Author: New Daily Prime

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the proposed N8.7 billion travel budget for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for the year 2025, calling for a reduction in the budgets for both the Presidency and the National Assembly. SERAP has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to slash the allocations, which amount to N9.4 billion for the Presidency’s travel, meals, and catering expenses, as well as N344.85 billion for lawmakers. In a letter dated 21st December 2024, signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP requested that the National Assembly…

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has confirmed that the notorious terror group, Lakurawa, is no longer operating in Nigeria, stating that the militants have been successfully chased out of the country. Speaking to journalists at his residence in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, on Sunday, Matawalle categorically dismissed recent claims made by the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Mohammed Shehu Dalijan, who had suggested that the Lakurawa group was responsible for a series of deadly explosive attacks in the state in recent weeks. “The Lakurawa terrorist group is no longer in Nigeria, not even in Zamfara…

Japanese automotive giants Honda and Nissan have entered into talks about a potential merger, with a focus on ramping up their electric vehicle (EV) capabilities to challenge Tesla and rising Chinese competitors. On Monday, both companies, alongside Mitsubishi Motors, announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a business integration, which would result in the formation of a joint holding company. This new entity aims to combine the strengths of the three firms and better compete in the rapidly evolving global EV market. The two companies confirmed that they plan to list the newly established holding company…

The founder of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC Nation), Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has caused a stir by referring to Nigerian music sensation David Adeleke, better known as Davido, as a “gospel artist.” During a recent appearance on the Off The Record podcast, which began trending on Monday, Adegboyega explained that the term “gospel” simply means “good news,” and he believes Davido exemplifies this with his music. The flamboyant pastor’s comments were made in response to the criticism he faced over his decision to invite secular musicians to perform at his recent birthday celebration, instead of gospel artists. Addressing the…

By Alade Adisa A report by the Global Partnership for Education, GPE, under the auspices of the World Bank, has predicted that over 2 billion jobs may be lost globally due to automation, as technology is rapidly changing the labour market and the demand for skills required to be productive.The report was titled “Teachers and technology: What can we do to support educators to prepare students for the future?”It added what as new technological innovations occur, including Artificial intelligence, AI, 44 percent of workers’ skills are likely to be disrupted in the next five years.”Technology is rapidly altering the labor…

Less than a month after its much-anticipated reopening, the Port Harcourt Refining Company has halted operations once again. On Thursday, December 19, 2024, our correspondent visited the facility and observed that the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, had come to a standstill. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that petrol lifting had ceased as early as Friday, December 13, with the refinery’s 18-arm loading bay completely empty. The usually busy depot, known for its hustle and bustle with tankers queuing up to load products, appeared eerily quiet, with only a few trucks parked around the…

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has outlined key proposals aimed at stimulating Nigeria’s economic growth, including the elimination of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential goods and exports. In a session with the Organised Private Sector, monitored virtually by PUNCH on Friday, Oyedele emphasized that these reforms would reduce the tax burden on businesses, simplify tax rules, and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness. “The Tax Reform Bills will create a more conducive business environment. They will achieve this by reducing the tax burden, simplifying tax rules, and harmonizing taxes,” Oyedele stated. Key proposals include…

Bello El-Rufai, a federal lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, has strongly criticised Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for their continuous refusal to reduce their budgets, accusing them of wasting public funds on frivolous items such as utensils and vehicles. In a viral video obtained by PUNCH Online on Friday, December 20, El-Rufai, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to prioritise budget reductions for MDAs. He pointed out the growing concerns among Nigerians regarding the yearly increase in government spending. “Nigerians are tired of every agency…

A military court in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, sentenced an unnamed resident of Ukraine’s Lugansk region to 16 years in prison for “high treason” on Friday. The sentence was handed down after prosecutors accused the man of providing information about Russian armed forces to Ukraine’s security services. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that the individual was found guilty of state treason, aiding terrorist activities, and illegally handling explosives. As part of the sentence, the accused will serve his time in a high-security penal colony. The sentencing comes amid heightened tensions, as President Vladimir Putin has urged Russian security services to…

Nigeria spends approximately $19 million annually on the importation of motorcycle spare parts, according to Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). Speaking at NADDC’s 2024 end-of-year media briefing in Abuja, Osanipin stressed the urgent need to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported auto parts and increase local manufacturing capabilities. “Our investigation shows that the value of motorcycle spare parts imported into the country annually is close to 19 million dollars,” Osanipin explained. He noted that this figure excludes the importation of tricycles and vehicles, which also contribute to foreign exchange expenditure. He called for a…