President Bola Tinubu on Thursday sent a letter, demanding the Senate to confirm seven new ministerial nominees.
This was contained in a letter from the executive and read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.
President Tinubu on Wednesday sacked at least five ministers and scrapped two ministries.The president also assigned new portfolios to some Ministers in the Wednesday cabinet shake-ups.
Afrobeats female sensation, Ayra Starr has revealed the challenges she faces in her fast-paced career, expressing that despite being only 22, she often feels worn out and “old” compared to her peers.
During a recent discussion in Nairobi, Kenya, she shared her desire for rest and a simpler lifestyle amid her busy schedule.
The artist finds her drive within the creative process, stating that each song helps her to better understand her artistic journey and purpose.
As she looks to the future, she remains focused on her craft, acknowledging that making music clarifies her goals.
Recently, Ayra made headlines with her historic YouTube Live concert, which was broadcast globally from Nairobi.
This milestone event celebrated the launch of her eagerly awaited second album, The Year I Turned 21, marking a significant achievement in her career.
Looking forlorn and old, former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, walks out of the Kuje prison, Abuja, after completing his five-year jail term.
The Supreme Court had in January affirmed the five-year jail term handed to Lawan by the Court of Appeal.
Lawan was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2021 for accepting a $500,000 bribe from businessman, Femi Otedola, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel affirmed the 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld Lawan’s sentencing to five years in respect of only count three on the three-count charge on which he was tried at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In the lead judgment prepared by Justice John Okoro but read by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, the apex court found that Lawan’s appeal was without merit and dismissed it.
A video shared online on Tuesday showed Lawan’s release from Kuje prison, looking tired and old.
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on a significant legal challenge brought by 16 state governments against the constitutionality of the laws that establish the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The case, presided over by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji and a seven-member panel of justices, reached this phase on Tuesday after extensive arguments from the involved parties’ attorneys.
Originally initiated by the Kogi State Government through its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the suit has seen multiple states join as co-plaintiffs.
The states involved in the suit, marked SC/CV/178/2023, include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River, and Niger.
In a turn of events, the Attorneys General of Anambra, Adamawa, and Ebonyi have withdrawn from the case, with the Supreme Court panel granting their request.
The suit addresses critical questions about the federal scope of anti-corruption enforcement, challenging the legal foundation of the EFCC’s establishment under current laws.
The decision of the Supreme Court will be keenly awaited, as it holds substantial implications for federal and state powers in the governance and administration of justice.
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The Anambra State Government announced on Tuesday its decision to withdraw from a legal suit challenging the legality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This lawsuit, initially filed by the Kogi State Government, seeks to declare the operations of the EFCC, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) as unconstitutional.
Through a notice dated October 20, Anambra’s Attorney General, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, informed the Supreme Court of the state’s decision to step back from the case.
Meanwhile, Osun State, represented by its Attorney General, Mr. Oluwole Bada, sought to join the suit and consolidate its own grievances against the EFCC with those of Kogi State. Osun State is pursuing similar reliefs, seeking to challenge the EFCC’s authority.
At Tuesday’s hearing, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, also noted the absence of Sokoto State, which had previously been a co-plaintiff but did not send a legal representative.
Other states present in the case include Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Cross River, Ondo, Niger, Edo, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, and Nasarawa.
Representing the federal government, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, did not oppose Anambra’s request to withdraw from the case.
The case stems from a collective legal action by 16 states against the EFCC, arguing that the anti-graft agency was not constitutionally established by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The states claim that section 12 of the 1999 Constitution was violated, as the EFCC Act, passed by the National Assembly in 2002 and later amended in 2004, did not receive the required approval from a majority of state Houses of Assembly.
The plaintiffs assert that the EFCC’s establishment under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption did not comply with constitutional requirements, rendering its operations illegal in states that did not consent to the law. They argue that, based on the supremacy of the 1999 Constitution, any act inconsistent with it should be considered null and void.
Kogi State, in its submissions to the Supreme Court, raised six key issues and sought nine major reliefs. Among them is a request for a declaration that the EFCC, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), or any other federal agency does not have the power to investigate or manage funds belonging to Kogi State or its local government areas without state consent. Kogi also contends that federal agencies lack the authority to issue directives regarding the administration of state funds.
The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has explained that the government’s student loan scheme is currently limited to public tertiary institutions to ensure that limited resources are used to support as many students as possible.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the Managing Director of NELFund, Akintunde Sawyerr, revealed that the decision to exclude private institutions was driven by the need to target the most vulnerable students, many of whom attend public institutions where tuition fees are relatively low.
“We’re working with public funds, and the resources are limited. Most of the students who need this support are in public schools, where fees are affordable. It’s about prioritising and helping more people with the available funds,” Mr Sawyerr explained.
Possible inclusion of private institutions?
While the scheme is currently exclusive to public schools, Mr Sawyerr hinted at the possibility of expanding to private institutions in the future.
He said: “When I spoke with the President (President Bola Tinubu), he expressed his desire that the fund should be available to all Nigerians. But you have to manage funds and start somewhere. I do not doubt that at some point in the future, it will be expanded.”
He acknowledged that fees in private institutions are significantly higher, sometimes running into millions, “which makes it challenging for the current funding structure to accommodate them.”
“We’re focused on trying to help as many as possible, rather than a few. We have to manage funds,” he added.
According to Mr Sawyerr, the Fund has already disbursed N10 billion to about 90,970 students, with plans to disburse an additional N92 billion for the next academic session.
The scheme, initially signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, provides interest-free loans to cover institutional fees and a monthly allowance of N20,000 for upkeep.
Mr Sawyerr highlighted that the application process began in May 2024 with a pilot phase targeting federal institutions.
The loan covers tuition fees, paid directly to the schools, and beneficiaries are expected to begin repaying two years after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, provided they are employed.
The repayment process involves employers deducting 10 per cent of a beneficiary’s salary until the loan is fully repaid.
Geographical disparities in applications
On the issue of loan applications, Mr Sawyerr noted a regional disparity, with more applications coming from northern Nigeria.
He attributed this to a higher concentration of public institutions in the north, as well as cultural differences in attitudes toward loans.
“We noticed that a good number of the people from the south study in the north and have applied. There’s a sort of geographical disparity but not by state of origin. There seems to be a lesser level of enthusiasm in the southeast, south-west, and south-south,” he said
He also addressed concerns about the loan application process, emphasising that NELFund has adopted an electronic, data-driven system to minimize human interference and reduce the risk of corruption.
He added that applicants are required to provide unique identifiers, including their JAMB number, National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and matriculation number, which he said are verified against institutional records.
“We match it with what the institution has provided us and know that we are dealing with an individual. It’s an IT-based system. They’re bound to have challenges but it’s a generally simple portal to engage with,” he said
While there have been some challenges with the online application process, Mr Sawyerr reassured that the Fund’s support staff are available to resolve any issue.
He said: “We recognise that anywhere you have systems like this, you can have people attacking the site, wanting to insert ghost students, and doing identity hijacking. We are very careful to put in place processes that ensure we don’t pay people who sneak into our database.”
The police in Ondo have warned fake news purveyors and other mischief makers ahead of the state’s November 16 off-cycle governorship election.
The police stated that such action could cause a breakdown of law and order as the state prepared for the gubernatorial election.
“The police command emphasises the importance of verifying information before sharing or reposting, as constructive engagement is essential for fostering a peaceful environment during this pivotal time in the history of the state,” the police said in a statement by its spokesperson Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya.
The police said it had observed two trending old videos and misleading content being shared with intent to incite unrest and violence.
While explaining that one of the videos depicting flooding in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, was “irresponsibly circulated”, the police added that the action also threatened the integrity of democracy and could deprive the political parties of a level-playing field in the forthcoming election.
“Such actions are not only misleading but pose significant risks, especially during this crucial electoral period, as the spread of misinformation can undermine public trust, incite violence, jeopardise public safety, and threaten the integrity of our democracy—ultimately depriving the people of a level playing field for the exercise of their civic rights and responsibilities.
“In a similar event, a story alleging the amputation of fingers from a corpse at a mortuary in Ajowa-Akoko was found to be false, as confirmed by the divisional police officer who visited the morgue,” the police said.
The police urged the electorate to remain critical of the information they encounter and distance themselves from those who seek to exploit the current situation for personal gain.
“Finally, while assuring the citizens of the force’s readiness, in collaboration with sister security and safety agencies, to ensure free, fair, and safe elections, the commissioner of police, CP Abayomi Oladipo Peter, wishes to state that the command under his watch will not stand idly by while agents of calumny operate,” it added.
The police stressed that they would not hesitate to respond appropriately and within the law to threats to the peace of the election.
Eighteen political parties have fielded gubernatorial candidates for the upcoming election.
President Bola Tinubu has resumed duties at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Pictures released from the State House Monday showed the President at his desk receiving a briefing from the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji.
It read, “President Bola Tinubu at his desk this morning, after returning from a two-week vacation.
Mr President received a briefing from Zaccheus Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service. Abuja, Monday, October 21, 2024.”
Tinubu arrived in Abuja, on Saturday, after a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom and France.
The President departed Abuja on Wednesday, October 2, a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed.
Onanuga said, “President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.“
He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.“He will return to the country after the leave expires,” the statement said.
On October 11, President Tinubu left the UK for Paris in France for “an important engagement,” his Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, disclosed in a tweet that Friday.
He returns amid concerns over delays in the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, stated yesterday that the ongoing social and economic difficulties cannot be attributed to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
During the weekend in Calabar, Akpabio, expressed these thoughts at the 2024 reunion of the UNICAL ’87 Law Class.
He said, “The difficulties we are witnessing in our nation today were not caused by the present administration. These are as a result of years of maladministration.
“Any country that does not have backbone infrastructure, you don’t have something to develop, you don’t save for the raining day, when there is economic malaise such as we are witnessing in the world today, such country is bound to be affected.
“The good news is that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have hope today, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“The things that we are trying to do now, we are doing for posterity. Not for ourselves. Be assured that this administration will leave behind lasting legacies that will guarantee a better future.”
President Bola Tinubu has returned to the country after weeks of annual leave in London, United Kingdom and Paris, France.
Presidential aide Dada Olusegun wrote on his X (Twitter) account on Saturday: “Welcome home Mr President.
“The eagle has landed.”
Tinubu arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, this (Saturday) evening after his working leave.
Daily Trust reports that the President was received on arrival, among others, by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Ministers, including Wale Edun (Finance), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Budget and Economic Planning), Nuhu Ribadu (National Security Adviser), and Abdullahi Ganduhe (National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Although the presidency announced that Tinubu’s overseas trip would last for two weeks, checks by Daily Trust showed that he spent extra days.
On the day Tinubu was supposed to return, Vice-President Kashim Shettima proceeded on a 2-day trip to Sweden.
The Presidency however, insisted that there was no vacancy in leadershop.