Author: Amina Mohammed

The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed reports alleging that President Bola Tinubu directed the reinstatement of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, calling it “fake news” meant to distract the newly elected Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda A viral report had claimed that Tinubu pressured lawmakers to allow Obasa’s return, arguing that the political consequences of his removal outweighed the need for disciplinary action. Obasa was impeached on January 13, 2025, by 32 out of 40 Assembly members over allegations of misconduct, misappropriation of funds, and abuse of office. However, Assembly members have refuted the claims, affirming their support for Speaker…

The Federal Government is set to introduce a $600 million annual electricity subsidy for all customers starting in 2025. The subsidy will run until 2027, aiming to bridge the gap between cost-reflective tariffs and regulated electricity rates. It also targets reducing the metering deficit and stabilizing power distribution companies financially. According to Nigeria’s Energy Compact document, this initiative forms part of the National Energy Compact and aligns with the country’s electrification and clean energy transition goals. Nigeria presented the energy compact at a summit in Tanzania alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, and nine other African nations. The summit focused on innovative…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Adamawa chapter, has warned of a potential strike following the seizure and auctioning of petrol products by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the state. IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Ukadike Chinedu, voiced frustration over the issue in a media interview. He claimed the Customs improperly confiscated legally purchased petrol products that were headed to local filling stations. Despite the products having the necessary documentation, Chinedu said Customs went ahead with the seizures, without any apparent violations. “Customs recently auctioned petroleum products in Yola, and our marketers are distressed. Some of these products…

Manchester United have announced the signing of 18-year-old defender Ayden Heaven from Arsenal in a deal worth over £1 million. Heaven, who made his senior debut for Arsenal earlier this season, has joined United on a four-and-a-half-year contract running until June 2029, with an option for an additional year. The highly-rated centre-back will immediately integrate into United’s first-team squad. The move comes as Heaven was nearing the end of his scholarship contract with Arsenal, having opted not to sign a professional deal with the Gunners. Despite interest from German side Eintracht Frankfurt, the youngster has chosen to continue his career…

The devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles County for over three weeks were officially declared fully contained today. The blazes, which began on January 7th, have claimed at least 30 lives, displaced thousands, and caused massive property damage. The fires scorched more than 37,000 acres, destroying over 10,000 homes across affluent areas like Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena. Early estimates put the total economic damage between $250 billion and $275 billion. California’s Cal Fire announced today that both fires are now 100% contained, signaling that their perimeters are completely under control. Evacuation orders had been lifted…

Arne Slot has urged Mohamed Salah to sign a new contract with Liverpool, advising the Egypt star against a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. Salah has been in sensational form this season but is out of contract in June, with speculation persisting that the Saudi Pro League could be a possible destination for the Egyptian superstar. Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal was asked whether the forward was the “big prize” for the Middle East nation in an interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel on Thursday. “Definitely, because if he ticks all the right boxes, even…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abba Abubakar Aliyu as the substantive Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).  This was contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday. The appointment, which takes effect from January 23, 2025, will see Aliyu serve an initial four-year term. Aliyu, a seasoned energy expert with over two decades of experience in the power, water resources, and transportation sectors, had been acting as the agency’s Managing-Director since March 2024. His leadership roles in both the on-grid and off-grid electricity sectors have positioned him as a key player…

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has announced a remarkable 20.79 per cent increase in the value of the country’s non-oil exports, reaching a total of $5.456bn in 2024. It stated that the amount surpassed the $4.5bn generated in 2023. The Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed the figures while addressing the media on the performance report of the non-oil export sector for 2024 on Friday in Abuja. She said the significant growth reflects the resilience and diversification of Nigeria’s export sector beyond crude oil, a shift aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on oil revenue.…

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, Friday, called on the Federal Government to revisit or rejig its macro-economic policies to ameliorate the hardship/pains that they have inflicted on Nigerians. It stated that no meaningful or impactful achievements in the states would be achieved until the harsh policies are addressed. It also reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment on the position of National Secretary position of the party, and advised the National Working Committee, NWC of the party to set up machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment. The PDP forum, in a communique issued…

The Police Service Commission has ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60. The directive follows controversy over the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun after he clocked 60 years. The Police and the Attorney General of the Federation have, however, said his continued stay in office is lawful. A statement on Friday by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, noted that the commission reviewed its earlier stance from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, which…