NIGERIA NEWS
Senate Rejects Ireti Kingibe’s Motion to Probe Alleged Governance Issues in FCT
The Senate has rejected a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which sought legislative intervention on several governance challenges in Abuja.
Kingibe raised the motion under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, highlighting issues such as the worsening waste management crisis, demolitions by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), non-payment of salaries, delays in contractor mobilisation, complications in land allocation and reallocation, and the depletion of land belonging to the University of Abuja.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the issues Kingibe raised differed from those previously discussed with him.
He added that the motion did not qualify as a matter of urgent national importance, especially because it combined multiple unrelated issues.
“She should withdraw the motion and bring a substantive motion to discuss the issue of waste management,” Akpabio said.
Supporting the Senate President, Tahir Monguno, Chief Whip and senator representing Borno North, said the motion failed to meet procedural requirements.
“There is nothing to discuss based on our rules. Because you can’t put something on nothing,” Monguno added.
Sunday Karimi, senator for Kogi West, criticised Kingibe further, accusing her of bringing the motion “in deceit.”
In response, Kingibe said she would comply with the Senate’s directive, stating, “I will represent it as a substantive motion on just waste management.”
At least 12 people were killed in a violent attack at a mining site in Ratoso Fan community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Tuesday night.
The victims were reportedly targeted while working at the site, with several others reported missing following the incident.
Violent attack claims 12 lives at mining site
Eyewitnesses said gunmen stormed the area and opened fire on miners, causing panic as many fled to safety. Local residents expressed shock and concern over the recurring insecurity in the region.
Dagallang Davott, Chairman of the Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation and Secretary of the Mining Committee in Barkin Ladi, confirmed the attack, noting that the full extent of casualties is still unknown.
“The incident happened during the night. Many fled for their lives, and 12 fatalities have been confirmed so far,” he said.
A resident of the community, Moses Daniel, also described the attack as alarming, highlighting the growing fears about safety at mining sites.
The Nigerian Army’s 3rd Division has reportedly been informed, with officials promising to follow up on the incident.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Plateau State, prompting renewed calls for improved security measures.
Authorities and residents demand increased security
Just days before, Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited key service chiefs in Abuja, including the Chiefs of Air and Naval Staff and the Minister of Defence, to discuss strategies aimed at curbing violence and ensuring the safety of rural communities ahead of the Yuletide season.
Authorities and community leaders are urging vigilance as investigations continue.
Residents remain anxious, emphasising the urgent need for strengthened security to protect civilians engaged in mining and other vulnerable activities across the state.
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of the House of Representatives to repeal and reenact the N43,561,041,744,507 budget for the 2024 fiscal year.
The president made the request on Wednesday in a letter titled: ‘Transmission of the appropriation (Repeal and reenactment bill), 2024-2025’, with Reference No: PRES/134-1/17/HR/ARRENB, dated December 16, 2025 and addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
He explained that the proposed bill seeks to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation of the total sum of N43,561,041,744,507, comprising N1,742,786,788,150 for Statutory Transfers, N8,270,960,606,831 for Debt Service, N411,268,513,380,853 for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure, and N22,278,780,968,673 for Capital Expenditure/Development Fund contribution, for the year ending December 31, 2025 (as provided in the Bill).
Tinubu noted: “I hereby transmit to the House of Representatives, the enclosed Appropriation (Repeal and Re-enactment Bill-2), 2024, for the consideration of the National Assembly, in accordance with the established constitutional and legislative appropriation process.”
“This Bill is to bring an end to the practice of running multiple budgets concurrently, while at the same time ensuring reasonable – indeed unprecedentedly high – capital performance rates on the 2024 and 2025 capital budgets.”
The president added that the Bill seeks to provide transparent and constitutionally grounded appropriation mechanism, for the orderly consolidation and appropriation of critical, time-sensitive expenditures necessarily undertaken in response to emergency exigencies (advancing the collective well-being of Nigerians and safeguarding national security) – while reinforcing fiscal discipline, accountability and prudent public financial management.
Tinubu said: “The House of Representatives may wish to note that, the Bill also strengthens implementation discipline and accountability by, among other provisions: requiring that appropriated funds are released and applied strictly for the purposes specified in the Schedules; providing that virement may only be effected with prior approval of the National Assembly; setting out conditions for corrigenda where genuine errors may hinder implementation; requiring separate recording of excess revenue and limiting its expenditure to an Act or approval of the National Assembly; and mandating due-process compliance and periodic reporting on releases and agency revenues/assistance.”
The president, therefore, solicited accelerated consideration and passage of the proposed budget estimate.
After reading the letter, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, ruled that the letter be considered as First Reading, and directed the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, to move that the bill should be ready for the second time.
His ruling however, did not go down well with the lawmakers as they demanded that members should be accorded copies of the president’s letter before it could be passed for second reading.
The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Appropriations for further legislative action.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has reinstated the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo, and the acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Mr Michael Ango.
Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, announced the reinstatement in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Olayinka explained that the minister, warning against indiscipline among FCT Administration officials, directed Hayyo and Ango to resume duty with immediate effect.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hayyo was suspended on Nov. 25 following a circular directing early school closure over alleged security concerns.
Ango was similarly suspended on Dec. 5, though no explanation was provided regarding the specific offense that led to his suspension.
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The post Wike reinstates FCT education mandate secretary, IRS acting chairman appeared first on Vanguard News.
Staying active as a producer and singer in the industry is one feat that has been known to not be common, as new talents emerge regularly, but Dr Roy has maintained his position as a leading figure in the gospel music industry.
David C. Chike, known professionally as Dr Roy, is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, and record producer born on 1 January 1994 in Ukwa West Local Government Area, Port Harcourt. Based in Port Harcourt, he has been active in the Nigerian music industry for over ten years.
Dr Roy’s production work includes production and collaborations with Mercy Chinwo, Afy Douglas, Freke Umoh, Okey Sokay, Limoblaze, Prinx Emmanuel, Harrysong, and Wizard Chan. His productions and releases are available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Boomplay, Apple Music, and YouTube.
He continues to work steadily as both a producer and recording artist, with his own gospel singles on digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and others.
In addition to music, Dr Roy runs business ventures and actively supports youth empowerment programmes and community development initiatives across Nigeria.
He is currently developing the Dr Roy Academy, a dedicated training programme that will teach beat-making, songwriting, mixing, mastering, and complete music production, primarily aimed at upcoming gospel and inspirational artists and producers.
With the launch of the academy, Dr Roy is formalising the same mentoring approach he has applied for years in his Port Harcourt studio, an approach that previously helped shape the early careers of producers and artists, including Skerz Beat, Prinx Emmanuel, and Beky J, as well as giving Omah Lay his initial production training.
Through continued production work, new artist releases, business activities, and the forthcoming Dr Roy Academy, he remains focused on both creating music and building pathways for the next generation of Nigerian creatives.
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday formally welcomed Senator Sunday Katung, who represents Kaduna South Senatorial District, following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.
Senator Katung’s defection was announced during plenary after his resignation letter from the PDP was read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
He was subsequently escorted to his seat in the majority wing of the chamber by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, marking his official entry into the APC fold.
The development came on a day the Senate also took far-reaching decisions on national security, as lawmakers adopted the interim report of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit.
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The report was based on zonal public hearings held across the six geopolitical zones of the country in recent weeks.
Presenting the report, Senator Bamidele, who chaired the committee, disclosed that it contained 32 key recommendations aimed at addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
One of the major recommendations urged the Federal Government to strengthen inter-agency collaboration by deepening synergy among the military, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Department of State Services, vigilante groups, as well as traditional and religious institutions.
The committee recommended the establishment of joint operation centres nationwide to ensure coordinated responses to security threats, improved intelligence sharing, effective early warning systems and stronger communication channels among security agencies.
The Senate also resolved that all unlicensed and illegally operating mining companies across the country should immediately cease operations and ensure proper registration with the Federal Government.
The Lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive national policy to regulate mineral resource mining, noting that unregulated and foreign-led mining activities have been linked to rising insecurity in several parts of the country.
According to the report, some foreigners involved in illegal mining are allegedly operating without authorisation and in collaboration with some Nigerians, thereby exacerbating security challenges.
In addition, the Senate resolved to consider the enactment of new legislation aimed at improving national security and protecting the lives and well-being of Nigerians, in line with the provisions of Chapter Two, Section 14, Subsection 2(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
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The erstwhile attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has demanded that his corruption probe be transferred from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to another investigative body.
Mr Malami, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, faulted the “continued involvement” of EFCC chair Ola Olukoyede in the ongoing probe.
The former justice minister claimed Mr Olukoyede’s alleged involvement “is legally untenable, morally indefensible, and constitutionally impermissible.”
Mr Malami demanded “the immediate recusal of the EFCC chairman from all matters relating to Abubakar Malami, SAN.”
He also sought “the intervention of the attorney-general of the federation to ensure that this matter is transferred to a neutral and independent investigative authority. The prompt institution of charges, if any, before a competent court of law, where evidence—not vendetta—will prevail.”
Maintaining that Mr Olukoyede recuse himself, Mr Malami stated, “No person is permitted to sit in judgment over a matter in which they have a personal interest or prior exposure.”
Mr Malami noted that while serving as the AGF, he supervised the establishment of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of office within the EFCC.
“At the material time, the current EFCC chairman served as secretary to the commission,” he noted.
He stated that Chapter 9 of the Salami Report addressed the conduct and responsibilities of senior EFCC officials, particularly those occupying key administrative and decision-making positions within the commission.
“Viewed against this background, the present actions of the EFCC cannot reasonably be interpreted as neutral law enforcement. They amount to retaliatory persecution driven by historical animosity and personal vendetta,” he stated.
The former AGF accused the EFCC of violating his rights through media trials, restrictions on his liberty, and harassment, without being timely arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“This approach undermines not only the constitutional rights of Abubakar Malami, SAN, but also the credibility and integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions,” he said.
While alleging that the EFCC’s conduct confirms a shift from institutional accountability to the settlement of personal scores and grievances under the guise of law enforcement, Mr Malami said he is “ready and willing to submit himself to a neutral and independent investigative process, insists on being tried only before a court of competent jurisdiction, and rejects political settlements, intimidation, or compromise.”
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Not less than 12 miners have been killed by gunmen, with many unaccounted for in the Faan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Berom Educational and Cultural Organization, BECO, which disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, said the gunmen attacked the miners while they were engaging in their mining activity on Tuesday night.
In the statement issued by the BECO Chairman, Dagallang Davott, who also doubles as the Secretary of the Mining Committee in Barkin Ladi, the gunmen suspected to be Fulani militas, attacked the miners while they were carrying out their activities and opened fire on them.
According to Davott, the attack was unprovoked as there was no reason or cause for it.
“On Tuesday, December 16, there was an attack at the Fan district of Barkin Ladi local government area. It happened in the night. The gunmen stormed the mining site and opened fire on the miners. So, many of them fled for their lives during the incident, but 12 persons so far have been confirmed killed,” Davott said.
“From the information we gathered, the attackers were Fulani people because survivors heard them speaking the language.
“Apart from those killed, many others were injured while others are still missing,” he said.
- A Nigerian man has gone viral after revealing the harsh reality of starting over in the United Kingdom, where he now resumes work as early as 4:30am despite previously holding a senior Head of Department position in Nigeria.
- His account has triggered widespread debate online, with many Nigerians abroad agreeing that while earnings may be higher overseas, the workload, long hours, and lifestyle adjustments can be overwhelming.
A Nigerian man has shared a viral video on X through user @Teniola, describing the difficult reality of starting over in the United Kingdom after leaving a high-status job in Nigeria.
The man revealed that back home, he worked as a “Head of Department (HOD),” a senior role that provided him with comfort and a flexible routine. He explained that he rarely had to wake up early because his position was well-structured and manageable.
His life changed drastically after moving abroad. He disclosed that he now has to resume work as early as “4:30am,” a schedule he described as exhausting and very hard to adjust to. He noted that many Nigerians who relocate often face the harsh reality of taking on demanding jobs and working their way up from the bottom again.
The story has sparked a huge debate online. Many Nigerians living overseas agreed with him, noting that while they may earn more money, the “workload, long hours, and lifestyle adjustments” can be completely overwhelming compared to their lives in Nigeria.
Nigerian man cries out about how hard life is in the UK after having to start work at 4:30 AM, whereas he was a HoD in Nigeria and never had to wake up that early 🙂↔️🚶♂️ pic.twitter.com/HoESCiBa71
— TENIOLA (@Teeniiola) December 17, 2025
NIGERIA NEWS
Stanel boss, Uzochukwu, Flutterwave CEO Agboola pay courtesy call on President Hichilema
The Chaiman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stanel Group and The Delborough Lagos, Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu has paid courtesy visit to Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema at the weekend.
One of the most influential Nigerian-born young billionaire notable among African elites paid the courtesy call in company of his father figure, H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, and one of his mentees, Flutterwave CEO, Olugbenga Agboola.
The mentee, a major player in Africa’s digital economy, is a cybersecurity engineer with an MBA from University of Westminster, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan.
According to a post on his Instagram handle, Dr. Uzochukwu revealed that discussions with the Zambian leader centered on strategic investments and partnerships.
The post reads: “Visited @discoverzambia for the first time alongside my father, H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, and my mentee, CEO @olugbenga_gb of Flutterwave, to meet with the president of Zambia, H. E. Hakainde Hichilema.
“Our discussions centered on strategic investments and fostering sustainable partnerships that will shape the future of Africa’s economic growth. The prospects are bright, and we are eager to bring our shared vision to life.
“With visionary leaders like these steering progress, the future is in capable hands.
“Watch this space, the journey has only just begun.”
Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to recent reports concerning a tax cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and France.
Speaking via a statement on 𝕏, Obi warned that international collaboration requires a high level of trust and transparency.
He expressed concern that the agreement on the collaboration was completed without the full terms being made public.
Obi argued that Nigeria has a strong pool of qualified tax professionals, advisory firms, and globally recognised consultancies that are not lacking in tax expertise, and wondered why the country had to seek external partnerships instead of banking on its existing local capacity.
He said, “It is therefore worrisome that an agreement of this significance appears to have been concluded without the full terms being made public, and without a clear effort to explain its objectives, scope, and expected outcomes to Nigerians. Transparency is essential in matters that directly affect public revenue and institutional credibility.
“That said, I am not opposed to engaging foreign expertise. However, such engagements must be clearly justified, with a transparent explanation of the specific gaps they are intended to fill, why those gaps cannot be addressed locally, and, above all, the concrete benefits to Nigerians.
“This is especially important because Nigeria is not lacking in tax expertise. The country has a strong pool of qualified tax professionals, advisory firms, and globally recognised consultancies already operating locally, with the capacity to support tax reform and modernisation.
“In light of this, it is reasonable for Nigerians to question why external partnerships are made a priority instead of strengthening and leveraging existing local capacity. Sustainable reform should build institutions from within.
“These concerns arise at a time of significant economic strain. Over 60 per cent of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. Youth unemployment remains widespread. Small and medium-scale enterprises are burdened by multiple taxes, while government borrowing continues to rise without commensurate gains in productivity.
“In such circumstances, policy attention should focus on simplifying the tax system, closing revenue leakages, broadening the tax base fairly, and ensuring prudent use of public resources.
“Any agreement or policy initiative that lacks transparency, public confidence, and clearly defined, measurable benefits risks further eroding trust in government. It is therefore imperative that the Federal Government publishes the full MoU, clearly explains its rationale, and outlines the mutual benefits, particularly the tangible advantages Nigeria stands to gain.
“Leadership demands openness, accountability, and commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people. Decisions of this nature must always be guided by what best serves the nation.”