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• August 26, 2025
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Toxic loans will bring agony, pain – Mahdi Shehu blasts APC govt 

Political commentator, Mahdi Shehu has criticized successive Nigerian governments for borrowing billions from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the power sector. He described the loans as toxic monies that will bring future regrets. In a post on X, Shehu pointed out that in 2022, the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration secured $200 million
Toxic loans will bring agony, pain – Mahdi Shehu blasts APC govt 

Political commentator, Mahdi Shehu has criticized successive Nigerian governments for borrowing billions from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the power sector.
He described the loans as toxic monies that will bring future regrets.

In a post on X, Shehu pointed out that in 2022, the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration secured $200 million from JICA under the guise of improving power transmission, with a ten-year repayment plan starting November 2025.

However, instead of beginning repayment of that loan, President Bola Tinubu recently negotiated a new $238 million loan from the same lender for the same purpose.

Shehu described the move as merely semantics.

He noted that both governments were aware that over N30 trillion allocated to the power sector since 1999 had been misappropriated, stolen, or diverted, leaving Nigerians in darkness.

“Leaders of countries that squander borrowed monies end up destroying the entire future of the country,” Shehu said. 

“Luckily nothing lasts forever, and such toxic monies will be the source of agony, pain, and regret on judgement day. Before the judgement day, a day of shame is coming soon.”

Toxic loans will bring agony, pain – Mahdi Shehu blasts APC govt 

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• August 26, 2025
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Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is right thing to do  -  Gov Mbah

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has once again urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, saying it is the right thing to do. The governor made this call on Monday during a question-and-answer session after his presentation on “Leadership and Transformation” at the Showcase
Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is right thing to do  -  Gov Mbah

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has once again urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, saying it is the right thing to do.

The governor made this call on Monday during a question-and-answer session after his presentation on “Leadership and Transformation” at the Showcase Session of the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Annual General Conference in Enugu.

While responding to a participant who urged him not to relent in his advocacy for Kanu’s freedom, Governor Mbah disclosed that his very first meeting with President Bola Tinubu after assuming office was on the issue of Kanu’s detention.

“My first visit to the President was about Nnamdi Kanu. I believe that the right thing to do is to release him. Hopefully, that will be done soon,” he said.

According to him, the sit-at-home order previously enforced in the Southeast on Mondays due to Kanu’s incarceration has ended in Enugu State, attributing it to his administration’s efforts to restore normalcy.

Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is right thing to do  -  Gov Mbah

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• August 26, 2025
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Upward review of politicians’ salaries unacceptable – SERAP

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has said that the upward review of salaries for Nigerian politicians would not be acceptable. Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, made this statement while speaking on Arise Television, stressing that only a downward review would be accepted. Oluwadare stated that the upward review is wrong in terms of
Upward review of politicians’ salaries unacceptable – SERAP

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has said that the upward review of salaries for Nigerian politicians would not be acceptable.

Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, made this statement while speaking on Arise Television, stressing that only a downward review would be accepted.

Oluwadare stated that the upward review is wrong in terms of law and fact, questioning the basis for the review.

This is coming following the proposal from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, to increase the salaries of politicians.

“We’ve seen from the statement put on the RMAFC website. According to RMAFC, it has done stakeholder consultations, and they are about to put stakeholders’ consultations, which I do not know of, into action.

“What is the basis of this review? And like I said earlier, a downward review will be acceptable, not an upward review. And a very good example, members of the National Assembly, the President, and the Vice President take home more than the amount recommended by RMAFC.

“Whatever RMAFC recommends as part of the upward review for politicians will only add to what they take home,” Oluwadare said.

Upward review of politicians’ salaries unacceptable – SERAP

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• August 26, 2025
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Monarch denies endorsing councillorship aspirant in Taraba

The Traditional Ruler of Yakoko in Zing Local Government Council of Taraba State, Gregory Bonzena, has refuted claims circulating on social media that he has endorsed Isaac Philip, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, councillorship aspirant, ahead of the upcoming council elections in the state. In a statement released to journalists in Jalingo on Tuesday, the
Monarch denies endorsing councillorship aspirant in Taraba

The Traditional Ruler of Yakoko in Zing Local Government Council of Taraba State, Gregory Bonzena, has refuted claims circulating on social media that he has endorsed Isaac Philip, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, councillorship aspirant, ahead of the upcoming council elections in the state.

In a statement released to journalists in Jalingo on Tuesday, the monarch denied supporting any particular aspirant, emphasizing that all those contesting the councillorship seat are his subjects and deserve equal treatment.

“I wish to state unequivocally that at no point in time did I endorse any councillorship aspirant. I am a father to all, and all the aspirants are my children. I cannot give preference to one over the others,” the monarch said.

He described the viral reports as false and malicious, calling on the public to disregard the information being circulated online.

Bonzena reaffirmed his neutrality in the political process and urged all aspirants and their supporters to conduct their campaigns with mutual respect and decorum.

Monarch denies endorsing councillorship aspirant in Taraba

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Tinubu welcomes Petrobras’ planned return to Nigeria after five-year exit

President Bola Tinubu on Monday hailed the planned return of Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil giant, to Nigeria after a five-year hiatus, describing it as a step toward deeper economic cooperation between both nations. Speaking at a joint press conference in Brasília during his state visit to Brazil, Tinubu said Petrobras’ renewed presence would strengthen Nigeria’s
Tinubu welcomes Petrobras’ planned return to Nigeria after five-year exit

President Bola Tinubu on Monday hailed the planned return of Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil giant, to Nigeria after a five-year hiatus, describing it as a step toward deeper economic cooperation between both nations.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Brasília during his state visit to Brazil, Tinubu said Petrobras’ renewed presence would strengthen Nigeria’s energy sector and open fresh opportunities for investment.

“We have the largest gas reserves, so I don’t see why Petrobras should not quickly re-establish itself as a partner in Nigeria.

“I appreciate President Lula’s assurance that this will happen soon,” Tinubu said.

The president praised his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, for his commitment to revitalising bilateral ties, stressing that Nigeria remained a fertile ground for strategic partnerships.

“Our economic space is still a virgin land filled with opportunities for Brazilian companies,” Tinubu added.

He also acknowledged Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer’s ongoing investment in Nigeria’s aviation industry, particularly the establishment of a service hub for airline repairs and maintenance in West Africa.

Recalling previous visits to Brazil, Tinubu said both countries must now move beyond symbolic friendship to tangible economic cooperation.

“We have in the past allowed certain obstacles to derail our progress, but today we draw a line under that. The future must be about concrete collaboration,” he stated.

Pointing out priority areas such as technology transfer, food security, manufacturing, renewable energy, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, Tinubu urged Brazil to extend its expertise to Nigeria.

“I don’t see why the production of generic drugs, which Brazil has mastered, cannot be established in Nigeria,” he said, stressing that knowledge-sharing was vital for both nations’ sovereignty and growth.

On Nigeria’s domestic front, Tinubu assured investors that his administration’s economic reforms were already producing results.

“The reforms I initiated when I assumed office were tough at first, but today the results are clear.

We now have more resources flowing into the economy, and corruption will no longer stand in the way,” he declared.

He also noted that Nigeria’s foreign exchange market had been liberalised, making access easier for businesses.

“You no longer need to know the Central Bank Governor before getting forex. The speculators are gone, and the market is open for genuine businesses,” Tinubu said.

During the state visit, Nigeria and Brazil signed five Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, diplomacy, science, aviation, and finance, signalling a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.

Tinubu welcomes Petrobras’ planned return to Nigeria after five-year exit