…As Tinubu, AGF, Governors clash over implementation The debate over the fiscal autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments continues, despite last year’s Supreme Court ruling affirming their independence. Recent remarks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a New Year homage by State governors and Vice-President Kashim Shettima have fueled the controversy, raising questions about the autonomy’s implementation. Recall that President Tinubu, while emphasising grassroots development, has reiterated that there was no disagreement with the State governors over autonomy. However, he urged them to ensure local governments fulfill their mandate, calling…
Read MoreDay: January 7, 2025
Bomb explosion rocks Abuja school; student feared dead
A bomb explosion has reportedly exploded in Kuchibiyu community of Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where an Islamiyyah school is located as leaving a student dead, with many critically injured. According to reports, the tragic incident occurred around noon yesterday, sending shockwaves through the quiet community, located approximately 42 kilometers from the federal capital’s city centre. It was gathered that emergency response teams, including the Police’ Bomb Disposal squad, promptly arrived at the scene, while the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. While…
Read MoreShehu Sani funds deposed Etsu Nupe’s palace renovation in Lokoja
Former Kaduna-Central Senator and civil rights activist, Shehu Sani, has released funds for the renovation of the palace of the Late deposed Etsu Nupe Bida, Ibrahim Abubakar, who passed away in 1911 in Lokoja. Sani revealed this during an interview in Lokoja yesterday, reaffirming his commitment to preserving historical sites tied to Nigeria’s freedom fighters. The human rights activist also pledged additional funding to rehabilitate and revive the Islamiyah School, which hosts the tombs of the deposed Emir of Kano, Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango), and Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Aliyu, exiled…
Read MoreRivers: Police confirm 18 injured in gas explosion
Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that 18 people sustained severe injuries in a gas explosion that occurred in the Oroazi community of Port Harcourt. According to reports, he incident happened on Sunday evening, at a gas refilling shop, causing substantial damage to nearby buildings. This latest explosion is part of a series of gas and Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) incidents recorded in the State since 2024. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, verified the incident during an interview with newsmen yesterday. According to her, the explosion was caused by…
Read MoreNiger govt. warns farmers of bomb threats
Niger State government issued a warning yesterday to residents of certain communities in the state, urging them to avoid going to their farms, in order to prevent falling victim to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by bandits. Recall that in August, bandits killed 13 farmers in the Alawa community, of the Shiroro local government area of the State. The bandits were said to have tracked the farmers to their farms, killing them because they had provided intelligence on bandits’ movements to security agencies. The State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Bello…
Read MoreEFCC sacks 27 officers for fraudulent activities, misconduct
In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has, dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024. According to a statement issued by the Commission yesterday, “The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. The statement further said, “Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero-tolerance for corruption, warning that…
Read MoreSouthern Kaduna journalists commend Tinubu for approving Fed. Medical Centre
…Pledges continued support for development policies The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF) has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting approval for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences and a Federal Medical Centre in the Southern Kaduna region. The Forum also commended the collaborative efforts of key leaders including Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani; Senator representing Kaduna-South, Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung; and Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, the H’Reps member representing Zangon-Kataf/Jaba federal constituency. The Forum said their concerted efforts, backed by historic…
Read More‘NNPCL illegally deducted ₦426bn under Buhari’s watch as Petroleum minister’ – Report
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, (NNPCL), allegedly made unauthorised deductions amounting to ₦426 billion from the federation’s revenue in a single year under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who at that time also served as Minister of Petroleum Resources. This revelation comes from a report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which cited a 2021 audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), published in November 2024, that reviewed NNPCL’s operations between 2020 and 2021. The audit identified significant financial irregularities, with the NNPCL reportedly…
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