Author: Friday Omosola

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the federal government’s (FG) 2025 budget, labelling it insufficient to address Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges.   The New Daily Prime earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu presented an N49.7 trillion budget to the National Assembly last week, tagged the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Building Prosperity.”   In a statement on his X page today, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concerns over the budget’s dependence on excessive borrowing, poor allocation priorities, and the absence of structural reforms. READ ALSO: Atiku faults Tinubu’s tax reform bills, warns National Assembly…

To check the growing cases of tragic stampedes in Abuja, Anambra and Oyo, the Ondo State Government has issued crowd control directives aimed at preventing similar incidents within its jurisdiction. These guidelines, announced by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, outline measures to ensure public safety during events and gatherings. Stampede during events such as funfairs and palliative distributions have recently claimed lives in Oyo, Anambra and Abuja, heightening concerns over crowd management. In a statement issued by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the government unveiled “Directive No. 01-1224”, a document designed to…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged National Assembly to slash the proposed N9.4 billion budget for travel, meals, and catering materials for the presidency. The organisation also called for the cut of N344.85 billion allocated to the National Assembly, and redirect the savings to address Nigeria’s growing budget deficit. In a letter dated December 21, 2024, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also urged the National Assembly to request Tinubu to submit a supplementary appropriation bill reflecting reduced spending. SERAP demanded transparency, urging them to publicly disclose a detailed breakdown of the National Assembly’s…

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, marked his 57th birthday today by donating N21 million and food items to special schools and centres catering to people with disabilities (PWDs) in the state. According to a statement on the Facebook page of the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, ₦5 million each was gifted to three special schools and a rehabilitation centre, while a therapy centre for children with disabilities received ₦1 million. The beneficiaries included the Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro Ekiti; the Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere Ekiti; the Government Special School for the Mentally Challenged, Ido Ekiti; and…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed serious concerns about the uncoordinated distribution of palliatives and relief items across the country during the festive period. In a statement issued by the Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP’s warning was prompted by stampedes reported in Abuja, Anambra, and Ibadan, Oyo State. Describing the situation as worrisome, Egbetokun called for urgent action to safeguard citizens’ lives, particularly vulnerable groups such as youths and the elderly. He stressed the dangers posed to public safety by these unregulated distributions and funfairs organized by groups, individuals, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). He warned that…

Eleven months after the bomb blast in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed that the law is taking its course. During a media chat monitored by The New Daily Prime today, the governor disclosed that suspects have been charged to court and are undergoing prosecution. He also assured that the government would provide support to those who lost their properties in the incident. He said, “The law is taking its course as people have been charged to court and are being prosecuted. Regarding those who lost properties, they will be supported by the government. READ ALSO: Gov…

Tragedy struck this morning as a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama claimed the lives of 10 individuals, including four children, and left several others injured. In same vein,many were feared dead this morning at Okija community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State following a stampede at a palliative distribution venue. It was gathered that the incident occurred during the distribution of palliatives by the church to vulnerable and elderly residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The FCT Police Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the fatalities and…

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State , has disclosed that the federal government (FG) was yet to comply with the Supreme Court’s order on local government autonomy. During a media chat programme monitored by The New Daily Prime today, Makinde expressed concern that the FG was yet to comply with the court order mandating direct payment of allocations to local governments. “The implementation of this order was bound to face challenges, and we are seeing that play out. It still hasn’t been done,” Makinde stated. He further explained that local government allocations are determined by various factors such as population…

IGP takes over probe Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife—the organiser of the Ibadan funfairthat claimed the lives of 35 children, has been hospitalised. Meanwhile,there are fresh indications that the Inspector General of Police(IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over the investigation into the tragic incident Earlier, The New Daily Prime reported that the stampede occurred at an Islamic High School in Orita Bashorun, Ibadan. The event, originally planned for 5,000 children, reportedly exceeded the expectations, with a crowd far surpassing the planned number of invitees An Ibadan-based journalist, Seun Aribikola, disclosed via Facebook that Naomi, who…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja following his spiritual trip to Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser hajj (Umrah) at the revered Masjid al-Haram (Holy Mosque of Makkah). In a statement released yesterday, Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, said the Vice President prayed for Nigeria’s peace and stability during his visit to the holy site. “Our prayer is for peace to prevail in our land. May Allah grant our nation enduring peace and social harmony,” Shettima said.. The Vice President’s supplications also included prayers for the success of Nigeria’s leadership at all levels, from federal to local government.…