Author: Hamza Rufai

TWELVE more state government-owned tertiary institutions have been onboarded to the student loan application pool, increasing the number from 36 to 48. This was revealed by the management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund in a statement signed by its Head, Media and Public Relations, Nasir Ayitogo, on Wednesday. According to him, the onboarding followed the successful submission and verification of data completeness. “With this latest addition, the total number of participating state government-owned tertiary institutions has now increased from the initial 36 announced earlier to 48. Students’ data from 121 institutions is outstanding,” the statement read. The Fund urged…

AS part of efforts to address the food crisis in the country, the Federal Government is sending 60 trucks of fertiliser to each of the states of the federation. Each of the 109 senators will also receive two trucks of fertiliser for distribution to farmers in their constituents, while the 360 members of the House of Representatives will get one truck each to distribute in their constituencies. The Senate, which disclosed the plan on Tuesday while debating on the food crisis at plenary, called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the fertiliser distribution. The call followed a motion…

THE Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Monday sought to take over the trial of Karl Toriola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd; and others. Counsel to the AGF, Aderonke Imana, told Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, upon resumed hearing in the matter. Mrs Imana informed the court that the prosecuting agency, the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, and the police had been notified through a letter to furnish the AGF’s office with a report. “The matter is slated for plea. “However, I have the instruction…

THE Nigerian Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has blamed resurfacing of fuel queues in some parts of the country on the disruption of ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, between Mother Vessels and Daughter Vessels resulting from recent thunderstorm. A statement by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, on Monday, said the adverse weather condition has also affected berthing at jetties, truck load-outs and transportation of products to filling stations, disrupting station supply logistics. The clarification came following reports of long fuel queues in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country.…

A MAN who gave his name as Shaibu Alhaji Yusuf on Monday caused a stir in Abuja when he climbed a 120-metre-long broadcast mast at the premises of the Abuja Broadcasting Service, owners of Aso Radio and Television. The broadcast station which is owned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA is located on Katampe Hill, at a point dubbed the geographic centre of Nigeria, along the Kubwa Expressway. The man who for several minutes refused to come down despite entreaties by emergency responders, said he is an indigene of Borno state. He said he was not happy with the…

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, extends his congratulations to Muslims across the nation and worldwide as they mark the commencement of the New Islamic Year. This auspicious occasion, which signifies the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a time for reflection, renewal, and a renewed commitment to the values of faith, peace, and unity. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr Ganduje urged Muslims to use this period to pray for the continued peace, prosperity, and development of Nigeria and to support the administration…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has called for a significant shift from dependence on oil to other critical sectors with attractive investment returns in Nigeria. He identified agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy and digital innovation, among other sectors as potential investment ground to explore, saying they align with the nation’s development priorities outlined in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). During the Existing Foreign Direct Investors Roundtable at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the media aide to Shettima, Stanley Nkwocha, stated that the VP mentioned that the eight-point agenda of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola…

THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has suspended 10 private jet operations over failure to begin the recertification process. This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, on Friday, in Abuja. The agency said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) from using their aircraft for carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire or rewards (commercial operation or charter services). “As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo…

FORMER Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said contrary to public opinion, he earned a total allowance of ₦25m while in office. Dogara who represented the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal constituency of Bauchi State, served as the 13th Speaker of the House from 2015 to 2019. He, however, did not specify whether the ₦25m total allowance was monthly, yearly, or for the whole of the four years spent in the House. Speaking during an event in Abuja on Wednesday, he wondered where the idea of National Assembly members receiving bogus salaries emanated from. “My allowances, everything as a…

IN 2023 alone Nigerians spent a total of N16.5 trillion to buy diesel, petrol and generators to get electricity, the Federal Government announced on Tuesday. It also announced that the formal power sector, including electricity generation, transmission, and distribution companies, made a total revenue of N1tn last year amid the over N16tn spent by power consumers in the informal sector. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who announced this at the ongoing 2024 Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja, however, noted that electricity consumers on Band A category now get up to 24 hours supply of power. He said,…

A TRAGIC incident occurred as an unnamed operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) committed suicide on Monday at his residence in Abuja. According to an online newspaper, PRNigeria, it was gathered that the deceased, a member of Course 5, was a diligent, efficient, and unassuming officer of the anti-graft agency. The Commission is exploring possible factors, including mental health and family challenges, that may have contributed to the operative’s depression and eventual tragic decision. When contacted on the incident, the EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale, told PRNigeria that an investigation was already underway to determine the circumstances…

THE Federal Government has exempted farmers, small businesses, and manufacturers from withholding tax. This is according to the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele. He said in a post on his X handle that, “As part of the ongoing fiscal policy and tax reforms, a new withholding tax regime has been approved. “The key changes introduced are to address the identified challenges and specifically include the exemption of small businesses from withholding tax compliance; reduced rates for businesses with low margins; exemptions for manufacturers and producers such as farmers; measures to curb evasion…

A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos has held that it is illegal for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to declare Magaret, the wife of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as a wanted person. Justice Deinde Dipeolu made the declaration while ruling on a fundamental right application filed by Mrs Emefiele. The court also ordered the EFCC to pay her N3 million as damages for the infringement of her rights. Mrs.Emefiele had dragged the anti-graft agency and its chairman before the court for declaring her a wanted person and publishing her photographs on…

TWO female suicide bombers have been arrested in Borno State, in connection with the detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Gwoza, authorities said on Sunday. The explosion left at least 18 people dead A local government official who confirmed this to News Point Nigeria said 30 of the female suicide bombers were sent into Gwoza to detonate the Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) at different locations within the area. According to the source, only four suicide bombers exploded so far. She explained that one of the female bombers that came from Pulka Axis was responding to military interrogation at the…

THE federal government has threatened to terminate the contracts of Julius Berger and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) over the handling of the Calabar-Itu Road project. Minister of Works, David Umahi gave the two construction companies one week to remobilise to site or face termination of their contracts. Speaking on Saturday in Uyo during a Stakeholders’ Engagement on the alignment of section 3B and 4 of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi gave the contractors marching orders to mobilise to site, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has released enough funds for the projects. “We use this opportunity to warn CCECC, out…

GOVERNORS under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have assured Nigerians that better wages will result from the ongoing negotiations between the government, private sector and organised labour. The governors gave the assurance after a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. “The governors agreed to continue engaging with key stakeholders to reach a mutually agreeable solution,” a communique issued by the Governors Forum read in part. “We remain dedicated to the process and assure that better wages will result from the ongoing negotiations.” Chairman of the NGF and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, signed the communique. The governors also…

SENATE President Godswill Akpabio has denied claims that the 10th Senate was proposing the procurement of new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Akpabio who addressed journalists in Maiduguri, described the claims as false. According to a Tuesday statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, the Senate President was in Borno State to pay a condolence visit to Senator Tahir Monguno over the death of his father. “I want to dispel the rumour that you are hearing that the Senate President said he will buy a new plane for the President and his Vice, irrespective of…

VICE President Kashim Shettima has described the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, as an institution that must be jealously guarded and protected. Shettima stated this following an alarm raised by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola, that the Sokoto government is allegedly plotting to depose the Sultan. In a statement on Monday, Akintola said Nigerian Muslims would reject any thought of deposing the Sultan after the state Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences. Speaking at the ongoing North West Peace & Security Summit in Katsina State, Shettima told…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu says the efforts of security forces in the fight against insecurity in the North-West are yielding results, and have disrupted and dismantled criminal networks. The President said this at the North-West Peace and Security Summit organised by the North-West Governors’ Forum in Katsina, the capital of Katsina State on Monday. Represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the progress made so far is just the beginning as the government is making more effort to provide a better secure environment for all citizens. “Our military forces, through various operations such as Operation Hadin Kai…

GOVERNOR Umaru Bago of Niger State criticized the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the alleged poor treatment of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Bago in a series of posts via X, accused the commission of failing to provide adequate food for the pilgrims, leading to illness among some of them. “NAHCON has no business in chartering flights; it is not their business to feed the pilgrims because of the food,” Bago stated. “For example, I am from Niger State. If you allow me to feed pilgrims, I will be able to trans-ship foods that people are locally used…