Author: Amina Mohammed

At least 30 state governments spent N986.64bn on recurrent expenditures, including refreshments, sitting allowances, travelling, utilities, among others between January and March 2024. This was contained in a budget assessment done by Open Nigerian States, a website supported by BudgIT that acts as a repository for public budget data, were analysed. A breakdown showed that the 30-state government spent N5.1bn on refreshments for guests, N4.67bn on sitting allowances to government officials, N34.63bn on local and foreign travel expenses, and N5.64bn on utility bills, amounting to N50.02bn in the first three months of 2024. The general utilities include electricity, internet, telephone…

Liverpool FC has submitted its Premier League retained list following the end of the 2023-24 season, with confirmation of the departure of several senior and Academy players. As announced last month, “Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are set to leave the Reds upon the expiry of their contracts this summer, following eight and four years respectively with the club,” a Wednesday statement obtained from the club website read. The club hailed Matip and Thiago’s contribution to the club’s success during their spell. “Centre-back Matip surpassed 200 appearances during his time on Merseyside, scoring 11 goals and claiming seven honours –…

The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command on Tuesday, handed over 17 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, containing 1, 257 parcels worth N96m, intercepted along Bar Beach in Lagos State, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Speaking during the handover at the command  in Apapa, Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Paul Bamisaiye, said that the officers of the command, in a bid to purge the Western waterways of smuggling activities, intercepted the hard drugs weighing 609kg. He stated that a patrol team at the Bar Beach station received credible intelligence on the movement of a boat on…

Oando Plc has recorded nearly the highest possible gain at the Nigerian stock market since the release of its latest financial and operational reports. Ivestors have shown strong positive response to the latest earnings reports , which showed a major recovery for the indigenous energy provider. Oando had at the weekend released its results for the year ended December 31, 2023 showing a pre-tax profit of N104.1 billion, in a major turnaround from recent streak of losses. Despite the negative overall market situation, Oando has been a major contrarian stock. In the week’s opening trading session, Oando’s share price recorded…

US President Joe Biden will meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in Normandy, France, this week and then again at the G7 meeting in Italy to discuss Kyiv’s fight against Russia, the White House said Tuesday. The double show of support comes after Biden faced criticism for saying he would skip an upcoming Ukrainian peace summit in Switzerland to attend an election fundraiser featuring Hollywood stars George Clooney and Julia Roberts instead. While in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings this week, Biden will “have the opportunity to sit down with President Zelensky” National Security…

National Orientation Agency has assured Nigerians that a standardised version of the national anthem would be issued after due consultation with stakeholders. The Director-General of the Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, gave the assurance in a statement issued by the agency’s Deputy Director of press, Mr Paul Odenyi on Tuesday in Abuja. Issa-Onilu stated this after several versions of the anthem appeared on social media. “Our COMOS whom we ordered to learn the new national anthem have come up with feedback that many of our people are eager to learn and promote the new anthem. However, they are confused and wonder…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with the representatives of the Federal Government team on the Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President’s meeting with the government representatives on minimum wage came about an hour before the resumption of negotiation between the organised labour and the federal government. Those that met with the President were the Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria…

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has opened the gates of the National Assembly to allow lawmakers, staff and visitors access to the complex. The opening of the gates at about 1pm on Tuesday, June 4, followed the news that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has suspended the strike for one week to allow for further negotiation with the Federal Government. PASAN had on Monday locked the gates in solidarity with the NLC and TUC which called the strike to push for a new minimum wage for workers in the country. The Secretary to…

On Tuesday, the Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, Senator Abdul Ningi, returned to plenary sessions following a three-month suspension. The Senate had pardoned and recalled him, ending his suspension that began on March 12, 2024. Last week, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro moved a motion for Ningi’s recall, expressing regret on his behalf and taking responsibility for his actions. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, subsequently announced Ningi’s unconditional recall after pleas from some lawmakers. Ningi’s suspension stemmed from a controversial interview where he alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget, claiming the National Assembly approved N25tn while the Presidency…

Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has publicly spoken for the first time since his unexpected departure from Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea had shown a “big improvement” during his single season as manager in his first public comments since his Stamford Bridge exit. The Argentine left the club by mutual consent last month despite a strong end to a turbulent season in which they spent much of the campaign languishing in mid-table in the Premier League. The Blues won their final five games to finish sixth and earn a place in the UEFA Conference League, also reaching the final of…