Author: Friday Omosola

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has called on the Federal Government to reduce the cost of the 2025 Hajj, citing the ongoing economic challenges faced by Nigerians. The governor made the appeal during a ceremony hosted by the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board to distribute a N375 million refund to pilgrims who performed the 2023 Hajj. The refund was made by the Saudi Arabian government in response to outage during last year’s Hajj operations. At the event, Governor Yusuf praised both the Saudi government and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for their transparency and accountability. He also commended…

A notorious bandit leader,Dogo Gide and his gang have ordered 23 communities in Tsafe West, located in Zamfara State’s Tsafe Local Government Area, to pay over N100 million in levies. According to sources, the affected communities have been assigned specific amounts, with the highest levies set at N20 million for Kunchin-Kalgo, N15 million each for Sungawa and Rakyabu, and N10 million for Kwaren Mai-Saje and Magazawa. Other villages include Gijin-Zama (₦8.5 million), Giwa (₦7 million), Kauyen Magaji (₦7 million), and Barebari (₦6 million). READ ALSO: FG lifts mining ban in Zamfara The bandits’ demands extended to several other villages, including…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised Felix Morka, the APC Publicity Secretary, for his incendiary remarks about Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State. Atiku described the comments as ‘a troubling reflection of President Bola Tinubu led administration’s attitude towards opposition voices.’  On January 5, 2025, during a national television appearance, Mr Morka accused Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), of crossing the line ‘so many times’, adding that whatever consequences he faced, he should accept and manage.   The New Daily Prime reported that Obi responded on his X page, revealing he had received…

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday raised concerns about the influx of bandits fleeing military operations in the North-West into Oyo State. The governor who spoke at the 2025 annual inter-faith service for workers at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, reassured residents of his administration’s resolve to root out the criminal elements.   He said the challenges of 2024 regarding safety and security were immense, noting that the state faced fire outbreaks, armed robberies, and kidnappings. The governor maintained that in 2025, his administration is committed to intensifying its efforts to tackle these issues head-on. Makinde attributed the migration of bandits…

After no fewer than four people were killed in a clash between two suspected cult groups in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area in Ondo State, Governor Aiyedatiwa had imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew on the town. The announcement was made today in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, stressing that the curfew will remain in effect until further notice. The New Daily Prime gathered that one of the victims, 52-year-old Fisayo Oladipupo, a former youth leader of the APC in Owo LGA, was shot dead in the early hours of today by suspected cultists.  …

Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has revealed that his life is under threat following his criticism of President Bola Tinubu -led administration. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, during his New Year message, stated that Tinubu’s economic policies had worsened the living conditions of many Nigerians, leaving them poorer than he found them.  Obi urged the President to visit states across the country to witness firsthand the alarming poverty rate. His comments sparked backlash from Tinubu’s supporters, particularly former presidential aide to Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, who accused Obi of lacking…

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has signed the state’s 2025 budget, valued at N615.86 billion, into law. The brief signing ceremony took place on Monday at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri. Dubbed the “Budget of Recovery and Continuity,” the appropriation bill emphasises completing ongoing projects and fulfilling campaign promises made in 2023. Zulum had initially presented a budget estimate of N584.76 billion to the State House of Assembly on December 9, 2024. After thorough deliberations, the House increased the figure by N31 billion before passing it on December 24, 2024. Speaking at the signing ceremony,…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed twenty-seven officers from its workforce over allegations of fraud and misconduct. The anti-graft agency in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity today, said the dismissals were approved by its Chairman Ola Olukoyede, following recommendations from the Commission’s Staff Disciplinary Committee. The EFCC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for corruption within its ranks, stressing that the Commission boss said “no officer is above scrutiny—promised that all allegations would be thoroughly investigated.” The anti-graft agency also addressed a trending $400,000 allegation involving a supposed EFCC staff member and a Sectional…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has announced that the largest food logistics hall in sub-Saharan Africa will commence operations in Lagos by 2025.  Speaking after a tour of the state-of-the-art digital studios of TVC News at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, the governor disclosed that the hall will be launched alongside several middle-level markets in Mushin, Ajah, Agege, and Ikorodu. According to him, these initiatives are designed to enhance food sufficiency and security, underscoring the government’s dedication to empowering every resident of Lagos State. “As we uphold local government autonomy, Lagos remains a model of collaboration and independence. Our joint…

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has dismissed allegations that his panel failed to consult Nigerian governors before proposing major tax reform bills.  Oyedele clarified the situation during an interview on Arise TV yesterday, countering claims made by elder statesman Buba Galadima. Galadima had accused the committee of neglecting to engage governors, particularly outside Lagos and Ogun States, in crafting the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. These proposed laws aim to overhaul Nigeria’s tax collection and administration…