Headlines

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has clarified that the 1,000 staff who exited the bank in December did so voluntarily, receiving full entitlements.

Cardoso, speaking through Bala Bello, Deputy Director of Corporate Services, at an investigative hearing on the disengagement of the workers and the N50 billion terminal benefits allocated to them, emphasized that the Early Exit Program was entirely voluntary.

According to Bello, the program was part of a broader restructuring and reorganization initiative aimed at optimizing the bank’s performance. He stated that such measures ensure the alignment of the bank’s workforce with its operational needs, including balancing human resources with technological advancements.

“The Early Exit Program was designed to enhance organizational efficiency by placing the right people in the right roles,” Bello explained. “It’s a 100 percent voluntary program, and no staff member was coerced into leaving.”

He further noted that digitization efforts within the banking sector had created redundancies while also generating new opportunities. Some staff members had requested the voluntary exit themselves, he added, citing cases of stagnation and limited career progression as reasons for participation in the program.

Bello highlighted that the Early Exit Program was not unprecedented at the CBN but marked the first time it was extended to all staff categories. He explained that in previous cases, the program targeted senior officials, such as directors and assistant directors, who had limited career growth opportunities.

“This time, the program was open to all cadres of staff, based on popular demand,” Bello said. “Many participants saw it as an opportunity to pursue new ventures, including establishing their own banks.”

Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Usman Kumo, assured that the committee would remain impartial in its investigation. He requested further clarification from the CBN on the objectives and implementation timeline of the Early Exit Program and its connection to the bank’s restructuring and reorganization efforts.

“The House of Representatives recognizes the importance of the CBN’s restructuring and reorganization,” Kumo stated. “However, this committee seeks to understand the objectives and outcomes of these initiatives and will submit its findings to the House.”

The hearing continues as the committee examines the circumstances surrounding the program and its impact on the bank’s operations.

A recent report highlights the state of multidimensional poverty across Nigeria 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), revealing stark disparities in the levels of deprivation experienced by citizens. The data showcases significant challenges, especially in the northern regions, with Sokoto State recording the highest percentage of multidimensional poverty at 90.5%.

Top 10 Most Affected States:

1. Sokoto: 90.5%
2. Bayelsa: 88.5%
3. Gombe: 86.2%
4. Jigawa: 84.3%
5. Plateau: 84%
6. Yobe: 83.5%
7. Kebbi: 82.2%
8. Taraba: 79.4%
9. Ebonyi: 78%
   10.Zamfara: 78%

The southern state of Bayelsa stands out as the second most affected, with 88.5% of its population experiencing multidimensional poverty, indicating that the issue transcends regional boundaries.

States with Moderate Poverty Levels:
In the middle range, states like Enugu (63.1%), Rivers (62.4%), and Kogi (61.3%) show moderate levels of multidimensional poverty, with noticeable room for improvement.

Least Affected States:
At the other end of the spectrum, Ondo (27.2%), Lagos (29.4%), and Abia (29.8%) have the lowest percentages of their populations experiencing multidimensional poverty, highlighting better access to basic needs and services. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, stands out for its relatively low poverty rate despite its large population.

Full List of Multidimensional Poverty Levels:

1. Sokoto: 90.5%
2. Bayelsa: 88.5%
3. Gombe: 86.2%
4. Jigawa: 84.3%
5. Plateau: 84%
6. Yobe: 83.5%
7. Kebbi: 82.2%
8. Taraba: 79.4%
9. Ebonyi: 78%
10. Zamfara: 78%
11. Cross River: 75.4%
12. Benue: 75%
13. Bauchi: 73.9%
14. Kaduna: 73.9%
15. Katsina: 72.7%
16. Borno: 72.5%
17. Akwa Ibom: 71.3%
18. Niger: 69.1%
19. Adamawa: 68.7%
20. Ogun: 68.1%
21. Kano: 66.3%
22. Enugu: 63.1%
23. Rivers: 62.4%
24. Kogi: 61.3%
25. Nasarawa: 60.7%
26. Oyo: 48.7%
27. Kwara: 48.3%
28. FCT: 48.3%
29. Delta: 47.6%
30. Imo: 40.7%
31. Osun: 40.7%
32. Ekiti: 36%
33. Edo: 35.4%
34. Anambra: 32.1%
35. Abia: 29.8%
36. Lagos: 29.4%
37. Ondo: 27.2%

A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has urged the federal government to include ethnicity and religion as key categories in the upcoming 2025 National Population Census, emphasizing their importance for accurate and unbiased demographic data.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Isiguzoro stressed that the inclusion of these categories would ensure a comprehensive representation of Nigeria’s diversity and address historical grievances related to distorted census figures.

“It is of paramount importance to include ethnicity and religion as essential categories in the census exercise,” he said.

“Historical grievances linked to previous National Population Census exercises—marked by fraudulent representations and distortions of demographic data—must not persist. The federal government must take proactive measures to ensure the 2025 Census reflects the full spectrum of our nation’s diversity, mitigating potential disputes over skewed or disproportionate data,” Isiguzoro added.

He further described the initiative as a critical step toward addressing imbalances among Nigeria’s various ethnic groups, highlighting its significance in fostering equity and unity.

In addition, Isiguzoro called on Igbo investors to seize the opportunities presented by the Tinubu administration’s proposed Tax Reform Bills to redirect investments back to the Southeast.

“We encourage Igbo investors and entrepreneurs to prioritize the establishment of an international economic hub in Igbo land by relocating investments—particularly those in the North and Southwest—back to our ancestral territory.

“This is not merely aspirational but a necessary shift to revitalize our local economies and ensure that our financial engagements promote growth and resilience within the Igbo Nation,” he stated.

Isiguzoro emphasized that such efforts would strengthen the Igbo economy and reposition the region as a key player in Nigeria’s economic landscape.

Gunmen attacked Unguwar Rogo in Ugom community, Maro Ward of Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on New Year’s Day, causing significant destruction and displacing residents.

Zamani Ishaku, a resident of Maro, confirmed the incident, lamenting the recurring assaults on the area by armed groups.

In a statement, the Chairman of the Ugom Progressive Union, Ishaya Onussim, detailed the attack’s impact, reporting vandalism, theft of farm produce, and arson. Six houses were set ablaze, and the ECWA Church in Unguwar Rogo was burned down after the attackers looted valuables from the church and its pastorium.

“All the residents fled into the bushes, abandoning their belongings in a bid to save their lives,” Onussim said.

He appealed for urgent government intervention and called for increased security presence to protect the community. Onussim also urged Nigerians to pray for the safety and recovery of the affected residents.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages went unanswered.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies, Barau Jibrin and Ben Kalu, have been allocated ₦10 billion for rent and furniture in the 2024 supplementary budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES reveals.

The allocation, classified under the budget item “Renting and Furnishing of Presiding Officers of the National Assembly” with the code 23010309, was included in the ₦288 billion supplementary budget submitted by President Bola Tinubu in September. The budget was passed by lawmakers within five days.

Nigeria’s bicameral legislature comprises four presiding officers: the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Senate President, and the Deputy Speaker.

This development follows other high-profile housing allocations overseen by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, including ₦21 billion for a residential mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima and ₦25 billion for constructing homes for 40 judges.

Observers note that the latest allocation highlights a pattern of substantial government spending on accommodation projects across the executive, judiciary, and legislative arms under Wike’s leadership.

These expenditures come amid widespread economic hardship in Nigeria, attributed to the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector and the naira’s devaluation. In recent weeks, multiple stampedes have claimed lives as citizens scrambled for food aid.

Critics have accused the current administration of maintaining “lavish spending” despite its calls for austerity measures. Notable expenses include a $100 million presidential jet, the failed presidential yacht project, luxury vehicles for National Assembly members, and other high-cost initiatives.

Nigeria and three other African nations will host the Chinese Foreign Minister and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Wang Yi, from January 5 to January 11, 2025.

The planned visits, which include stops in Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, and Chad, were announced in a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Friday. According to Mao, the visits are being conducted at the invitation of the respective countries.

This marks the 35th consecutive year that the Chinese foreign minister’s first overseas trip of the year is dedicated to Africa, underscoring China’s commitment to its diplomatic ties with the continent.

Wang Yi’s visits are part of his annual tradition aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between China and African nations.

“There is no magic that will make Tinubu lose the 2027 presidential election,” Zazzaga said. “This is not due to the incumbency factor but because Nigerians will appreciate the positive impact of his policies by 2027“

The Chairman of the North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure reelection in the 2027 presidential race, citing his administration’s policies and achievements as key factors.

In a statement released on Friday, Zazzaga asserted that Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, have laid the foundation for Nigeria’s economic recovery and will earn him massive support from voters in the next election.

“There is no magic that will make Tinubu lose the 2027 presidential election,” Zazzaga said. “This is not due to the incumbency factor but because Nigerians will appreciate the positive impact of his policies by then.”

Zazzaga’s remarks were a response to statements by Kano State New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Chairman, Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa, who warned Tinubu to prepare for defeat in 2027 due to what he described as anti-people policies.

Dungurawa, addressing journalists in Kano on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, claimed that Tinubu’s administration has worsened the plight of Nigerians, predicting that NNPP’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would emerge victorious in 2027.

“With these harsh anti-masses policies, just prepare for defeat in the next general elections,” Dungurawa said. “We will ensure that Tinubu is out in 2027, and Kwankwaso, a true democrat, comes in.”

In his response, Zazzaga dismissed Dungurawa’s comments, emphasizing the necessity of Tinubu’s economic reforms.

“President Tinubu’s decisions, such as subsidy removal and floating the naira, are courageous steps that previous administrations avoided. These policies are already yielding results, including the strengthening of the naira, increased oil production, and a rise in foreign reserves,” Zazzaga stated.

He added that Tinubu’s administration has addressed long-standing issues in the petroleum sector, eliminating fuel scarcity and laying the groundwork for reduced inflation.

The APC chieftain also highlighted Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms, describing them as “pro-poor” and beneficial to small businesses.

Zazzaga noted that the North-Central APC Forum had endorsed Tinubu for a second term after assessing his administration’s performance in areas such as security, infrastructure, and economic development.

“Since the current democratic dispensation, no other president has provided as many opportunities or infrastructural projects to the North-Central region as President Tinubu,” he said.

According to Zazzaga, the administration’s efforts have significantly reduced insecurity in the North-Central region, allowing farmers to return to their fields and boosting agricultural activities.

The North-Central APC Forum, he added, is committed to mobilizing support for Tinubu’s reelection, just as it did in the 2023 election.