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Live Within your Means, Tinubu’s Aide Advises Nigerians

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  The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, has advised Nigerians to align their spending with their earnings, stressing that households must “live within their means” amid growing economic hardship. Fasua made the comment while responding to questions at a members-only Coffee Hangout organised by Kay Hikers Club in Abuja. A video of the exchange, posted on the group’s official Instagram handle on Thursday, showed a heated discussion between Fasua and a female attendee who criticised the worsening cost of living, insecurity, and declining purchasing power. The woman had questioned the affordability of basic needs, arguing that food items had become out of reach for many Nigerians. “Are you aware that you can no longer buy tomato ₦500 from the market as you used to 10, 15 years ago? Are you also aware that the basic thing, as basic as food is now something you have to beg for?” she asked. She also raised concerns about safety and rising street crime, linking it to economic hardship and poor wages for low-income workers. Fasua, however, pushed back on some of the concerns, arguing that the situation in Nigeria was not as severe as portrayed and that citizens should manage resources more carefully. He insisted that Nigerians should avoid exaggerating the country’s challenges. On the cost of living, Fasua acknowledged that prices had risen but maintained that households could still manage their resources effectively. “A modest family will feed for several days with ₦10,000,” he said. He then urged Nigerians to adopt more disciplined spending habits. “You will know how to cut your goat according to your cloth. You can go to the market, I go to the market too. I have customers in Utako market, in Wuse market. I like shopping. I like going to the market. I test things. You can buy foodstuff which you cook at home,” he added. Fasua also argued that government could not meet every expectation and that citizens needed to adjust to economic realities. “I know things are expensive, more expensive than they were before. But if we want sensation, government will never win,” he said. He further dismissed dollar-based comparisons of living standards, saying local realities should be the benchmark. “We are not in the US. Everybody has to deal with his own currency. That’s what is called purchasing power parity. $10 will go so far in this country but in the US you can do very little with it.” Another attendee at the event challenged Fasua’s framing, accusing him of oversimplifying structural issues. “I feel like you are now beginning to spiritualise the issues in Nigeria when you say mindset, because it’s not actually supposed to be a mindset, it’s a reality,” the attendee said. Fasua responded that policy realities, not mindset alone, shaped outcomes, while maintaining that individuals still had room to adjust their survival strategies. He added that citizens could still improve their personal economic resilience despite broader national challenges.

Ethiopian Woman Welcomes Quintuplets,After 12 Years of Waiting

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  A woman in Ethiopia’s Harari Regional State has given birth to rare quintuplets after spending 12 years trying to have a child. Bedriya Adem, 35, delivered four boys and a girl at Hiwot Fana Specialised Hospital through a Caesarean section on Tuesday evening. Doctors at the hospital said both the mother and the babies are in good health. The newborns weighed between 1.3kg and 1.4kg at birth. “The babies are in full health and remain under medical care together with their mother,” the hospital’s medical director, Dr Mohammed Nur Abdulahi, told the BBC on Friday. He added that the pregnancy occurred naturally without the use of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), making the birth even more unusual. “The chance of conceiving quintuplets naturally is extremely rare,” he said. Bedriya described the birth of her five children as an answered prayer after years of emotional pain and disappointment. “I cannot express my happiness in words,” she said. “I prayed for just one child, and Allah gave me five.” The first-time mother said she endured years of social pressure and emotional suffering because she had not been able to conceive. “I spent 12 years in pain, hiding myself, and praying constantly for children — at last, Allah heard me,” she said. Bedriya revealed that doctors initially told her she was carrying four babies, but a fifth child was discovered during delivery. “When I gave birth, there was one more,” she said. She also spoke about the emotional support she received from her husband during the difficult years. “He used to tell me that having his other child was enough and that I should not worry, but deep inside I was suffering psychologically and emotionally,” she said. The quintuplets, named Naif, Ammar, Munzir, Nazira, and Ansar, are now being monitored at the hospital as the family prepares for life with five newborns. Although Bedriya said she is worried about providing for the children as a subsistence farmer, she remains hopeful. “I believe Allah will provide, through the support of my community and the government,” she said.

BREAKING: Makinde Reveals Preferred Successor

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  Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has identified Mr. Abimbola Adekambi, a former Commissioner for Finance during the administration of late ex-governor Abiola Ajimobi, as his preferred successor for the 2027 governorship election. The disclosure was confirmed on Wednesday night by the Oyo State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Michael Ogunshina, during an exclusive telephone conversation. The development is already generating fresh debate within political circles, cutting across both the ruling PDP and opposition parties in the state. It was gathered that the decision emerged from a series of high-level consultations involving key stakeholders and power brokers within Oyo’s political landscape. Although Governor Makinde has yet to make a formal public declaration, Ogunshina affirmed that the decision has effectively been communicated within party ranks. “Yes, it is confirmed, the governor has announced him,” Ogunshina said. Adekambi, a technocrat with a strong background in finance and public administration, previously served under the administration of the late former governor Ajimobi and is widely regarded as experienced in fiscal management. His emergence as Makinde’s preferred successor signals a strategic political move that could reshape alignments ahead of the 2027 polls. Political observers note that the announcement may trigger internal recalibration within the PDP, as well as influence the calculations of opposition parties preparing for the next electoral cycle. While supporters of the move see it as a continuity strategy anchored on competence and governance experience, critics argue it could spark internal contestation within the ruling party over the selection process. As the political atmosphere gradually builds toward 2027, Makinde’s endorsement of Adekambi is expected to remain a focal point in Oyo State’s evolving succession dynamics.

Blame me if Power Grid Failures Persist – Minister

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  The new Minister of Power, Olasunkanmi Tegbe, on Wednesday, assured Nigerians that the era of repeated national grid collapses, erratic electricity supply, and persistent vandalism of power infrastructure would soon be brought under control, pledging urgent reforms to stabilise the country’s troubled power sector. Tegbe gave the assurance during his screening during the Senate plenary in Abuja, where he was later confirmed as Minister of Power following questioning from lawmakers over the state of the electricity sector. The confirmation followed a rigorous screening session presided over by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during which lawmakers pressed the nominee for firm timelines, transparency and a clear reform roadmap to stabilise electricity supply and restore investor confidence. The Senate also handed him what lawmakers described as a mandate to deliver rapid and measurable improvements in a sector long crippled by grid collapses, weak transmission infrastructure and a deepening liquidity crisis estimated in trillions of naira. In a rare show of bipartisan concern, senators warned that Nigerians had grown tired of promises, insisting that Tegbe must demonstrate visible results within months or risk losing public trust. Leading the charge, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) described the appointment as timely but stressed that the scale of the sector’s dysfunction required decisive and urgent intervention. He decried the recurring collapse of the national grid, calling it a major setback to Nigeria’s industrial ambitions, and blamed transmission bottlenecks for the inability to evacuate generated power effectively. “Grid collapse has become a recurring decimal, undermining development. Transmission has failed to match generation capacity,” he said, adding that insecurity in parts of the North-east had worsened infrastructure damage. Responding, Tegbe acknowledged that the challenges facing the sector were systemic rather than isolated, citing weak coordination, poor enforcement of technical standards and inadequate gas supply as major causes of instability. “Grid collapse is not accidental; it reflects deeper structural problems,” he said. He pledged a 100-day reform window aimed at stabilising the grid and introducing a public performance dashboard to allow Nigerians to track progress and hold the ministry accountable. “If there are no results in three months, there will be none in six. Nigerians should hold us accountable,” he declared. Tegbe also raised concerns about entrenched interests benefiting from inefficiencies in the sector, vowing to confront sabotage head-on. “There are elements that do not want the system to work because they benefit from its failure. We will take them on,” he said. On vandalism of power infrastructure, the minister-designate described the trend as a national security threat and pledged closer collaboration with security agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the military, to protect critical assets. He also acknowledged the sector’s worsening liquidity crisis, put at about N6 trillion, which lawmakers said had stifled investment and weakened the entire electricity value chain. In response, Tegbe admitted that the current financial model was unsustainable and promised reforms, including market-reflective tariffs, while balancing affordability for vulnerable Nigerians. “Electricity pricing must reflect market realities, but affordability remains essential. We will ensure a fair balance,” he said. Lawmakers, including Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), demanded clear timelines for achieving a stable electricity supply, stressing that reliable power remained critical to economic growth and job creation. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) criticised the fragmentation of the power sector into generation, transmission and distribution companies, arguing that the lack of synergy had worsened inefficiency. Tegbe assured the Senate that his reform plan would prioritise stronger coordination across the electricity value chain, improved gas supply to generation companies, and accelerated nationwide metering to reduce estimated billing and improve revenue collection. On rural electrification, he said the government would expand mini-grid and renewable energy solutions, particularly solar, to reach underserved communities. “Decentralised energy will be key to reaching underserved communities and ensuring inclusive access,” he said. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin underscored the urgency of reform, describing the power sector as Nigeria’s biggest obstacle to economic competitiveness. “Our industries cannot thrive without reliable electricity. What we need now are results, not assurances,” he said. Despite the tough scrutiny, lawmakers expressed cautious confidence in Tegbe’s capacity, citing his professional background and the clarity of his reform proposals. In his closing remarks, the new minister reiterated his commitment to measurable progress, acknowledging the enormity of the task but insisting that disciplined implementation would deliver results. “This is a difficult assignment, but progress is achievable with transparency, discipline and collaboration. Nigerians will see change,” he said. The Senate’s unanimous confirmation now sets the stage for what lawmakers described as a critical test of the administration’s resolve to finally break the cycle of grid collapses and stabilise Nigeria’s electricity supply.

Xenophobia: Adams Oshiomhole Calls for Revocation of MTN, DStv Licences

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  The senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the government to revoke the operating licences of South African firms in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, in response to fresh xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa. The call comes as the House of Representatives on Tuesday condemned the latest wave of attacks, urging the Federal Government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures. Speaking during plenary, the lawmaker said Nigeria must respond firmly to protect its citizens, citing the principle of reciprocity in international relations. “I don’t want this Senate to be shedding tears, to sympathise with those who have died. We didn’t come here to share tears,” he said.   Michael Jackson Biopic Shatters Box Office Records With Nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Lead0:00 / 0:00 “If you hit me, I’ll hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It’s an economic struggle.” Oshiomhole proposed that Nigeria should nationalise MTN and withdraw its operating licence, arguing that the company remits significant revenue out of the country while Nigerians face hostility abroad. “This Senate should adopt a position that MTN, a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars from Nigeria every day. That Nigeria nationalise it and withdraw its licence,” he said. According to him, such a move would create opportunities for local firms and serve as a strong response to what he described as economic and social targeting of Nigerians in South Africa. The senator also called for the revocation of DSTV’s licence, alleging unfair practices and economic exploitation, and urged Nigerians to take over roles currently occupied by foreign companies. “I call on the Federal Government to revoke DSTV, which is also a South African company that is cutting away millions of dollars,” he said. Oshiomhole linked the current tensions to broader political dynamics in South Africa, noting that anti-immigrant sentiments had featured in the country’s domestic politics and were influencing attitudes toward foreign nationals, including Nigerians and maintained that such steps would strengthen Nigeria’s bargaining position. The lawmaker further argued that Nigerians living in South Africa were economically productive and not dependent on the host country. “These Nigerians who are in South Africa, they are not there on holiday. They are there to work and to earn. “When we hit back, the president of South Africa will go on his knees to recognise that Nigerians cannot be intimidated,” he said. Another lawmaker, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, also raised concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa, describing the situation as alarming. “It is worrisome… they are hiding for their lives, they can’t move freely. This is a situation where people are paying good with evil,” he said, referencing Nigeria’s historical support for the anti-apartheid struggle. Umeh called on the African Union to intervene and impose sanctions, warning that Nigeria could not continue to tolerate attacks on its citizens. “The AU, of which South Africa is a member, should raise now and impose necessary sanctions,” he said, adding that “we cannot allow this to continue,” he said. The development reflects growing pressure on the Federal Government to adopt a stronger stance amid recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, with lawmakers pushing for both diplomatic engagement and economic countermeasures to safeguard Nigerians abroad.

Defamation: Court Directs SERAP to Pay ₦100m to DSS Officials

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  The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday directed Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project to pay ₦100 million in damages to two officials of the Department of State Services over a defamatory post published on X. Justice Yusuf Halilu, who delivered judgment in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/4547/24, held that the claimants, DSS officials Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, successfully proved that SERAP’s publication on its official X handle was defamatory. SERAP had, in a series of posts published on its X handle on September 9, 2024, alleged that officers of the State Security Service unlawfully occupied its office and demanded to see its directors. The organisation wrote, “Officers from Nigeria’s State Security Service are presently unlawfully occupying SERAP’s office in Abuja, asking to see our directors. “President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation, and attack on the rights of Nigerians.” The claimants had sued SERAP and its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as first and second defendants respectively. They sought N5bn in damages, N50m as legal costs, a public apology to be published on SERAP’s website and in two national newspapers — The PUNCH and Vanguard — and aired on Channels Television and Arise Television, as well as 10 per cent annual interest on the judgment sum until liquidation. The DSS officials alleged that SERAP falsely claimed that operatives of the service invaded its Abuja office in September 2024, an allegation they said damaged their reputations and that of the agency. In the judgment, Justice Halilu held that SERAP, “a prominent reputable non governmental Organisation who pushes for transparency, accountability, and protection of economic and social rights, should also take cognisance of other people’s rights.” The judge added that although SERAP focuses on issues such as corruption, poverty, inequality, and ensuring public resources benefit citizens, it must exercise caution in its publications. “It is most necessary for care and due diligence to be taken by SERAP before tweeting or releasing any particular information with respect to the action of an agency of government for public consumption. “In the exercise of their right, SERAP must equally beware of other people’s rights. The right to be able to tweet and then put information out there must correspondingly take into account the fact that other agencies, i.e. even government, have a right to be given a fair hearing as it relates to any such information”, the judge said. The court further held that, “It is not in doubt that the said publication, which has gone viral, clearly affected the claimants mentally and psychologically.” Justice Halilu noted that the claimants, who work as DSS personnel, were suspended pending investigation. He added that the “defendants who had all the time to have retracted the said write-up failed to do so. Claimants clearly are entitled to be assuaged in damages from the antecedents of what had played out, having established that the publication by the defendant is unjustifiably libellous. “The law will not stand still whilst the rest of the world goes on, and that will be bad for good. The law is an equal disperser of justice, and leaves none without a remedy for his right. It is a basic and elementary principle of common law that wherever there is a wrong, legal or injurious, that is, there ought to be a remedy to redress the wrong.” Although the claimants sought N5bn, the judge awarded N100m as damages. “It is my assessment that N100 million is a paltry sum that this court hereby awards against the defendants in favour of the claimants as damages,” Justice Halilu said. The court also ordered the defendants to apologise to the claimants through SERAP’s website, X handle, The PUNCH and Vanguard newspapers, as well as Arise Television and Channels Television. The court further awarded 10 per cent annual interest on the judgment sum from the date of judgment until liquidation, in addition to N1m cost of action. Justice Halilu stressed that fundamental rights are not absolute. “In the exercise of a right, we must be very careful because these rights are not open-ended. Your right ends where another person’s own begins,” he said. The judge held that the defence of justification failed because the alleged invasion, harassment and intimidation by DSS officers was not established by evidence before the court. He also held that the claimants proved the ingredients of libel, including publication, reference to the claimants, defamatory meaning and lack of justification. The court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the defendants challenging the competence of the suit, admissibility of evidence and service of originating processes, describing them as lacking merit. Justice Halilu further reaffirmed that libel is actionable per se and does not require proof of specific damage once publication is established. He held that the publication injured the claimants’ reputation, subjected them to public ridicule and led to their suspension, thereby warranting compensation. The court subsequently entered judgment in favour of the claimants and granted the reliefs in part.  

BREAKING: Soludo Submits 18 Commissioner-Nominees to Assembly for Screening

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  Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has submitted the first batch of commissioner-nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation. The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, received the list during Tuesday’s plenary and referred it to the Committee on Screening and Election Matters for screening and possible confirmation. The list contains 18 nominees with their respective portfolios. The nominees include Ben Odoemena (Agriculture); Chukwukadibia Okoye, FCCA (Budget and Economic Planning); Udoji Amedu (Culture, Entertainment and Tourism); Ekene Ogugua (Education). Others are Clem Aguiyi (Environment); Izuchukwu M. Okafor (Finance); Afam Obidike (Health); Law Mefor (Information and Value Reformation); Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN (Justice/Attorney-General); Offornze Amucheazi, SAN (Lands); and Vin Ezeaka (Local Government and Community Affairs). Also on the list are Prof. Charles Ofoegbu (Petroleum and Mineral Resources); Chijioke Oseloka Ojukwu (Physical Planning and Urban Development); Casmir Agummadu (Power); Okey Ezeobi (Works and Infrastructure); Eddy Ibuzo (Transport); Esther Onyekesi (Women Affairs and Social Development); and Patrick Agha, MBA (Youth Development and Sports). Some commissioners retained from the governor’s first term include Afam Obidike, Law Mefor, and Patrick Agha, who all returned with their previous portfolios. After receiving the list, the Speaker referred it to the relevant committee for screening in line with legislative procedures.

Tinubu Orders Immediate Posting of Four Newly Appointed Permanent Sec.

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  President Bola Tinubu has authorised the posting of four newly appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries in a move aimed at enhancing governance and boosting service delivery in critical sectors. In a statement issued on Monday signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Eno Olotu, on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the government said the move aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is aimed at enhancing effective policy implementation. “The President has approved the deployment of four (4) Federal Permanent Secretaries, who were earlier appointed and sworn in,” the statement read. According to the release, the appointments followed a competitive selection process and are intended to boost inter-ministerial collaboration and drive sustainable development. Tinubu approves immediate deployment of four new perm secs “The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and innovation to their new roles.” The statement added, noting that “their posting is designed to optimise performance, foster inter-ministerial collaboration, and drive sustainable development across key sectors of the economy.” The deployed officials include, “Bekearedebo Warrens, assigned to Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Dr. Kamil Shoretire, posted to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Nkiruka Jones-Nebo, deployed to the Career Management Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and Sani Aminu, assigned to Special Services in the Cabinet Affairs Office under the SGF’s office.” The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, congratulated the appointees and charged them to deliver on their mandates. “She emphasised the importance of professionalism, accountability, and result-oriented leadership in achieving the Federal Government’s developmental goals,” the statement said. The deployment is part of ongoing reforms within the federal civil service aimed at improving efficiency and aligning public administration with national development priorities.

Sowore Criticises Police Over Arrest of Bloggers Linked to Elumelu Divorce Story

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  Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to release three individuals arrested over alleged defamatory reports involving Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa. In a Facebook post on Monday, Sowore argued that publishing claims about a public figure’s marital status does not constitute a criminal offence warranting arrest or detention. “We must continue to remind the Nigerian Nigeria Police Force… that it is not a criminal offense warranting arrest or detention for bloggers to report that @TonyOElumelu, Chairman of @UBAGroup, has reportedly divorced his wife,” he wrote. “At most, such a matter falls within the realm of civil law and does not justify police action or repression. The @PoliceNG must therefore immediately release Kingsley Akunemeihe (@Directorkem), Chigozie Success Ihebom, and John Surpruchi Nwanorue (@problemchimky),” he added. Sowore’s comments followed a statement by UBA dismissing as false and defamatory a viral claim alleging that Elumelu had divorced his wife, Awele. In the statement signed by the bank’s Group Head of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, the institution described the report as “fabricated, reckless, and malicious,” stressing that it was designed to mislead the public and damage reputations. “The attention of UBA Group has been drawn to a false, defamatory, and malicious publication currently circulating on social media platforms, falsely alleging that the Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has divorced his wife,” the statement read. UBA further confirmed that law enforcement agencies had been notified, leading to the arrest of three individuals allegedly linked to the creation and dissemination of the content. “The matter has been referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities, who have commenced action. We confirm that three individuals directly connected to the creation and dissemination of these malicious falsehoods have been arrested,” it stated. The bank also warned individuals and platforms sharing the content to desist, directing them to remove the публикации and preserve related materials for potential legal proceedings, while noting that failure to comply could attract civil and criminal action. The development has sparked debate over the limits of free speech, defamation laws, and the role of law enforcement in disputes involving online publications.    

FG Declares Friday, May 1st, Public Holiday

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  THE Federal Government has declared Friday, 1st May 2026, a public holiday to celebrate this year’s International Workers Day. The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this on behalf of the Federal Government. He congratulated workers across the country on this year’s celebration. The Minister, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani,on Wednesday, commended Nigerian workers for their hard work and dedication to national development. He noted that their efforts are essential for the nation’s growth and prosperity. He encouraged workers to embrace patriotism, productivity, and dedication to their duties. These qualities are crucial for sustainable development. The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to supporting the welfare and security of all workers and creating a favorable environment for economic growth. While wishing workers a happy celebration, the Minister urged all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding. He encouraged everyone to use this occasion to reflect on the importance of unity and hard work in building the nation.

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