Two yet-to-be-identified Navy and Airforce personnel slumped in the
2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The two personnel were standing Guards of Honour in the parade which is part of activities to commemorate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Week.
Details later…
An employee of Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) has been dismissed over the harassment and extortion of a traveller at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The unnamed employee had in December 2024 worked with some other airport officials to extort the sum of N100,000 from Oyewale Oyesiji, South Africa-bound traveller.
Oyejisi, an automobile engineer and first-time traveller had claimed that the officials forced him to part with N100,000 at the MMIA.
The employee was further dismissed by SAHCO after an investigative panel found him guilty of the allegations.
Speaking on the incident the ground handling company said it has plans to meet with the affected passenger.
It also stated that no form of misconduct would be tolerated by the handling company.
A management official who spoke under anonymity said, “The management, in accordance with the Nigeria labour laws implemented the report of the investigative panel by dismissing the culprit immediately.
“As an internationally certified handling company with major foreign and indigenous carriers as our clients, we abhor such acts of indiscipline and that explains why the management did not hesitate to take that decision to dismiss the staff,” he said.
In addition, Vanessa Uansohia, SAHCO’s head of corporate communications while declining comment on the outcome of the investigation said the company frowned at any act of corruption among its staff.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of corruption or misconduct and this case is being thoroughly investigated,” she said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured a global audience Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates that Nigeria is ready to work with other nations to build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable world for all.
President Tinubu spoke 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. “
The president declared that no single nation can walk the road to sustainability alone, stressing that global interconnectedness demands collective action, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.
“The fight against climate change is not merely an environmental necessity but a global economic opportunity to reshape the trajectory of our continent and the global energy landscape.
“As leaders, stakeholders and citizens of our planet, we stand at a critical juncture in human history. To succeed, we must innovate, collaborate and act decisively as one global community,” he said.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, President Tinubu assured the audience that the Nigerian government had developed actionable programmes in line with global expectations, bearing in mind Nigeria’s economic and political expectations.
“We have embraced a vision of sustainability that aligns with global aspirations while addressing local realities. Our efforts are anchored on three pillars: Energy Transition, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Development. My administration recognises the importance of reducing carbon emissions and a just transition to clean and renewable energy, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.
“Our energy transition plans, like many nations, are aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing dependency on fossil fuels, prioritising the transition to cleaner energy sources as a cornerstone of our national development strategy.”
He added that Nigeria is developing infrastructure for the widespread use of Compressed Natural Gas and electric vehicles and harnessing the potential in solid minerals to support the green energy transition.
The Nigerian leader stressed that his country is also implementing climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance food security and lessen its destructive environmental impact. These include the introduction of the National Clean Cooking Policy, which aims to promote clean energy, environmental and health benefits, and socio-economic development in the African region.
President Tinubu said the government is working with local communities to implement solutions to mitigate the adverse consequences of the country’s environmental challenges, such as deforestation, desertification, coastal erosion, flooding, and pollution.
These challenges, he said, threaten the livelihoods of millions.
He called on partner countries to collaborate in mobilising resources to tackle these challenges and embrace innovation and technology.
“To promote a Green Economy in Africa, we must focus on integrating sustainable practices in all sectors of our economy. These investments are capital intensive and require international support from partner countries, including multinational organisations, development partners and individuals who share our vision of a sustainable, prosperous and equitable future”, he said
According to the President, “Nigeria became the first country in Africa to initiate funding of green projects through Sovereign Green Bond proceeds, the third issuance of which is in progress. We urge investors to partner with us in this regard. Our administration remains committed to providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria.
The National Assembly is embroiled in a fresh Budget Padding Scandal after an investigation by BudgIT has revealed that the proposed Budget for the Federal College of Horticultural Technology, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State, was inflated from N368 million to N42 Billion.
BudgIT Foundation, a Nigerian civic tech organization committed to promoting transparency and fostering citizen engagement for institutional reforms, announced that there were significant irregularities in the 2024 budget process.
According to BudgIT, the college, situated in Northeastern Nigeria, initially submitted a proposed budget of ₦368 million for the 2024 fiscal year. However, the National Assembly approved an inflated allocation of ₦42.7 billion, resulting in an extraordinary discrepancy of ₦42.332 billion—an increase of over 5,000%.
This revelation was highlighted in a BudgIT social media statement on Tuesday: “From ₦368 million to ₦42.7 billion!!! For the 2024 fiscal year, the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe, initially proposed ₦368 million. However, the National Assembly approved ₦42.7 billion. A difference of ₦42 billion!!! @nassnigeria, kindly do the right thing and uphold integrity during the 2025 budget review.”
BudgIT further disclosed that the additional funds were allocated to 12 projects unrelated to the college’s mandate. These projects, many located outside the institution’s jurisdiction, included the supply and installation of solar streetlights, boreholes, motorcycles, and other community infrastructure, most of which are in states far removed from Gombe.
Among the inserted projects were:
Solar streetlights in constituencies across Osun, Edo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Oyo, Lagos, and Kogi States (₦1.6 billion).
Classroom construction, boreholes, and transformer installations in federal constituencies nationwide (₦1.5 billion).
Solar-powered boreholes in Kebbi, Oyo, Katsina, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Edo States (₦1 billion).
Provision of mini-buses for human capital development in Saala Orile, Ibatefin, and Orelope (₦1 billion).
Construction and furnishing of community schools in Maun and Mayigi (₦1 billion).
Solar-powered streetlights in rural farming communities of K. Kusar/Shani federal constituency (₦600 million).
Solar streetlights for communities in Bassa, Kogi State (₦500 million).
Distribution of Bajaj tricycles for unemployed individuals in Lagos (₦500 million).
Construction of solar-powered boreholes in various locations in Sokoto and Bauchi states (N495,926,518)
Construction of classrooms in various locations in Kano State (N495,926,518)
Supply of assorted food items for distribution as palliative across Maiduguri metropolitan federal constituency, Borno State (N200,000,000).
Nigeria has got her first-ever deputy director general for the Department of State Service (DSS) in the person of Folashade Adekaiyaoja.
An indigene of Kogi State, Adekaiyaoja was appointed following an approval by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, January 14.
First of its kind, Adekaiyaoja appointment has been met with commendation from serving and retired officers of the secret police.
Sources said Adekaiyaoja’s appointment is in line with the plan to reverse DSS’ structure for better and effective leadership structure which comprises of three deputy directors.
Her appointment, some operatives have said is based on a recommendation from the agency’s Director-General through Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser.
The iconic Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, witnessed a solemn atmosphere on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, as the nation paid tribute to its fallen heroes during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The annual event honoured the patriotism and sacrifices of countless gallant troops who lost their lives defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The occasion marked another reflection on the nation’s 64 years of independence, a journey upheld by the selflessness of its military personnel.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu, who was attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the UAE. Other members of the Federal Executive Council joined Shettima in laying wreaths, alongside service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The leadership of the National Assembly, senior government officials, senior military officers, members of the diplomatic corps, and widows of fallen officers also participated in the ceremonies in Abuja.
In a preceding statement, the Senate commended the sacrifices of fallen heroes and appreciated the efforts of serving officers and soldiers currently safeguarding the nation from internal and external threats.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of six people in a road accident involving two vehicles on Tuesday evening in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Kogi State, Samuel Oyedeji, disclosed the casualty figures to journalists, adding that 60 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash.
Oyedeji attributed the accident to excessive speeding and called on motorists to adhere to road safety regulations to prevent similar incidents.
He noted that FRSC personnel, in collaboration with the police and Civil Defence officers, evacuated the injured to Kogi Specialist Hospital and the Federal University Teaching Hospital Lokoja for medical attention.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital’s mortuary.
……..As NICO laments relegation of Nigeria’s culture
The Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism has expressed worry over the meager amount allocated to agencies under the culture sector, saying there is no way such agencies can be blamed for not meeting their targets.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo made this known when Chief Executives of agencies under the sector appeared before the Committee at the National Assembly Complex to defend their respective budgets for the year 2025.
He lamented that as one of the most important sectors of the economy, the culture sector is yet to receive the appropriate attention it deserves from government. “I don’t see how an agency can be created and no single kobo is given to them from January to December. This is one of the most important sectors of the economy but unfortunately, it is not being given the attention it deserves”.
“Each of the agencies here is capable of generating billions but unfortunately, they cannot do that because they are not properly funded. As a responsible parliament, there is no way we will accept the burden placed on these agencies without adequate funds to operate. The Committee for now is not accepting the envelops given to each of the agencies. This is very sad”.
“If you look at the envelop given to each of them, you will agree with me that it is a far cry but we will sit down and discuss how best to go about it”, he said.
The Committee therefore resolved to present the sad situation of low budgetary allocation to culture agencies before the National Assembly through the President of the Senate to see how their budgets can be reviewed.
Earlier while presenting the budget for the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Executive Secretary/CEO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye lamented seriously over the regrettable relegation of culture, saying “any country without respect for its culture can never grow”. He therefore assured the eminent lawmakers that the Institute is determined to push culture to the core of policy making and boost international cultural diplomacy.
Other Chief Executives of Culture agencies present at the budget defense were the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika; Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM); Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini; Managing Director, National Film Corporation (NFC), Ali Nuhu; Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), Hajia Kaltume Bulama Gana, and Aisha Augie, the Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC).
The newly sworn-in Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has paid a visit to the residence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Leading reporters reports that the leader of the state legislature also had a meeting with members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), a powerful group that wields considerable influence in Lagos State’s politics.
According to Meranda, who spoke briefly to the press after the meeting, the purpose of the visit was to seek the blessings of the GAC leaders and to brief them on the events that transpired at the House of Assembly on Monday.
“We are here to brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday, to seek their blessings, and which we have gotten,” Meranda said.
The meeting, which lasted for several hours, was still ongoing, with members of the GAC continuing their discussions at the Lagos House.
Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has denied any involvement in the impeachment of the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. Through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu refuted claims suggesting his role in Obasa’s removal, labelling it a purely legislative matter.
“There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that the governor influenced the impeachment. It was strictly a decision made by the lawmakers,” Akosile told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday. He added that Governor Sanwo-Olu is focused on addressing the needs of over 20 million Lagosians and that the events that transpired in the Assembly were entirely within the prerogative of the legislators.
Obasa, who represented Agege 1 Constituency and served as Speaker since 2015, was removed during an emergency plenary session on Monday.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has approved N20,075,050,006.55 for disbursement to 192,906 students in public tertiary institutions across the country.
In an update shared on X on Monday, NELFund confirmed that the disbursement is effective as of January 1, 2025.
Among the beneficiaries, Bayero University, Kano, will receive the largest allocation, with 11,683 students approved to share N1.3 billion. This is followed by the University of Maiduguri, where 12,198 students will receive N1.27 billion.
Other institutions with significant allocations include:
Meanwhile, some institutions with fewer beneficiaries include:
Other smaller allocations include:
The latest approval follows an earlier announcement by NELFund Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr, who revealed in December 2024 that the agency had disbursed N110 billion to students nationwide.
