Day: October 3, 2025

“Nigeria has 2nd-highest number of poor people globally” – Former NBS boss, Yemi Kale

Aminu Imam
Ex NBS boss, Yemi Kale

Former Statistician-General of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Yemi Kale, says approximately 89 million people, or 40% of Nigeria’s population, now live below the poverty line. Kale, currently the group’s Chief Economist and Managing Director of research and trade intelligence at Afreximbank, spoke at ‘The Platform’ Nigeria’s Independence Day event, themed: ‘Rebuilding Our Nation’. According to the economist, Nigeria is the country with the second-highest number of poor people globally after India. “To grasp the magnitude of this number, we can consider that fewer than 20 of the world’s…

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US Senators push to re-list Nigeria as ‘religious freedom violator’

Aminu Imam
US Senators push

A group of Republican Senators has urged U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over what they describe as relentless terrorist killings targeting Christians. In a joint letter, Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Pete Ricketts, and James Lankford cited mass kidnappings and massacres in Benue, Niger, and other states, warning that Nigeria has become “one of the most dangerous places in the world to be Christian”. They noted that while Nigeria was first placed on the list in 2020 under…

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“Pot empty, people hungry” – Atiku slams Tinubu 

Aminu Imam
Atiku slams Tinubu

…Denies stepping down for 2027 Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has lashed out at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day address, describing it as “self-praise detached from reality” and declaring that “Nigeria’s pot is not only empty but cracked – and the people remain hungry”. Responding to Tinubu’s October 1 broadcast marking Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, Atiku faulted claims of progress in education, health, security, and the economy. Through his aide, Phrank Shu’aibu, he said Nigerians still suffer crushing hardship despite the President’s “victory speech.” “The yam may be plentiful, but if…

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PENGASSAN denies signing Ɗangote truce to suspend strike

Aminu Imam
PENGASSAN denies

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has distanced itself from the Federal Government’s communiqué, which announced the suspension of its nationwide strike against Ɗangote Refinery, insisting it did not sign the document. Recall that the union reportedly suspended its industrial action on Wednesday, October 1, after government intervention, but stressed that its concerns over the welfare of more than 800 sacked workers were not fully addressed. However, appearing on a television programme yesterday, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, explained that the communique presented after the negotiations…

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Kaduna: Uba Sani flags-off emergency medical services, ambulance system 

Aminu Imam
Uba Sani flags off

Kaduna state governor, Senator Uba Sani, has launched the Kaduna state emergency medical services and ambulance system, (KADSEMSAS). Speaking at the flag-off yesterday, Sani said the project guarantees citizens’ right to swift medical care, beyond simply deploying ambulances. The Governor also described the initiative as a “landmark in his administration’s commitment to saving lives and ensuring that no citizen is denied emergency healthcare access. “Today marks a transformative moment in the history of Kaduna State”, he said. “Our vision is simple but profound: no citizen of Kaduna State should be…

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FG to begin mass deportation of illegal foreign residents, visa violators

Aminu Imam
FG mass deportation

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that it will begin nationwide enforcement against visa overstayers following the expiration of the Federal Government’s three-month amnesty programme on October 1, 2025. The crackdown will target foreign nationals who failed to regularise their status during the grace period. Spokesman of the NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi, said offenders risk fines, deportation, or lifetime entry bans. “With the expiration of the amnesty period, effective October 1, 2025, enforcement actions will commence nationwide against foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa or violated their entry conditions”,…

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‘Re- strategise to tackle influx of criminals’ – BoN tasks DSS

Aminu Imam
BoN tasks DSS

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, (BON), has called on the Nigeria Police and the Department of the State Security (DSS) to re- strategise on how to track the influx of the criminals. Executive Secretary of the body, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose made the call in a statement pointing out that the criminals are running to the urban areas with their weapons after being chased out of their hideout by the military from where they were wreaking havoc on innocent citizens through kidnaping, abduction and cattle rustling. ‘It is obvious that many…

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Zamfara: Bandits seize policemen’s phones, abduct Imam, councillors 

Aminu Imam
Zamfara banditry

Bandits on Wednesday night abducted two serving councillors and an Imam in a daring raid at Tsauni community in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital. The councillors, who represent Gidan-Goga and Tsibiri wards in Maradun local government area, were reportedly seized around 8:05 p.m. near a police outpost, shortly after performing the Maghrib prayers. Chairman of Maradun LGA, Hon. Sanusi Gama Giwa, confirmed the incident and identified the abducted councillors as members of his council. According to him, the victims were relaxing with others at a tea spot when the armed…

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