Author: Aminu Imam

Military bans unauthorised drone use in North-East over security concerns

Aminu Imam
Military bans drone

The military joint task force in the North-East region has issued a directive banning the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, across the region. The Air Component Commander of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, U.U. Idris, who disclosed this to newdmen yesterday, highlighted the security risks associated with operating drones without prior approval. Idris criticised both government agencies and private individuals for failing to obtain the necessary approval for drone operations, which he said poses significant threats to security. He urged strict compliance with the directive to maintain…

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“Global collaboration key to sustainable development” – Tinubu

Aminu Imam
Tinubu in UAE2

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured a global audience yesterday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), that Nigeria is ready to work with other nations to build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable world for all.  The President, who stated this on the second day of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week on: “From Climate Imperatives into Economic Prosperity: Bridging Africa with the Global Energy Future”, declared that no single nation can walk the road to sustainability alone, stressing that global interconnectedness demands collective action, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.  According to…

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Nigeria’s inflation rate rises to 34.80%

Aminu Imam
Nigeria’s inflation rate

Latest data by the National Bureau of Statistics, (NBS), has shown that headline inflation rose to 34.80% in December 2024, relative to the November 2024 headline inflation rate of 34.60%. The food inflation rate in December 2024 was 39.84% on a year-on-year basis, a 5.91% percentage points higher when compared to the rate recorded in December 2023 (33.93%). The NBS said the rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of some food items, including yam, sweet potatoes and beer. The December 2024 inflation…

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Niger Gov. advocates Hausa for teaching; to boost northern enrolment

Aminu Imam
Niger Gov. advocates

Niger State governor, Mohammed Bago, has called for the adoption of Hausa as the medium of instruction in primary and secondary schools across Northern Nigeria. Speaking at the National Literary Colloquium, which was held on Tuesday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of literary icon, BM Dzukogi, founder of the Hilltop Arts Foundation, Bago said this move would tackle the region’s high rate of out-of-school children and encourage greater enrolment in formal education. The Governor highlighted the importance of language in education. He urged other northern States governors to review the…

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Ɗangote, over 200 firms abandon national grid amid persistent failures

Aminu Imam
Ɗangote on National Grid2

Major companies in Nigeria, including Ɗangote Industries,  Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and Total, have abandoned the national power grid due to persistent outages.  Over 250 firms and institutions now generate their electricity through captive power plants, producing over 6,500 megawatts (MW) -surpassing the grid’s 4,500-5,000 MW capacity. Recall that the national grid has suffered 12 collapses in 2024 alone, blamed on aging infrastructure, vandalism, and poor investment. Despite Government efforts, including investigative panels, power disruptions continue to hinder businesses and essential services. Ɗangote Industries leads the shift, with…

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“Nigeria’s elites have made corruption their religion” – Sheikh Gumi

Aminu Imam
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Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has raised concerns about the pervasive impact of corruption on Nigeria’s development, describing it as a deeply entrenched practice among the country’s elite.  In a recently published interview, Sheikh Gumi emphasized the need for a strategic approach to tackling corruption, cautioning that an aggressive clampdown could provoke a backlash capable of destabilising the nation. Sheikh Gumi attributed the economic hardship in Nigeria to a combination of global and domestic factors, noting that the downturn in the global oil market has exacerbated the country’s struggles.…

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Fuel price hike imminent, as depot owners raise prices to ₦950/litre

Aminu Imam
Depot owners on fuel price hike

Prices of premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol, may soar, as depot owners have increased prices at depots by ₦43, or 4.74%, due to the rising crude oil prices. The increase which has sparked concerns among consumers, is linked to the recent surge in global crude oil prices, with Nigeria’s Bonny Light rising to $80 per barrel. Recall that the cost of Brent, the global benchmark for crude, reached $79.76 per barrel on Sunday. This current situation indicates that filling stations nationwide may adjust their pump prices to…

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Telcos may suspend USSD services in 2 weeks over ₦250b bank debts

Aminu Imam
Telcos may suspend

Except there is any other intervention, indications emerged Monday that the telecoms operators (telcos) have concluded plans to suspend the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, (USSD), over the non-compliance of deposit money banks (DMBs) to the payment of the protracted N250 billion debt. The suspension of the USSD service is expected in two weeks due to the failure of the banks to comply with the December 23, 2024 joint directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which required them to make part payment of…

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Bird Flu: FG confirms outbreak in Kano; urges caution

Aminu Imam
FG confirms bird flu

The Federal Government yesterday confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in Kano State. The disease has affected various bird species, including layers, ducks, guinea fowls, and turkeys. In an issued circular signed by Dr. Taiwo Olasoju on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, authorities raised concerns over the heightened risk of the disease spreading, particularly during this period. The circular called on relevant agencies and state veterinary offices to activate surveillance systems to curb the spread of the virus, stressing the…

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FG to spend ₦8bn on orientating Nigerians on electricity bills payment – Minister

Aminu Imam
Power minister Adelabu

The Federal Ministry of Power is proposing to spend ₦8 billion to orientate Nigerians on prompt payment of electricity bills in 2025. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who disclosed this on Monday, while defending the ministry’s budget before the National Assembly joint committee on power, said the advocacy would be done through social, digital and print mediums in order to reach all Nigerians. According to him, “We are a people of over 200 million strength. So we need to go through all the loopholes, through social media, through digital media,…

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