As the nation struggles to get past its second year of a cost-of-living crisis, President Bola Tinubu said on Friday. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
After Tinubu, who was elected in 2023, liberalized the exchange rate for the naira currency and removed a costly fuel subsidy, the nation has experienced soaring inflation.
Although the government and other international organizations have stated that the reforms are urgent, ordinary Nigerians are experiencing the worst economic crisis in a generation.
When signing the 55.99 trillion-naira ($37-billion) budget, Tinubu said, “The past year tested our resolve, but we achieved what many deemed impossible.
Bola Tinubu, president of the United States, signs a document.
The Nigerian economy increased by 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024, the fastest pace in three years, according to GDP figures released this week.
According to Tinubu, the growth, as well as the reforms that were implemented, such as the increase in government revenues to 21.6 trillion naira in 2024, are all indicators of how effective the changes were.
He claimed that the take-off was “very cloudy and uncertain” following the initial turbulence. The tunnel has a light at the end of it, according to the statement today.
Some analysts expressed cautious optimism this week as Tinubu approaches the halfway point of his first term in office, citing price stability.
In December, Tinubu stated that the government’s priorities for 2025 would be restoring macroeconomic stability and enhanced security, which were initially proposed at 47.90 trillion naira.
Tinubu Signs the Budget for 2025 Bill into Law.
On December 18, 2023, a man waits for customers at the Lagos Balogun Market while selling clothing. (Photo by Benson Ibeabuchi/AFP)
For 15 years, the country’s central and northern regions have experienced a jihadist insurgency. Gunmen who have connections to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram have also gained ground.
The government envisions a better-performing economy in 2025, with domestic refineries producing more oil and a bumper harvest that could lower reliance on imported food.
Nigeria’s inflation rate was revised recently, lowering official year-over-year inflation from December’s 34.80 percent to 24.48 percent.
However, many people still experience the squeeze, particularly in Lagos, the economic capital.
In some areas of the megacity, renters and real estate brokers have experienced rent spikes of between 100 and 200 percent.
Even those who saw smaller increases were still anticipating increases of 30%, which is a significant sum because many people’s salaries have not kept up with inflation.
The state’s private schools have been given a state-wide order to end operations for the month of Ramadan.
However, the government-backed organization that enforces Islamic principles’ Sharia law warned that violating the law will not be tolerated.
Malam Aminu Usman, the board’s commander-general, stated in a statement released on Thursday that the decision complied with the state government’s directive.
Sultan Declares Saturday Day 1 of Ramadan.
Usman argued that the closure of the schools is to allow students to fully observe the Muslim fasting period while urging the school owners to strictly adhere to the directive.
As a new aerial view of Gene Hackman’s estate is revealed by The Mirror, questions remain over his tragic passing and his wife Betsy Arakawa.
The Hollywood megastar, who won four Golden Globes, two Oscars, two BAFTAs, and four Golden Globes, and his wife, who is a classical pianist, were discovered dead in their Santa Fe residence on Wednesday afternoon. Two maintenance personnel located the couple and their beloved German Shepherd dog, who also passed away.
The mystery became more complicated when a subsequent investigation revealed no gas leaks, which was initially assumed to have caused the three of them to pass away. Authorities have described the incident as “suspicious,” but claim there are no obvious foul-play.
As investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding his untimely passing, the haunting images provide a rare glimpse into the now-disturbed private property.
In an interview with Architectural Digest back in 1990, Gene had previously revealed his picturesque Santa Fe home. He had built a house on 12 acres of hilltop land with a 360-degree view. Gene and his wife Betsy transformed the 1950s block building into a “part pueblo, part colonial New Mexico, part Spanish Baroque” property. Gene claimed in the interview that “it had a kind of magic in it.” It completely differs from my other homes, she said. The Montecito residence had a very formal atmosphere.
After missing the pair for weeks, maintenance workers Roland Lowe Begay and Jesse Kesler found Gene, 95, and Betsy, 63, dead at their home. One of the employees claimed they couldn’t enter the house during a 911 call. When questioned if the couple was breathing, they responded, “I have no idea. I’m not inside the house. It is finished. It is locked. I’m unable to enter. But the window reveals that she is lying down on the floor.
Read more about Gene Hackman’s tragic passing and wife Betsy Arakawa’s passing on the Mirror’s live blog HERE.
Exclusive aerial images of Gene Hackman’s estate (Jonathan Buckmaster) reveal his mysterious death.
An open orange bottle of prescription medication was discovered scattered across a countertop, laying on the bathroom floor. What exactly were the pills? Her hands and feet were mushy, her face was bloated, and her hands and feet were mummified. Investigators are examining whether a space heater fell close to Betsy’s head.
In a mudroom close to the kitchen, Gene’s body was discovered in a similar state of decay. He had sunglasses lying beside him and was fully dressed, wearing only long-sleeved T-shirts, brown joggers, and a walking cane. This hints that he may have collapsed unexpectedly.
According to the report, police “found a pair of feet and legs on the ground close to the kitchen area,” which they identified as Gene. According to Deputy Thomas’ training and background, he believed the male victim had suddenly fallen.
Gene and his wife Betsy’s bodies were discovered in their home (Mirror).
A brown German Shepherd, one of their three dogs, was discovered lifeless, about 10 to 15 feet from Betsy’s body in a closet close to the bathroom. Initial reports incorrectly stated that the dog had passed away inside a kennel. The couple’s other two living dogs were unharmed. One was seen wandering around the property while the other was discovered close to Betsy’s remains.
No indications of forced entry were found at the front door, despite what the investigators observed. There is no immediate threat to anyone, according to Sheriff Adan Mendoza, who spoke to The Santa Fe New Mexican. There is “no indication of a struggle” or anything missing from the home, the sheriff told the media. He claimed that there was no evidence that a crime had occurred.
The official who requested the search warrant wrote in a statement to TMZ that he thought the death of the two deceased people “were suspicious enough to call for a thorough search and investigation.”
Deputies observed a healthy dog running loose on the property, a healthy dog lying 10-15 feet away from the deceased female in a bathroom closet, the heater being moved, the pill bottle being opened, and the male decedent being located in a separate room of the residence, and no obvious signs of a gas leak.
The couple had been married for 34 years (Getty Images Ron Galella Collection).
The bodies of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa were discovered in various locations, one of which had a black space heater close to Arakawa’s head (Getty Images).
Since then, the actor and his late wife have been cleared of any external trauma. Hackman and Arakawa were taken to the Office of the Medical Investigator on February 27, 2025, according to a statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. A body examination was performed. No external trauma to either of the initial findings was noted.
Both individuals requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests, the article continued. Death occurred in a manner and a cause unknown. The toxicology and autopsy reports are still awaiting official results. There is still room for investigation. After the bodies were discovered, New Mexico Gas Company examined the gas lines in and around the home. A detective found no signs of poisoning in the bodies, but a detective did note that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide might not develop poisoning.
Leslie, 58, Gene’s daughter, claimed there was “no indication” that Gene had any problems before his death. She continued, “Despite his age, he was in very good physical condition,” before mentioning that her father had not undergone any major surgery in the previous few months. He continued to practice yoga and Pilates several times per week. He was therefore in good health.
It had taken her father, who had become distant in his later years of life, a “fifth month” to hear from him because she lived in California. We were close, he said. Although we hadn’t spoken for a while, Leslie said, “Everything was normal and everything was good.”
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On the one-year anniversary of his death, TV chef Si King expressed his hope for fellow Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers.
One year after Myers passed away in February of this year, he was 66 years old, following a cancer diagnosis, in a tribute on social media where he explained that he was missing his best friend while rehearsals were being held for an event. The 58-year-old said in an Instagram post yesterday/FRI, “I’m just in the middle of rehearsing for An Evening With Si King.
It’s strange to be in rehearsals without my best friend because February 28th is a year since my best friend passed away. I sincerely miss you, brother, and I wish you all the peace.
King and Myers hugged and laughed in a photo that was posted in a separate post. He said, “My incredible friend vanished a year ago.” He’ll never be far away from our thoughts, and I’m so proud that the Hairy Bikers’ legacy continues thanks to the numerous amazing initiatives and initiatives we have the honor of participating in.
Sadly, Dave battled cancer last year (Instagram/ @hairybikers).
The pair’s final program, Hairy Bikers Go West, was named best food show at the TV Choice Awards earlier this month, following its production of the pair’s final program, Hairy Bikers Go West. Following his passing, King has performed tribute to Myers on numerous occasions, including a 30-mile motorcycle ride to honor him on Dave Day. It was made for the documentary The Hairy Bikers: You’ll Never Ride Alone, which aired on BBC Two during the year’s festive season.
He reflected on their time together earlier this week in an interview, and Si said, “There are only two things in life that are certain.” You enter and depart from it. Dave loved his life and lived it to the fullest, so it’s up to you to decide what you do in the middle. Due to our shared love of food, Dave and I have a relationship. When we met, we were passionate about cooking, but after having the opportunity to travel five times for work and savour some of the best culinary experiences our beautiful planet has to offer, we quickly gained a lot more knowledge in the kitchen.
Si explained to My Weekly magazine in an interview that he is using that expert knowledge to make money and has since returned to television without Dave. He has confirmed that this is a permanent gig after being seen on ITV’s This Morning. He poignantly stated, “I’m super excited to be cooking on This Morning in a regular slot.” I visit once a month, and it’s fantastic. I am certain that Dave wanted me to keep going.
King is working on a follow-up to their most popular cookbook, Hairy Bikers, and it will be released in March.
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Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has designated Saturday, March 1, 2025, as Ramadan Day 1446AH.
He claimed that the declaration was based on the fact that the moon was visible in almost every region of the nation on Friday, which is the 29th day of Shaban, making March 1st the first day of Ramadan 1446.
The Sultan stated that “we have the information from Muslim leaders all over the country and we accept the moon’s sighting accordingly.”
Abubakar demanded that the country’s entire Muslim population observe the Ramadan fast on Monday in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Renewed Devotion
President Bola Tinubu’s FILES. Credit: X/@Dolusegun16
President Bola Tinubu, on his part, expressed his gratitude to the Muslim people for the beginning of Ramadan.
The President thanked Allah for giving us the grace to begin this holy month, which is a fundamental component of the Islamic faith, in a statement he signed on Friday.
May good health, spiritual growth, and divine blessings accompany this fasting and devotional period. Ramadan is a time for deep reflection, renewed devotion to Allah, and humanitarian service.
Tinubu urged all Muslims to embrace the profound teachings of piety, humility, and selflessness that this holy month embodies.
He also wants Muslims to make use of this time to foster harmony and mutual respect among their respective communities.
“This year’s Ramadan is significant because it coincides with a time when our country’s hopes and progress are renewed.” Our administration’s bold and transformative policies are beginning to produce positive outcomes, as evidenced by the economy’s gradual stabilization. The last quarter of 2024 saw a marked improvement compared to the same period in 2023.
“Our fasting population and all Nigerians are now receiving much-needed relief from the once-soaring prices of essential food items,” the statement reads. A better future is being signaled by the stabilizing exchange rate and the decline in fuel prices.
“I wish all Muslims who observe the month of Ramadan joy, peace, and spiritual renewal my sincerest greetings. He continued, “May the blessings of this holy month brighten our hearts and homes, and make us stronger as a result.”
Schools are closed in Katsina
The state’s private schools have been told to stop operating during Ramadan by the Katsina State Hisbah Board.
However, the government-backed organization that enforces Sharia law according to Islamic principles warned that violating the law will not be tolerated.
Malam Aminu Usman, the board’s commander-general, stated in a statement released on Thursday, February 27, that the decision was in accordance with the State Government directive.
Usman argued that the closure of the schools is intended to allow students to fully observe the Muslim fasting period while urging the owners of the schools to strictly adhere to the directive.
On Friday, the US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a remarkable shouting match in the Oval Office, with Russian-Russian relations still at stake.
As a meeting intended to ease tensions over the sudden US outreach to Russia ended up inflaming them, a furious Trump told Zelensky.
You’re taking millions of people’s lives and gambling, you say. You’re gambling on World War Three, and what you’re doing disrespects the United States, Trump continued.
Zelensky attended the White House to discuss a peace deal with Russia and sign a deal allowing him to share Ukraine’s mineral wealth, despite the US president’s recent criticism of his Ukrainian counterpart as a dictator.
Following a week-long diplomatic dance, the leaders of France and Britain have also visited the White House to persuade Trump not to leave Kyiv.
However, after Vice President JD Vance declared that “diplomacy” was required to put an end to the war, things started to get sour. When Vance accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” in the president’s office, he responded with “what kind of diplomacy.”
Read more about US Budget Cuts of More Than 90% by State Dept.
‘Tough deal, ‘
On February 28, 2025, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in Washington, DC’s Oval Office. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP)
After the leaders’ disagreement over whether the US had failed to halt Putin’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Trump then supported his vice president.
Trump responded, “You’re not acting at all appreciative.”
Trump predicted a “very difficult” situation for conducting business like this. Because the attitudes have to change, “it’s going to be a difficult decision.”
Zelensky accused Trump of “speaking loudly” while fighting his way to Trump in a more eloquent voice.
Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin two weeks ago, sparking discussions to end the three-year-old conflict, without engaging Kyiv, and upended Washington’s longstanding policy on Ukraine.
Trump admitted to speaking with Putin on “numerous occasions” on Friday, according to Trump’s statement to reporters.
Even though he has refrained from providing Kyiv security guarantees as part of a truce with Russia, the US leader has demanded a deal that would give Washington preferential access to Ukraine’s rare-earth and other natural resources as the price of any additional support.
Trump retorted the meeting’s theme of “drill, baby, drill” for oil on Thursday, saying, “We’ll be dig, dig, dig, dig” for Ukraine’s resources.
Trump also mentions that he believes Putin as the UK’s prime minister presses Ukraine to make guarantees.
Dictator Without Elections
On February 28, 2025, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in Washington, DC’s Oval Office.
Trump recently softened his position on Zelensky in recent days, blaming him for the invasion of Russia in February 2022, and making a number of Kremlin rants about the conflict.
At a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, Trump said of Zelensky, “I have a lot respect for him.” We’ll get along really well, they say.
Trump, a billionaire real estate mogul, insists the minerals deal is necessary to recoup the money that Washington has provided to Ukraine in military and other aid.
Before Zelensky arrived in Washington, he claimed that US and Ukrainian officials would decide the nature of the security guarantees for Ukraine and the precise amounts of the money at stake.
Trump has reportedly expressed admiration for the authoritarian Russian leader in the past and said he trusts Putin to “keep his word” on any ceasefire, but he has sincere assurances about security.
In the event of a resolution to end the Ukraine war, Britain and France have both offered peacekeepers, but they insist that there must be American “backstop,” including American intelligence and perhaps air power.
Following a phone call on February 12th, Putin and Trump both stated that they had agreed to meet privately, but they have not yet set up a meeting.
Russia’s assault on Ukraine continued as Moscow and Washington cooled, though.
Russian forces stormed the Ukrainian border from the Russian region of Kursk on Friday, according to Kyiv, near areas of the region that Ukrainian forces seized last summer.
