Author: New Daily Prime

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has reaffirmed that his stance on the current state of governance in Nigeria would remain unchanged, even if he were still serving in the administration of President Bola Tinubu. This declaration came in response to a remark by the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, on Thursday, January 30. El-Rufai, speaking at a national conference in Abuja on Monday, January 27, described the state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency.” He also expressed concerns over the lack of internal democracy within the ruling All Progressives Congress…

Much of the world is accustomed to thinking of Africa as an impoverished sideshow, accounting for only a small share of the world’s population and gross domestic product — but what if that is poised to change? Experts at the International Monetary Fund have argued that we are entering the “African century.” I wouldn’t go that far, but they are right to point to profound demographic and other shifts suggesting that Africa will play a far more important role in the world. A few data points: In an aging and perhaps enfeebled world, Africa will also be a continent of…

The president suggested 30,000 migrants could be housed on the base. It is unclear how the plan will take shape. President Trump on Wednesday ordered his administration to prepare to house tens of thousands of “criminal aliens” at the Navy base at Guantánamo Bay, the latest prong in his widening crackdown on immigration. Mr. Trump did not offer details on how the plan would take shape, but he instructed the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to get the site ready. “We have 30,000 beds in Guantánamo to detain the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people,” he said.…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned its ruling on the bail application of former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore until Thursday, January 31, 2025. Sowore, who is facing 17 counts of cybercrime, is accused by the Nigerian Police Force of using his verified X handle to post a tweet referring to the Inspector General of Police as “illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun.” The police have claimed that the statement was false and intended to incite public disorder. Justice Musa Liman made the decision after hearing arguments from Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, and the prosecution’s representative, Udey Jonathan. Sowore,…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expelled former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged anti-party activities. Aregbesola, who governed Osun State for two terms, had been leading a faction within the APC known as The Osun Progressives, which was later rebranded as the Omoluabi Caucus. The APC leadership confirmed his expulsion in an official letter on Wednesday, accusing him of violating Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which addresses disciplinary actions for members. The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” stated that the State Executive Committee (SEC)…

By Michael Damilola From lovers to separation, the love story of Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, and Annie Macaulay Idibia remains one of the most captivating tales in Nigerian entertainment. The couple, who were once admired as a symbol of love and commitment, saw their fairy-tale romance come to a dramatic and heartbreaking end after more than a decade of marriage. 2Baba, a member of the defunct music group Plantashun Boiz, was already a household name in the Nigerian music industry when he met Annie Macaulay, a rising model, in the early 2000s. Despite their age difference and…

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has assured Nigerians that the President Bola Tinubu administration will achieve significant development in 2025, declaring that the era of excuses for non-performance is over. Speaking on Monday, January 27, night after receiving the ThisDay Award for Minister of the Year, Wike emphasised the government’s commitment to infrastructure and development, stating, “This year, 2025, we will see more developments and more infrastructure, that is what is basic for us. We have no time for excuses; the time for excuses has gone.” Wike thanked President Bola Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to contribute…

The wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has distributed N50,000 grants to 1,000 women petty traders in Kwara State, totalling N50 million, aimed at re-capitalising their existing businesses. The presentation was made during the inauguration of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)/RHI Community ICT Centre in Ilorin, the state capital, on Tuesday, January 28. Senator Tinubu also launched other key projects, including the newly reconstructed Civil Service Clinic, which has been named in honour of the wife of the Kwara State Governor, Olufolake Abdulrazaq. As part of the RHI Social Investment Programme,…

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reported an impressive revenue collection of N180.75 billion from cargoes imported into the country in 2024. This marks a significant 99.89% increase compared to the N90.43 billion generated in 2023. At a press conference held at the command’s headquarters in Lagos, Command Area Controller Michael Awe highlighted that the total revenue generated surpassed the set target of N179.74 billion for the year, with an additional N1.01 billion achieved, reflecting a 0.56% increase over the target. Awe praised the command’s performance, noting that the revenue boost demonstrated a strong…

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has granted 25-year gas distribution licences to 10 companies in a move aimed at enhancing domestic gas utilisation across the country. The licences, issued on Tuesday in Abuja, will enable these companies to establish, construct, and operate gas distribution networks in key regions of Nigeria. The awarded licences cover franchise areas in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Benin City, with a primary goal of ensuring that natural gas reaches households and industries in the southwestern and southern parts of the country. The initiative is part of Nigeria’s…