Author: Aminu Imam

‘Why Defense Minister, Matawalle wasn’t sacked’- Presidency

Aminu Imam
Presidency on Matawalle

Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has disclosed why the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, was not affected by the recent cabinet reshuffle. Recall that Matawalle was repeatedly accused by Zamfara State governor Dauda Lawal, of working secretly with bandits in the North-West region. However  during the interview, Onanuga said that the allegations linking Matawalle to the spate of banditry in the North-West was untrue. He added that the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) investigated allegations bordering on the Minister’s…

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FG restricts ministers’ official vehicles to 3, downsizes security guards 

Aminu Imam
Tinubu restricts

President Bola Tinubu yesterday restricted Ministers, Ministers of State, and Heads of Agencies of the Federal Government to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, ““No additional vehicles will be assigned to them for movement”. The statement, titled: ‘President Tinubu issues new directives on reduction in cost of governance’, said: “The cost-cutting measure was announced today in a statement signed by the President”. Recall that in January 2024, Tinubu issued a directive…

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‘Nigeria among worst governed countries in Africa’ – Mo Ibrahim Report

Aminu Imam
Mo Ibrahim Report

Nigeria has been ranked among worst-governed countries in Africa, coming 33rd among 54 countries in Africa, according to a report published by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The rankings cited bad and deteriorating governance in the last 10 years as reasons for ranking Nigeria among 11 other countries in this category. In the report: “2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)”, published by the foundation,  it saw Nigeria slump three places from 30th on the continent to 33rd, making it one of the worst-ruled states since 2014. Established in 2006, the…

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BRICS adds Nigeria, 12 new nations as partner countries

Aminu Imam
BRICS adds Nigeria

BRICS, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has officially expanded its alliance, adding 13 new nations as partner countries, though not as full members. The announcement was made during the BRICS summit, which was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024. The 2024 summit, themed: “Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security”, marked the sixteenth annual gathering of the bloc, with a focus on enhancing economic integration with key emerging nations. A post on X (former Twitter) from the bloc on Thursday read, “BRICS…

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H’Reps tasks CBN on new N1,000, N500, N200 notes, as old ones will no more be legal tender after Dec. 31

Aminu Imam
H'Reps tasks CBN on Naira

The 10th House of Representatives has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) to make available more new notes of N200, N500 and N1,000 as well as begin a gradual withdrawal of the old notes from circulation. This resolution comes as the country approaches the December 31, 2024, deadline for the old notes to cease being legal tender, a ruling upheld by the Supreme Court. Recall that the CBN had in 2022, preceding the general elections changed the N200, N500 and N1000 notes based on the approval of former President Mohammadu…

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Tinubu finally reshuffles cabinet, sacks some ministers, scraps 2 ministries

Aminu Imam
President Tinubu

The much-awaited cabinet reshuffle of President Bola Tinubu has taken-off, with the sacking of six ministers and scrapping of the Niger-Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development. VoL News  had reported on Monday, that new ministers will emerge this week. The newly appointed ministers include Nentawe Yilwatda, who is coming as Minister of Humanitarian, Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Jumoke Oduwole, former Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business is coming as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Others are Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour &…

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Obasanjo, ?anjuma demand paradigm shift in Nigeria’s political leadership

Aminu Imam

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus ?anjuma (rtd) have called for a paradigm shift in the nation’s political leadership. The duo spoke at a different meeting with a delegation of League of Northern Democrats, led by former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau. Obasanjo who received the group at his Abeokuta Presidential Library Complex, commended the group for the initiative. He, however, advised them to expand beyond a regional organisation, and to reach out to other like-minded minds in other parts of the country.…

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Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road Project: “Accept ?740bn or forget” – Umahi to Julius Berger

Aminu Imam
Umahi to Julius Berger

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Julius Berger to accept the Federal Government’s offer of N740.79bn and complete the 82km section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano expressway. The ultimatum was issued on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Minister by the new Managing Director of Julius Berger Plc, Dr Pier Lubasch, accompanied by the firm’s outgoing Managing Director, Dr. Lars Richter, at the Ministry Headquarters in Abuja. An issued statement later signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Uchenna,…

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Alleged bribery, misappropriation: Kano Court adjourns Ganduje’s case till Nov. 20

Aminu Imam
Kano Court on Ganduje

A Kano State High Court has adjourned to November 20 for the hearing of all pending applications in the ongoing case of alleged bribery and misappropriation of public funds involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others. Ganduje, alongside his wife, Hafsat Umar, and several associates – Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd., Safari Textiles Ltd., and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd – faces an 8-count charge of bribery, misappropriation, and diverting public funds amounting to billions of naira.…

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H’Reps to consider Bill advocating 50% Derivation Fund

Aminu Imam
H'Reps to consider Bill

The 10th House of Representatives is set to consider a Bill seeking an increase in derivation funds for States with mineral resources from not less than 13% to at least 50 percent. The Bill, sponsored by the member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, along with eight others, aims to amend Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Initially scheduled for deliberation during yesterday’s plenary session, the bill was deferred to Tuesday next week, to allow members sufficient time to obtain copies and make informed contributions. In…

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