Author: Friday Omosola

President Bola Tinubu has emphasised that both Nigeria and the world are in urgent need of peace as the country observes Armed Forces Remembrance Day. In a statement posted today on his X page, Tinubu stated that the day serves as an opportunity for the nation to express gratitude and honour the sacrifices made by ex-servicemen and women who selflessly laid down their lives to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and the peace of other nations. “Our nation is in dire need of peace, and so is the World. As we mark this solemn event today, remember that people laid down…

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to collaborating with other nations to build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable world. Addressing a global audience on the second day of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the president spoke on the theme, “From Climate Imperatives to Economic Prosperity: Bridging Africa with the Global Energy Future.”  He emphasised that no single nation can achieve sustainability in isolation, highlighting that global interconnectedness necessitates collective action, knowledge sharing, and mutual support. President Tinubu also described the fight against climate change as not just an environmental obligation but a…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has instructed telecommunications companies to deactivate the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes assigned to nine banks due to a backlog of unpaid debts.   In a directive issued by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Tuesday and obtained by, the affected banks have until January 27, 2025, to settle their debts or risk losing access to their USSD platforms. Although the NCC did not disclose the total amount owed, it revealed that the debts, some of which date back to 2020, were part of an initial sum exceeding N200 billion owed by…

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, claiming that his 2022 purchase of Twitter shares violated securities laws. The SEC’s court filing, published Tuesday, asserts that Musk failed to submit a required beneficial ownership report after acquiring more than five per cent of Twitter’s common stock in March 2022. The SEC argues that Musk’s failure to file the report on time allowed him to continue buying shares at “artificially low prices,” enabling him to underpay by at least $150 million for shares purchased after the report was due. The 53-year-old attorney, Alex Spiro,…

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development has raised concerns over the proposed N11.8 billion budget allocation for the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as insufficient for the ministry’s successful launch. The Federal Government allocated N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for operational costs in the ministry’s 2025 budget. During the budget defence session on Tuesday, Minister Idi Maiha, along with senior officials and agency heads, outlined the ministry’s financial needs to the joint committee. Maiha explained that the ministry, which was separated from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, began operations…

Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has urged lawmakers to renew their dedication to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, with an emphasis on national development and legislative reforms. During a plenary session on Tuesday, which marked the Senate’s return after the holiday break, Akpabio made this call for renewed commitment.  In his speech titled “Rising to the Greatness of Our Calling”, he emphasised the necessity for a collective resolve to transform Nigeria into a nation characterized by progress and hope. He highlighted the significance of the national budget, describing it as not merely a financial tool but as a reflection…

The Ekiti State government has taken proactive steps to ensure food security by establishing storage facilities across the state. These facilities aim to purchase and store farm produce during harvest seasons, releasing them during periods of scarcity to stabilize food supply and prices. Governor Biodun Oyebanji, during an inspection of one of the storage facilities in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, explained that the initiative is part of efforts to prevent the food scarcity experienced in the state last year.  He highlighted that the government is focused on addressing food shortages, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring year-round food sufficiency. Speaking to journalists after…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a sustainable plan for financing education in Nigeria. Obasanjo made the appeal at the 70th birthday celebration of the Vice Chancellor of Bells University, Oludele Ojediran, held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State on Tuesday.  He also encouraged governments at all levels to equip youths with the skills and resources needed to become job creators. The former military head of state commended LAUTECH for producing exceptional academics and administrators, citing Professors Adeyemi and Ojediran, both former Vice Chancellors of Bells University, as shining examples.  The…

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has called for transformative, high-impact investments in infrastructure, agriculture, rail, and energy. Speaking at the Islamic Development Bank Governors’ (IsDB Group) Retreat in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, Edun emphasised the need for innovative and sustainable financing strategies. In a statement posted on the ministry’s X page today, Edun urged the IsDB to prioritize investments with strong returns to ensure long-term financial sustainability.  Highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in development financing, he called on the bank to align its approach with current economic realities. Edun stressed the importance…

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, has expressed optimism that the Federal Government will meet its N36.35 trillion revenue projection for 2025.   Speaking during a National Assembly Joint Committee hearing on the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Bagudu attributed his confidence to the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he said are already yielding positive results.   He highlighted the impact of removing fuel and foreign exchange subsidies, noting that the resulting revenue boost for all levels of government began to materialize in October 2024. Bagudu emphasized that the savings from these reforms are expected to drive…