Author: Friday Omosola

Vice President Kashim Shettima has joined world leaders at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) to advocate for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to boost Africa’s economy to $29 trillion by 2050. Speaking at the ‘Forum Friends of AfCFTA: Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa,’ Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to spearheading the AfCFTA initiative, emphasising its transformative potential for digital trade and economic integration across the continent.   Highlighting the importance of Africa’s demographic and digital strengths, the Vice President stated, “By 2050, Nigeria’s population will surpass that of the…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed two transformative bills into law, heralding significant advancements in the State’s judiciary and oil sector governance. Fred Itua, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, announced the development in a statement on Wednesday.  He revealed that the first bill extends the retirement age for magistrates in the State from 60 to 65 years. This legislative measure is aimed at enhancing the judiciary’s efficiency and leveraging the experience of seasoned magistrates to improve the administration of justice. READ ALSO: Okpebholo begins remodelling of Edo schools The governor also signed into law a second bill that expands…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned five individuals—Benjamin Okoye, Moughalu David Arinze, Okey Okeke, Ekene Mgbeokwere, and Eboh Thaddeus—before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly tampering with a property subject to interim forfeiture. The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement today on its official X page.  The one-count charge alleged that the defendants, along with Ilongwo Angela, who is currently at large, unlawfully dealt with a forfeited property located at Plot 165C, Block 12, Diamond Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, in July 2024, contrary to Section 32(1) of the EFCC…

Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday over an 82-day power outage at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The blackout, which has severely disrupted academic activities, stems from debts owed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). UCH serves as the teaching hospital for UI’s medical students, and the prolonged lack of electricity has caused significant challenges. Speaking, the President of the UI Student Union Government (SUG), Comrade Bolaji Aweda, condemned the situation, describing it as unacceptable. READ ALSO: We remain steadfast in improving Nigerians’ lives – Shettima “This blackout has persisted for…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Kayode Opeifa as the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation. The appointment, announced via a statement on the Corporation’s X page on Wednesday, has been widely praised for its strategic importance. Opeifa, a seasoned transportation expert and former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, boasts a distinguished career marked by impactful reforms. As Commissioner, he introduced policies that significantly improved public transport and traffic management in Lagos, one of Africa’s busiest cities. READ ALSO: We remain steadfast in improving Nigerians’ lives – Shettima His contributions helped ease congestion and laid a strong foundation for the…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Davos, Switzerland, for the high-level dialogue, “Forum Friends of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Turning Digital Trade into a Catalyst for Growth in Africa,” at the World Economic Forum.  Earlier, The New Daily Prime reported Shettima’s departure from Abuja to represent Nigeria at the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting.  In a statement on Wednesday, Shettima’s spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed the Vice President’s arrival. READ ALSO: Shettima heads for World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland The forum, focused on digital trade and private sector engagement, aims to explore the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering peace, justice, and sustainable development in Ogoniland. Speaking during a meeting with Ogoni leaders at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, the President urged unity, reconciliation, and collaborative efforts to address the region’s lingering challenges.   “We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” President Tinubu said. The President directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to lead negotiations and facilitate inclusive consultations among stakeholders. He also instructed…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to reverse the recent 50 per cent telecom tariff hike. In a statement posted on its X page on Tuesday, SERAP threatened to take legal action against the Tinubu administration if the increase was not rescinded.   “The Tinubu administration and telcos must immediately reverse the unlawful increase in calls and data costs. We’ll see in court if the 50% tariff hike is not reversed within 48 hours”, the statement read. READ ALSO: SERAP sues Tinubu over hike in petrol price  The New Daily Prime…

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s plan to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate, arguing that such a move would aggravate the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians.   Under the proposed Tax Reform Bills, the government intends to increase VAT in phases from the current 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent, 12.5 per cent, and eventually 15 per cent. The TUC described the proposal as poorly timed and harmful, given the existing economic pressures on citizens, including high inflation, rising unemployment, and escalating living costs. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, TUC President Festus Osifo…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the state House of Assembly of his ongoing commitment to fostering a robust relationship between the executive and legislature to promote the growth and development of the state. The governor made this promise during a meeting with the newly elected Speaker of the Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, and the new Principal Officers of the House at his office yesterday. Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, welcomed the Speaker and the Principal Officers during a courtesy visit, shortly before the weekly State Executive Council meeting at Lagos House in Ikeja. In a statement issued…