Author: Amina Mohammed

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has dismissed the reports alleging that permission had been granted to France to establish an expeditionary military base in Nigeria. Musa faulted the insinuation that the recent visit of President Bola Tinubu to France where a lot of bilateral agreements were signed included allowing foreign military bases in Nigeria. He gave the clarification on Friday during the unveiling of the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2025 Tattoo Logo at the Defence Headquarters Abuja. According to him, no foreign body will establish any foreign military base in Nigeria, not in the north, not…

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has emphasised the critical role of effective leadership in driving Nigeria and Africa to greater heights. In an interview with Elevate Africa published on Thursday via YouTube, the globally celebrated artist shared his thoughts on the resilience of Nigerians and the potential for the nation to achieve unprecedented progress if led by the right people. “We can’t go forward without…we need the best leaders now first, that’s the most important thing,” Davido said. He noted that while Nigerians possess remarkable adaptability and determination, the absence of visionary leadership has hindered the country’s advancement. Respond to the…

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called for caution over the Tax Reform Bills, asking Nigerians to digest the content before passing judgement on them. President Bola Tinubu’s transmission of the bills to the National Assembly has elicited heated debates among Nigerians. The northern region has been the most vocal in its criticism of the bills which have pitted some governors and lawmakers against the Federal Government. But speaking at the Government House in Owerri, Imo State on Thursday, Uzodimma said some of those against the bills have not studied their provisions. “Many of us who are criticising the…

In the midst of the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, the Board of Trustees has criticised the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee for repeatedly postponing the National Executive Committee meeting. The PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, speaking at the forum’s emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday, also revealed that the body would persist in its efforts to find peace by holding a meeting with former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in January. Since assuming the role of acting National Chairman following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal by the court, Damagum has faced increasing criticism from party leaders amid the…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that its Early Exit Package for staff of the apex bank is entirely voluntary and that participation is not mandatory. The CBN In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, assured staff and the public that no employee would be forced into early retirement under the scheme. She stressed that the programme provides an opportunity for eligible staff members who wish to exit the bank voluntarily, which is in alignment with CBN’s ongoing strategy to promote career development. The statement read, “The Central Bank of Nigeria…

Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, over allegations of defaming the character of renowned legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN. Farotimi, who was arrested in Lagos on Tuesday by operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command, arrived at the court on Wednesday morning around 10:25 am. The activist is facing a 16-count charge of defamation stemming from allegations that he maligned Babalola’s reputation in his recently published book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The charges accuse Farotimi of making statements in the book…

The Nigerian Bar Association has called for the release of Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi over allegations of libel levelled against him. A statement by the President, NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) on Wednesday, said his arrest was a breach of the rule of law. The statement said, “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is gravely concerned about the arrest of Dele Farotimi on allegations of libel, as well as the reported invasion of his law firm and the harassment of lawyers and staff within the premises. These actions constitute a troubling breach of the rule of law and the sanctity…

Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), along with his associates, has allegedly been linked to the ownership of an estate comprising 753 duplexes and apartments recently seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lokogoma, Abuja. A court affidavit filed by the EFCC revealed details implicating Emefiele and his associates in the ownership of the estate. The affidavit, sworn by Idi Musa, an investigating officer with the EFCC, was submitted in support of an application for the final forfeiture of the property, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on 21…

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to forgive and reconcile with former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. The monarch made the appeal when he received in his palace, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, and the Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FERMA, Chukwuemeka Agbasi and their team in his palace. Goronyo and Agbasi were on a two-day working tour of facilities and commissioning of projects in Lagos State. Meanwhile, Aregbesola has said that the goal of the Omoluabi Progressives Caucus, a splinter group within the Osun State chapter of the…

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a lodger, Gideon Ebukwe by yet-to-be-identified gunmen at Ok Winners Hotel, Igbosoro, Igode in the Sagamu Local Government area of the state. The police public relations officer Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital. According to her Ebukwe was shot dead while trying to escape when he came under attack by gunmen who stormed the hotel where he lodged as a guest. It was learnt that despite breaking into the ceiling of the hotel to escape from the assailants, the gunmen still gunned…