Author: Farouk Abbas

NIGERIAN telecommunications companies have proposed a 100 per cent increase in their tariffs, pending approval from federal government. The proposal, which has been submitted to the Nigerian Communications Commission, aims to address rising operational costs, including inflation and increased service delivery expenses. The disclosure was made by the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday monitored by News Point Nigeria. However, the CEO expressed that it remains uncertain whether the Nigerian Communications Commission—the telecom regulator, will approve the proposal. According to Toriola, the proposed tariff hike is necessary for the sustainability of…

FORMER Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, received the parents of his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, at his residence in Okene. The visit of the Governor’s parents, Alhaji Ahmed Sani and Hajia Habibat Ahmed Sani, further demonstrated the enduring bond between the two families and their continued commitment to the progress of Kogi State. In his remarks while hosting the couple, former governor Bello expressed his gratitude for their steadfast prayers and unwavering support. He commended their immense contribution to the upbringing and moral foundation of their children, which he noted had shaped Governor Ododo into a…

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed new details surrounding Nigeria’s ongoing refinery challenges, including the failed attempt to privatise the refineries and the subsequent financial losses under government management. In an exclusive interview with Channels TV monitored by our correspondent on thursday, Obasanjo discussed the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna Refineries, emphasising his efforts to seek external help for their rehabilitation and management during his presidency. He recounted how Shell, one of the world’s largest oil companies, refused to take on the responsibility despite his government’s invitation. “I asked Shell to come and run it for us and Shell said…

THE Defence Headquarters has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting joint operations and patrols with Nigerien troops despite the allegations levelled against Nigeria by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani. This, this newspaper gathered, is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist groups like Lakurawa in the North West and others in other parts of the border states between Nigeria and Niger Republic. Tchiani recently accused Nigeria of allowing France to use its territory as a staging ground for destabilising his country. He further alleged that the French government offered Nigeria funds to establish a military…

NYESOM Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has vowed to reallocate all revoked lands after the expiration of the grace period given to affected allottees on Jan. 3. Mr Wike stated this after he inspected the ongoing construction Outer Southern Expressway, OSEX, Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal and Saburi – Dei Dei road, in Abuja on Tuesday. This newspaper recalls that Wike had on Dec. 20, given owners of the 762 revoked plots of land in Maitama two-week grace to pay for their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). The owners of the plots, located in…

LOKOJA, the Kogi State Capital and Kogi Central Senatorial District stood still on Tuesday as residents trooped out en masse to welcome the immediate past Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who travelled home for the New Year celebrations. Koton-karfe/Lokoja road was literally blocked as supporters, kinsmen and well wishers stormed the roads to join the former governor’s convoy amid cheers. It took the former governor about six hours to finally access the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty Tijani Ahmed Anaje. Ex-Governor Bello was granted bail on December 19, 2024 and released after meeting his…

CHIEF of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa confirmed yesterday that the requirements for the extradition of the separatist, Simon Ekpa have been forwarded to Finland Government. Gen. Musa, who spoke on national television programme monitored in Lagos yesterday, said: “Well, I’m sure he (Ekpa) is cooling off somewhere. “Legal action is going to be taken accordingly. I don’t want to say much about that but I’m happy he has been arrested. “The Federal Government has actually forwarded most of the requirements to the Finnish Government. So, I’m sure the right thing will be done.” The CDS also said the…

BAUCHI State Governor, Bala Mohammed, sent an unequivocal reply to the Presidency on Tuesday, saying he stands by his comment on the proposed tax reforms by President Bola Tinubu. “I cannot be threatened as a governor. I stand by my comments. It is not meant to malign, insult or to do anything to the contrary other than mean well,” Mohammed said on Channels Television‘s 2024 Year-End Review programme monitored by News Point Nigeria. The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum warned that the Presidency should not be arrogant but listen to the people, stressing that the proposed tax bills,…

THE military high command has said that wanted and notorious terrorist commander, Bello Turji, who recently in a viral video threatened to attack some communities in Zamfara and Sokoto States unless his brother and others arrested by troops are released, is a dead man walking. This is just as the military disclosed that those disputing the military’s precision bombing of the Lakurawa terrorists enclaves, killing their members and collaborators, are engaging in terrorist propaganda. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, who made this known, said, “From January till date, 31st December 2024, over 1,000 terrorist leaders and…

THE Federal Government has proposed N53bn to renovate 103 foreign missions, this newspapper reports. The funds will cover various needs, including renovations of chanceries, staff quarters, ambassadors’ residences, purchase of office furniture, and official vehicles, among others. Allocations include N554m for the foreign mission in Abidjan; N812m for Banjul; N555m for Brazzaville; N558m for Port of Spain; N576m for Caracas; N624m for Kingston; N567m for Libreville; N409m for Buenos Aires, N899m for Niamey, among others. This newspaper had reported that despite the rising allocation to the missions, significant financial challenges remain, with sources estimating that almost $1bn was required to…

A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s application to freeze 67 banks accounts domiciled in different banks over alleged N52.9 million fraud. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after the EFCC’s lawyer, Martha Babatunde, moved an ex-parte motion to the effect. This newspaper reports that the motion ex-parte, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1895/V/2024, was filed by Miracle Anameze. The motion sought an order empowering the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, or any other officer of the commission empowered by him to instruct the managing directors of the banks to stop all outward payment, operations,…

THERE is growing anxiety over the expiration of the tenure of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, and the possible appointment of a new helmsman to direct the affairs of the oil giant. Some industry watchers believe that the NNPCL boss, who turns 60 on January 8, 2025, may exit the national oil firm, raising concerns about the future leadership of the firm. This came as some other players in the space stated that the GCEO’s tenure is expected to terminate in 2027, in compliance with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum…

SECURITY agencies have intensified operations along the Nigeria-Niger Republic borders, particularly in the Sokoto axis, following new reports of activities by a new terror group known as Lakurawa, this newspaper reports. Officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), however, assured the public that there is no cause for alarm, stating that proactive measures have been implemented to prevent illegal migrants from infiltrating the country. A senior NIS official told our correspondent that the agency, in collaboration with other security operatives, is maintaining strict surveillance to monitor and address any developments along the borders. “Since the new alert on the presence…

THE Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the increasing incidents of vandalism targeting critical power transmission equipment hindered the achievement of the ambitious goal to generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024. He explained that the government had implemented measures to reach the milestone and was on track until multiple incidents of vandalism to electricity towers disrupted the plan. The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, revealed this during an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH when asked about the reasons behind the failed projections. Nigeria’s power generation currently ranges between 4,000 MW and…

PRINCE Abdulkadir Mahe, the Chief of Staff to Kwara State Governor, AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq, has died. Mahe passed on in the early hours of Saturday, the Kwara State Government said in a statement. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, told journalists that that the governor mourned the death of the late Chief of Staff. “In total submission to the will of Allah, we regret to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe. He died this morning, December 28, 2024, as has been destined by Allah,” the statement read. “The late CoS…

THE Transmission Company of Nigeria has notified residents of the Federal Capital Territory about impending blackouts in some areas. In a statement issued on Saturday by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, TCN announced that its engineers would conduct planned maintenance exercises at two transmission substations between Saturday and Sunday. The statement noted that from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, “maintenance will be carried out on a 60MVA power transformer and its associated switchgear at the Gwagwalada 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation.” According to TCN, during the maintenance period, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (Abuja DisCo) “will not be able to…

IN 1996, a pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, administered a drug known as Trovan to children in Kano State, leading to deaths and permanent disability. Twenty-eight years after the incident, survivors lament how their lives have been negatively altered. In 1996, Nigeria experienced the worst outbreak of meningitis which swept through the northern part of the country. An estimate given by the World Health Organisation in March 1996 revealed that there were 8,423 cases with 1,181 deaths. The cases were reported in Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba states. Kano was the worst hit by the epidemic.…

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, over the tragic loss of his beloved mother and son. A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Edwin Olofu, Ganduje described the incident as an irreplaceable loss not just to the Namadi family but to the entire Jigawa State. He noted that the deceased were pillars of strength in their family and community, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, humility, and service. In his message, the National Chairman stated: “On behalf of…

THE National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has described as baseless the fresh allegations raised by the Nigerien military leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani. Tchiani had during an interview with Radio-Télévision du Niger, the country’s state media, on Wednesday, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of conniving with France to destabilise Niger Republic. Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, Ribadu said the fresh allegations raised by Tchiani against Nigeria were both frightening as they were false and baseless. He said just because Nigerien military forces are fighting France doesn’t mean that Nigeria must also be dragged into the fight, adding…

THE seventh edition of the public presentation of the “State of the Nigerian Environment (STONE)” has revealed the cleanest states of the federation. The report, with the theme: Stone 2024 Unplugged, scored Akwa Ibom (Southsouth), Enugu (Southeast), Lagos (Southwest), Plateau (Northcentral), Borno (Northeast), and Kaduna (Northwest) as the cleanest states in Nigeria. Cleanup Nigeria’s National Coordinator Ene Baba Owoh, announced the states at an event the group organised in Abuja. Owoh said Cleanup Nigeria’s study showed that 179 million people across Nigeria live in unclean environment. “Comparing this to 183 million in 2023, life expectancy in Nigeria fell from 44…