Author: Friday Omosola

With the financial autonomy granted local government councils in the country, the Senate on Tuesday asked the federal government (FG) to allow the councils to be represented at the meetings of the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC. The Senate wants each state and the FCT to have one representative in the committee to safeguard the interests of the councils. According to the Senate, it observed that Section 5 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act 1981 prescribes the membership of the FAAC to be only representatives of the FG and State Governments to the exclusion of the third…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged investors, particularly the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), to channel investments into Nigeria. He made the call on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the IsDB, led by the Head of its Regional Hub, Hammad Hundal, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to Shettima, this is an opportune moment for investors to engage with Nigeria, as President Bola Tinubu’s administration has addressed many of the longstanding issues that previously discouraged investment. READ ALSO: Shettima rallies global partners to boost Nigeria’s HCD He emphasised that the foundation laid by the Renewed Hope administration—through critical reforms in…

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has scheduled 27 June for judgment in the legal challenge brought by suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over her removal from the Senate. Akpoti-Uduaghan is contesting her suspension, which was initiated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on allegations of misconduct—a decision she claims was unjust and politically motivated. READ ALSO: Akpabio’s contempt claims against Natasha holds Tuesday In her suit, she named the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuen—Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct—as respondents. Originally assigned to Justice Obiorah…

Constitutional steps to change Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, to a university of technology and vocational studies are now on before the Senate, where the bill to effect that has scaled through the second reading. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, APC, Kano North, who presided at Tuesday’s plenary session, subsequently referred the bill to the Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND for further legislative action and report back in four weeks. The bill is titled,” A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment of the Yaba Federal University of Technology and Vocational Studies Yaba,…

In a major step toward making healthcare more affordable, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has endorsed a new group purchasing scheme, Medipool. Medipool is aimed at reducing the cost of medicines and essential medical supplies across Nigeria. The announcement followed Monday’s FEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and chaired by President Bola Tinubu. READ ALSO: Cyber slavery on rise: FG issues fresh warning to Nigerians The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said the Medipool initiative is designed to streamline procurement and create a national supply system that will enable bulk purchasing for better pricing.…

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to private-sector-led growth. This he said as the World Bank launched its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU) themed ‘Building Momentum for Inclusive Growth.’ READ ALSO: Edun advocates flexible agricultural strategy to bolster food security Edun, who spoke at the launch, commended the World Bank as a valued development partner. He lauded its technical support and concessional financing through the International Development Association (IDA). “We’d like them to continue and to give us more of that to boost us on our way,” he stated. The…

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State Governor, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the President of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa, Olorogun Ese Kakor, over alleged forgery of official government documents. The call was made in a petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi. READ ALSO: Okpebholo leads global investment drive for Edo at World Bank/IMF meetings The governor accused Kakor of forging documents that falsely claimed he had state authorisation to assist schools in the state’s south senatorial district. Okpebholo…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is taking bold steps to construct digital infrastructure that will enable Nigerian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to compete and thrive across African borders. Shettima spoke in Abuja on Monday while inaugurating the committee for Nigeria’s hosting of the 4th African Union (AU) MSME Forum, scheduled to take place from 23rd to 27th June. READ ALSO: Shettima rallies global partners to boost Nigeria’s HCD He noted that the digital economy presents an unprecedented opportunity for African MSMEs to integrate into global value chains. “With over 83% of…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged Nigerians to steer clear of Ponzi schemes, warning that they destroy lives, erode public trust, and undermine national development. Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Enugu Zonal Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I), Aisha Abubakar, issued the warning during the 2025 Annual Management Retreat of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), held at Jubilee Hall, Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogbete, Enugu State. Abubakar, who spoke on the topic “Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome and Youth Vulnerability: A Case Study of Ponzi Schemes – The Role of Law Enforcement in Prevention and…

The Kwara State Government has commenced the 2025 Hajj operations with the successful airlift of the first batch of 560 intending pilgrims, alongside two officials from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to Saudi Arabia. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the atate government announced that allocation four flights for this year’s Hajj will convey 550 pilgrims, making a total of 2,174 intending pilgrims from the state. READ ALSO: Kwara gov approves recruitment of health workers The scheduled flights will take off on 12, 14, 16, and 17 May respectively. The pilgrims departed the Babatunde Idi-Agbon International Airport, Ilorin,…