Retired military personnel across Nigeria have renewed their calls for an upward review of salaries and pensions for both serving and retired officers, warning that prolonged delays are worsening frustrations within the veterans’ community. The demand was raised last week during a meeting between the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and members of the Ministry of Defence’s five-man Ministerial Standing Committee on Military Veterans’ Welfare, led by retired…

Osun State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) more than doubled in 2024, rising to N54.7bn from N25.3bn in 2023, according to the state’s Financial Statements and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024. The report, presented by the State Auditor-General, Kolapo Idris, showed that total revenue inflows for the year stood at N306.8bn. Of this, statutory allocation accounted for N159.7bn, Value Added Tax contributed N66.8bn, while capital receipts and funds…

The Federal Government on Monday launched a digital portal aimed at creating a credible database of Nigerian teachers, streamlining licensing processes, and promoting professionalism in the education sector. The platform, unveiled in Abuja by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in partnership with the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, is expected to enhance transparency and efficiency in teacher management. Speaking at the launch, the…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unveiled plans to establish a 260,000-strong rapid deployment counter-terrorism brigade, requiring an annual budget of $2.5 billion. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, disclosed this during the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration.” Represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner for…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a criminal network at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, after uncovering how its members planted illicit substances on unsuspecting Nigerian pilgrims who later faced detention in Saudi Arabia. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, flanked by the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr Abdul Ibrahim,…

A Lagos State High Court has sentenced a mortgage banker, Sulaiman Gbajabiamila, to 20 years in prison for property fraud totalling N31 million. Justice I. O. Ijelu delivered the judgment on Monday, following a full trial initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Gbajabiamila was arraigned on September 19, 2023, on a seven-count charge that included stealing, obtaining by false pretences, forgery, and retaining proceeds of crime. READ…

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has warned that Africa is confronting increasingly complex and serious security challenges. He urged for stronger collaboration among nations to address them. Matawalle stated that the continent’s security must be guided by African-led solutions, leadership, and unity. During his address at the opening of the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja, Matawalle highlighted the transnational and asymmetric nature of these threats.…

By Ismaeel Aleem The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 1,379,342 Nigerians completed online pre-registration for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise within just one week, between 18 and 24 August 2025. The milestone coincides with the official commencement of in-person registration today, 25 August, across INEC’s 811 state and local government offices nationwide. In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the…

The Primate of the Church of the Lord Worldwide, Dr. Rufus Ositelu, has stressed the essence of regional and community policing as steps to ensuring peace and security in the country. Ositelu called on the government to strengthen intelligence gathering and security institutions during the 2025 and 89th edition of the annual Tabieorar programme themed “Marvellous God” held on August 22, in Ogere-Remo, Ogun State. According to him, this sacred…

The Benue State House of Assembly has firmly denied claims that Governor Hyacinth Alia played any role in the recent resignation of Speaker Aondona Dajoh, stressing that the move was based solely on personal principle and not the result of political interference. Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, Assembly spokesperson Elias Audu stated that the lawmakers of the Benue Assembly are “independent-minded” and cannot…

The Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Ekiti State, Engr. Simon Adeniran Adeniyi, has addressed the persistent concerns surrounding the deteriorating state of federal roads in the state, attributing the delays in maintenance to the ongoing rainy season and funding challenges. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, Engr. Adeniyi explained that the heavy and consistent rains have rendered it nearly impossible to carry out any meaningful maintenance work. “The rainy…

Prominent constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to resign if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu refuses to heed his legal advice. Ozekhome made the call in reaction to the Federal Government’s decision to withhold funds meant for local governments in Osun State, describing the move as a politically motivated action that undermines democracy. According to him,…