Author: Friday Omosola

Weeks after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approved non-scheduled flight operations at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport for six months, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on Friday began its calibration of landing systems. In a statement made available to newsmen today on the state government Facebook page, the calibration signaled the final stages of preparations for commercial flight operations. The NAMA calibration aircraft landed on the airport’s runway at exactly 4:13 p.m., with the calibration exercise commencing immediately. Calibration in the aviation sector ensures air navigation safety by conducting regular inspections, fine-tuning test equipment systems, and surveilling…

The Joint National Assembly Committee on Solid Minerals has rejected the proposed N9 billion capital budget for the mining sector in the 2025 fiscal year.   The Assembly criticised the allocation, stating that it falls significantly short of the investment needed to establish solid minerals as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts. During the budget defense session on Friday, Senator Ekong Sampson, Chairman of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed allocation. He emphasised that without substantial investment in exploration and other critical areas, the sector’s potential to drive the transition…

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has warned that the commission may struggle to carry out its constitutional duties in 2025 due to severe budgetary constraints.  He stated that the proposed N40 billion budget for the year is barely sufficient to cover staff salaries, leaving critical electoral activities unfunded. Yakubu made this disclosure during a session with the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on INEC and Electoral Matters on Friday. He revealed that INEC would require at least N126 billion to effectively run its operations in 2025, highlighting that the N40 billion allocation…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced two new account types— the Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account (NRNOA) and the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account (NRNIA)—designed to attract diaspora investments and remittances, thereby boosting foreign capital inflows into the country.   The NRNOA allows Nigerians living abroad to remit foreign earnings to Nigeria and manage funds in both foreign and local currencies. In contrast, the NRNIA enables them to invest in Nigerian assets using either foreign currency (FCY) or Naira. This new policy was disclosed in a circular signed by Dr. W.J. Kanya, Acting Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, and…

The Federal Government (FG) has revealed plans to allocate $50 million of the $52.88 million recovered from the United States, linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to enhance rural electrification projects across Nigeria. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja during the formal signing of the Asset Return Agreement between Nigeria and the United States. The New Daily Prime earlier reported that FG yesterday acknowledged the recipient of the funds. Fagbemi said the Alison-Madueke, and her associates (referred to as the Galactica Assets) funds are set to enhance…

Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno has disbanded his cabinet, citing the need for a fresh perspective and energy to drive his administration forward.  He made the announcement on Friday during a valedictory session held at the Executive Council chamber in Uyo, the state capital. The governor emphasised that the decision was not a result of underperformance, but rather a strategic move to bring in new professionals to support his governance. He further clarified that while the outgoing commissioners had delivered on their responsibilities, the time had come to inject new talent into his administration. READ ALSO: Funke Akindele’s Jenifa legacy:…

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…