Author: Friday Omosola

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has announced his plan to assemble a legal team to initiate proceedings against the oil companies responsible for the extensive pollution and abandonment of their host communities in the Niger Delta region. Speaking at the 30th Memorial Lecture for Ken Saro-Wiwa in Port Harcourt, Falana stressed that the very communities whose resources power Nigeria’s economy are entitled to a decent standard of living, complete with essential services, rather than enduring poverty and neglect. The event, which was organised by a collaboration of environmental civil society leaders, honored what would have been the 84th birthday of…

The Federal Government (FG), through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and collaborating with genuine private sector entities focused on fostering a “cleaner, safer, and more prosperous Nation.” Akume made this declaration while receiving an award from the African Business Ventures and Investment Group (ABVIG) in Abuja. The award recognised his significant role in promoting private sector partnership with the government concerning climate change initiatives and infrastructure development across Africa. READ ALSO: FG halts revenue collection deductions to boost fiscal transparency Speaking at the event, Akume, represented by the Deputy…

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on Friday presented a budget proposal of N415.57 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, aiming to consolidate the achievements of his administration over the past three years. Christened the “Budget of Impactful Governance,” the estimate is approximately 11% higher than the N375.79 billion approved budget for 2025. The proposed budget allocates N221.87 billion, or 53 percent, to Recurrent Expenditure, and N193.70 billion, or 46 percent, to Capital Expenditure. This marks a shift from the 2025 budget, which comprised N252.15 billion in Recurrent and N104.51 billion in Capital Expenditure.…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed that there is an urgent need for a decisive and just resolution to the prolonged incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This commitment followed a meeting in Abuja earlier today between Jonathan and activist-publisher Omoyele Sowore, who is mobilizing for Kanu’s release. Sowore in a statement posted on his social media pages on Friday stated that the former President promised to meet with President Bola Tinubu as soon as possible to discuss the matter. READ ALSO: Sowore sets October 20 for peaceful protest to demand release of Nnamdi…

The Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) has collaborated with the Lagos Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to launch its annual ‘Ember Months’ safety advocacy campaign. The campaign, flagged off at Ketu Motor Park, Ketu, Lagos, is themed: “Drivers Education, An Antidote To Road Accidents And Well-Being.” Addressing road union members and transport sector stakeholders at the event, the General Manager of LASDRI, Tiamiyu Afusat, emphasised the necessity of the ‘Ember Months’ safety advocacy. READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu: Lagos tenancy bill will balance landlord-tenant rights, end housing disputes She noted that Lagos roads experience significant strain during this…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyode, has called on Nigerian youths to reject internet fraud and instead dedicate their innovative energies to constructive nation-building. The anti-graft agency in a statement posted on its X page on Friday said Olukoyode delivered the charge during his keynote address at the inaugural Kids and Teens STEAM Innovate Buildathon bootcamp. READ ALSO: “Be goal-oriented whistleblowers, shunning crimes” – Olukoyede urges corps members  The event, themed “Future Innovator: Young Minds, Big Ideas, Creating Tomorrow Today,” was designed for participants aged seven to 18. In the address, which was delivered on his…

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has identified patriotism as the core principle necessary for the moral reawakening and national reorientation of Nigeria. The minister made this assertion in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki, the founder of the Community Peace Initiatives Network (CPIN), and his team. READ ALSO: Nigeria at 65: FG urges national unity  Idris affirmed the government’s commitment, stating, “The Ministry is deeply committed to fostering national unity, promoting our core values, and ensuring that Nigerians, young and old work together to build a peaceful and prosperous country.” He commended the CPIN’s…

Proceedings in the alleged money laundering case against the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, continued on Thursday before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting its fifth and sixth witnesses. The hearing has been postponed until November 12 and 13, 2025, to allow for the completion of the sixth witness’s testimony. The prosecution began by calling its fifth witness (PW5), Victoria Oluwafemi, a compliance officer representing Polaris Bank. READ ALSO: ₦640m withdrawn in six days from Kogi govt account – UBA official testifies in Yahaya Bello’s trial…

The Federal Government (FG) has announced the permanent removal of deductions for the cost of revenue collection previously paid to key agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this significant fiscal reform yesterday in Abuja. Speaking at a panel session following the launch of the World Bank’s October 2025 Nigeria Development Update, titled “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home,” the minister stated that the move aims to drastically improve fiscal transparency and…

The National Council of State (NCS) has unanimously approved the nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan, from the North-Central geopolitical zone, as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, said the approval follows a presentation by President Bola Tinubu to the Council on Thursday. Amupitan is set to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure ran from 2015 until October 2025. READ ALSO: INEC needs independent, competent leader — SAN Fidelis Oditah warns Tinubu informed the council that Amupitan, a native of Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu…