Author: Alade Adisa

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said that the suspension of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Edo State was illegal and unconstitutional. Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Fagbemi stressed that removing from office or suspending any elected LG official in the country is the prerogative of Councilors in the said LGA. The AG said his position was based on the July 11 judgment of the Supreme Court that granted autonomy to the 774 LGAs in the country. He said, “One thing that I know and…

Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has stated that some Nigerians swore at him and rained curses on him and his family over the tax reform bills. Spoke during an event for the presentation of the report of a technical committee set up by the League of Northern Democrats (LND) to review the controversial tax reform bills on Thursday in Abuja, Oyedele, however said he was not deterred by the vitriol as his assignment was a public service to bring economic change to the country. NEW DAILY PRIME reports that the tax reform bills have…

Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has stated that some Nigerians abused him and rained curses on him and his family over the tax reform bills. Spoke during an event for the presentation of the report of a technical committee set up by the League of Northern Democrats (LND) to review the controversial tax reform bills on Thursday in Abuja, Oyedele, however said he was not deterred by the vitriol as his assignment was a public service to bring economic change to the country. NEW DAILY PRIME reports that the tax reform bills have…

By Yomi Olugbenro 1. The proposed spending represents 37% increase over 2024 amended budget of N35.06 trillion. While this appears to be highly ambitious, the quantum leap is directly attributable to Naira devaluation. Using the budgeted exchange rates for both years, 2025 budget amounts to $32b (N1, 500/$) against 2024 budget of $44b, a reduction by 37%. So, blame it on the currency’s value! 2. The budget is christened as “budget of restoration: securing peace, rebuilding prosperity” with the objectives of restoring macroeconomic stability, improving business environment, and fostering inclusive growth, employment, and poverty reduction. With defense and security having…

President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the National Assembly to present the 2025 national budget to the joint session of lawmakers. His arrival marks the end of a series of postponements for the budget presentation. He arrived at exactly 12:10 PM, accompanied by several officials from the executive arm of government. Earlier, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, arrived with members of the National Working Committee.The President and his team were received by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. More details to come…

Pope Francis has revealed he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his visit to Iraq three years ago, the first by a Catholic pontiff to the country and probably the riskiest foreign trip of his 11-year papacy. In an excerpt published on Tuesday from a forthcoming autobiography, Francis said he was informed by police after landing in Baghdad in March 2021 that at least two known suicide bombers were targeting one of his planned events. “A woman packed with explosives, a young kamikaze, was heading to Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit,” wrote the…

Following Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, the Federal Government has declared that the reforms have made more resources available to states. While the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agreed with Governor Oborevwori that Nigerians are suffering heavily as a result of Tinubu’s economic reforms, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dissented, saying, ‘’Nigerians will feel the benefits in 2025.’’ According to Punch on Tuesday, the minister said, “2025 is a year that President Tinubu’s reforms will be consolidated for the benefit of all Nigerians.…

“To the youth of Africa I say: Never give up. Turn pain to power.” Ademola Lookman’s journey to being voted the men’s African footballer of the year has been full of ups and downs, yet the Nigeria international knows his recent success provides inspiration. After failing to impose himself following a big-money move to the Premier League as a teenager, the forward had several loan spells before his rebirth in Italy since joining Atalanta in August 2022. “Four years ago my career felt down but now I’m here as the best player in Africa,” Lookman, 27, said on stage when…

By Babafemi Ojudu If you have ever witnessed the Ede masquerade, the Aladoko, or the Alamudu perform, you will instantly appreciate the poetry of Niyi Osundare, the world-renowned poet. Osundare hails from Ekiti, as do these mesmerizing masquerades. Had education not found him, Osundare might well have been a bearer of one of these magnificent masks—adorned with multicolored feathers and mirrors cascading from the nape to the feet—chanting profound verses with the captivating grace of tradition. The Ede masquerades are revered for their boundless knowledge, weaving chants on any subject with a voice as sonorous as a nightingale’s. Their repertoire…

Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior won FIFA’s The Best men’s player of the year award on Tuesday, while Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí was named The Best women’s player of the year for the second time. Vinícius lost out to Manchester City’s Rodri for the Ballon d’Or award in October, but clinched The Best title in Qatar. The Madrid star won the award by five votes with 48 ahead of Rodri who collected 43. Jude Bellingham was third with 37 votes. Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas award for goal of the year for his sensational overhead kick against Everton last…