In a major step toward stabilizing the Naira and boosting domestic economic resilience, the Federal Government on Thursday announced progress in implementing its policy to sell crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira. At a follow-up meeting of the Technical Sub-Committee on Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira, chaired by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the policy, which is central to President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda. Director of Information and Public Relations, Muhammed Manga in a statemeny said the meeting was attended by key industry and regulatory…
Author: National Update
The Kogi State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has ordered the compulsory retirement of Hon. Alemeru Adekunle Bamidele, a Judge in the Area Court system, over acts of professional misconduct. The decision was reached during the Commission’s 136th meeting held on Monday. Justice Bamidele was found to have purchased a building that was the subject of litigation before him—a property he had earlier ordered to be sold—and subsequently failed to make full payment for it. The Commission deemed this conduct unethical and incompatible with judicial office. In a similar disciplinary action, the Commission suspended Magistrate Tanimu U. Muhammed from adjudicatory duties…
A young man identified as Kehinde Ijebu has allegedly taken his own life by drowning in the Oyile River, located in the Ibokun community of Obokun Local Government Area, Osun State. Local sources revealed that Kehinde had gone missing on Tuesday, only for his body to be discovered floating in the river the following day. It was reported that he had been showing signs of depression and social withdrawal in the weeks leading up to the incident. “His neighbours assumed he had gone off as he usually did,” said a community source, “but his lifeless body was later seen in…
By John Danjuma In a powerful demonstration of progress in digital rights advocacy, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative (PIN), ‘Gbenga Sesan, has revealed that Nigerian citizens are beginning to win significant legal victories in data protection cases, with damages awarded as high as ₦8 million. Across Africa, the winds of digital justice are blowing with renewed force. From courtroom victories in Nigeria to regulatory breakthroughs in Senegal, a new era is emerging—one where citizens are no longer helpless when their personal data is misused or exploited. Speaking at a stakeholder event, Sesan highlighted two notable cases. The first involved a…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has categorically ruled out stepping down from his position, describing recent allegations of sexual harassment and electoral misconduct as part of a broader campaign of defamation and political intimidation. Facing calls from civil society groups and opposition figures to resign in the wake of damning accusations—most notably from suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan—Akpabio took to the Senate floor on Thursday to deliver a pointed rebuttal: “I will not step down because there is no basis in truth, law, or due process that compels me to do so.” He dismissed the allegations as “desperate tactics” deployed by political…
A solemn Senate tribute to the late Chief Edwin Clark on Thursday took a political turn as Senate President Godswill Akpabio used the occasion to launch a sharp attack on Labour Party’s Peter Obi. The Senate had convened to pay tribute to Clark, a respected nationalist whose legacy spanned education, public service, and passionate advocacy for the Niger Delta. But Akpabio dramatically shifted focus from the late statesman’s achievements to rebuke Obi over comments made a day earlier at Clark’s memorial lecture, where he declared that “the labour of our heroes past is in vain.” Obi’s remark, meant to lament…
The American International School, Abuja (AISA), has defended its decision to withhold $84,942 from school fees paid for the children of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, stating that the funds covered tuition already rendered. The school’s auditor and third prosecution witness, Nicholas Ojehomon told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the retained amount was not part of the funds suspected to be from unlawful activities, but rather a reflection of educational services delivered during the academic term. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had traced $845,852.84 to AISA as payments for Bello’s children and requested a full…
History was made at the Vatican on May 8, 2025, as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV. The Chicago-born cleric, aged 69, is the first American to ascend to the papacy. A former missionary in Peru and close confidant of the late Pope Francis, Prevost is widely regarded as a unifier and a moderate voice within the Church. Before his election, Prevost led the Dicastery for Bishops—one of the most influential Vatican departments—and was known for championing the “peripheries,” a key theme of Francis’ pontificate. Fluent in…
In a historic legislative breakthrough, the Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed the final two of four transformative tax reform bills, moving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sweeping tax overhaul agenda one step closer to reality. The passage of the Joint Revenue Board⁰1 (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2025 during plenary completes the executive’s comprehensive tax reform package first transmitted to the National Assembly in late 2024. This comes just a day after the Senate approved the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill. “This is a turning point for Nigeria’s fiscal governance,” said Senator Sani…
By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia Panic gripped the Tudun Kauri area of Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday following the discovery of the lifeless body of a 37-year-old man, Yusuf Ibrahim Kasimu, believed to have been murdered by suspected assassins late Tuesday night. The incident occurred near the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, close to the premises of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), sending shockwaves through the local community. According to eyewitnesses, the deceased, a staff member of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), was found face-down in a pool of blood, with severe head injuries. Sources suggest he may…