NIGERIA NEWS
Okpebholo Pledges To Clear Inherited Salary Arrears, Gratuities At AAU Ekpoma
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has assured the management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, of his administration’s commitment to addressing accumulated unpaid salaries, gratuities and other critical challenges inherited from past administrations.
The governor gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie, and members of her management team on a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City.
Governor Okpebholo, while congratulating the Vice-Chancellor and her team on their appointments, noted that their presentation underscored the depth of challenges confronting the institution.
The governor in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr Patrick Ebojele said.
“From what you have outlined today, it is clear that Ambrose Alli University was on life support. I must commend the progress you have recorded so far since assuming the office,” the governor said.
“I am impressed by your efforts, and I want to assure you that in any way possible, this administration will support the university to reposition it and restore its lost glory.”
Addressing the issue of accumulated salary arrears, the governor described the non-payment of staff salaries over several years as unfair and unacceptable.
“It is not right for people to work and not be paid. The issue of unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities running into billions of naira is something I will take as a project,” he said.
“These are issues inherited from the past government, and we will address them.”
Governor Okpebholo also acknowledged other concerns raised by the University management, including hostel infrastructure, accreditation-related challenges and facilities required for programmes such as Medical Laboratory Science.
“This year’s budget is already at an advanced stage, but I expect that these critical needs will be properly captured in your budget proposals. Once that is done, we will see how best to move the institution forward,” he added.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omonzejie, explained that the delay in paying a courtesy visit to the governor was due to a recently concluded accreditation exercise and the need to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the state of the university.
She noted that the university she inherited was in a moribund state, plagued by infrastructural decay, unpaid salaries and accreditation challenges, among others.
Professor Omonzejie expressed profound appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for what she described as “life-saving interventions” since his assumption of office.
According to her, the governor’s approval of an increased monthly subvention, restoration of affected staff to the payroll, support for graduating backlog medical students, improved security logistics, and the facilitation of road construction through the Niger Delta Development Commission have significantly revived the institution.
She also formally presented pressing needs requiring urgent attention, including accumulated unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities and union deductions, as well as the construction of lecture theatres and hostels to enhance accreditation and expand student intake, particularly in the College of Medicine.
The meeting was attended by top government functionaries, including the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilo, Esq.; the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu among others.
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Residents of several communities in Yorro local government council of Taraba State have called for urgent action to abolish harmful cultural practices within the Mumuye ethnic group.
The call was made on Monday at the palace of the Chief of Mumuye, Alhaji Ado Adamu Manzan, during activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The residents described the cultural practices as detrimental to social development and the wellbeing of women and girls.
Community representatives used the occasion to highlight cultural practices they said have perpetuated inequality and hindered development in the area.
Appealing to the monarch as the custodian of culture and tradition, the residents urged him to intervene by expunging such practices from Mumuye customs. They stressed that urgent reforms were needed to address long-standing injustices that have relegated sections of the community, particularly women, to the background.
Organisers of the event, the Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation, WACHEF, and ActionAid Nigeria, also called on the traditional ruler and the Yorro local government leadership to enact bylaws aimed at abolishing harmful practices, many of which they noted disproportionately affect women and girls.
Speaking, the Chairman of WACHEF’s Board of Trustees, Dr Danjuma Garba, disclosed that gender-based violence remains prevalent in Yorro Local Government Area. He urged the monarch to collaborate with the council leadership to introduce bylaws to address cultural practices he described as inimical to the overall development of the area.
Garba, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Health Service Management Board, outlined ongoing interventions by WACHEF and ActionAid Nigeria across eight communities in the council.
He said the initiatives are focused on tackling harmful cultural practices and supporting vulnerable populations, expressing optimism that sustained advocacy would drive positive change.
He was also noticed to have raised concerns over the high prevalence of hepatitis in one of the communities and pledged the foundation’s commitment to addressing the health challenge.
Also speaking, the Advisor, Partnership and Local Rights Programme of ActionAid Nigeria, Hajara Opaluwa Adamu, identified poverty as a major driver of gender-based violence. She explained that ActionAid Nigeria is addressing the root causes of inequality through economic empowerment initiatives.
“At ActionAid Nigeria, we believe poverty is not accidental but the result of long-standing structural inequalities that deny women access to resources, opportunities and power. One of the most devastating consequences of this inequality is gender-based violence,” she said.
As part of the intervention, Adamu announced the launch of an economic empowerment grant scheme targeted at women in Local Rights Programme communities. She presented cheques totalling over N3 million to women trained in various skills, noting that the grants are meant to serve as start-up or scale-up capital for small businesses.
“These grants are not handouts but strategic investments in women’s resilience, dignity and leadership,” she said, adding that beneficiaries would receive continuous mentorship and business management training in collaboration with relevant government agencies.
A total of 70 women from Yorro and Gashaka Local Government Areas benefited from the grants. The communities include Bolimika, Dasso, Mika, Mazala, Nyaja Davo, Nyaladi Shumbo and Yali in Yorro, as well as Balewa, Mayang, Mayo Jakaza and Pumpo in Gashaka.
Responding to the appeals and advocacy by community members, WACHEF and ActionAid Nigeria, the Chief of Mumuye pledged to urgently address the concerns raised. He promised to take immediate steps to expunge all harmful cultural practices associated with the ethnic group.
- A video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) has drawn widespread attention after a newly moved-in tenant was seen thoroughly washing the entire compound of his new residence on his very first day.
- Despite barely settling in, the man embarked on what many viewers described as an unusually intense cleaning exercise.
A video has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) after a new tenant was seen immediately washing the entire compound upon moving into his new residence.
The tenant, who was barely settled, began the unusual deep clean, an action many online users found extreme for a first day in a new apartment.
The post, shared by user @Teeniola, sparked widespread reactions and speculation. Some users joked that the compound must have been extremely dirty. One user remarked: “The whole compound? Do you know how dirty the compound must have been for him to decide this was the next line of action ”.
Other users suggested the man might be following spiritual advice or instructions from his landlord to ensure peace in the new home
In other news….. The former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), has passed away. A close source confirmed his death early Tuesday morning, stating he died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) officially confirmed his passing in a condolence statement dated December 16, 2025, describing it as a “monumental loss” to the country.
The statement honored his career, noting that he was “a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice”. NAMLAS emphasized that throughout his judicial career, he “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law,”.
Beyond his service as the head of Nigeria’s judiciary, NAMLAS highlighted his role as a mentor: “To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students across the country,”.
The association extended condolences, concluding with the prayer: “Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” and asking that Allah grants him “the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus,”.
The Government of Benin Republic on Tuesday jailed at least 30 people, most of whom are soldiers, accused of links to a foiled coup attempt earlier this month.
DAILY POST recalls that soldiers appeared on national television on December 7 to announce that President Patrice Talon had been deposed.
However, the attempted coup was swiftly defeated by loyalist army forces with the help of the Nigerian air force and French special forces.
Several people were killed and the alleged coup leader lieutenant-colonel Pascal Tigri and other mutinous soldiers are still on the run.
At least 30 accused people on Monday appeared before a special prosecutor for the court for economic crimes and terrorism in the city of Cotonou.
They were reportedly placed in pre-trial detention the following day at the end of their hearing.
They are being prosecuted for treason, murder and endangering state security.
Meanwhile, Chabi Yayi, son of former Beninese President and current opposition figure Thomas Boni Yayi, who was earlier arrested, was released on Monday after being questioned but remains under prosecution in connection with the coup bid for reasons that are not known.
He is alleged to be a member of the opposition party led by his father.
President Talon is accused by critics of authoritarianism in a country once praised for its democratic dynamism.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licenses of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc.
This was announced in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali.
Naija News reports that the operational licenses of the two primary mortgage banks were revoked based on multiple regulatory violations and financial distress.
The apex bank explained that the decision was taken as part of efforts to reposition the mortgage subsector and promote a culture of compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
The CBN added that its actions are backed by Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and Section 7.3 of the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks in Nigeria.
The affected institutions were found to have breached various provisions, including:
– Failure to meet the minimum paid-up share capital requirement for their license category.
– Having insufficient assets to cover liabilities.
– Being critically undercapitalized, with capital adequacy ratios below the CBN’s prudential minimum.
– Non-compliance with several directives and obligations imposed by the regulator.
Furthermore, the two institutions have faced longstanding challenges, including past complaints from depositors, allegations of corporate governance issues, and delisting from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in 2024 due to failure to submit audited accounts for over six years.
- Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), has died in Saudi Arabia.
- His death was confirmed by close sources and officially announced by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students, which described his passing as a monumental loss.
The former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), has passed away. A close source confirmed his death early Tuesday morning, stating he died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) officially confirmed his passing in a condolence statement dated December 16, 2025, describing it as a “monumental loss” to the country.
The statement honored his career, noting that he was “a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice”. NAMLAS emphasized that throughout his judicial career, he “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law,”.
Beyond his service as the head of Nigeria’s judiciary, NAMLAS highlighted his role as a mentor: “To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students across the country,”.
The association extended condolences, concluding with the prayer: “Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” and asking that Allah grants him “the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus,”.
In other news….. Record producer Samklef has criticized singer Davido, accusing him of fueling rivalry and negativity within the Nigerian music scene.
The producer made the remarks in response to a tweet by fellow producer-turned-singer Pheelz, who had expressed concerns about the competitive and toxic atmosphere in the industry. Pheelz wrote, “Music was meant to be enjoyed, not compared. This comparison game is damaging the sound and culture more than we realize.”
Samklef argued that the Nigerian music industry used to thrive on mutual respect when artists like Wizkid and Olamide dominated the scene. He suggested that the dynamics shifted after Davido entered the industry.
According to Samklef, Davido’s presence introduced toxicity, a “cultist mindset,” threats, and fraudulent streaming practices. He emphasized that music should be about passion, not rivalry.
He added, “Music was fun when we started. With Wizkid, there were no comparisons just love for the craft. Olamide came in, and it was the same no pressure, no animosity, just music. Then this one Scorpio boy who moves like Diddy arrived, and the industry changed. Toxicity, fake streams, threats, and dirty tactics became common.”
NIGERIA NEWS
Deputy Senate President lauds security forces after rescue of 3 kidnapped villagers in Kano
By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
The Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, has commended security operatives for rescuing three of the five persons kidnapped by bandits in Zurin Mahauta village, Lakwaya town, Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, on Sunday night. The statement was issued by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity, on Monday.
According to Mudashir’s press release, bandits suspected to be from neighbouring states stormed Zurin Mahauta village late Sunday night and abducted five residents. Senator Barau, in the statement, described the invasion as “condemnable” and called for immediate action against the criminals.
“The good news, however, is that security operatives have rescued three out of the five persons kidnapped,” Senator Barau said, urging the gallant officers to “go after the criminals to rescue the remaining two persons.” He emphasized that the incursion must be the last in a series of attacks on peace‑loving communities in Kano.
The rescue operation was confirmed by Captain Babatunde Zubairu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, who told Daily Trust around 3 p.m. on Monday that “three persons have so far been rescued.”
Senator Barau, who also serves as First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, warned that “this unfortunate incursion must be the last in the series of attacks on our peace‑loving people.” He noted that the area had been quiet for weeks before Sunday’s raid.
He appealed to security agencies to “redouble their efforts in fortifying the areas and remain vigilant in tackling these marauding criminal elements,” stressing that “the security of our people’s lives and properties is paramount.”
The Deputy Senate President reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies with logistics to enhance their performance, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance to prevent future attacks in Kano State.
The statement concluded with a call for swift justice for the kidnappers and continued collaboration between community leaders and security operatives to safeguard rural settlements across the state.
NIGERIA NEWS
Lady Emotional as She Meets VeryDarkMan at Airport, Video of Her Behaviour Trends: “I Was Shaking”
- A trending video has shown a lady’s epic reaction when she met internet personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, at the airport
- The lady, a serving corps member, was overwhelmed with emotion and stuttered as she made a video with the calm VeryDarkMan
- While many people trolled the lady over her outburst of emotion on seeing VeryDarkMan, others excused her behaviour
A serving corps member, @alao_eunice, has shared a video on TikTok showing her emotional reaction when she met VeryDarkMan aboard an aeroplane.
In the clip, the thrilled lady couldn’t keep calm as she interacted with VeryDarkMan and made a video with him for her sister, Mercy Owolabi, whom she said is his biggest fan.
A lady loses her composure after meeting VeryDarkMan at the airport.
Photo Credit: @alao_eunice
Source: TikTok
Lady speaks on meeting VeryDarkMan at airport
“My sister loves you so much. She is crazy about you. Mercy Owolabi,” the lady told VeryDarkMan while stuttering.
She further informed him that her sister was waiting at the airport and looked forward to seeing him. A calm VeryDarkMan gave a shoutout to the lady’s sister while speaking to the camera.
Read also
Lady in tears as theives break into new shop weeks after taking loan to launch it: “Cruel world”
“Mercy Owolabi, how are you doing? Merry Christmas and happy new year in advance,” VeryDarkMan said.
Speaking about her emotional outburst on seeing the celebrity, the lady admitted that she never expected that she would behave that way, as she is not usually moved by celebrities.
She further said she had been on flights with celebrities and even turned down some of their offers to take pictures, but when she got close to VeryDarkMan, she said she lost her steeze and composure.
She observed that celebrities carry a kind of sparkle that overwhelms one in proximity with them, and VeryDarkMan wasn’t any different. In her words:
“Guys… I couldn’t believe I actually got nervous and started stuttering around a celebrity 😭✨ Normally, I’m that person who doesn’t get moved. I’ve been on flights, met a couple of celebrities before, even had some ask me to take pictures and I said no because I just… don’t freeze over celebrities. But then… I met VDM at the airport. I told my sister, who’s his biggest fan ever, that I might make a video for her. And she was screaming on the other line, so excited. And then, when I got close… 
Read also
“Babygirl took a little break”: Lady missing 8 days found at boyfriend’s house, story goes viral
“I completely lost my composure. I was stuttering, shaking, I was a mess guys😅 Honestly, celebrities carry this kind of sparkle that just overwhelms you, and I could feel it being around him. So yeah… that’s how I lost my steeze, my composure, and my aura went straight to zero 🥲✨ Hopefully, I’ll recover soon… but for now, let’s just say Zero steeze.”
A lady says she lost her composure when she got close to VeryDarkMan.
Photo Credit: @alao_eunice
Source: TikTok
Watch her video below:
Reactions trail lady’s meeting with VeryDarkMan
Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the lady’s meeting with VeryDarkMan below:
Chiks🫦 said:
“Wizkid, Dbanj, Timaya, Kizz , Duncan, Davido these are celebrities I love and can remember I’ve been in same close space with and I wasn’t star struck. But guess who I was star struck for. MARY REMY NJOKU 😭😭 I couldn’t control my emotions. One of my role models.”
Chisom Ifeanyi said:
“My love u have the right to react anyhow u want to react when u see someone u like for the first time is normal.”
Oluwonder said:
“Omo anytime I see celebrity, I go do like say I no see them make they no vex say I no greet them.”
CHI_SOM🧚♀️💕 said:
“Imagine? 😂😭I can only say sir pls let’s take a picture (if I want to 🙄) buh for this one mbahhh 😂😭make I get bp cause say I see celebrity.”
Read also
“I was so confused”: Lady figures out the marital status of Apostle Joshua Selman, post trends
Ceph_code said:
“There’s one thing I’ve always loved to have… influence + positive impact.”
SIM_2 said:
“First of all, you no get steeze, aura and whatever composure before ma.”
Gillian 💙💦☯️ said:
“Awww I was just smiling throughout the video.”
Dera nwa said:
“Please next time take a deep breath 😩and calmly make your video.”
Biggest 💪🇬🇭🇳🇬🇹🇷 said:
“Don’t mind there comment ooo them go do pass you self if them there favorite 😻 darki till death.”
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a lady had shared a video of VeryDarkMan in a community playing ball with children.
Videographer shares her experience with VeryDarkMan
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a videographer who approached VeryDarkMan to work with him shares his response.
The lady approached VerDarkMan at the event and introduced herself as a huge fan. A video captured the lady’s bold move as she asked VDM for an opportunity to collaborate with him professionally.
Read also
“God, forgive me”: Lady who wishes to marry Joshua Selman speaks out, mentions who she saw
VeryDarkMan’s response was brief, as he asked if she could operate a drone, to which she replied in the negative. Despite this, he promised to take her phone number, igniting hope for a potential collaboration. The lady expressed her gratitude towards him for giving her the chance to showcase her work.
Source: Legit.ng
NIGERIA NEWS
“I talk am say that textbook no be N8,500” – Man rants as course rep acquires iPhone 17 Pro Max
A Nigerian man has taken to social media to express outrage after suspecting that his course representative may have inflated the cost of a departmental textbook for personal gain.
According to the man, doubts arose when the course representative announced a textbook price that seemed unusually high.
Acting on instinct, he stated that he decided to verify the actual cost of the book and the recent phone purchase proves that the amount charged to students was significantly above the real price.
He said that the situation became more suspicious after the course representative was later seen with a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max, prompting speculation that students’ money may have been misappropriated.
The man added that if he were not positioned to become the next course representative, there would be an issue.
He said in part …
“I talk am say that textbook no be N8,500. Something in me told me ‘bro go and verify’ if I no be me course rep next session…”
In reaction, one netizen @PRINCE STAMP FLOORING DESIGN shared: “why this video come now way we dey get class issue about this same thing,and nah same human Anatomy 🤣🤣🤣”
@E🖤L💙M💜A said: “Jezzz I talk am oooo. Because she just buy am last month ooo”
@danny_oyie remarked: “the textbook nah 2500
the remaining 6000 x 200 students nah 1.2m
why E no go buy 17 pro max
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣”
Watch video below …
@uzebe_7
Just for cruise……..😂😂😂😂 #zebvii #goviral #foryoupagе #fyp #igboamaka
♬ original sound – ZEB Vii
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed growing concerns that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state, describing such claims as “an odious comment” by those he called “internally displaced politicians.”
Basiru stated this on Monday during an interview on Prime Time on ARISE NEWS, where he defended the dominance of the ruling party, the wave of defections to the APC, and the policies of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to concerns that multi-party democracy was weakening, Basiru said Nigeria remained firmly a multiparty state, pointing to the spread of political parties controlling different states across the country.
“I don’t think so. I think it’s a very odious comment and opinion by those I call internally displaced politicians,” he said.
“Today we have multiparty democracy even well illustrated by the spread of the political parties that are in control of various states in Nigeria.”
He noted that while the APC currently controls 27 states, other parties still hold governorship positions.
“Yes, my party, the APC has 27 governors, the PDP has five governors, APGA has one, NNPP has one, and AP party just got a governor,” Basiru said, asking, “What other illustration of multiparty democracy do you have?”
He argued that multiparty democracy did not require the ruling party to weaken itself for the opposition’s sake.
“Multiparty democracy does not mean that the ruling party should allow itself to be weakened, should become indolent and complacent,” he said.
“If multiparty democracy means canvassing your ideas, expressing freedom of association, freedom of information and freedom to organise, then definitely Nigeria is a multiparty democracy and working stronger.”
The APC scribe also rejected allegations that the Tinubu administration was weaponising anti-corruption agencies against opposition figures, insisting that law enforcement institutions were independent.
“I must immediately address the erroneous impression which is rather ridiculous for people to say that the presidency is weaponising EFCC. There’s no such thing like that,” Basiru said.
He cited examples of APC members facing prosecution to counter claims of selective justice.
“Governor Bello is a prominent member of our party and is currently standing trial before at least two courts in Nigeria. Is that victimisation?” he asked.
Basiru added that politicians with clean records had nothing to fear.
“If you don’t have skeleton in your cupboard, nobody should be afraid that anybody will go after you,” he said.
“Do you have immunity against criminal investigation or criminal prosecution just for the fact that you belong to opposition?”
Drawing parallels with Tinubu’s past, Basiru recalled that the president himself had once been subjected to anti-corruption trials.
“When our now president was prosecuted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to full trial, that did not stop Bola Tinubu from continuing to organise and mobilise the opposition,” he said.
Addressing claims that governors were defecting to the APC to escape prosecution, Basiru dismissed the argument as illogical.
“People are harassing and saying some very unpalatable comment about governors who have defected as if they did not know that under the Nigerian law a sitting governor has immunity against criminal prosecution,” he said.
He cited reasons publicly given by defecting governors, including infrastructure projects and federal support.
“When governors had come forward to say the reasons why they decided to join the APC, the governor mentioned four important factors,” Basiru said, referencing road construction, electrification projects, and federal waivers granted under Tinubu’s administration.
He further rejected reports that the APC was scheming to secure bloc votes from specific regions to guarantee Tinubu’s re-election.
“That’s a fallacy,” he said. “We are creating a pan-Nigerian political party and the strength of the APC is all over Nigeria.”
He described claims that the party was targeting votes from the South-South and North-Central as “fertile imagination,” adding, “We have become a pan-Nigerian political party, we propagate our party and our programmes and get membership acceptance from Nigerians from all walks of life.”
Responding to suggestions that Tinubu was losing support in the North, Basiru cited recent election outcomes as evidence of APC’s strength.
“The barometer for acceptance of the president and political party is election,” he said. “Elections are not done on the pages of newspapers. They are not done in the studio of ARISE Television. They are done with the masses.”
He added that in the most recent elections, the APC won the majority of available seats.
On the economy, Basiru insisted that Tinubu’s reforms were yielding results, particularly in inflation and food prices.
“Just today (Monday) 14.5% is the inflation rate. On the contrary, it was about 34% in 2024,” he said, claiming that food prices had declined significantly.
“The uppermost bag of rice in Nigeria today is ₦60,000. In the corresponding period last year, it was about ₦100,000,” Basiru said, urging Nigerians to “go and price.”
Acknowledging initial hardship following subsidy removal and naira reforms, he maintained that the economy was stabilising.
“We thank God today that Nigerians are beginning to see the good side effect of the fact that we are now recalibrating Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
Basiru admitted that insecurity remained a challenge but rejected claims that no progress had been made.
“To say that we have not made advancement in the past two and a half years of the Bola Tinubu administration would not be correct,” he said.
He pointed to improvements in the South-East and parts of Southern Kaduna, while conceding that insecurity had not been completely eradicated.
“It’s a lingering problem… and we are very serious and very committed in being able to do so,” he added.
Defending Nigeria’s intervention in neighbouring Benin Republic, Basiru said the move was lawful, strategic and later ratified by the National Assembly.
“If there’s a major crisis in Benin, how do you envisage that will not spill over to Nigeria?” he asked.
He added that swift action was sometimes necessary. “Time is essential in terms of intervention in such a kind of matter,” Basiru said, noting that parliamentary approval followed shortly after.
He also defended the nomination of former INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and other names that raised controversy on the ambassadorial list.
“Everybody is presumed to be innocent until proven otherwise,” he said, adding that none of the nominees was facing criminal prosecution.
On Yakubu’s nomination, he said, “There’s no law inhibiting somebody who has served his country creditably well from being appointed as an ambassador.”
He stressed that APC had both wins and losses under Yakubu’s watch at INEC. “Even under Professor Mahmood Yakubu, our party lost elections,” Basiru said.
The Senate has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate fake reports circulating about the health of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
The resolution was adopted on Tuesday during plenary following a point of order raised by Senator Titus Zam, who drew attention to false reports on media platforms alleging that Akpabio suffered a health emergency and was rushed to a hospital in London.
Zam described the misinformation as unacceptable and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
Responding while presiding over the plenary, Akpabio lamented the growing difficulty in regulating media content, particularly reports concerning politicians, and described some publications on online platforms as “garbage in, garbage out,” highlighting the difficulty in curbing falsehoods.
This development follows recent online rumors alleging Akpabio’s collapse and hospitalization, which his aides have firmly denied as “fake news.”
Photos of Senate President presiding over senate plenary: