Category Nigeria News

Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, on Wednesday rejected the possibility for Christopher Musa, the nominee for the Defense Minister, to “take a bow and go” during his screening at the upper chamber.

He acknowledged that the president of the United States, Donald Trump, is pressuring the country to address the country’s numerous security issues.

In a time of increased insecurity, Akpabio, the screening exercise’s lead, stated that the session’s goal was to pose questions that would reassure Nigerians.

The nominee was therefore urged by the Senate President to look into the circumstances surrounding the alleged troop withdrawal from the Kebbi school, where schoolgirls were recently abducted.

READ ALSO: Senate Selects Former CDS Musa as Nominee for Defense Minister

This is not the time for “bow and go” politics. Even Donald Trump is a neck-and-neck. He claimed that we haven’t inquired about his response to Donald Trump.

With so many questions on the minds of Nigerians and more than 200 children still being tortured and in the bush, you have to say he should take a bow and leave. Let’s give the man a chance to inspire hope in Nigeria.

Community tenacity

The former CDS stressed the value of adopting a whole-of-society approach that incorporates technology, community involvement, and coordinated security operations while strengthening the capacity of local communities.

He believes that these measures are necessary to stop and effectively address the ongoing kidnappings.

The nominee also urged full cooperation and coordination between Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), citing the need to improve accountability within the armed forces.

Given the transnational nature of terrorism, he said, many organizations needed to harmonise their functions with one another and with neighboring nations.

He argued that if security organizations didn’t work together, that Nigeria had more to lose, noting that terrorists frequently saw the country as wealthy and therefore a prime target.

Since security is based within local communities, he reiterated the need for a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and banditry.

The nominee added that numerous current laws still need to be reviewed urgently.

He cited unregulated mining activities as a major source of funding for criminal organizations and stressed the need for more stringent monitoring supported by cutting-edge technology.

Mohammed Badaru, a former defense minister, resigned due to ill health, and General Musa was nominated.

Musa was anticipated to succeed Badaru, according to reports.

In a letter that was sent to Akpabio on Tuesday, President Tinubu formally addressed Musa’s name to the Senate.

In response to the abduction of 303 students and staff from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, security issues are escalating. Apparently, fifty of the kidnapped pupils escaped and reunited with their families.

Most Rev. As much as we are relieved that these 50 children have returned, I ask that you all continue to pray for the safe return of the remaining victims, according to Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter.

A speeding driver in the Lagos Island area of Ilubirin, inward Simpson, crushed a police officer and a scavenger to death. &nbsp,

Adebayo Taofiq, the director of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority’s (LASTMA) public affairs and enlightenment department, claimed the Toyota Camry’s driver was moving at a dangerously fast speed. &nbsp,

The driver then “lost control and veered off his lane, forcefully striking both a scavenger and a motorcycle driver,” according to Taofiq. &nbsp,

He said, “The impact caused their immediate and irreversible loss of life.” &nbsp,

LASTMA agents who were present in the area quickly intervened, cordoning off the accident scene to protect the victims from further harm. “&nbsp,

Also read: Ododo consoles families after a Kogi Road crash, while others are killed, and six die.

The Adeniji Adele Police Division security officials were immediately handed over the driver after they made their arrest and were later detained, the statement read.

LASTMA claims that the accidented vehicle was professionally evacuated by LASTMA employees to prevent further accidents and restore normal traffic flow in the corridor.

Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA’s general manager, visited the location shortly after the incident.

The tragic incident’s victims’ families, coworkers, and communities all shared a heartfelt condolence.

The LASTMA DG lamented the needless loss of lives and compared it to a painful reminder of reckless driving’s consequences.

He urged drivers to follow the strictest rules of road discipline and to abide by the government’s approved speed limits.

One of the main causes of avoidable road fatalities is still the speed violation, according to Bakare-Oki.

 ; Read the entire statement below.

PRESS ELEASE

LASTMA MOURNS AT ILUBIRIN INWARD SIMPSON, LAGOS ISLAND, AS A ANOTHER FATAL ACCIDENT MAKES SUCH LOSS OF THE LIVES OF A POLICE OFFICER AND A SCAVENGER.

A police officer and a scavenger were unfortunate victims of another tragic road traffic incident that occurred at Ilubirin inward Simpson, Lagos Island, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority expresses its deep regret.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the MUS 885 JA, the driver of the Toyota Camry, lost control and veered off his lane, striking both a scavenger and a motorcycle driver.
Their immediate and irreversible loss of life was caused by the impact.

LASTMA personnel deployed close to the Ilubirin axis quickly intervened, cordoning off the accident scene to protect the victims from further harm and avoid complications. Officers immediately turned over the driver to security personnel from the Adeniji Adele Police Division for further investigation and prosecution after apprehending him during their response.

LASTMA employees professionally evacuated the car involved in the accident to prevent further accidents and restore traffic flow in the corridor.

Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the general manager of LASTMA, expressed his condolences to the families, coworkers, and communities that had been impacted by the tragic accident in a sober and reflective manner when he visited the accident scene.

He lamented the needless loss of lives and compared the incident to a painful reminder of reckless driving’s consequences.

Additionally, Mr. Bakare-Oki urged drivers to generally follow the government’s recommended speed limits and adhere to the highest standards of road discipline.

He once more stressed that speeding is still one of the main causes of avoidable road accidents.

The General Manager reaffirmed LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all road users, especially drivers, adopt safer driving practices to protect against tragedies in the future.

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved the $1. 7 trillion appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year, an increase of 63 percent from the $1. 04 trillion budget from 2025.

The governor explained that the proposed budget includes a total of 624.76 billion (37%) for recurrent expenditure and 1.044 trillion for capital expenditure when he presented the Appropriation Bill, which is titled “Budget of Sustainable Legacy” to members of the State House of Assembly in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The proposed budget’s main components include: Personnel Costs of 167.92 billion, Consolidated Revenue Charges of 65.80 billion, Public Debt Charges of 99.98 billion, Overhead Costs of 290.06 billion, and Capital Expenditure of 1.044 trillion.

Governor Abiodun provided information on funding sources, stating that the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, 250 billion, and 259.80 billion are anticipated to generate internal revenue (IGR), and 259.88 billion will be generated by MDAs. Capital receipts of $518.90 billion, including internal and external loans and grants, are anticipated, in addition to the anticipated statutory allocation from the Federal Government, which is anticipated to be $5544.81 billion.

The governor stated that while infrastructure will receive the most money, it will be divided between Health, Health, and Health, with a share of 275.40 billion (17%), Housing and Community Development, Housing and Community Development, and Agriculture and Industry, which will be a share of 210.59 billion (13%), and Infrastructure, which will be a share of 225.15 billion (32%).

Social Protection is provided for at 72.82 billion (4 percent), Recreation, Culture, and Religion is provided for at 42.24 billion (3 percent), General Public Service — Executive Organ at 55.65 billion (3 percent), General Public Service — Financial and Fiscal Affairs at 52.30 billion (3 percent), and Personnel Service at 3.86 billion (0.2%), respectively.

Public Order and Safety will get ₦36 billion (2 percent), Economic Affairs, ₦7.45 billion (0.4 percent), Judiciary, ₦15.70 billion (1 percent), Legislature, ₦33.67 billion (2 percent), while Statewide Expenditure accounts for ₦129.68 billion (8 percent).

Governor Abiodun stated that the 2026 budget would concentrate on completing significant ISEYA development projects.

He declared, “We will concentrate on projects with high revenue-generating potential, projects that increase employment generation, projects that are in line with the State Economic Development Plan and Strategy, projects that are in line with the Medium-Term National Development Plan, and projects that are in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The governor noted that the state had met its pro-rata expenditure target of 60% and pro-rata revenue performance of 53% as of September 30th, 2025, when it reviewed the implementation of the 2025 Budget of Hope and Prosperity.

He claimed that the 2025 budget was intended to promote equality, combat inequality, and raise overall standards of living.

He added that it was intended to expand opportunities for all, empower citizens in all sectors, and implement specific social interventions to address urgent needs.

Abiodun described the 2026 budget as significant because it was released at a time when key sectors saw renewed investor confidence, improved economic performance, and significant growth.

Daniel Bwala, president’s special adviser to president Bola Tinubu on policy communication, claimed that in response to recent remarks made by US President Donald Trump, Nigeria’s security has increased.

Bwala stated that the country is going through a difficult time in an interview with Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.

The persistent security issues in Nigeria are the product of two theories. The first is that these events typically occur back-to-back as the election cycle draws near.

However, a much stronger theory is currently being debated: following Donald Trump’s initial outburst, we started seeing repeated security incidents. Some people believe it to be an attempt to justify talk of a potential military intervention in Nigeria, he said.

Read more about US Congress’s demand to the Nigerian government to abolish hisbah commissions and impose sanctions on it

His remarks come in response to President Trump’s decision last month to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” accusing the government of facilitating what he called the West African nation’s genocide.

Trump also cautioned the Nigerian government to “fish out” those responsible for the country’s unrest by urging them to act quickly or risk US military intervention.

Since Trump’s order to investigate the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria on October 31 led to the US Congress holding two sessions.

Bwala stated that the Nigerian government is working to end the security crisis by taking into account both the perceptions of the world and the actual experiences of its citizens.

Areas in Nigeria still have to be administered because of their demographic and geographic complexity, he claims.

The size of Nigeria is greater than that of some European nations. The cities are very different in northern Nigeria from the south, which is very different. Cities are close to one another in the south, but “traveling from one city to another feels like visiting a different country,” he said.

General Christopher Musa (retd.), a former commander of the military, has been screened by the Senate. ), in the capacity of the new defense minister.

Following President Bola Tinubu’s nomination, Musa received a nomination for the presidency, which is currently taking place at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

In a letter sent to Senator Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, on Tuesday, Tinubu urged the lawmakers to take the former CDS’ nomination into consideration.

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate’s president, read the correspondence during the plenary session.

The Senate suspended its rules in response to the communication, allowing General Musa to enter the chamber to begin the screening process.

Also read: Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Defense, leaves.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate’s leader, confirmed receipt of Tinubu’s letter on Tuesday, promising that it would be read on Wednesday on the Senate’s floor.

Mohammed Badaru, a former defense minister, resigned from his position if confirmed.

Operation Hadin Kai’s Theatre Commander was appointed by General Musa in 2021.

Before being appointed by President Tinubu as the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps’ Chief of Defence Staff in 2023, he later assumed the position of commander.

President Bola Tinubu sworn in Aminu Yusuf, the new head of the National Population Commission (NPC), along with two other commission commissioners.

Members of the council witnessed the brief ceremony that took place during the opening session of the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Yusuf from Niger State was appointed NPC Chairman on October 22, 2025, while Tonga Betara Bularafa from Yobe State and Nasarawa State Governor Joseph Haruna Kigbu were appointed commissioners.

Senate Appoints Chairman and Commissioners for the National Population Commission

Along with the NPC officials, five permanent secretaries sworn in.

Yusuf was appointed as the head of the National Population Commission (NPC) in October, and the Council of State approved that appointment.