Author: Friday Omosola

The Federal Government (FG) has revealed that the United States handed over $52.88 million in assets linked to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. Alison-Madueke fled to London shortly after leaving office in May 2015 and has remained abroad ever since, facing numerous allegations of embezzlement during her tenure. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced this during a formal asset recovery agreement signing held in Abuja on Friday. Fagbemi revealed that $50 million of the recovered funds would be allocated through the World Bank to support rural electrification projects across Nigeria. The remaining $2.88 million…

In a major policy move aimed at fostering economic development and transparency in land administration, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has signed the Land Use Regulation 2025 and Executive Order No. 1, 2025.  The governor in a statement on his X page Friday, said the regulation designated several locations across the state as urban areas, marking a significant milestone in the state’s development agenda. Under the new Executive Order, the entire Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South, Udi, Nkanu West, Nkanu East, and Nsukka are now classified as urban areas. Additionally, specific parts of Aninri,…

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to expand the Ogun Teach initiative by increasing the number of interns from 4,000 to 6,000.  The governor said the move was aimed at addressing the gap in the student-to-teacher ratio across the state. He disclosed this at his Oke-Mosan office while receiving the management team of Teach For All and Teach For Nigeria, who were in the state for their retreat. The governor revealed that his administration had raised the monthly stipends for Ogun Teach interns to N80,000 in line with current economic realities. The governor added that the initiative since…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured 167 medical graduates of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, that his administration will resolve the issues delaying their induction into the medical profession.   The governor addressed the 2015 set of medical students during a stopover at the institution’s gate on his way from Irrua. The students, who graduated in August 2024 after spending 10 years in medical school, had been protesting the delay in their induction. Speaking to journalists, Governor Okpebholo expressed empathy for the students, stating, “I feel your pain as a father. I will invite the acting Vice Chancellor to discuss…

President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Saturday, January 11, to attend the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025).   Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced this today via a statement on his X account (formerly Twitter). He revealed that President Tinubu received an invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, to participate in the Summit, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from January 12 to 18. Onanuga further stated that the Summit will convene global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and…

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has summoned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, to explain why the implementation of a proposed expatriates taxation policy should not be halted.   The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by the plaintiff’s counsel, Patrick Peter. Justice Ekwo directed that the motion be served on the minister and AGF within three days and scheduled the hearing for January 16, 2024. The plaintiff, who named the Interior Minister and the AGF as defendants, is seeking an interim injunction to prevent the implementation of…

The United States Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an emergency request from President-elect Donald Trump to postpone sentencing in his hush-money case. The court, by a narrow 5-4 vote, dismissed the application to block Friday’s proceedings, even with three of the justices being Trump appointees. In its brief, unsigned order, the court stated that the burden of sentencing on the President-elect’s responsibilities was “relatively insubstantial.” It also noted that Trump would be allowed to attend the sentencing virtually. Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, has indicated that Trump would likely receive an “unconditional discharge”—a sentence that imposes no…

The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended a woman, Ihsanatu Shaaibu, for allegedly physically abusing her 5-year-old stepdaughter, Fa’iza Bala, and causing her severe injuries.   In a statement released on Facebook today by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police assured the public that the suspect would face prosecution as soon as investigations are completed. The statement read: “Child Abuse: In relation to the viral video where a woman identified as Ihsanatu Shaaibu physically abused and caused grievous injuries to her stepdaughter Fa’iza Bala, a 5 year old. READ ALSO: IGP warns against attacks on Police officers “The Suspects…

In a decisive response to the recent explosion at the Nganzai Divisional Police Headquarters in Borno State, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the attack and ordered an immediate stop. The incident which occurred yesterday at about 12:10 a.m. and claimed the lives of two police officers—Inspector Bartholomew Kalawa and Corporal Mustapha Huzaifat— He also ordered a thorough crackdown on the culprits, affirming that no cop-killer will go unpunished. In a statement issued by the police spokesperson, the IGP extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased officers. Egbetokun assured them that the sacrifices made…

President Bola Tinubu has called on the Chinese government to increase its currency swap arrangement with Nigeria, emphasising the need for deeper economic collaboration to fast-track infrastructure development.  The president made this appeal on Thursday during a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at the State House in Abuja. Tinubu highlighted the inadequacy of the current $2 billion currency swap deal, urging China to consider a significant increase. “We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have approved as a government for Nigeria is inadequate considering our programme. If you can increase that,…