Author: Friday Omosola

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a ban on 60,000-litre fuel tankers from operating on the roads. The decision aims to mitigate the increasing number of truck-in-transit accidents and will take effect on March 1, 2025. Speaking to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Ogbugo Ukoha, NMDPRA’s Executive Director for Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, stated that the ban resulted from extensive deliberations involving key stakeholders. Agencies involved in the decision included the Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO). READ ALSO:…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of enforcing illegality in the state’s local government administration.  Adeleke made the allegation during a meeting with British diplomats led by the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter. The governor condemned what he described as the IGP’s collusion with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to impose a “non-existent” court order, warning that such actions threaten democracy in Nigeria. He lamented the role of security forces in allegedly aiding violations of democratic processes rather than upholding the rule of law. READ ALSO: Osun LG crisis: Police…

The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu along with the heads of the National Intelligence Agency and Defence Intelligence Agency, to appear before it regarding allegations that USAID is providing financial support to Boko Haram. The decision to launch an inquiry into potential foreign sponsorship of terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, was prompted by a motion introduced by Senator Ali Ndume. Lawmakers raised concerns following a viral video featuring U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, who claimed during a congressional hearing that USAID has been implicated in financing extremist groups worldwide. READ ALSO: LASU Senate…

In a strategic move to drive Nigeria’s economic reforms, the federal government has mandated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) to oversee the implementation of the Aso Accord. The committee, inaugurated by Vice President Kashim Shettima on February 10 is tasked with providing high-level strategic guidance to ensure inclusive economic growth and bridge financial gaps nationwide. The establishment of PreCEFI aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to achieving a trillion-dollar economy. To achieve this, the committee has been structured into two subcommittees: the Governance Committee (GovCo) and the Technical Implementation Committee (TechCo), supported by an implementation…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the passing of elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark as a profound loss to Nigeria, likening his death to the fall of a great Iroko tree.   Chief Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information in the First Republic and a Senator in the Second Republic, died on Monday at his residence at the age of 97. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and a leading voice on national issues, particularly resource control and environmental justice in the Niger Delta. In a condolence message on Wednesday, Shettima praised…

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has called for the support and collaboration of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. The request was made yesterday during a courtesy visit by the NCCSALW management team, led by its Director General, Johnson Babatunde, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), to the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. Speaking during the visit, Babatunde emphasised the critical link between arms proliferation and financial crimes, highlighting the role of illicit…

The Federal Government (FG) has taken decisive steps to accelerate the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. The steps led to the establishing a committee to interface with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and improve access to financing for small businesses. This was a key resolution from the first meeting of the National Council on MSMEs for 2025, held yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the meeting, eemphasised he government’s commitment to supporting MSMEs, recognising their critical role in job creation and economic development. He highlighted the administration’s responsibility,…

The Senate has revised portions of the 2025 Appropriations Bill after detecting discrepancies in allocations following its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly last Thursday. The inconsistencies were identified during the final review conducted by the Joint Committee on Appropriations, prompting necessary adjustments in recurrent spending, pensions, and capital projects. The allocation for the Ministry of Defence was reduced from ₦2.51 trillion to ₦2.49 trillion, while the budget for the Ministry of Police Affairs was adjusted slightly from ₦1.225 trillion to ₦1.224 trillion. In the pensions sector, significant increases were made to accommodate additional financial commitments. READ ALSO:…

Elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark is dead.  Prof. C. C. Clark, a family representative, announced this on Tuesday in an official statement. Clark passed away at the age of 97. The former Federal Commissioner for Information was a prominent advocate for the South-South region and a key figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, 17th February 2025. “The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other…

The Nigeria Police has condemned the recent outbreak of violence in Osun State, which has led to the destruction of property and the tragic loss of innocent lives.  In response, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun ordered the deployment of additional tactical squads to restore order and security in the state. In a statement released yesterday by police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the IGP emphasised that the police would not tolerate any acts of lawlessness, hooliganism, or anarchy.  Egbetokun reaffirmed the commitment of police to identifying and prosecuting all those responsible for the unrest, ensuring they face the full…