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  • Edo State Governor Okpebholo Swears in Six Commissioners

    Edo State Governor Okpebholo Swears in Six Commissioners

    Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, has inaugurated six new commissioners into the state’s executive council, assigning them to various ministries.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, Umar Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government, confirmed the appointments and detailed the portfolios assigned to the newly sworn-in officials.

    According to Ikhilor, Paul Ohonbamu will oversee the Ministry of Information and Communications, while Washington Osifo has been tasked with managing the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy.

    Other assignments include:

    • Emmanuel Iyamu – Ministry of Education
    • Lucky Eseigbe – Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
    • Andrew Ijegbai – Ministry of Mining

    The commissioners were directed to assume their duties immediately at their respective ministries.

    In addition to the new appointments, it was noted that last year, Governor Okpebholo nominated Cyril Oshiomhole, a medical doctor and the son of former Edo State governor and serving senator Adams Oshiomhole, as the Commissioner of Health.

    Similarly, Samson Osagie, a former member of the National Assembly, was nominated as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

  • Portugal Ditches Russian Gas, Eyes U.S. and Nigerian LNG

    Portugal Ditches Russian Gas, Eyes U.S. and Nigerian LNG

    Portugal has effectively severed its reliance on Russian natural gas, a significant shift in its energy strategy following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. The country is now actively pursuing increased imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States and Nigeria to further solidify its energy independence.

    This strategic move reflects a growing trend across Europe to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels. While the European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian pipeline gas, LNG imports via sea remain permissible.

    “Portugal is now practically independent of Russian gas,” Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos, as reported by the Portuguese economic website ECO. “But we want to reduce this figure further by importing more gas from Nigeria and the United States.”

    This shift in energy policy is a testament to the geopolitical realities of the post-invasion era. Portugal, like many European nations, is grappling with the urgent need to secure reliable and sustainable energy supplies while mitigating the risks associated with reliance on a single supplier.

    The data paints a clear picture of this transformation. In 2024, LNG accounted for a staggering 96% of Portugal’s natural gas imports, totaling 49,141 gigawatt-hours (GWh). Nigeria emerged as the leading supplier, contributing 51% of these imports. The United States followed closely, providing approximately 40%.

    This stark contrast with 2021, when Russia supplied 15% of Portugal’s LNG imports, underscores the dramatic shift in the country’s energy landscape.

    While this move aligns with the broader European push for energy independence, challenges remain. Minister Carvalho highlighted the need for enhanced cooperation within the European Union, particularly in addressing the issue of interconnectivity. She emphasized that the Iberian Peninsula remains an “energy island,” hampered by limited grid connections with France.

    This isolation presents a significant obstacle to the seamless integration of renewable energy sources and the efficient flow of electricity across the continent. Overcoming this challenge will be crucial for Portugal to fully realize its energy transition goals and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy future for Europe.

  • South Africa’s Economic Outlook Brightens, But Inflation Clouds Loom

    South Africa’s Economic Outlook Brightens, But Inflation Clouds Loom

    South Africa economy landscape is shifting, offering a glimmer of hope after years of sluggish growth. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the country appears poised for a modest recovery in 2025, according to Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago.

    Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Governor Kganyago projected that economic growth could reach close to 2% this year, a significant improvement from the anemic 1.1% recorded in 2024.

    “Depending on who is forecasting, growth varies between 1.6% and 2% (this year). We think… it would be closer to 2% than closer to 1.6%,” he told the Reuters

    This optimistic outlook hinges on the formation of a broad coalition government last year, which has injected fresh momentum into the stalled reform agenda.

    South Africa economy landscape is shifting, offering a glimmer of hope after years of sluggish growth. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the country appears poised for a modest recovery in 2025, according to Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago.

    Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Governor Kganyago projected that economic growth could reach close to 2% this year, a significant improvement from the anemic 1.1% recorded in 2024.

    “Depending on who is forecasting, growth varies between 1.6% and 2% (this year). We think … it would be closer to 2% than closer to 1.6%,” he told the Reuters

    This optimistic outlook hinges on the formation of a broad coalition government last year, which has injected fresh momentum into the stalled reform agenda.

    “The structural reform agenda has gained momentum,” Governor Kganyago emphasized, highlighting the “Government of National Unity” and its laser focus on propelling South Africa economy trajectory to new heights. This coalition, a departure from the long-ruling African National Congress’s dominance, includes the business-friendly Democratic Alliance and a diverse range of smaller parties.

    Investors are cautiously optimistic, anticipating that reforms in critical sectors like electricity, freight rail, and the visa system will gain traction, finally breaking free from the shackles of the past decade, during which average annual growth languished below 1%.

    However, this nascent optimism is tempered by a looming threat: inflation. Governor Kganyago cautioned that the inflation outlook is fraught with uncertainty, citing various factors that could muddy the waters. These include protectionist policies, a volatile rand exchange rate, fluctuating global oil prices, and escalating domestic food prices. “There are too many moving parts,” he acknowledged, making it difficult to predict price pressures with any certainty.

    While inflation remains relatively subdued at present, with November’s annual consumer inflation rate at 2.9% – below the Reserve Bank’s target range of 3%-6% – analysts expect it to gradually rise throughout the year. The Reserve Bank itself forecasts an average inflation rate of approximately 4.5% for 2025, the midpoint of its target range.

    Despite these concerns, the South African Reserve Bank has signaled a dovish stance. The bank recently cut interest rates at two consecutive meetings, and many analysts anticipate another rate cut at the upcoming policy announcement.

    South African economy in 2025 will undoubtedly be challenging. Navigating the twin pressures of economic growth and inflation control will require careful policy decisions and a sustained commitment to reform. While the current outlook offers a degree of optimism, the South African government and its central bank must remain vigilant and responsive to the evolving economic landscape.

     

  • Beatrice Ekweremadu Released from UK Prison, Returns to Nigeria

    Beatrice Ekweremadu Released from UK Prison, Returns to Nigeria

    Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has been released from a UK prison and has returned to Nigeria.

    According to reports, Beatrice arrived in the country on Tuesday and is currently in Abuja.

    Her release comes months after she was sentenced to six years in prison by a UK court for her involvement in an organ harvesting scheme. The case also implicated her husband, Senator Ekweremadu, who received a 10-year prison sentence, and Dr. Obinna Obeta, whose sentence was not specified.

    The UK court found the trio guilty of attempting to procure a kidney from a young Nigerian boy to donate to the Ekweremadus’ ailing daughter, Sophia.

    The conviction was a landmark ruling, marking the first successful prosecution under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act of 2015.

  • “Drill, Baby, Drill” Across the Globe: Unexpected Boon for Kenyan Economy?

    “Drill, Baby, Drill” Across the Globe: Unexpected Boon for Kenyan Economy?

    Recent shifts in US energy policy may unexpectedly turn the tides for the Kenyan economy, long tethered to the whims of global oil markets. While the stated aim of these policies was to bolster domestic energy production within the United States, their impact is rippling across the globe, potentially offering a lifeline to nations like Kenya that are heavily reliant on oil imports.

    “Drill, baby, drill,” the rallying cry of a bygone era, has seemingly found new life, leading to a surge in US oil and gas production. This surge has had a direct and immediate impact on global oil prices. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, has recently fallen below the psychologically significant $80 per barrel mark in London, a development that has sent shockwaves through global markets.

    “If it results in lower fuel prices,” explained Kamau Thugge, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, “then it’s also possible that that will contribute to lower inflation in the US and also lower global inflation. And that could actually be a positive for us.”

    This is significant news for Kenya, a nation that currently imports all of its petroleum needs, amounting to a substantial 5.5 million cubic meters annually. The country remains acutely sensitive to fluctuations in global oil prices, making it highly vulnerable to external shocks.

    While inflation in Kenya has recently shown encouraging signs, falling to a 14-year low of 2.7% last year, the central bank remains cautious. The anticipated rise in inflation to around 3.3% by March underscores the ongoing challenges facing the Kenyan economy.

    However, the potential benefits of lower oil prices extend beyond mere price stability. For an import-dependent nation like Kenya, decreased fuel costs translate into lower transportation costs, a crucial factor for businesses and consumers alike. This can have a cascading effect, boosting economic activity across various sectors.

    Recent shifts in US energy policy may unexpectedly turn the tides for the Kenyan economy, long tethered to the whims of global oil markets. While the stated aim of these policies was to bolster domestic energy production within the United States, their impact is rippling across the globe, potentially offering a lifeline to nations like Kenya that are heavily reliant on oil imports.

    “Drill, baby, drill,” the rallying cry of a bygone era, has seemingly found new life, leading to a surge in US oil and gas production. This surge has had a direct and immediate impact on global oil prices. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, has recently fallen below the psychologically significant $80 per barrel mark in London, a development that has sent shockwaves through global markets.

    “If it results in lower fuel prices,” explained Kamau Thugge, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, “then it’s also possible that that will contribute to lower inflation in the US and also lower global inflation. And that could actually be a positive for us.”

    This is significant news for Kenya, a nation that currently imports all of its petroleum needs, amounting to a substantial 5.5 million cubic meters annually. The country remains acutely sensitive to fluctuations in global oil prices, making it highly vulnerable to external shocks.

    While inflation in Kenya has recently shown encouraging signs, falling to a 14-year low of 2.7% last year, the central bank remains cautious. The anticipated rise in inflation to around 3.3% by March underscores the ongoing challenges facing the Kenyan economy.

    However, the potential benefits of lower oil prices extend beyond mere price stability. For an import-dependent nation like Kenya, decreased fuel costs translate into lower transportation costs, a crucial factor for businesses and consumers alike. This can have a cascading effect, boosting economic activity across various sectors.

    Yet, as Governor Thugge wisely noted, the situation is not without its complexities. The rise in US interest rates, a likely consequence of the Federal Reserve’s efforts to combat inflation, could potentially lead to capital outflows from emerging markets like Kenya. As he pointed out, “That also has an impact on us because of the potential of capital now flowing back to the US as interest rates would remain more elevated than our earlier expectations.”

    This presents a delicate balancing act for the Kenyan central bank. While lower oil prices offer a much-needed respite, the potential for capital flight and the accompanying risks to economic stability demand careful monitoring and proactive policy adjustments.

    The Kenyan experience serves as a stark reminder that the interconnectedness of the global economy can bring both opportunities and challenges. As the US continues to reshape its energy landscape, the reverberations will undoubtedly be felt far beyond its borders, impacting nations like Kenya in profound ways.

  • 2025 Budget: Senate Rejects Information Ministry’s Budget, Demands Increased Funding

    2025 Budget: Senate Rejects Information Ministry’s Budget, Demands Increased Funding

    The Senate Committee on Appropriations has emphatically rejected the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s 2025 budget proposal, labeling it woefully inadequate.

    This decisive action, announced by Committee Chairman Senator Kenneth Eze during the Minister, Mohammed Idris’s budget defense, underscores the critical need for increased government support for public communication and national orientation.

    Senator Eze, expressing the committee’s unanimous stance, emphasized the ministry’s pivotal role in driving the President’s transformative agenda. “Last year,” he stated, “we strongly advocated for substantial funding for the information sector, recognizing its immense importance. Unfortunately, our recommendations were largely ignored. Now, the ministry returns with an even lower allocation, which we find utterly unacceptable.”

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    He continued, “The government must understand that effectively disseminating information and promoting national values requires adequate resources. We cannot, in good conscience, approve this grossly underfunded proposal. We have therefore returned the budget to the ministry, demanding a significant increase or facing the possibility of zero allocation.”

    Minister Idris, while acknowledging the ministry’s mandate to protect and defend Nigeria’s image, highlighted the 2024 initiatives aimed at enhancing public communication and citizen engagement. However, these efforts, crucial in today’s rapidly evolving information landscape, are severely hampered by inadequate funding.

    This rejection by the Senate sends a strong message to the government about the critical importance of investing in effective public communication. In an era of increasing information overload and the rise of misinformation, a well-funded and empowered Ministry of Information is not just desirable, it is essential for national development.

     

  • 2025 Budget: Labour Minister Seeks Budget Boost for National Skills Development Initiative

    2025 Budget: Labour Minister Seeks Budget Boost for National Skills Development Initiative

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has called for an urgent increase in budgetary allocation, stating that the current N46 billion allocation falls short of achieving the ministry’s ambitious employment generation targets for 2025.

    In a decisive move to address Nigeria’s mounting unemployment challenges, Dingyadi presented his case before both the House Committee and Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, emphasizing the critical need for enhanced funding to revitalize skills development centers nationwide.

    “The current allocation simply cannot support our vision for sustainable employment generation,” Dingyadi declared during the 2025 Budget Defence meetings in Abuja. “We’re looking at a comprehensive overhaul of our skills development infrastructure, which requires substantial investment.”

    The Minister’s appeal aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions job creation as a cornerstone of economic revival. Dingyadi highlighted a crucial distinction in employment strategies, noting that while infrastructure projects create immediate jobs, these positions are predominantly temporary and unskilled.

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    “Over 60% of infrastructure-related employment opportunities are unsustainable,” the Minister explained. “Our focus must shift toward creating skilled positions that offer long-term career prospects and contribute to national economic growth.”

    Senator Diket Planning, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour, and Productivity, voiced support for the Ministry’s request, acknowledging the need for increased funding to achieve its mandate effectively.

    The initiative has gained additional backing from Hon. Adefarati Adegboyega, Chairman of the House Committee on Employment, who emphasized the superiority of sustainable employment programs over temporary relief measures.

    “Palliatives offer momentary respite, but skill development creates lasting solutions,” Adegboyega stated. “We must invest in programs that equip our youth with practical skills for the modern job market.”

    The Ministry’s proposed budget would facilitate the renovation and modernization of skills development centers across Nigeria, providing essential training and starter packs for graduates to establish self-sustaining businesses.

    Industry experts suggest this approach could significantly impact Nigeria’s unemployment rate, currently one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. The focus on skills development aligns with global best practices in workforce development and economic growth strategies.

    As budget discussions continue, the outcome of this funding request could determine the trajectory of Nigeria’s employment landscape for years to come, particularly affecting the nation’s youth population seeking sustainable career opportunities.

  • Fire Service Budget Defense Halted Amid Discrepancies, Lawmakers Demand Transparency

    Fire Service Budget Defense Halted Amid Discrepancies, Lawmakers Demand Transparency

    The Federal Fire Service (FFS) faced a significant setback Friday when the National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior abruptly halted its budget defense session. Lawmakers committee, co-chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole and House of Representatives counterpart Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, expressed deep concern over glaring discrepancies in the agency’s 2025 budget proposal and its 2024 performance.

    “What you wrote contradicts what you are saying, and we hold you to your written statements,” Oshiomhole declared, highlighting a particularly alarming issue: the inconsistent pricing of firefighting trucks. Identical trucks, procured from the same company, were listed at vastly different prices – ₦1.5 billion in one instance and ₦2.5 billion in another.

    While FFS Controller General Jaji Abdulganiyu Idris attributed these discrepancies to variations in tanker sizes, lawmakers remained unconvinced. “This appears to be over-padding or over-invoicing,” Oshiomhole asserted, emphasizing the need for detailed explanations and supporting documentation.

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    The committee also raised serious concerns about ongoing projects, criticizing the lack of clear specifications and contractual commitments. The FFS 2025 budget proposal included a staggering ₦603 billion in projected outstanding payments, leaving lawmakers perplexed by the lack of clarity on these commitments.

    “We need to appreciate the difference between contract commitments and proposals,” Oshiomhole stressed. “Without proper documentation, this committee cannot approve your budget.”

    He emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, reminding the agency that “every ₦10 lost by MDAs, when multiplied across all agencies, becomes an alarming figure. We must ensure that the little drawn is properly distributed so that every Nigerian gets a sip, especially the poor.”

    Furthermore, the committee questioned the FFS’s ability to accurately report its revenue generation. Idris presented manual receipts as evidence, which the committee swiftly rejected as insufficient. Lawmakers demanded verifiable bank statements and supporting documentation from the Accountant-General’s office.

    Frustrated by the numerous discrepancies and the lack of transparency, the committee ultimately halted the budget defense session. “Work on your documents and submit a proper presentation to this committee,” Oshiomhole warned. “Otherwise, there will be zero allocation for the agency.”

    This incident underscores the lawmakers’ commitment to fiscal transparency and the efficient use of public funds. It serves as a stark reminder that public trust in government spending hinges on accountability and the responsible use of taxpayer money.

     

  • Donald Trump Sworn In As 47th US President, Plans Immigration Crackdown

    Donald Trump Sworn In As 47th US President, Plans Immigration Crackdown

    Donald Trump was sworn in for a historic second term as president on Monday, pledging a blitz of immediate orders on immigration and the US culture wars as he caps his extraordinary comeback.

    With one hand raised in the air and the other on a Bible given to him by his mother, the 47th US president solemnly took the oath of office beneath the huge Rotunda of the US Capitol.

    Republican Trump and outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden had earlier traveled by motorcade together to the Capitol, where the ceremony was being held indoors — and with a much smaller crowd — for the first time in decades due to frigid weather.

    Earlier, they and their spouses met for a traditional tea at the White House.

    “Welcome home,” Biden said to Trump as he and First Lady Jill Biden greeted their successors at the front door to the presidential residence.

    Trump, 78, was a political outsider at his first inauguration in 2017 as the 45th president, but this time around he is surrounded by America’s wealthy and powerful.

    The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai all had prime seats in the Capitol alongside Trump’s family and cabinet members.

    Musk, who bankrolled Trump’s election campaign to the tune of a quarter of a billion dollars and promotes far-right policies on the X social network, will lead a cost-cutting drive in the new administration.

    While Trump refused to attend Biden’s 2021 inauguration after falsely claiming electoral fraud by the Democrat, this time Biden has been keen to restore the sense of tradition.

    Biden joined former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton at the Capitol. Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were there but ex-first lady Michelle Obama pointedly stayed away.

    – ‘American decline’ –

    Unusually for an inauguration where foreign leaders are normally not invited, Argentina’s hard-right president Javier Milei was attending, along with Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

    The bitter cold weather has forced Trump’s inauguration indoors for the first time since Ronald Reagan’s in 1985, missing out on the customary massive crowds along the National Mall.

    Behind the pomp and ceremony, the billionaire is kickstarting his nationalist, right-wing agenda with a barrage of around 100 executive orders undoing Biden’s legacy.

    Trump will declare a national emergency at the Mexico border, give the US military a key role on the frontier, and end birthright citizenship, as he seeks to clamp down on undocumented migrants, an official from his incoming administration said.

    Trump has pledged to start immediate deportations of undocumented migrants.

    He will also sign an order for the US government to recognize only two biological sexes and seek to eliminate federal government diversity programs as he takes office.

    The announcement of the hardline policies came a day after Trump had promised a “brand new day” and to end “four years of American decline.”

    “I will act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country,” Trump told an inauguration eve rally where he danced with the Village People band.

    – ‘Ecstatic’ –

    Despite promising a new “golden era,” populist Trump also campaigned on often apocalyptic depictions of the country in his victorious election campaign against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

    At sunrise on Monday, the National Mall, where the inauguration was originally due to be held, was largely empty — save for the Fairchild family, who traveled from Michigan to pay tribute to Trump.

    “Ecstatic,” said grandmother Barb, when asked how they were feeling, adding she thought the move indoors was made “to protect our president.”

    With minutes left in his presidency, Biden issued extraordinary pre-emptive pardons for his brothers and sister to shield them from “baseless and politically motivated investigations.”

    He also pardoned former COVID-19 advisor Anthony Fauci, retired general Mark Milley, and members of a US House committee probing the violent January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack by Trump’s supporters.

    Biden said he had also restored the tradition of leaving a letter for his successor — though he said the contents were between him and Trump.

    Trump will make history by replacing Biden as the oldest president to be sworn in. He is also just the second president in US history to return to power after being voted out, after Grover Cleveland in 1893.

    Another first is Trump’s criminal record, related to paying a porn star hush money during his first presidential run — and a string of far more serious criminal probes that were dropped once he won the election in November.

    For the rest of the world, Trump’s return means expecting the unexpected.

    From promising sweeping tariffs to making territorial threats to Greenland and Panama and calling US aid for Ukraine into question, Trump looks set to rattle the global order once again.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump ahead of the inauguration and said Monday he was open to talks on the Ukraine conflict, adding he hoped any settlement would ensure “lasting peace”.

  • Defence Headquarters Labels Bandit Leader Bello Turji a ‘Coward,’ Says His Days Are Numbered

    Defence Headquarters Labels Bandit Leader Bello Turji a ‘Coward,’ Says His Days Are Numbered

    Bello Turji

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, a coward whose end is near after troops of Operation Fansan Yamma raided his hideouts, killing his son and several of his fighters during clearance operations in Zamfara State.

    In a statement issued by Major-General Edward Buba, the DHQ’s Director of Media Operations, the military highlighted Turji’s desperation as he flees from one location to another, seeking assistance from other bandit commanders.

    “On January 17, 2025, a coordinated operation between troops of Operation Fansan Yamma as well as the air component conducted clearance operations along the Shinkafi, Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa, and Chindo axis,” Buba stated.

    “The operations killed scores of terrorists, including notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji’s son, on Fakai high ground, where the terrorists were hiding. The intensity of troops’ firepower resulted in high terrorist casualties and their logistics hub destroyed.”

    The statement also noted that Turji abandoned his son and fighters during the military raid, describing his actions as cowardly.

    “The terrorist leader, Bello Turji, in a gross cowardly act, escaped, abandoning his son and combatants. I want to remind him that his days are numbered,” Buba declared.

    The operation also led to the rescue of kidnapped hostages held by Turji and the destruction of his camps in multiple locations, including Shinkafi, Kagara, and Chindo.

    In a related operation, troops dismantled another terrorist camp led by Idi Mallam along the Zango Kagara Forest, neutralizing three terrorists and arresting three suspected collaborators.

    Recovered items included:

    • Two machine guns
    • One AK47 rifle with a magazine containing 11 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition
    • 61 rustled cattle
    • 44 sheep

    The DHQ reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens nationwide, vowing to sustain the offensive against terrorists.

    “Troops are sustaining the onslaught against the terrorist. Overall, troops continue to demonstrate commitment to the safety and protection of all citizens nationwide,” the statement concluded.