Category: Leadership

Audit Shortcomings, Delays Cost Nigeria $10m from World Bank Loan

Abibat Babalola

The federal government is set to forfeit $10 million from a World Bank credit facility due to shortcomings in audit quality, delays in launching a national budget portal, and the slow rollout of a revenue assurance system. The fund is part of the $103 million Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project (FGIP), which is financed by the International Development Association (IDA), a World Bank lending arm. The project, aimed at strengthening public financial management, is scheduled to close on June 30, 2025. According to a June 2025 restructuring paper addressed to…

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Don’t Pay Attention To Busybodies, Tinubu Tells Wike

Abibat Babalola

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, not to be distracted by busybodies and naysayers but to focus on his mandate to transform the nation’s capital. Tinubu stated this on Tuesday when he inaugurated the rehabilitated and refurbished International Conference Centre, Abuja, which was renamed in his honour as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. The President said the refurbished international conference centre was part of his administration’s “determined efforts to change the way we do things, to reflect us…

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Your Sins Can’t Be Forgiven Even If You Join Us – APC Tells Fubara

Abibat Babalola

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has told the suspended governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara that even if he decides to join the party, his sins cannot be forgiven. Caretaker Committee chairman of the party in the state, Tony Okocha, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while responding to questions regarding Fubara’s recent Sallah visit to President Bola Tinubu and its attendant political implications. Okocha said Fubara’s suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency was about his misdemeanors and had no political undertones.…

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Lagos Alternative Power Boom Exceeds National Grid Capacity -Report

Abibat Babalola

Off-grid and self-generated electricity in Lagos State has surpassed Nigeria’s entire grid-connected capacity, a new report by the Africa Finance Corporation has revealed, raising concerns over the growing energy access crisis in the country. It also stated that if current trends persist, the number of Africans without electricity access could stay unchanged between now and 2030. The report, titled ‘State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025’, and obtained by our correspondent on Monday, noted that the continent is trapped in an energy bottleneck, with more Africans at risk of remaining without…

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Fuel Subsidy Should Have Been Removed Gradually, Not Abruptly — Obi

Abibat Babalola

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has said that he would have removed the petrol subsidy and floated the naira if elected president, but would have done so gradually and in a more organised manner. Speaking during an interview with Arise Television on Monday, the former Anambra State governor emphasised that, while he supports the policies, their implementation by the current administration was poorly managed. Obi said, “I have consistently maintained that I would have removed the fuel subsidy. “If you go to my manifesto,…

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Avoid Diplomatic Problems, Falana Warns Wike Against Sealing Embassies

Abibat Babalola

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, not to contemplate sealing 34 embassies and foreign missions said to be owing ground rents in the nation’s capital city Abuja. Falana argued that there are about 20 high court, appeal court, and Supreme Court decisions that ruled that the FCT authorities have no right to unilaterally seal up any property within the nation’s capital. The senior lawyer said, “As far as the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations is concerned, the premises…

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NDPHC Increases Power Supply To Borno By 6MW With New Injection Substation

Abibat Babalola

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, has inaugurated a new 1×7.5MVA 33kV/11kV distribution injection substation with the capacity to supply six megawatts of power to Borno State University and its environs. A statement by the company’s General Manager, Corporate Communications and External Relations, Emmanuel Ojor in Abuja on Monday said the substation which was commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to significantly improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply to the university and extend benefits to vulnerable communities in the surrounding area. The project, implemented under…

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Trump Deploys National Guard To Los Angeles Amid Escalating Protests Over Immigration

Abibat Babalola

US President Donald Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to the streets of Los Angeles, citing the need to quell “lawlessness” amid growing unrest over federal immigration enforcement raids. The decision, announced on Saturday, has been condemned by California Governor Gavin Newsom as “purposefully inflammatory.” The federal deployment followed two days of confrontations in Los Angeles, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations led to the arrests of over 100 undocumented migrants, including five alleged gang members. The city — home to one of the largest Latino populations in…

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Dangote, 39 Others; Full List of Who Won What At Champion Annual Awards

Abibat Babalola

.As Zinox Founder, Leo Stan Ekeh reiterates commitment to digital economy   Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has described the Man of the Year 2024 honour bestowed on him by Champion Newspapers as a reflection of his excellence not only in Nigeria but Africa. The remark was made by Tunde Oladipo, Group Branding Lead, Dangote Industries Ltd on Saturday at the 2024 Annual Champion Newspapers’ Awards held at Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island, Lagos. Forty-one institutions and notable Nigerians from all walks of…

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Nigeria’s Civil War Most Difficult Period In My Life – Yakubu Gowon

Abibat Babalola

Former head of state Yakubu Gowon (rtd has described the Nigerian Civil War period (from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970) as the most difficult period of his life. Gen. Gowon made this known on Saturday in Abuja after being honoured with a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship, Abuja Anglican Diocese. “I always remember the civil war. It was the most difficult period of my life,” said Mr Gowon. “It was not my choice, but I had to be there…

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