. By some estimates, Nigeria holds Africa’s largest oil and gas reserves, while the country also ranks among the top producers of cocoa, cassava, and groundnuts globally. Nigeria’s diversity does not stop with its natural resources; the nation is also blessed with a vibrant, resilient population, over 200 million people, the majority of whom are young, ambitious, and ready to build a prosperous future.

In addition, Nigeria’s geographical position is strategic for international trade. Its coastline connects West Africa to global shipping routes, enabling the export of goods and resources to other parts of the world. The blessings extend beyond oil and agriculture. Nigeria is home to a rich cultural heritage, a vast expanse of arable land, and, perhaps most importantly, an enterprising people. From these riches, God baked a metaphorical cake, large enough to feed every Nigerian.

However, what should have been shared equitably among the population has become the exclusive preserve of a few, mostly political elites, their families, and close associates. The “National Cake,” baked by God for every citizen of this nation, has been monopolized by a fraction of the population, while the vast majority are left to survive on crumbs, if even that.

The post-independence optimism that filled Nigeria in 1960 was based on the hope that the nation’s vast resources would be harnessed for the benefit of all Nigerians. There was a dream that, through hard work, everyone would have a fair shot at prosperity. Public institutions were designed to promote equality, and state-owned enterprises were meant to provide job opportunities for millions. The cake that God baked for Nigeria was supposed to be sliced and shared, ensuring that each citizen got their piece.

Yet, as the decades rolled on, it became evident that something had gone terribly wrong. The political class; those entrusted with distributing this cake, began to claim disproportionately large portions for themselves. They appointed their families, friends, and loyalists to key positions, making sure that the lion’s share of Nigeria’s resources ended up in their bank accounts, while ordinary citizens were left to fight over the meager leftovers.

Corruption soon became the hallmark of governance in Nigeria. Oil revenues that could have funded national development projects were siphoned off by politicians and their cronies. Contracts meant to build infrastructure were inflated, and money that should have been used to improve public services was embezzled. As the ruling class grew wealthier, the masses were driven into deeper poverty. This betrayal of the public trust is akin to a few individuals hoarding a cake that was meant to be shared by all.

As Nigeria’s wealth concentrated in the hands of the political elite, the gap between the rich and the poor widened dramatically. Today, Nigeria has one of the highest levels of inequality in the world. The few who have access to the “National Cake” live in opulence, enjoying luxurious lifestyles and stashing billions in foreign accounts, while the majority struggle to afford basic necessities like food, shelter, and healthcare. The cake that God baked for all is now feeding only a small fraction of the population, and millions of Nigerians are paying the price.

The most glaring consequence of this unequal distribution of wealth is the rising poverty level in Nigeria. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 130 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. This means that more than half of the population lacks access to basic needs such as food, education, healthcare, and sanitation. These are not just numbers; they represent real human suffering. Nigerians, from Lagos to Kano, are feeling the pain of a broken system where only a few enjoy the blessings that were meant for all.

In rural areas, farmers can no longer afford to plant and harvest their crops because of skyrocketing costs of inputs and insecurity across farmlands. In urban centers, young graduates roam the streets without job opportunities, even as their dreams of contributing to the nation’s prosperity dashed. Everywhere you look, there is a sense of despair. Nigerians are watching the cake that God baked for them being devoured by a small group of elites, while they struggle to survive.

The situation has reached a critical point, with hunger spreading across the land. In recent times, there have been reports of parents skipping meals so their children can eat. Stories of desperation, like mothers begging for food at markets or children dropping out of school because their families cannot afford the fees, are becoming alarmingly common. It is a cruel irony that in a nation so richly blessed, people are dying of hunger.

A critical factor behind this inequality is poor leadership. For decades, Nigeria has been governed by leaders who prioritize their personal interests over the welfare of the people. Many politicians enter public office with the singular goal of enriching themselves, not serving the public. They see the “National Cake” as a prize to be claimed, not as a resource to be distributed.

Instead of using the nation’s oil wealth to build schools, hospitals, and roads, the political class funnels money into projects that benefit only a select few. Billions of dollars have been spent on so-called “development” projects that never materialize, while millions of Nigerians lack access to clean water and electricity. Public services are in a state of decay because those who are supposed to maintain them are more interested in eating their share of the cake than in serving the people.

The family and friends of politicians also get their share of the cake. Nepotism is rampant in Nigeria, with political leaders appointing their relatives to key positions in government and business. These individuals, often unqualified for the roles they hold, further perpetuate the unequal distribution of resources. The circle of those who have access to the cake grows smaller and smaller, while the masses continue to suffer.

It is time for Nigerians to demand a change. The “National Cake” belongs to every citizen of this country, not just a privileged few. God did not bless Nigeria with such abundance so that a small group of people could monopolize it. He blessed this nation so that all its people could flourish and prosper together.

To reclaim the cake for all Nigerians, there must be a collective effort to hold leaders accountable. Citizens must demand transparency in the management of the nation’s resources, insisting that public officials are held to the highest standards of integrity. Anti-corruption agencies must be empowered to investigate and prosecute those who steal from the nation’s wealth. Equally, Nigerians must insist on leadership that prioritizes the welfare of the people over personal gain.

It is also essential to build systems that promote equal access to resources. Public institutions must be reformed to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of his or her background, has a fair chance to benefit from the nation’s wealth. Social programs that provide education, healthcare, and job opportunities should be strengthened and expanded, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Without a doubt, Nigeria is at a crossroads. The blessings that God baked into this nation are still abundant, but they must be shared. It is time to end the era of a few gorging themselves on the “National Cake” while the rest starve. Only by doing so can Nigeria live up to its potential as a land of prosperity, where every citizen enjoys the benefits of the divine blessings bestowed upon this nation. In fact, let us remember: the cake was baked for all, not just for a few.

Tesla, X and Space X CEO has dropped the latest remarks on what he personally feels about cryptocurrency and its potential after taking a long break from discussing crypto-related matters.

Elon Musk who was an avid supporter of the concept of cryptocurrency in its earlier days has taken a slight Hiatus on crypto-related matters.

That ended recently with the multi-billionaire making a recent comment on crypto saying that it plays a crucial role in promoting individual freedom and countering centralized control.

Elon Musk commented on cryptocurrencies during a town hall discussion in Pittsburgh on Sunday revealing the role he thinks Cryptocurrency plays in society.

The X owner explained his opinion in response to a question on the potential for XRP Ledger integration in financial institutions, particularly amid the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) scrutiny.

Elon Musk provided a broad answer to that niche question stating what he feels about crypto in general and not XRP alone.

“ I do think that cryptocurrency is an interesting and probably valuable Bulwark against centralized control”  

Musk clarified that his statement was not an endorsement or Lack of endorsement of XRP but rather he believes that crypto by its nature helps with individual freedom.

XRP vs SEC  

XRP and its parent company Ripple Labs have been in the midst of a major showdown with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Gary Gensler. The Legal tussle began in December 2020 and it circles around the accepted status of the XRP token.

The SEC in its case alleges that Ripple’s sale of XRP constituted an unregistered securities offering, claiming the company raised $1.3 billion through these sales.

Ripple Labs the parent company of XRP has consistently argued that XRP is a cryptocurrency, not a security, and thus falls outside the SEC’s regulatory scope.

The SEC recently filed an appeal challenging parts of a 2023 ruling in favor of Ripple Labs.

XRP supporters were excited about Musk mentioning XRP.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse in reaction to Musk’s comments expressed similar views on the importance of cryptocurrency, particularly XRP.

He tweeted that Voters care about crypto and XRP too. He explained that the crypto debate was not a niche issue and that people want clear policies that drive growth and jobs.

What to Know  

• Elon Musk is one of the world’s richest men who have shown admiration and has ties to cryptocurrency. His company Tesla holds significant amounts of Bitcoin and recently transferred $765 million worth of Bitcoin to new wallets.
• Elon Musk was a heavy Promoter of the meme coin Dogecoin in its early days. However, the Token has dropped by over 80% from its all-time high.

[Nairametrics]

Naija News reports that Fagbemi’s remark comes amidst the recently enacted Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024, which Governor Charles Soludo argued was necessary due to the complexities surrounding absolute local government autonomy.

Soludo said, “Absolute autonomy for the 774 local government areas in the country is unrealistic and could cause disorder if not carefully structured.”

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday during a media chat, Fagbemi stressed that the apex court’s decision is binding and non-negotiable.

According to him, all parties must comply with the court’s ruling, noting that the speculation of a three-month grace period for the ruling’s implementation is false.

Dismissing any attempt to amend the Supreme Court’s ruling, the AGF said. “Are they going to rewrite the judgment of the Supreme Court? Once we have the full details of their law, we will act accordingly.

 “There is no such moratorium. The judgment was passed, but we acknowledged the need to establish certain frameworks before full implementation. Nonetheless, implementation is compulsory, and no one can avoid it.”

Fagbemi also warned that any state attempting to disregard the Supreme Court ruling would be in contempt.

He added, “I am aware that one or two states are heading in that direction, but they must understand that there is no moratorium for anyone. The judgment will be enforced.”

[NaijaNews]

There are strong indications that authorities in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos State, may have gotten detention order from a court to keep controversial cross-dresser, Okuneye Idris, otherwise known as Bobrisky, in its custody pending the outcome of investigation.

Bobrisky who was arrested on Monday by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service at Seme border, in Badagry, while attempting to flee the country, was handed over to operatives from FCID Annex, Alagbon.

A senior police source told our correspondent that the police has approached a court to grant them order to hold on to Bobrisky.

“We have gone to court to get a detention order from a court to keep Bobrisky pending the outcome of investigation or further directive from higher authority,” the source who does not want his name in print said.

Daily Trust had reported that Bobrisky was arrested at Seme while he was trying to flee the country.

After his arrest, he was taken to the office of the Controller of Immigration, Seme Area Command, where he stayed till Tuesday before he was moved to Alagbon under armed escort.

His arrival at FCID also created a mild drama, according to another police source who said officers went to have a glimpse of him in one of the offices where he was kept before he was taken to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in charge of FCID.

He was interrogated briefly by detectives upon his arrival.

[DailyTrust]

Jigawa State Governor Umah Namadi has put the current death toll in the tanker explosion in the state at 181, with another 80 persons in critical condition in hospital.

Namadi who was at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday to brief President Bola Tinubu on the situation, revealed that a total of 210 families were affected by the inferno.

Recall that the incident occurred on Tuesday, October 15 when a truck carrying petrol, travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, exploded in Majia, located in the Taura LGA of Jigawa State.

The incident resulted in the immediate death of over 100 individuals and injuries to many others who were scooping fuel.

The governor said the state has already established a high powered committee under the chairmanship of a retired DIG to investigate the remote causes of the incident and then advise the government on what to do.

Speaking to State House correspondents, Namadi said, “The situation as at today is that we have about 181 people that died and about 80 people in the hospital and about 210 families affected by this.

“I came here to brief Mr President about what happened to us, the tragic incident that happened in Jigawa State which claimed a lot of lives.

“We felt it is important to come and brief Mr President on what we are doing as a government and also to thank him for sending a delegation immediately this incident happened.

“Of course, the state government has taken the medical bill of all the affected people. We have done a lot of intervention to the families, to ensure that they continue their livelihood, and also Mr President has promised to intervene and assist the victims.

“The state government has already established a high powered committee under the chairmanship of a retired DIG to investigate the remote causes of that incident and then advise the government on what to do.

“You should also remember that Mr President has given a directive immediately to the Corps Marshal that he should investigate this matter, and he should come up with a permanent solution to this problem in this country.”

[DailyPost]