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Vatican Reveals Date for Pope Francis’ Final Burial

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday at 10:00am (0800 GMT) in the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.

The coffin of the Argentine pontiff, who died on Monday aged 88, will then be taken inside the church and from there taken to the Rome basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for burial.

Recall that the Vatican confirmed that the pontiff passed away on Easter Monday at his residence in the Casa Santa Marta within Vatican City.

Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning.

Farrel said the Pope died at exactly 7.35 am.

AFP

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Headlines

FG Launches New Payroll Audit to Eliminate Ghost Workers

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation , has begun a personnel audit aimed at identifying and removing ‘ghost workers’ from the federal civil service payroll.

This move comes amid growing concerns over the mass exodus of civil servants—popularly known as japa—many of whom reportedly continue to receive government salaries after relocating abroad.

The development was disclosed in a memo signed by the Director of Administration, OAGF, Dauda Abdulhamid.

The circular, addressed to all Directors of Finance, Audit, and Federal Pay Offices across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, announced the commencement of a Service-wide Nominal Roll Update and a comprehensive personnel audit.

The memo reads in part: “Following the Service-wide Nominal Roll Update for officers under the pool of the OAGF and in line with the Accountant-General’s commitment to establishing a standardised and reliable personnel record, the AGF has approved the conduct of a Personnel Audit Exercise across the Headquarters, Federal Pay Offices, and all MDAs under the pool of the OAGF.

“To facilitate this process, all affected MDAs are required to complete the attached template accurately and in full. All desk officers must ensure compliance with the referenced circular before submitting the duly completed template by the deadline to avoid being classified as ghost workers.”

It added that completed templates, in Excel format alongside a scanned authentication sheet, should be submitted via email to the Office of the Director of Administration (director.administration@oagf.gov.ng) on or before May 2, 2025.

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Headlines

Shock as Okpebholo Dethrones Agenebode Monarch Over Kidnappings, Killings in Edo

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Governor Monday Okpebholo yesterday placed the Okumagbe of Uwano Kingdom, Agenebode, in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Dr. George Oshiapi Egabor, on indefinite suspension.

The monarch was suspended over cases of incessant kidnapping and killings in his domain.

A statement by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua said the monarch’s Secretary, Chief Peter Omiogbemhi, has since been arrested following the death of a palace chief, the late John Ikhamate.

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Headlines

Filling stations shut after Dangote Refinery’s petrol price drop

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some filling stations and petroleum products marketers, partners of Dangote Refinery’s petrol, temporarily shut down for the past five days after the latest premium motor spirit price drop by the 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

LEADING REPORTERS gathered that for the past five days, MRS filling stations in Abuja, along Kubwa Expressway, and others have not dispensed fuel since Dangote Refinery announced its ex-depot fuel price reduction to N835 per litre on Tuesday, 16 April, 2025.

An official of MRS filling, who preferred anonymity because he is not authorised to speak, told DAILY POST that the filling station is grappling with the loss incurred after Dangote’s latest price adjustment.

“It is because of Dangote’s latest price drop. The filling station had old stock, which it couldn’t sell at a loss.

“This is the reason we have shut down since Tuesday. We may reopen on Tuesday,” he told DAILY POST.

Meanwhile, another official at the filling station said the retail outlet is billed to reopen on Tuesday, noting that it has been undergoing minor maintenance.

“We have been on maintenance for the past few days, which is the reason the station was shut. We will reopen on Tuesday,” he told DAILY POST.

According to him, the filling station would commence dispensing at the new price of N910 per litre from Tuesday.

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Headlines

Tinubu arrives in Abuja after visit to France

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria following his visit to France.

He was received at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja around 9pm, by some top government functionaries.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga had earlier announced in a brief post on his official X handle, that “President Bola Tinubu will return home today.”

The presidency had earlier said the President will return home after the Easter festivities, following concerns raised by section of Nigerians on the continued absence of Tinubu in the wake of renewed attacks by bandits in Plateau and Benue states.

Onanuga had also explained that Tinubu was in touch with realities on ground in Nigeria and was in close touch with his appointed officials back home.

Tinubu departed Nigeria for France on April 2, 2025 on a short working visit.

It would be recalled that President Tinubu during his two weeks retreat in Paris held a high-level meeting with the United States Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos.

Boulos had revealed the interest of the United States government to strengthen trade ties with Nigeria, which Tinubu took as a welcomed development, especially in view of the Trump’s tariff policies.

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Plateau
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Protests in Jos over Plateau killings

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Fresh protests broke out on Monday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, in response to the continued killings of indigenous residents by suspected Fulani militants.

Led by Christian leaders, including the Plateau State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Polycarp Lubo, demonstrators gathered at the Fawvwei Junction community road, resulting in major traffic congestion and leaving many commuters stranded.

The protest follows a surge in violent attacks across Plateau communities, particularly in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, where over 100 people have reportedly been killed in the past two weeks.

“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” said one of the protesters, Gyang Dalyop.

Another demonstrator, Hannatu Philip, urged the government to act urgently, warning that the situation could worsen if not addressed promptly.

The protesters, carrying placards with various messages, marched toward the Rayfield Government House to demand immediate security intervention.

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Airport
Headlines

No Deal Yet on Enugu Airport Concession – Keyamo

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has dismissed reports claiming that a lengthy concession period had been agreed upon for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, the minister described the report as “utterly baseless and untrue.”

Keyamo clarified that while the federal government is exploring concession options and has received proposals from interested companies, no final decision has been made regarding the Enugu airport.

The development comes amid heightened attention on the airport, following Air Peace’s recent suspension of flight operations due to infrastructural issues. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) subsequently closed the airport to commence emergency rehabilitation of the runway.

Moshood added that several airports across the country are currently operating at a loss and require monthly subsidies from the government, a situation that underscores the need to consider concession arrangements.

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Nass
Headlines

National Assembly Shifts Plenary Resumption to May 6

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The National Assembly has extended the resumption date for plenary sessions by one week, shifting it from Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, on Monday.

According to the statement, the extension is to allow lawmakers participate in the Workers’ Day celebration and attend to other constituency engagements.

“I am directed to inform Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members, and the general public that the two Houses of the National Assembly have extended the date for the resumption of plenary sessions from Tuesday, 29th April 2025, to Tuesday, 6th May 2025,” the statement read.

It added that the new resumption date should be noted by all concerned, and expressed regret over any inconvenience caused.

The National Assembly had earlier been scheduled to reconvene after recess on April 29.

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Tinubu
Headlines

President Tinubu To Return Today – Bayo Onanuga

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria today following official visits to France and the United Kingdom.

The announcement was made on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, via a post on his X handle.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today,” Onanuga stated.

President Tinubu departed Nigeria on April 2 for a short working visit to Paris, France. According to earlier statements from the Presidency, the trip was intended for the President to assess the midterm performance of his administration and evaluate key milestones.

During the visit, the President was also expected to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary. Onanuga noted that the trip served as a period of reflection to inform future plans aimed at deepening reforms and accelerating national development.

Despite being abroad, the Presidency maintained that the President remained actively engaged in governance. Onanuga previously stated that President Tinubu would return in “about a fortnight.”

Amid criticism over the President’s extended absence, especially in light of ongoing security challenges in the country, the Presidency on April 17 reiterated that President Tinubu was still overseeing affairs of state from abroad.

“His absence remains temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks,” the Presidency said, adding that the President would return to Abuja following the conclusion of the Easter holiday.

The Presidency also acknowledged the concerns of Nigerians and assured the public of the President’s continued dedication to his responsibilities.

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Headlines

New Terrorist Group ‘Mahmuda’ Occupies Parts of Kwara and Niger States, Emir Raises Alarm

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Emir of Yashikira, Umoru Seriki, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, is distressed that concerned authorities have abandoned communities under attacks by a terror group named ‘Mahmuda’ allegedly occupying some parts of the Kwara North Senatorial District and Niger State.

Reacting to the development in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Sunday, Seriki lamented that “the situation is that we are totally demoralized, we are not happy with what the authorities are saying that there is no presence of terrorists in our domains.

“We are not happy and we feel abandoned by the government and left on our own, but as the situation is, we have no choice than to continue to defend ourselves.

“It is very unfortunate that we have complained about this thing earlier and nobody seems to pay attention to our plight.”

The attacks, according to the traditional ruler, are not only in Baruten and Kaiama local governments of Kwara state, but also Borgu Kingdom in Niger State.

Seriki, while confirming last week’s attacks by the terrorists, disclosed that the security vehicle bought by the people for operations by the vigilantes was bombed by the terrorists.

“We are just lucky that our vigilantes survived the attacks though some suffered some bruises.

“The casualties we suffered were not actually 15, but we suffered some casualties and the terrorists also suffered some casualties.

“So that is the situation, what the social media is actually reporting is the truth, we are just praying to God to help and protect us in the current situation we are facing,” he added.

DAILY POST recalls that the Kwara State Police Command last week refuted alleged emergence of a terror group named ‘Mahmuda’ within Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state.

The command also categorically dismissed the claim that 15 vigilantes have been killed by the terror group, describing it as false and devoid of any factual basis.

A statement by the spokesperson of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Saturday, said comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in the said areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity, coordinated terrorist formations, or mass casualty incidents as described.

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