Author: Abdullahi Maitama Sani

OPERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, over alleged N27bn fraud. It was learnt that Ishaku, who left the as governor of the State in 2023 after spending 8 years, was picked up at his Abuja residence in the early hours of Friday. Impeccable sources within the commission confided in our correspondent that the former governor was still in the anti-graft agency’s custody as at when filing this report Friday night. One of the sources revealed that at least 15-count charges have been filed against Ishaku and he…

FOR the second time in a row, the federal government has decided to celebrate the October 1 independence day on a low key basis due to the mood of the nation. Speaking yesterday during a press conference to unveil the activities of the 64th Independence Day celebration, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume said the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was aware of and sympathised with all Nigerians over the economic conditions they were passing through, hence the treason for a low key celebration. Last year’s 63rd independence anniversary was low-key with Senator Akume,…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has welcomed ExxonMobil’s proposed $10 billion dollar investment in Nigeria’s deep-water oil operations, describing it as a clear testament to the administration’s economic reforms and investment-friendly policies. This is coming just as the international maritime giant, DP World, has announced plans to develop a multibillion-dollar port project in Nigeria. According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President stated this during a high-level meeting with ExxonMobil executives and officials of DP World on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in…

THE Federal Government says it will not intervene in the fuel pricing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), noting that the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) market has been deregulated. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, who clarified this on Wednesday, said the presidency’s decision aligns with the Petroleum Industry Act which grants the NNPCL autonomy as an independent entity. Onanuga clarified that Dangote Refinery, as a private company, has the right to set its prices. The presidential aide stressed that since Premium Motor Spirit has been deregulated, players like the Dangote Petroleum…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has expressed a desire to reshuffle his cabinet. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He noted that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the current government has recorded significant achievements in its quest to transform the economy, of which members of the public are unaware. Onanuga noted that Tinubu has ordered his ministers to ensure they engage the public by publicising what the government is doing in their various ministries. He said, “I don’t have any timeline. The…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has called on world leaders to prioritise debt forgiveness for Nigeria and other developing countries from creditors and multilateral financial institutions. The President also asked the United Nations to commit to multilateralism by deepening relations among member states, in line with the principles of inclusivity, equality and cooperation. Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, made the call while addressing world leaders during the General Debate of the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the UN headquarters in…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has declined assent to a bill seeking to extend the tenure of service of legislative officers at the National Assembly, as well as the 36 state Houses of Assembly from 35 to 40 years and their retirement age from 60 to 65 years. The president’s declined assent was conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the Senate today by the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio. The harmonised controversial retirement age bill was first stepped down in February, 2024 for further research and consultation wirb stakeholders, after a significant number of senators voted against…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment. He said this at the US-Nigeria Executive Business Roundtable hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce on the sidelines of the “I urge you to give Nigeria the benefit of the doubt. The current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the most investor-friendly administration in the history of Nigeria,” Shettima said in a Monday statement by his media aide Stanley Nkwocha. “When fuel subsidy was an albatross around Nigeria’s neck, President Tinubu, from day one, hit the ground running by withdrawing the fuel…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently presiding over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting is holding amid talks from different quarters that a cabinet reshuffle is imminent. Tinubu, who has vowed to fire non-performing ministers, has ignored talks about rejiging his cabinet Before the commencement of the council meeting, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to democracy through “the conduct of free and fair election in Edo State.” Akume also commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for the United States to attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for the United States to attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Advertisement A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha on Sunday, said Shettima left the country at the directive of President Bola Tinubu. According to him, President Tinubu had directed the Vice President to lead the Nigerian delegation to the high-level…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has eulogised his wife, Oluremi Tinubu on her 64th birthday. Tinubu in a tweet on Saturday professed his love for her describing her as his greatest supporter and a ‘solid rock’ that has been there for him always. He wrote; “On this beautiful day, as we celebrate your 64th birthday, my heart is full of gratitude and love for the incredible woman you are. Since we began this journey together, you have been my rock, confidante, greatest supporter, and the love of my life.” He lauded her for enduring the tough times and hurdles they’ve faced.…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Friday, declared that he is not in office as the leader of Nigeria to seek any personal gain or accumulate wealth. The President, who spoke during a meeting with the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of the National Assembly who visited him at the Aso Rock Villa, said he is in office to work for Nigeria and Nigerians. President Tinubu emphasized that despite the challenges, his administration remains committed to delivering tangible results and making a positive difference in the nation’s infrastructure, food and energy security, education and long-term economic stability. The Forum of Former Presiding…

THE Presidential Committee on Livestock Sector Reforms Implementation has submitted its inception report to President Bola Tinubu. The committee submitted its report to the President at the State House Abuja on Thursday. Speaking to journalists shortly after meeting with the President, the Chairman of the Committee and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, said the committee was able to identify measures on how the Nigerian government can judiciously utilize the livestock industry in Nigeria. He revealed that the 152 page document submitted to President Tinubu recommends measures that the government can use to mitigate…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year and has directed Vice President, Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation This was disclosed in a statement by Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Thursday. According to the statement, President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding. See full statement below: STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA…

THERE are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu may scrap the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as part of a major cabinet rejig. The exercise would also see some portfolios split and others merged into a single entity, while some ministers would be relieved of their duties, a Presidency source told this newspaper. Tinubu has been facing increasing pressure from within and outside his party, the All Progressives Congress, to sack underperforming ministers in his cabinet. Although the President had warned against underperformance about 10 months ago, the cabinet had remained largely intact, save for the suspension of…

VICE President Kashim Shettima said Nigeria has embraced the Halal economy, and is hoping to leverage the opportunities to add the sum of $1.5bn to the country’s GDP by 2027. Shettima revealed this as he attended the Nigeria Halal Economy Stakeholders engagement program in Abuja on Wednesday. The program with the theme ‘Building A Vibrant Halal Economy: Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential’ seeks to stimulate Nigeria’s economy by enhancing more investments in the Halal market. Halal is an Arabic word for lawful, permit or permissible. There are currently over one hundred Halal-certified products in Nigeria. According to available records, the global Halal…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has not asked Yemi Cardoso to resign from his position as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This is according to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who debunked reports (not News Point Nigeria) suggesting that Tinubu ordered Cardoso’s resignation. Taking to his official X handle on Tuesday, the presidential spokesman described the report as a “bundle of lies.” “It’s all lies. President Tinubu has not asked Yemi Cardoso to resign,” Onanuga said while dismissing the report. The report claimed that President Tinubu issued the directive to Cardoso…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed Ojukaye Flag Amachree as the new Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The appointment was announced in a statement by ONSA’s Head of Strategic Communications, Zakari Mijinyawa, He described the appointment as part of the government’s commitment to ensuring a stable, sustainable, and secure energy supply for the country. The statement highlighted that this move underscores President Tinubu’s focus on bolstering energy security and addressing supply chain issues. “In his new role, Amachree will oversee key national energy security initiatives aimed at enhancing energy security, as well as…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an “epitome of wealth” with no interest to loot the country’s resources, according to Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development. VON quoted Olawande to have said this at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch in Abuja. The JUNC’s week was themed, “The working people in a volatile, uncertain and complex economy.” The minister urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu’s administration, noting that in no distant time there will be positive changes. “I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time,…

CHRISTOPHER Musa, the chief of defence staff (CDS), has ordered a probe into an “illegal” detention of Abbas Haruna, a seaman. While featuring on Brekete Family, a programme on Human Rights Radio, Abbas’ wife said her husband has “been in custody for over six years without trial on the orders of a senior officer”. In a statement issued on Monday, Tukur Gusau, acting director of defence information, said Musa has directed an immediate investigation into the allegation. “The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has taken notice of a circulating video clip alleging the unjust incarceration of a Naval rating, Seaman Abbas Haruna,…