NIGERIA NEWS
US warns Nigerians against visa fraud, threatens serious consequences
The United States Government has warned that any Nigerian who is involved in visa fraud will face serious consequences.
The caution is contained in a post by the US Embassy in Abuja on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, December 15, 2025.
The government noted that submitting fake documents as well as providing false information in a bid to get the visa can lead to a permanent visa ban, meaning that the affected individuals will not be able to gain entry into the United States again.
The US Embassy in its post said, ‘’Visa fraud has serious consequences. Lying or providing fake documents can lead to permanent visa bans under U.S. immigration law. This means you will never go.’’
This seems to have reinforced the tough stance of the US President, Donald Trump, on immigration since he got into office for his second term, vowing mass deportation of criminals who illegally gained entry into the United States.
US, FG to work together
The advisory from the US Government coincides with the meeting between the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja.
The two top government officials discussed areas of cooperation by their respective countries, with Ambassador Mills noting that the US Government looks forward to continuing to work with Nigeria on issues of mutual concern.
‘’US Ambassador Mills and Nigerian Foreign Minister Tuggar met today to discuss areas of cooperation between our two countries. The United States looks forward to continuing to work together with Nigeria on issues of mutual concern,’ the US Embassy added.
What you should know
This is not the first time that the United States Government is threatening permanent visa ban for travellers who violate its immigration rules.
Recall that in March 2025, the US Government travellers against overstaying their visas, threatening to permanently ban them from coming into the country, as well as face criminal prosecution.
It stated that consular officers have full access to immigration history and will know about past violations.
The mission also stated that it is the responsibility of individuals to use their visas correctly.
The US mission in Nigeria, in its statement, said, ‘’If you overstay your U.S. visa, you could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States as well as criminal prosecution. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an “honest mistake” – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly.’’
Meanwhile, President Trump had in June 2025, announced travel restriction policy imposing a ban on citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States.
In addition to this, visitors from seven other nations faced heightened entry restrictions.
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NIGERIA NEWS
Old Video Showing How Man Wrapped Peller’s Car Resurfaces After Accident: “You Sha Don Spoil Am”
- An old video has started generating a lot of reactions online, showing a moment many people haven’t seen before
- It reveals the original color of the car owned by a popular streamer before it was wrapped by a professional hired for the job
- The process caught the attention of several individuals, who reacted to the post hours after the car was involved in an accident
Hours after the accident that nearly took the life of Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, made its way to social media, an old video has resurfaced online showing the moment the car was wrapped.
The video also shows the original colour of the car before it was wrapped and given a new look by a person believed to have been hired by Peller for the job.
Social media reacts to Peller car wrapping video. Photo Source: Tiktok/mohammed_lexus01
Source: TikTok
Old video shows Peller’s car being wrapped
Peller could also be seen in the video holding some of the materials that were used in the process.

Read also
3 Nigerians react to Peller’s car accident, calls for his arrest: “There’s enough evidence”
A video shared by @mohammed_lexus01, the individual who was hired for the job, shows the entire customisation process.
At the beginning of the TikTok video, the car was revealed to be silver, and a closer look showed it was being wrapped.
Video resurfaces hours after Peller’s accident. Photo Source: Tiktok/mohammed_lexus01
Source: TikTok
Seconds later, the customisation was completed and the car was given a new look.
The video resurfaced online hours after Peller got involved in an accident while driving the expensive car.
Reactions as video shows Peller’s car
DESTÏNY said:
“You sha don spoil am.””Peller did that design so that somebody can quickly spot him from afar.”
JustGotpaid shared:
“Make una talk truth the design no fine at all.”
AFOLABI added:
“Ghana police would not allow you to change the original color of a vehicle.”
Tǐmî_ saus:
“Rich man buy car,another person wey dea use leg trek talk say eno like the color.”
Read also
Young lady displays couple’s wedding items which she found forgotten inside cab days to occasion
EminentKings Multimedia noted:
“Congrats to peller but the wrap make the car come look like Sienna wia bottle water company de use do advert.”
DamiDior stressed E con look like taxi make i no talk sha i nor get benz.”
Sky milli shared:
“No hate ,, Why does the design looks like car way them use Dey do advert or something,”
Bandit musa added:
“Normally I be poor man. This color no sharp.”
BADBOY CEO wrote:
“But if peller pass people go know say nha him. E no make sense as a celeb wey him be.”
Valentino stressed:
“I don sabi your car like that any where I see pellet na too Dey pursue am.”
BENNIE noted:
“If no be say peller na small boi . Why on earth e go spoil this kind car thinking it was a design.”
Nnedimummy said:
“I don’t like this color.. looks childish.. but peller u and wasting of money..why the paint.”
Read also
“I’m glad to see this”: Man reacts to unseen moment from Tinubu and Gov. Adeleke’s video
Watch the video below:
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian lady went viral after she broke down in tears and prayed passionately for Peller’s life, begging God to keep the popular streamer alive after his car accident.
Expert claims Peller’s crash was intentional
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that a communication and engagement expert analysed Peller’s car accident and claimed the incident was not ordinary.
According to him, the crash was allegedly staged to boost online engagement, as he argued that Nigerians often hype dramatic content on social media. His opinion sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing with his claims while others accused him of being unfair.
Source: Legit.ng
NIGERIA NEWS
Drama as bride hugs male guest, groom loses temper at wedding reception
A Nigerian couple’s wedding reception turned chaotic after a disagreement over a guest escalated into a public fight.
The drama began when a young man from the neighbourhood arrived during the dance, and the bride immediately jumped up to hug him.
This was reportedly the same man the groom had warned his wife not to associate with.
“I am your wife and not your slave”
After the man gave the bride a wedding gift and left, the groom confronted his wife, asking who had invited the man and warning her not to bring the gift into their home.
Angered by his reaction, the bride shouted back, insisting, “I am your wife and not your slave; you can’t tell me who to associate with.”
Tempers flared further when the groom slapped his wife, prompting her to slap him on the chest in return.
At that moment, the husband decided to calm down. A few minutes later, he angrily left the reception and did not return until the event had ended.
The incident has left many wondering how the couple will live together in peace after such a public showdown.
Social media users have also been weighing in, debating who is to blame for the heated exchange.
Netizens React
@KOlatunbosun wrote: “They are both to be blamed… the lady shouldn’t have responded rudely. She could have calmly explained to her husband.”
@felixwise added: “I blame both of them for not submitting their relationship to a professional counselor who could have seen this coming.”
@Muhamm… joked: “Before we separate, her family should pay back every dime spent at that wedding ooo.”
@iamEdoama quipped: “After seeing the video of them fighting, I just want to know who would win!”
The incident has left many wondering how the couple will navigate married life after such a public showdown.
Check the post below…

NIGERIA NEWS
ADC Reacts to Supreme Court Ruling on President’s Emergency Powers
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the President’s power to suspend elected governors and state assemblies during a state of emergency, describing it as a dangerous turning point for Nigeria’s democracy.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Tuesday, warned that the ruling threatens constitutional governance, federalism, and the will of the electorate.
Reacting to the ruling, the ADC said it effectively concentrates excessive authority in the hands of the President, posing a grave threat to Nigeria’s democratic framework.
“The African Democratic Congress is alarmed by the judgment of the Supreme Court, which grants the President the power to suspend elected governors and state assemblies during a state of emergency.
“While the ruling may seem academic, it represents a critical inflexion point in our democracy that could permanently alter its nature,” the party said.
The ADC argued that the judgment allows the President to determine measures to restore peace and security in any state, effectively enabling the suspension of governors and assemblies for political reasons.
While the court noted that no arm or tier of government is constitutionally superior, the ADC contended the ruling grants the presidency undue control over state governments.
The party further criticised the safeguards cited by the Supreme Court—proportionality, legislative oversight, and judicial review—as ineffective in practice.
According to the ADC, a legislature aligned with the presidency makes oversight implausible, while the court’s prioritisation of legal technicalities over democratic principles undermines judicial review.
“The Supreme Court has inadvertently facilitated a form of constitutional tyranny, enabling those in power to exploit legal frameworks and constitutional loopholes to entrench absolute authority,” the statement said.
The ADC warned that such tyranny does not always arrive via military coups but often advances gradually as rulers erode democratic norms and institutions, a trend it says has been evident over the past two years.
The party concluded that neither the legislature nor the judiciary can currently be relied upon to prevent this descent.
Politics Nigeria recalls that the judgment, delivered on Monday, arose from a suit filed in April by governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They challenged President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly amid a prolonged political crisis.
Following the suspension, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State for six months, placing the state under federal control.
Although the emergency rule expired on September 23, and the suspended officials had since resumed office, the Supreme Court upheld the President’s constitutional power to declare a state of emergency and suspend elected state officials during such periods.
NIGERIA NEWS
Senate Confirms Three Non-Career Ambassadorial Nominees
The Senate has confirmed the nominations of three non-career ambassadors, marking the first set of ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu and screened by the upper chamber.
Those confirmed are Lateef Kayode Kolawole Are from Ogun State, Aminu Muhammad Dalhatu from Jigawa State, and Emmanuel Ayodele Oke, CFR, from Oyo State.
The confirmations followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, which conducted the screening exercise last week.
Meanwhile, 64 other ambassadorial nominees who were forwarded to the Senate and screened are yet to be confirmed.
Politics Nigeria had earlier reported that President Tinubu transmitted the names of the three non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on November 26, making it the first list of ambassadorial appointments sent to the National Assembly since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The President subsequently nominated 32 additional individuals for ambassadorial positions which includes notable figures.
NIGERIA NEWS
Operational readiness for Nigeria’s next fintech chapter: A practical guide
- Nigeria’s potential move toward a unified fintech regulator will introduce tighter standards, clearer supervision, and a stronger emphasis on interoperability data integrity and consumer protection
- Fintechs can prepare by building API-driven systems, strengthening data governance, embedding compliance into daily operations and maintaining agility for rapid product development
- Platforms like Oradian offer tools for interoperability, secure data access, and compliance readiness, helping institutions adapt to evolving regulatory expectations and thrive in a connected ecosystem
As Nigeria prepares for the possibility of a unified fintech regulator — the National Fintech Regulatory Commission (NFRC) — operators across payments, digital lending, banking-as-a-service, and embedded finance are entering a new era of regulatory expectations.
The anticipated shift isn’t simply administrative. A single regulator typically means tighter standards, clearer supervision, and a stronger emphasis on interoperability, data integrity, and consumer protection.
For forward-looking fintech leaders, the question is no longer what the regulation will say, but how to get operationally ready now. This guide focuses on the practical steps institutions can take to strengthen their systems, organise their data, and improve compliance readiness.
1. Build for Interoperability and Open Banking
If a unified regulator emerges, one of its first priorities is standardising how institutions connect, share data, and integrate with national rails. That means harmonised APIs, cleaner data formats, and onboarding processes that reduce fragmentation.
Fintechs should begin assessing whether their current technology stack can:
- Consume and expose APIs in a standardised, version-controlled way.
- Connect cleanly to KYC/AML databases, payment switches, mobile money operators, credit bureaux, and wallets.
- Trigger real-time events (e.g., customer onboarding, repayment updates, fraud flags) for external partners and regulators.
Oradian’s architecture is API-first by design, built to plug into payments, identity services, credit infrastructure, and third-party applications through secure endpoints and webhook or event frameworks. As regulatory connectivity expectations rise, this type of interoperability backbone will be essential.
As Oradian’s spokesperson and CEO Antonio Separovic, puts it simply: “Unified oversight raises the bar on data quality and connectivity. Teams that fix their data path and standardize APIs will move fastest and stay safest.”
2. Strengthen Data Foundations and Secure Access
A centralised regulator depends on real-time, reliable, and well-governed data. Fintechs operating with fragmented datasets, undocumented transformations, or manual reporting pipelines will face significant friction under a unified supervisory model.
Readiness should include:
- Establishing governed, clean, reconciled datasets across products.
- Implementing role-based access controls to protect sensitive customer information.
- Ensuring data can be retrieved quickly for audits, reporting, or consumer requests— without compromising the stability of core systems.
- Preparing data infrastructure for analytics, AI-driven risk models, and automated reporting workflows.
This is where platforms like Oradian’s Database Access feature become enabling tools. It provides governed read replicas, audited queries, and role-based controls that let teams use real-time data for reporting and analytics without touching production systems.
As Oradian representative notes: “Open-banking style interoperability is only useful if your core can expose clean, governed data on demand. That’s the gap we close.”
3. Design Compliance Into Daily Operations
A unified regulator is likely to heighten expectations around internal controls, monitoring, customer protection, and auditability. Fintechs should therefore build compliance functions into daily workflows — not treat them as afterthoughts.
Key operational capabilities to prepare include:
- Comprehensive audit trails for all transactions and user actions.
- Maker–checker workflows for approvals.
- Clear, time-bound dispute resolution processes.
- Automated logs for data access, staff actions, and system exceptions.
- Templates or modules that simplify periodic reporting.
- Clear policies for data retention, user privacy, and incident reporting.
Oradian includes many of these capabilities out of the box, such as audit logs, role-based permissions, policy controls, dashboards, and templated reporting formats. These features reduce the operational burden on compliance and risk teams, allowing them to demonstrate adherence quickly when regulators request evidence.
4. Achieve Speed — Without Losing Control
In markets that move fast, responsiveness is often the difference between maintaining competitiveness and stagnating. As regulatory standards settle under a unified supervisor, the fintechs that win will be those able to ship new, compliant products rapidly and with confidence.
Operational readiness here means:
- Maintaining dedicated test environments to validate new features safely.
- Keeping deployment pipelines automated and auditable.
- Ensuring cloud environments scale securely during peak loads.
- Being able to create and trial new financial products or workflows in short cycles. Oradian’s cloud-native platform, combined with its ability to launch pilots in weeks, is designed to support fast iteration while maintaining strict operational controls. This balance of agility and discipline will be increasingly crucial as regulatory expectations mature.
5. Prepare for Local Realities and Regional Complexity
Even with a unified regulator, Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem will remain deeply interconnected with regional payment systems, telecoms, agency networks, and identity infrastructure. Providers must understand local integration patterns, data residency requirements, and operational constraints.
Oradian already supports large-scale lending and financial operations across Nigeria and broader Sub-Saharan Africa. Partnerships with institutions like FairMoney and SEAP demonstrate the platform’s ability to operate reliably at scale, adapt to local requirements, and deliver support aligned to Nigerian operational needs.
Its Customer Success and Product Adoption teams also play a role in helping institutions turn regulatory requirements into practical workflows and best practices.
Making the Transition: A Practical Checklist for Fintech Leaders. Here are steps fintechs can begin implementing immediately:
Technology & Systems
- Evaluate API maturity and documentation quality.
- Map all integrations and ensure they follow consistent standards.
- Set up sandbox environments that mirror production behaviour.
Data & Reporting
- Build governed, centralised datasets.
- Implement query auditing and access controls.
- Begin automating recurring regulatory reports.
Operations & Compliance
- Establish maker–checker approval flows.
- Document dispute, incident, and SLA processes.
- Implement full audit trails across the organisation.
Product & Innovation
- Shorten product development cycles through modular architecture.
- Run controlled pilots to test compliance readiness.
- Strengthen monitoring, observability, and uptime processes.
Organisational Readiness
- Train teams on new data and API standards.
- Engage vendors early to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations.
- Track developments from policymakers but focus on internal preparedness first. Nigeria’s potential move toward a single fintech regulator represents a shift toward coherence — one that rewards institutions with mature systems, disciplined data governance, and strong operational foundations.
While no one can predict the final shape of the NFRC, fintechs do not have to wait to get ready. The steps outlined above strengthen resilience, improve customer trust, and position institutions to thrive in a more standardised and connected regulatory environment.
Platforms like Oradian offer a practical foundation for institutions seeking to build interoperability, secure data access, and fast compliance into their core operations. But readiness ultimately starts with proactive leadership and a commitment to strengthening internal systems today.
Nigeria’s next fintech chapter will belong to the operators who prepare early — and build for the future, not just the rules.
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NIGERIA NEWS
SGF orders the suspension of sachet alcohol ban till further notice
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has ordered a suspension of all enforcement actions related to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol products, at least for now.
SGF directs suspension of sachet alcohol ban
The directive follows a formal correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, which raised concerns about the planned enforcement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to a statement issued by the SGF’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Terrence Kuanum, the matter is under careful review.
NAFDAC enforcement on hold amid National Assembly concerns
The statement further clarified that “any action or enforcement undertaken by NAFDAC or any other agency on this matter without due clearance and resolution by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is of no effect and should be disregarded by the public until a final decision is formally communicated.”
Until then, any enforcement actions by NAFDAC or other agencies are of no effect and should be disregarded by the public.
The move comes shortly after NAFDAC announced it would prohibit the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and bottles smaller than 200 millilitres by December 2025, citing concerns over the misuse of cheap alcohol among youths and drivers.
Renewed pressure from the National Assembly played a role in the SGF’s decision, as lawmakers have repeatedly asked NAFDAC to pause the ban.
A letter dated December 1, 2025, from the Permanent Secretary (General Services), Mohammed Danjuma, requested the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and NAFDAC to provide comments to allow the SGF to make an informed decision.
In the statement, the SGF assured Nigerians that the matter is being handled in a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated manner and promised that the public would be updated once a final position is reached.
NIGERIA NEWS
Senate Orders Probe into Fake Death Reports on Akpabio, Gowon – THISDAYLIVE
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Senate on Tuesday directed the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate and identify those behind the spread of false reports alleging the deaths of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd).
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion raised during plenary by Senator Titus Zam, who expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing rise in misinformation and fake news circulating on social media platforms.
Moving the motion, Zam lamented that social media had recently been flooded with reports claiming that Akpabio had died in a London hospital, even as the Senate President was alive, well and presiding over plenary sessions at the National Assembly.
He further drew the attention of lawmakers to a similar false report concerning Gowon, noting that rumours of the former Head of State’s death were widely circulated on the same day he was publicly sighted attending a Christmas carol service in Abuja.
According to Zam, the unchecked spread of such misinformation poses serious security and social risks, capable of creating panic, undermining public confidence and destabilising the polity.
He therefore called on the Senate to mandate a thorough investigation into the origin and promoters of the false reports with a view to holding those responsible accountable.
In his response, Akpabio acknowledged the reports and described the trend as a growing and troubling phenomenon.
He noted that the deliberate circulation of fake death announcements had become commonplace on social media, citing instances where funeral ceremonies of prominent Nigerians were broadcast online while the individuals concerned were still alive.
“This has become a disturbing pattern. We have seen cases where even the burial of a well-known businessman was announced and circulated, only for the person involved to later appear alive,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President sustained the motion and ruled that the matter be formally referred to the NSA for a diligent and comprehensive investigation to unravel those behind the falsehoods.
“Your point is sustained. I think all we can do is to refer this matter to the NSA for investigation,” Akpabio declared.
When the proposal was put to a voice vote, it received unanimous approval from senators, sealing the Senate’s decision to involve national security authorities in curbing the spread of fake news and deliberate misinformation targeting public figures.
NIGERIA NEWS
10 most beautiful places in the world
Are you ready to discover the planet’s most stunning natural wonders and magnificent man-made marvels? From ancient cities carved into stone to vibrant coral reefs teeming with life, the world is full of breathtaking destinations that belong on every traveller’s bucket list.
We’ve compiled a definitive list of the 10 most beautiful places in the world, guaranteed to inspire your next great adventure.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Perched high in the Andes Mountains, this 15th-century Incan citadel is a masterpiece of dry-stone architecture, dramatically set against sweeping emerald peaks. The sheer scale and mystery of the “Lost City of the Incas” are simply unmatched.
Why You Should Visit: The sunrise views from the Sun Gate are legendary, offering a rewarding experience after hiking the Inca Trail.
2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The world’s largest coral reef system, this Australian wonder is a dazzling underwater spectacle. It stretches over 2,300 kilometres and is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including 1,500 species of fish and over 400 types of coral.
Why You Should Visit: Snorkelling or diving here allows you to explore an unparalleled, living ecosystem— a true kaleidoscope of colour beneath the waves.
3. Amalfi Coast, Italy
This stunning stretch of coastline features dramatic cliffs plunging into the cerulean sea, dotted with picturesque, pastel-coloured villages like Positano and Ravello. The charming mix of natural beauty and historic architecture is quintessential Italian romance.
Why You Should Visit: Cruise along the coast, enjoy fresh seafood, and immerse yourself in the relaxed, luxurious atmosphere of the Italian Riviera.
4. Cappadocia, Turkey
Famous for its unique, cone-shaped rock formations — known as fairy chimneys — Cappadocia offers a landscape that feels truly otherworldly. The ancient caves carved into the rocks served as homes and churches for centuries.
Why You Should Visit: Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride for a surreal panoramic view of hundreds of balloons drifting over the stunning valleys.
5. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Covering over 10,000 square kilometres, the world’s largest salt flat transforms into a massive, reflective “mirror” during the wet season. The pure, stark white expanse blurs the line between heaven and earth, creating an optical illusion unlike any other.
Why You Should Visit: It’s a photographer’s paradise, offering incredible perspective shots and a profound sense of scale and solitude.
6. Banff National Park, Canada
Canada’s oldest national park boasts towering, snow-capped peaks, immense glaciers, and the impossibly turquoise waters of glacial lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The raw, untamed wilderness is breathtaking year-round.
Why You Should Visit: Hike amidst the alpine meadows in summer or ski the world-class slopes in winter, always surrounded by spectacular Rocky Mountain views.
7. Petra, Jordan
This ancient city, dating back to 300 B.C., is famous for its architecture carved directly into pink sandstone cliffs. Walking through the Siq (a narrow canyon) to emerge before the majestic Treasury (Al-Khazneh) is an unforgettable moment of historical and natural splendour.
Why You Should Visit: Explore the network of tombs, temples and religious structures that earned it a place as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
8. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this park is famous for its 16 interconnected, terraced lakes. The waters shift between shades of emerald, blue, and green, linked by a stunning series of cascades and waterfalls.
Why You Should Visit: Walk the wooden boardwalks that weave through the water, offering up-close views of the pristine natural pools.
9. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke that Thunders”), Victoria Falls is one of the world’s largest waterfalls. The sight and sound of the Zambezi River plunging over 100 meters into the gorge is an overwhelming display of nature’s power.
Why You Should Visit: View the falls from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides for different perspectives, or take a helicopter ride for a spectacular aerial view.
10. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan
On the outskirts of Kyoto, this towering forest of dense, Moso bamboo stalks creates a beautiful, sun-dappled green tunnel. The ethereal light and the subtle, creaking sound of the bamboo swaying in the wind create a unique atmosphere of serene beauty.
Why You Should Visit: Find a moment of peace and reflection in this natural cathedral, an iconic example of Japan’s profound connection to nature.
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NIGERIA NEWS
Governor Oborevwori Signs N1.7trn 2026 Budget Into Law
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, signed the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1. 729 trillion into law.
Tagged the “Budget of Accelerating the MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori also signed into law three other key bills passed by the Delta State House of Assembly.
The other three bills assented include the Delta State Social Investment Programme Law, the Delta State Colleges of Education Law, 2025, and the Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law, 2025.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Oborevwori described the 2026 budget as “not just a budget of figures, but a budget of vision, action and expected deliverables for the next twelve months,” assuring that the state would hit the ground running in 2026 to accelerate development across key sectors.
The N1,729,881,208,779 budget represents an increase of over 70 per cent compared to the 2025 budget.
The Governor said the estimate, though ambitious, was achievable, with 70 per cent dedicated to capital expenditure and 30 per cent to recurrent spending, thus underscoring his administration’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth and sustainable development.
He noted that the state intensified investments in infrastructure, security, fiscal discipline and revenue growth in 2025, leading to improved Internally Generated Revenue without imposing additional burdens on citizens.
Oborevwori explained that the three accompanying laws were designed to further reinforce social welfare, education and security in the State.
He said the Social Investment Programme Law provides a legal framework for equitable, grassroots-focused access to resources and services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations, without discrimination.
He added that the Colleges of Education Law, 2025, standardises the operations of state-owned colleges, allowing them to award Nigerian Certificate in Education ( NCEs) and education degrees concurrently, and expands their capacity to train more qualified teachers.
The Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law, he said, strengthens the legal framework to combat terrorism, cultism and related crimes, aligning state laws with contemporary security realities.
The Governor commended the Speaker, leadership and members of the Delta Assembly for the timely passage of the budget and other bills, highlighting the strong synergy between the executive and the legislature.
He also thanked stakeholders, cabinet members, civil servants and citizens for their contributions, while wishing all Deltans a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, said the passage of the four bills followed rigorous legislative engagement, wide consultations and thorough scrutiny in line with the Assembly’s constitutional mandate.
The Assembly had on Monday passed N1.729 trillion budget for the services of the state government in the 2026 fiscal year.
The passage followed the consideration of a report presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, during plenary presided over by the Speaker.
Presenting the report, Okowa-Daramola disclosed that the committee noted that the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill was timely and complied with relevant statutory provisions, including Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Section 20(1) of the Delta State Fiscal Responsibility Law, 2008 (as amended), and the approved 2026–2028 Fiscal Strategy Paper.
She explained that the committee recommended an upward review of the recurrent expenditure from the proposed N499 billion to N500 billion, representing an increase of N1 billion (0.2 per cent). The capital expenditure was also reviewed from N1.165 trillion to N1.229 trillion, an increase of N64.65 billion over the initial proposal.
Consequently, the total budget size was adjusted from N1.665 trillion to N1.729 trillion.
NIGERIA NEWS
Rivers community protests electricity, water outage for over two years
Scores of women from Kula, a coastal community in Akuku-Toru Local Council of Rivers State, have staged a peaceful protest to draw attention to their plight over lack of electricity and water supply in the community for more than two years.
The women, who protested to the Jetty and security checkpoints in the community carrying placards with various inscriptions, lamented that the protracted absence of electricity in the community has resulted in severe scarcity of water in the area.
They lamented that despite hosting critical national assets and three major oil companies, they still suffer from lack of basic amenities, neglect, and deprivation, saying the situation has brought untold hardship to the area, making life unbearable for the people.
The women said that lack of these basic amenities in the community had severely affected public health, the well-being of the populace, as well as their local economy, especially small-scale businesses in the area.
They also said that the situation had further increased the high cost of living in the riverine community, forcing many households to rely on contaminated water from reptile-infested wells for their daily consumption, with its attendant health implications.
A protester, known as Ibitonye, said: “We are protesting because of the absence of light and water. We are angry. The women of Kula are suffering. Please, we want the Federal Government to intervene.
“If you see the well we draw water from, you will shed tears for us. And this is injustice for us the people who have oil wells surrounding them. At least in Rivers State, we have the highest number of oil wells.
“Malaria wants to completely exterminate us because of the kind of water we drink and the environment we live in. Cholera is everywhere.” They, therefore, sent a save-our-soul message to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, authorities of Akuku-Toru Local Council, the Federal Government, as well as oil companies operating in the area, to come to their aid by restoring power supply in the Island to alleviate their sufferings.
“We are, therefore, calling on the governor, the local council chairman, Renaissance and Bella oil, to help us with light because we are suffering, no light, no water,” she said.
