Author: Friday Omosola

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of the press,and ensure a sustainable and beneficial tax reforms. Idris gave these assurances yesterday while speaking at the 2024 Annual General Congress of the International Press Institute of Nigeria (IPI). He underscored the government’s dedication to ensuring media freedom, even amid growing concerns over the unlawful detention of journalists under the current administration. Idris’ remarks came at a time when several journalists have faced illegal arrests, including the recent detention of the founder of the Foundation for Investigative…

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State yesterday presented the 2025 State’s budget, christened “Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and Digital Economy,” to the State House of Assembly. The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula ,said the budget, totalling N550.11 billion, is aimed at promoting sustainable development and improving the well-being of the state’s citizens. Addressing lawmakers at the State Assembly complex in Makurdi, Alia outlined the priorities of the proposed budget, which includes key sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, education, and healthcare. In the budget, the governor allocated N110 billion (20 per cent) for…

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday in Abuja, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering an investor-friendly environment by eliminating administrative hurdles in the energy and solid minerals sectors. Speaking at a business session at the State House, held as part of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s State Visit, Tinubu emphasised that unlocking the untapped potential of Nigeria’s energy sector remains a cornerstone of the country’s developmental agenda. Describing the German President’s visit as a pivotal moment, Tinubu expressed gratitude for the hospitality he received during his trip to Germany and highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral ties. “We need each other, and you emphasized…

President Bola Tinubu has assured that the reintegration of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will be guided by diplomacy and wisdom, prioritising the welfare of their citizens.This was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy in a statement on Wednesday.He added that President Tinubu spoke during a state visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Tinubu emphasised that ECOWAS remains committed to fostering democracy and safeguarding the interests of innocent civilians in the affected countries. “The leadership of these countries has been reluctant…

Bills seeking amendments to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act (ICPC), 2000, have scaled second reading in the National Assembly. The amendments aim to strengthen basic education and introduce mandatory counselling and training for corruption-related offenders.The UBEC amendment bill, sponsored by Senator Adamu Usman (Kaduna Central), passed its second reading in the Senate.Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, the bill to amend the ICPC passed its second reading.Similarly,the lawmakers have agreed to investigate the alleged smuggling activities of some Customs officials at the Badagry axis.The proposed changes, affecting Sections 2,…

Following their elections as Edo State Governor and Deputy ,the Senate and the State’s House of Assembly,yesterday declared Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa’s seats vacant respectively.The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, declared the Edo Central Senatorial seat formerly occupied by Okpebholo vacant following a formal request by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro. The announcement was made during plenary after Akpabio read Moro’s letter, which called for the seat to be declared vacant due to its occupant’s inauguration as governor. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Abbas Tajudeen today declared the Idahosa’s vacant. In his letter, Moro, representing…

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) in Abuja has issued an interim injunction restraining human rights lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi, from publishing, selling, or distributing his book ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’ In its report today, Channels TV said the order, granted by Justice Peter Kekemeke, also applies to all Farotimi’s representatives, publishers, and distributors, pending the determination of a motion for interlocutory injunction dated and filed on December 6, 2024. The case stems from allegations of defamation against Chief Afe Babalola(SAN) ,and founder of Afe Babalola University, whose firm initiated the legal action against Farotimi.…

In a giant strides towards cleaner energy and better public transportation, the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday took delivery of 20 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses and 20 tricycles from the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI). The handover ceremony, held in Ilorin, the state capital underscored a strategic partnership between the federal government, the state, and private sector players to ease the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the populace. The governor described the initiative as part of efforts to ensure affordable and clean transportation for Kwarans. “These 18-seater shuttle buses and tricycles will be deployed to support…

Governor, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State today presented a 2025 budget proposal of N605 billion to the State House of Assembly. Tagged the ‘Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo’, the proposal marks a 25 per cent increase from the 2024 budget under Godwin Obaseki’s administration. Governor Okpebholo disclosed that N223 billion, representing 37 per cent of the total budget, is allocated for recurrent expenditure, while N381 billion, accounting for 63 per cent, is earmarked for capital projects. Addressing the assembly during the presentation, Okpebholo stated that the budget is aligned with his administration’s five-point agenda, security, infrastructural development,…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined a growing number of Nigerians in condemning the detention of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi. Farotimi is being remanded in an Ekiti prison over allegations of defaming the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola. Farotimi’s legal ordeal began with his arrest in Lagos and subsequent transfer to Ekiti, where he was arraigned before a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti. The court, presided over by Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun, denied his bail application and postponed its decision to December 20. The court’s fresh order starkly contradicts an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court…