Nigeria’s path to economic renewal and shared prosperity lies in the hands of visionary and accountable leaders, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has said. Speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, themed “Better Leadership for a Better Nigeria,” Mr. Edun stressed that building capable leaders is as critical as building sound policies. Director of Information & Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted him to have commended Ms. Arumah Oteh for convening a forward-looking platform dedicated to mentoring a new generation of transformational leaders…
Author: National Update
Hon. Femi Olaniyi (Ferrari), Lagos State SDP Chairman and national Chairman of SDP State Chairmen, has accused former party chairman Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam of betraying the Social Democratic Party and undermining its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo. Speaking in Abuja after presenting an Award of Excellence to Queen Lilian Adebayo, wife of the 2023 SDP presidential candidate, Olaniyi said the honour was in recognition of her consistent support to the Forum of State Chairmen and her role in keeping the party united during challenging times. “The award is one of excellence presented to our Queen Mother. She has…
***APC chieftain Ayiri Emami warns 15% duty could worsen hardship for Nigerians The Federal Government’s new 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel—approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—has drawn sharp criticism, even from within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which secured the approval, said the move was part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at protecting domestic refineries, encouraging crude transactions in local currency, and promoting a stable downstream market. According to the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, the tariff will ensure that duty-free fuel imports do not undercut local refining efforts, while…
Former deputy governors of Nigeria have issued a bold call for urgent action to boost national productivity and economic self-reliance, highlighting innovation, industry, and strategic leadership as key drivers for growth. The 4th National Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on October 28-29, convened leaders from across the country to deliberate on the theme: “Boosting Nigeria’s Productive Capacity for National Growth and Self-Reliance: The Role of Leadership, Industry and Innovation in Policy Implementation.” Chaired by former Senate President HE Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, and officially opened by the Minister…
***Calls for International Sanctions and Accountability for African Leaders Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has strongly condemned recent elections in Tanzania, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast, describing them as “sham exercises” and “a disgrace to the African continent.” Frank stated that these were not genuine elections but “selections” marred by manipulation, intimidation, and political violence. He lamented that incumbent leaders in Africa continue to impose themselves through fraudulent means instead of allowing the will of the people to prevail. “These elections are a disgrace and shame to Africa. In…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described as “deceptive and unverifiable” the Federal Government’s claim that over 15 million poor and vulnerable households have benefited from its conditional cash transfer programme. In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the declaration by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, lacked transparency and evidence. “This claim by Mr. Edun is unsubstantiated, insulting, and grossly irresponsible,” Onwubiko said. “If 15 million households truly benefited, where are they? Where is the data, verification, or even one publicly…
Nigeria has taken another bold step toward inclusive growth as the Federal Government and the King Salman Foundation agreed to collaborate on projects that will transform lives and strengthen key sectors of the economy. The partnership was formalized on Tuesday during a high-level meeting between the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, and representatives of the Foundation at her office in Abuja. The talks explored wide-ranging areas of cooperation — including education, healthcare, agriculture, food security, poverty reduction, and human development — aimed at delivering tangible socio-economic benefits to Nigerians. Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga…
The Forum of State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has hailed the expulsion of former National Chairman Shehu Gabam and former Youth Speaker Ogbonna Uchechukwu, describing it as a long-overdue step toward restoring discipline and credibility in the party. Forum Chairman, Mr. Femi Olaniyi, said at a press briefing in Abuja that the move marked “a corrective milestone” after years of alleged abuse of office and financial impropriety that dented the party’s image. “These decisive sanctions address years of betrayal and embezzlement that have damaged the party’s integrity,” he said, commending the National Working Committee (NWC) for ensuring…
The Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas has pledged to transform the Nigerian Navy into a modern, technology-driven force capable of securing the nation’s maritime and inland waterways against oil theft, piracy, and other security threats. Speaking before the Senate during his screening on Wednesday, the nominee outlined a comprehensive plan centered on drone deployment, intelligence-led operations, and inter-agency synergy to enhance national security and protect the country’s economic lifelines. “To further enhance our operations, I intend to prioritize the use of modern technology, particularly unmanned aerial systems (drones). These will strengthen surveillance and interdiction capabilities across both…
The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday assured the Senate of his readiness to transform Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations through improved technology, intelligence, and troop welfare. Appearing before the Senate for screening, General Shaibu outlined his strategic priorities, vowing to consolidate on the gains of his predecessors and strengthen multi-agency coordination in combating insurgency and banditry across the country. “The various adversarial threats that cut across the north-west and the north-east flanks of operations actually require a multi-faceted approach across all domains of operations,” he said. He pledged to leverage technology to enhance the Army’s…