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• January 1, 2025
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Kebbi State secures release of 12 indigenes detained in Benin Republic

The Kebbi State Government has successfully secured the release of 12 residents of Dole-Kaina, Dandi Local Government Area, who were detained in the Republic of Benin for over a year. The freed residents were formally presented to Governor Nasir Idris during his thank-you visit to Kamba, the headquarters of Dandi Local Government Area. Alhaji Shafi’u
Kebbi State secures release of 12 indigenes detained in Benin Republic

The Kebbi State Government has successfully secured the release of 12 residents of Dole-Kaina, Dandi Local Government Area, who were detained in the Republic of Benin for over a year.

The freed residents were formally presented to Governor Nasir Idris during his thank-you visit to Kamba, the headquarters of Dandi Local Government Area.

Alhaji Shafi’u Zauro, Special Adviser on Special Duties, recounted the detainees’ ordeal. He explained that despite legal efforts and representation, their release was only achieved following the governor’s personal intervention during a visit to the Republic of Benin.

“Your Excellency, you mandated us to act on this issue, and while we pursued legal avenues, it was your direct intervention that secured their release,” Zauro said.

In addition to facilitating their freedom, the governor donated N5 million to help the traders rebuild their businesses.

Mallam Yusha’u, speaking on behalf of the released persons, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the governor for ensuring their freedom and reuniting them with their families.

Governor Nasir Idris pointed out his administration’s dedication to improving the lives of Kebbi State residents. He announced upcoming development projects, including free agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and equipment for irrigation farming, beginning in January 2025.

“Our administration is committed to humanitarian services and infrastructure development. By next year, we will begin the reconstruction of the Koko-Zuru road and other critical projects,” he said.

The governor also launched the construction of the 17-kilometre Kwakkwaba-Bani Zumbu road, valued at N5.4 billion, stating the government’s resolve to enhance connectivity and economic opportunities in the state.

Key political and community stakeholders, including the APC chairman of Dandi Local Government, Lawal Bani Zungu, and several state and federal representatives, commended the Governor’s efforts. They praised his people-focused projects and pledged continued support for his administration.

Governor Nasir Idris reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Kebbi State, dismissing criticisms of his administration’s performance.

“Our achievements will speak for themselves by the time we reach three years in office,” he stated.

Kebbi State secures release of 12 indigenes detained in Benin Republic

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• January 1, 2025
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Victims of stampede suffering from mental health – Expert

An Assistant Director of Social Welfare at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Seye Makinde, says victims of the recent stampede incidents in some parts of the country were suffering from mental health issues occasioned by the poor economy. Makinde disclosed this at an outreach organised by members of the Junior Chambers International, Abeokuta and Rehoboth
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An Assistant Director of Social Welfare at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Seye Makinde, says victims of the recent stampede incidents in some parts of the country were suffering from mental health issues occasioned by the poor economy. Makinde disclosed this at an outreach organised by members of the Junior Chambers International, Abeokuta and Rehoboth

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• January 1, 2025
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Enugu gov pardons eight inmates on parole

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has granted various forms of prerogative of mercy to eight inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in the state. A statement on Wednesday by the Governor’s media aide, Mr Uche Anichukwu, said the decision was communicated to the Comptroller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, Mr. Nicholas Obiako,
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Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has granted various forms of prerogative of mercy to eight inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in the state. A statement on Wednesday by the Governor’s media aide, Mr Uche Anichukwu, said the decision was communicated to the Comptroller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, Mr. Nicholas Obiako,

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• January 1, 2025
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PDP faults Tinubu’s New Year speech, says Nigerians have lost faith in him

The Peoples Democratic Party said the New Year speech shows that President Bola Tinubu is disconnected from reality and unconcerned with the hardship Nigerians are going through. In a statement on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, asserted that there is no hope for the nation under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress.
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The Peoples Democratic Party said the New Year speech shows that President Bola Tinubu is disconnected from reality and unconcerned with the hardship Nigerians are going through. In a statement on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, asserted that there is no hope for the nation under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress.

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• January 1, 2025
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Inflation dragged many people into poverty in 2024 — Gov Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disclosed that inflation rates reduced spending power and dragged many Nigerians into poverty in 2024. Makinde made this declaration in his New Year message aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) on Wednesday. The governor, while addressing residents of the state, disclosed that Nigeria struggled with
Inflation dragged many people into poverty in 2024 — Gov Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disclosed that inflation rates reduced spending power and dragged many Nigerians into poverty in 2024.

Makinde made this declaration in his New Year message aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) on Wednesday.

The governor, while addressing residents of the state, disclosed that Nigeria struggled with economic challenges throughout the just-concluded year.

He maintained that inflation rates reduced the people’s spending power and dragged more people into poverty.

Makinde, while speaking further, said that his government will do more for the people of the state in 2025.

He added that his administration would embark on decisive actions that would increase residents’ spending power and ease the economic strains they are currently facing.

The governor also stated that his administration would enforce the rule of law across different sectors.

He warned that more stringent measures would be taken against traffic offences in the state.

Makinde, while speaking further, maintained that the year 2024 tested the resilience of the people of the state.

He said: “What a year 2024 was! Our resilience as a people has been tested almost to the limit. We have faced economic challenges and social tragedies that have been the direct or indirect result of these challenges.

“We were shocked by the January 16, 2024, Bodija incident. We reacted by signing Executive Order 001, 2024, on the safe handling and storage of harmful substances in Oyo State. We also took steps to give support to those who were primarily affected by this incident. We will give them even more support in 2025.

“In December 2024, disaster again struck in our dear state as we lost 35 children to a stampede at Islamic High School, Basorun. We are still mourning this great loss.

“Throughout the year, we struggled with economic challenges as a nation. Inflation rates reduced our spending power and dragged more people into poverty than we were able to help escape poverty. Our hearts are heavy. Still, we are thankful. These tragedies have forced us as a government to go back to the drawing board and take a second look at our strategies, policies, and programmes.

“For example, following the Bodija incident, we took actions that further secured the lives of our people. We are more determined to put further measures in place to ensure that incidents like these never occur again.”

Inflation dragged many people into poverty in 2024 — Gov Makinde

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2025 budget, tax reform bills top agenda for legislative action — Senate Leader Bamidele

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said consideration of the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget and the tax reform bills are two items topping the National Assembly’s agenda in the new year. Bamidele made this statement in his New Year message to Nigerians, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday. In the message, entitled “Another Year
2025 budget, tax reform bills top agenda for legislative action — Senate Leader Bamidele

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said consideration of the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget and the tax reform bills are two items topping the National Assembly’s agenda in the new year.

Bamidele made this statement in his New Year message to Nigerians, made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

In the message, entitled “Another Year of Limitless Opportunities,” Bamidele said that the next few weeks would be devoted to scrutinising the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Tax Reform Bills 2024, and the investigation of economic sabotage in the petroleum industry, among others.

According to him, key economic reform initiatives that had been in the pipeline to open up Nigeria for real businesses, which would create limitless opportunities, would also be deliberated upon.

He added that the constructive collaboration that the National Assembly had been having with the executive since June 2023 was already yielding results.

The Senate Leader cited the multi-tiered interventions by the Presidency and National Assembly, especially the commencement of operations by Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals within the 2024 fiscal year, as an example.

Another example, he said, was the Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, which were now back in operation after almost two decades of inaction.

Bamidele assured that the National Assembly would sustain the President Bola Tinubu-led government’s drive to deepen global best practices in the country’s petroleum industry.

“This is the rationale behind the Senate Ad Hoc Committee to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

“Considering the significance of the committee, the National Assembly has initiated the process to constitute a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.

“This is to look more decisively and incisively into diverse issues spurring infraction and sabotage in the petroleum industry,” he said.

2025 budget, tax reform bills top agenda for legislative action — Senate Leader Bamidele

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No plan to take local governments from you — Tinubu assures governors

President Bola Tinubu said the financial autonomy granted to local governments is not an attempt to snatch the third tier of government from governors. The President, who tasked the 36 state governors with leading development at the grassroots, said the leadership of governors at the subnational level is central to achieving food security, economic prosperity,
No plan to take local governments from you — Tinubu assures governors

President Bola Tinubu said the financial autonomy granted to local governments is not an attempt to snatch the third tier of government from governors.

The President, who tasked the 36 state governors with leading development at the grassroots, said the leadership of governors at the subnational level is central to achieving food security, economic prosperity, and rapid national growth.

Tinubu made this statement when members of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, led by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, paid him a New Year homage at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos on Wednesday.

He emphasised the significance of grassroots development and dispelled rumours of disagreement with the governors.

“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it,” Tinubu said.

The President called for stronger synergy between the federal and state governments to address pressing challenges, including local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, and currency stability.

He urged governors to prioritise agricultural growth as a pathway to economic stability.

“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands.

“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he said.

Speaking, Kwara State governor and chairman of NGF assured the President of the support of the governors.

“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term.

“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” the governor said.

No plan to take local governments from you — Tinubu assures governors

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No hostility with govs over local govt autonomy, says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said that his administration is in no battle with state governors over the controversial local government autonomy. Tinubu, however, called for collaboration from the 36 state executives, highlighting their crucial role in grassroots development. “There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No…Nobody wants to take them
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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said that his administration is in no battle with state governors over the controversial local government autonomy. Tinubu, however, called for collaboration from the 36 state executives, highlighting their crucial role in grassroots development. “There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No…Nobody wants to take them

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