NIGERIA NEWS
#EndSARS: My Family Was Bullied, I Almost Resigned – Lai Mohammed Opens Up
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has disclosed that one of his most difficult moments in office occurred during the famous #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
According to him, his wife and family members were victims of both online and offline bullying during that period.
Speaking during an interview with AIT ahead of the unveiling of a new book which chronicles his experiences in office during the administration of the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, Mohammed narrated that the businesses of his wife and children were boycotted by Nigerians during that period.
The former Minister added that he almost resigned his position as Minister due to the pressure which followed the ENDSARS protests.
He said, “My wife and children were bullied online and offline.
“Their businesses were boycotted, and they were very unhappy because they felt I brought all these upon them.
“We held a family meeting, and it was agreed that I should resign.”
Mohammed added that the passion to serve his country, rather than the perks of office, prevented him from resigning.
According to him, no Minister earned up to ₦900,000 per month then.
“People talk about benefits from the office, and I laugh. In my time, no minister earned up to N900,000 a month.
“My total earnings were N860,000, including feeding and housing allowances.
“It is an honour to serve, but it is wrong to assume that becoming a minister solves all your problems,” he said.
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The National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for allegedly failing to meet the constitutional requirements of a political party in Nigeria.
The suit, filed under FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, was initiated by the National Coordinator and Member of the Board of Trustees of the group, Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe, who deposed to an affidavit that the ADC has not met the minimum electoral performance prescribed by law.
According to the affidavit, the ADC did not secure 25% of votes in any state during the last presidential election, and failed to win a single ward, councillorship, or chairmanship position in local government elections across the country.
It further stated that the ADC also failed to win any seat in the by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in August 2025, insisting that such results fall below the standard expected of a registered political party.
The former lawmakers argued that these failures amount to a breach of the provisions of Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers INEC to deregister any party that fails to win at least 25% of votes in a state during a presidential election, or fails to win a seat in any state or federal legislative election, or a councillorship position at the local government level.
They also referenced Section 222, which outlines conditions required of political associations to remain registered as parties.
They therefore asked the court to declare that ADC has not satisfied the constitutional and Electoral Act requirements, and should consequently be deregistered by INEC.
Speaking on the suit, Igbokwe insisted that the action was filed in the interest of strengthening democracy and enforcing the rule of law.
“We took this step to promote the rule of law and expound our electoral jurisprudence,” he said.
Responding to concerns that the suit may be an attempt to promote a one-party state and cripple the opposition, with some regarding the ADC as a likely challenger to the ruling APC, Igbokwe dismissed the claim, insisting the issue was purely constitutional.
“Our action has nothing to do with shutting down multiparty democracy or promoting a one-party state. Nigeria has several political parties with national visibility and representation. Opposition is not defined by existence alone, but by meeting constitutional and electoral standards,” he said.
The NFFL leader explained that the aim was to ensure that parties earn their place through performance rather than sentiment.
“The issue before the court is strictly legal: a political party must justify its continued registration by meeting minimum requirements, just like the Supreme Court affirmed in previous cases. Our duty as a public interest group is to ensure that the law is respected, not to favour one party over another.
“If any party, including the ADC or any other, falls short of the constitutional threshold, the law must take its course. That is how democracy grows by strengthening the rules, not bending them for any group.
“So, this is not about removing opposition; it is about protecting Nigerians from the proliferation of inactive political platforms that exist only in name but contribute nothing to governance, representation or voter engagement,” he said.
Ghana’s economic momentum eased in the third quarter of 2025, expanding by 5.5% compared to a revised 6.5% growth rate recorded in the previous quarter.
This is according to the latest national accounts data, released in Accra on Wednesday by Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu.
The data show that while the economy remains resilient, cooling activity in key sectors—particularly services and industry—tempered overall performance.
The revised data also show that Ghana’s second-quarter growth was adjusted from 6.3% to 6.5%, demonstrating an earlier-than-expected economic rebound before the latest moderation.
Sector Breakdown: Industry and Services Lose Steam
The industrial sector recorded one of its weakest performances in recent quarters, growing by just 0.8%, down from 2.3% in Q2.
Manufacturing, however, provided a bright spot within the sector, expanding 3.9%, the strongest industrial sub-sector performance.
Construction, mining, and quarrying activities remained subdued, reflecting slower domestic and export demand.
The services sector, which traditionally drives Ghana’s GDP, also cooled. It grew 7.6% in Q3, a notable decline from the revised 9.6% growth in the prior quarter.
Subdued performance in trade, transport, and information services contributed to the slowdown.
Financial services, still adjusting to tighter regulatory measures, also saw decelerated growth.
Agriculture Emerges as the Star Performer
In contrast to the cooling industrial and services sectors, agriculture surged, expanding 8.6%, up from a revised 7.1% in Q2.
The fisheries sub-sector delivered particularly strong output, supported by favorable weather conditions and improved government support programs.
The strong agricultural performance helped soften the impact of moderation in other sectors, providing a more balanced foundation for overall growth.
Government Eyes Stability as IMF Exit Nears
Ghana’s government has pledged to sustain fiscal and monetary discipline as it prepares to exit the three-year International Monetary Fund (IMF) support program.
Authorities are targeting 4% growth in 2025, with projections rising to 4.8% in 2026 on the back of expected reforms and improved fiscal stability.
The administration’s commitment to curbing debt accumulation, boosting domestic revenue, and improving expenditure efficiency remains central to its post-IMF strategy.
What you should know
In November, the Bank of Ghana cut its policy rate by 350 basis points to 18%, the largest single reduction in years.
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Asiama, speaking in Accra, said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted overwhelmingly in favour of easing rates, citing stronger real interest rate conditions and confidence in the country’s inflation outlook.
The central bank signaled that further easing may follow in early 2026 as inflation continues to moderate and exchange rate pressures subside.
Nairametrics reported that Ghana’s inflation rate declined for the 11th consecutive month, reaching its lowest level in nearly seven years, with annual inflation dropping to 6.3% in November.
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The U.S. State Department has revoked an estimated 85,000 visas over the past year, affecting both foreign nationals and international students at an unprecedented scale.
Officials say the rise in cancellations is tied to heightened concerns about public safety, but immigrant-rights groups argue the expanded standards may end up punishing people whose actions pose no real threat.
USA.
A State Department representative confirmed that more than 8,000 international students were among those impacted, more than twice the figure from the year before.
While some visa withdrawals stemmed from alleged criminal offences, including DUI, assault, and theft, authorities noted that the sharp increase is also linked to tougher screening measures and a more forceful stance on behaviour viewed as a security risk.
“These are individuals we believe present a direct risk to community safety,” the official said, noting that consular officers have been instructed to apply a wider interpretation of conduct that could affect a person’s visa eligibility.
The tighter scrutiny now spans several visa categories. In recent weeks, the government has directed consular offices to introduce additional checks for H-1B applicants, a visa route heavily relied upon by tech companies and specialised employers recruiting skilled workers abroad.
According to internal guidelines cited by U.S. media, consular officers have also been told to deny visas to applicants believed to be involved in activities that “impede or suppress protected speech” in the U.S., a standard immigration analysts describe as unusually broad and difficult to evaluate.
By Dickson Omobola
Algeria has emerged as the country owing the highest amount of airline blocked funds, holding $302 million of the total $1.2 billion.
Nigeria, which featured prominently, is absent, having cleared 98 per cent of blocked airline funds in 2024.
Other countries on the list include Lebanon ($138 million), Mozambique ($91 million), Angola ($81 million), Zimbabwe ($67 million) and Ethiopia ($54 million).
International Air Transport Association, IATA, stated that out of the total blocked funds reported, 93 per cent are trapped in Africa and the Middle East.
IATA, however, called on governments to lift all restrictions on currency repatriation and allow airlines to access their revenues in dollars from ticket sales, cargo sales and other activities, as guaranteed in bilateral air service agreements and treaty obligations.
Speaking on the development, IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, said: “Airlines need reliable access to their revenues in U.S. dollars to keep operations running, pay their bills, and maintain vital air connectivity. Governments have committed to unfettered repatriation of funds in bilateral agreements. With low margins and significant dollar-denominated costs, airlines depend on governments fulfilling that commitment.
“It is also in the interest of governments to foster the economic catalyst that airlines provide by connecting their economies globally. That’s why we urge governments to facilitate the efficient repatriation of airline funds and prioritize this in foreign exchange allocations, even when currency is in short supply.”
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A father, mother and child have died in an accident that occurred at Secretariat, inward the Otedola Bridge on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday.
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement.
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is profoundly grieved to report a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision that occurred in the early hours of today at Secretariat inward Otedola Bridge, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway,” Taofiq said.
“The tragic accident instantly claimed the lives of three members of the same family father, mother and their young child while two other victims sustained critical injuries underscoring the devastating consequences of reckless vehicular conduct.”
According to Taofiq, preliminary investigations revealed that the incident involved three vehicles (Audi, Toyota Camry & Toyota Corolla) initiated when a heavily loaded truck travelling at excessive speed violently struck one of the vehicles from the rear.
The impact caused the vehicle to lose control, colliding with two additional moving vehicles thereby triggering the fatal chain-reaction accident.
In a disturbing development, the truck driver absconded immediately from the scene with his vehicle leaving the victims in peril and evading accountability for the fatal incident.
Demonstrating exemplary professionalism and rapid response, LASTMA operatives arrived promptly at the scene and coordinated seamlessly with allied emergency agencies to rescue survivors and recover the deceased.
Two critically injured victims trapped within the wreckage were carefully extricated and conveyed by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for urgent medical attention.
The three deceased family members, tragically trapped together were respectfully recovered and handed over to the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for immediate evacuation.
The surviving injured victims were rushed to the Lagos State Emergency and Trauma Centre, Toll-Gate to receive comprehensive medical care.
Taofiq added that security personnel from the Isheri Olowora Police Division provided vital protection and operational support throughout the rescue operation while Lastma personnel evecuated the accident vehicles from the main carriage way to avoid another secondary accident.
The multi-agency response also involved coordinated efforts from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASAMBUS, SEHMU and the Lagos Fire & Rescue Service reflecting a unified commitment to life-saving intervention and traffic safety.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed profound sorrow over what he described as the “unbearable and irreplaceable loss of an entire family.”
Bakare-Oki prayed for divine comfort for the bereaved relatives and urged them to summon fortitude amidst their unimaginable grief.
The LASTMA GM also extended heartfelt wishes for the swift and complete recovery of the injured victims commending the rapid and coordinated efforts of all emergency responders at the scene.
While lamenting the preventable nature of the incident, Bakare-Oki reiterated LASTMA’s warning against reckless speeding particularly by drivers of articulated and heavily loaded trucks.
He emphasized that excessive speed remains one of the most lethal contributors to road fatalities and urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, adhere strictly to speed regulations and cultivate defensive driving practices along highways.
Bakare-Oki further assured Lagosians that LASTMA remains steadfast in enhancing traffic surveillance, enforcing regulations, and collaborating with security and emergency agencies to prevent recurrence of similar tragedies.
Few days after President Bola Tinubu declared emergency on insecurity, former Leader of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has said that measures taken by the President are yielding desired results.
The Federal lawmaker gave the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
Checks revealed that, amidst the spate of kidnappings particularly of students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Papiri Catholic School, Niger State, and worshippers in a church in Kwara State, President Tinubu had taken certain measures to rout the terrorists.
One of such major measures was the declaration of state of emergency on security and the directive given to the Department of State Services to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests.
Aside from adequate funding, President Tinubu, who vowed that “there will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” also dropped a hint to recruit additional personnel for the Nigerian Police Force and the Army.
On the directive to the DSS, Senator Ndume, said that “the directive to engage Forest Guards, coupled with their training, has gone a long way to complement efforts of the Nigerian Army and they are happy with that too.”
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army commended the Federal Government for improvement in the welfare of men of the security forces, particularly the Army to boost their morale.
While he acknowledged that their salary has been doubled, he, however, maintained that “it is still not enough, compared to other Armed forces in the sub-region.”
“I can see visible improvements in terms of cooperation between the Armed forces and other security agencies. That is very commendable.”
“There is visible improvement in the kitting of the military in terms of New Arms, uniforms, Protection Helmets, Boots and Bulletproof Vests.
“But still, the government must do more by giving priority to arms and ammunition needed at the theatre of operations. They need to procure more attack helicopters, add more Armoured Personnel Carriers and Gun trucks.”
The Federal lawmaker, incidentally from Borno South Senatorial district in the North East region equally commended his home state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum whom he noted has shown determination to rout the insurgents.
He said: “He has invested over N100 billion, supporting the Nigerian Army, the Civilian JTF, Police and other Security Agencies.
“That has complemented the efforts of the Nigerian Army. That’s very commendable. I urge other governors in the North to emulate him.”
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…Says it’s a threat to rule of law, national security
The Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (GCCLAC), a coalition of Civil Rights Organisations, on Wednesday demanded the immediate and decisive disbandment of the “Hisbah Independent Fisabilillahi”- an emerging private security outfit in Kano State.
The convener of the group, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, who made the call during a press briefing in Abuja, said the emergence of the 12,000-man-strong strong in Kano State, allegedly spearheaded by associates of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is not merely a political spat but a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s fragile security architecture and constitutional order.
Nwambu said that the establishment of a parallel, unregulated enforcement group at a time when the nation is grappling with widespread banditry, insurgency, and the severe implications of being designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the US on grounds of religious freedom is an act that directly challenges the State’s exclusive monopoly on the use of force.
He said that allowing this group to operate would set a dangerous precedent that empowers political actors to create private armies or quasi-security militia groups, thereby fundamentally undermining the democratic structure and the rule of law.
Nwambu called on the Kano State Government to issue a definitive public statement declaring the “Hisbah Independent Fisabilillahi” illegal, unlawful, and an enemy of the state’s security.
He also urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services(DSS), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) must launch an urgent, comprehensive, and transparent investigation into the group’s activities to unearth its structure, sponsors, source of funding, as well as any possible links to arms proliferation or international terror financing networks.
“The mobilisation and sustenance of a 12,000-personnel group requires significant and sustained financial resources. This is a grave public interest matter, raising questions of money laundering and diversion of public funds, now being used to finance private political ambition.
The financing could also be linked to criminal enterprises, such as kidnapping for ransom, or other illicit activities that are fueling the nation’s insecurity.
“In an era of intensified global efforts against Terror Financing (TF), security agencies must investigate potential links between the significant funds supporting this large, unregulated group and larger transnational terror networks,” the group said.
The government, Nwambu said, must develop urgent socioeconomic intervention programmes to address the poverty and unemployment being exploited to recruit vulnerable youth into such dangerous formations.
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Nigeria’s former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has hailed Australia’s recent decision to ban all children under the age of 16 from accessing social media, describing it as a necessary action by a responsible and developed nation.
In a statement shared on his social media page on Wednesday, Sani said the policy reflects the growing global concern about the harmful effects of excessive social media exposure on children.
According to him, many parents today are locked in a “daily battle” trying to free their children from mobile phones and social media addiction, an issue he believes is eroding childhood experiences and weakening family bonds.
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Sani lamented that modern children have gradually lost interest in toys, bicycles, sports, outdoor activities, and family interactions, as social media continues to dominate their attention.
He added that many young people now possess information and exposure levels that even surpass those of their parents.
The former senator noted that in many households, families sit together physically but remain disconnected as “everyone is on their phone.”
While acknowledging that social media is a powerful and unstoppable force, Sani stressed that children need protection, as unrestricted access exposes them to risks beyond their maturity.
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NIGERIA NEWS
First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu Reacts to Backlash Over Clash With Governor Adeleke — Akelicious
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has addressed the controversy surrounding her conduct at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, where she was also conferred the title Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.
At the event, she reportedly asked Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to stop singing or she would turn off his microphone. She further told him he had “five minutes to conclude” his remarks as he paid tribute to the Ooni and her chieftaincy title.
Reacting to public criticism,She posted on Facebook that followers often exaggerate minor mistakes. “Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer society. More often, it is followers and critics who scrutinize every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy,” she wrote, alongside a photo with the governor.
Many Nigerians have condemned her action, describing it as disrespectful and a national disgrace. X users expressed outrage, with one comparing it to past incidents involving former First Lady Patience Jonathan. Another labeled her behavior as dictatorial, warning that granting her a second tenure could have dire consequences. Some observers criticized her public attempt to interrupt and intimidate the governor, suggesting he had the legal right to take action against her.
As of this report, the Osun State government has not commented on the incident or the public backlash.
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In a shocking turn of events, the decomposed body of Mallam Awwal Yakubu, a 45-year-old Quranic teacher and father of seven, was found in an uncompleted building at Talba Housing Estate in Niger State.
It was gathered that the body was discovered on Monday, December 8, 2025.
Yakubu, who operated a Quranic school in Barkin Saleh, had been reported missing since Thursday, December 4, leaving his community in grief.
The discovery was made by children from Talba Housing Estate who were searching for a missing fowl.
According to local sources, the body was found with a pack of matches and a bottle of tigernut drink lying beside it, while his clothes were on one side of the building and his shoes on another, suggesting a possible struggle or deliberate arrangement.
“This is sad, barbaric, and agonising. May Almighty God continue to protect us from such catastrophic incidents. Ameen,” a resident lamented in distress.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that a report was received at about 10 am on December 7, indicating that a corpse had been found behind Talba Estate, Bida Road, Kpakungu.
He explained that police operatives from Kpakungu Division promptly responded and discovered the decomposed body in the uncompleted building.
According to him, “Relatives later identified the remains as Awwal Yakubu, a 45-year-old resident of the area.”
The body, suspected to have been dumped at the location, was evacuated to the hospital.
SP Abiodun disclosed that the police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances and cause of death.
The community, currently in grief, awaits further updates as police authorities work to bring clarity to the tragic incident.