INSTANT NEWS

President Tinubu highlighted the necessity of addressing banditry and terrorism to ensure farmers can cultivate and transport food efficiently. He pointed out that poor infrastructure, such as damaged roads, exacerbates the food supply problem, with significant losses occurring during transportation.

Reaffirming his dedication to Nigeria, Tinubu stated, "Good economics at a harsh time is the challenge that we must face. No matter how difficult it is, I will not turn my back on Nigeria." He urged citizens to adopt a more productive mindset and move away from rent-seeking behaviors, emphasizing the need to combat smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.

Tinubu called for a national campaign to change the value system and mindset towards the country, stressing that everyone must contribute to overcoming current challenges.

He also praised the National Assembly's leadership for their support, which has facilitated key developments in his administration. Tinubu expressed pride in the partnership with the National Assembly, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in governance to alleviate the nation's hardships.

Senate President Akpabio, speaking to journalists after the meeting, lauded President Tinubu's leadership during his first year in office. He assured that the National Assembly would work on improving legislation to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

In a recent exchange, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar attributed Nigeria's economic challenges to the "poor policies" of President Bola Tinubu. However, the Presidency responded, accusing Atiku of hypocrisy and failing to propose better policy alternatives. Atiku criticized Tinubu's economic policies, stating that they are causing pain, despair, and a shrinking private sector. He also questioned the effectiveness of Tinubu's budget and characterized his initiatives as uninformed and chaotic.

On the other hand, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Atiku's criticism, claiming it reflects a mission as a poor opposition figure. Onanuga defended Tinubu's reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and harmonization of exchange rates, emphasizing their long-term benefits. He countered Atiku's claims about a shrinking private sector and multinational companies leaving, stating they are not grounded in facts.

The Presidency highlighted Tinubu's acknowledgment that the reforms would cause immediate pain but insisted they are essential for future prosperity. Onanuga urged Atiku to be honest about the inherited weak economy and commended President Tinubu's focus on solving economic and security challenges through fiscal and tax policy reforms. Despite Atiku's criticism, the Presidency emphasized its commitment to nation-building and economic recovery initiated by President Tinubu.

Residents of Minna, the capital of Niger State, voiced their frustration on Monday by staging a protest against the soaring cost of living in the country. The demonstrators, consisting of women and youths, took to the streets, blocking major roads in the metropolis while chanting protest songs. Despite the visible presence of security agents, including policemen, the protesters pressed on with their grievances.

Citing the escalating prices of essential food items and expressing dissatisfaction with the government's response to address the situation, the protesters sought to draw attention to their plight by obstructing key roadways. The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, engaged with the protesters, acknowledging the challenges faced by families and assuring them that the government is actively working to alleviate the cost of living and mitigate the effects of the petrol subsidy removal.

Simultaneously, a war of words unfolded on Sunday between the Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the state of the Nigerian economy and President Bola Tinubu's monetary policies. Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), used a post on X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the prevailing hunger in the nation, with basic commodities, including bread, becoming increasingly unaffordable for the average Nigerian. Responding swiftly, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, accused Atiku of adopting the role of a poor opposition-in-chief, asserting that the reforms initiated by the Tinubu government might bring immediate challenges but are designed to usher in prosperity in the medium and long terms.

Nigerian police have successfully rescued five sisters who were kidnapped in Abuja, the country's capital. The joint police-army operation took place in the Kajuru forest in Kaduna State on Saturday night, where the girls were being held hostage. The abduction occurred earlier this month, and one of the sisters was tragically killed during the incident. Although the kidnappers had demanded a ransom, the police statement did not specify whether any payment was made. The rescued girls, aged from the early teens to 23, have now been reunited with their family.

The abduction involved the six sisters and their father, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, in Bwari, a suburb of Abuja, on January 2. Witnesses reported that the girls' uncle sought help but was ambushed and killed, along with three police officers. Mansoor was released by the kidnappers on the condition he raised a substantial ransom. Unfortunately, his 21-year-old daughter, Nabeeha, was killed as a warning. Kidnapping has become prevalent in Nigeria, with criminal gangs seeing it as a lucrative venture. The incident sparked national outrage, leading to calls for intensified efforts by security agencies to address the kidnapping crisis.

First Lady Remi Tinubu urged security agencies to step up their efforts, demanding a swift return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters. Despite a ransom demand of 65 million naira, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar discouraged contributions, emphasizing that ransom payments worsen the situation. Nigerian law prohibits paying ransom, but victims often yield to secure their loved ones' release due to a lack of trust in authorities. Concerns about insecurity reaching the capital prompted Abuja's police force to establish a special squad to combat kidnapping gangs. Minister Abubakar asserted that operations against these gangs elsewhere forced them to move closer to the capital, and security agencies are working diligently to eliminate the threat.

On Tuesday, the Federal Government inaugurated four Reform Task Teams with the goal of expediting the realization of presidential objectives for the housing sector in Nigeria. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, stressed the importance of unlocking the sector's massive potential for fostering inclusive economic growth.

The four committees introduced are the Housing Institutions Reform Task Team, the Multi-Agency Project Delivery Team, the Land Reform Task Team, and the Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs Task Team. Minister Dangiwa challenged these committees to diligently work and present their recommendations within an eight-week timeframe. He emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms addressing systemic issues hindering development and removing legal impediments in the housing sector.

Dangiwa highlighted President Bola Tinubu's commitment to revitalizing the housing sector, citing the demerger from the Ministry of Works and the establishment of the task teams as significant steps toward realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda for the sector.

The Housing Institutions Reform Task Team aims to create a robust framework for optimizing housing agencies under the ministry's supervision, delivering decent and affordable homes to Nigerians. The Multi-Agency Project Delivery Task Team will ensure collaborative efforts among housing agencies for efficient housing delivery. The Land Reform Task Team focuses on developing a blueprint for sustainable land administration reforms, promoting easy and cost-effective land access. The Building Materials Manufacturing Hub Task Team will assess the current state of the building materials manufacturing sector, identifying challenges and opportunities.

Dangiwa assured the committees of the government's support and resources to fulfill their responsibilities within the specified timeline. He urged the Federal Housing Authority to intensify operations with government support and encouraged the Federal Mortgage Bank to provide mortgages, enabling more Nigerians to own homes.

Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the necessity of these task teams in addressing multifaceted challenges in effective housing delivery. The chairmen and members of the committees were selected for their proven integrity and competence. The appointed chairmen include Adedeji Adesemoye for the Housing Institutions Reform Task Team, Dr. Ugochukwu Chime for the Land Reform Task Team, Nuhu Wya for the Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs Task Team, and Brig. Gen. Tunde Reis for the Multi-Agency Project Task Team.

Nigerians expressed their approval on Tuesday as President Bola Tinubu took a decisive step to reduce the size of his entourage for domestic and international travels by 60%. This move aims to curb excessive spending on travel.

The austerity measures extend to all federal ministries, departments, and agencies, including the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, and the wives of both. President's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed the details, emphasizing the president's commitment to cutting costs.

On international trips, President Tinubu directed that only 20 individuals accompany him, reduced to five for the First Lady. The Vice President's entourage on official international trips is also limited to five, with the same restriction for the Vice President's wife.

This decision follows criticism of the Tinubu administration for sponsoring over a thousand delegates to COP28 in Dubai, with reports suggesting significant spending. Many Nigerians commended the president for this move, urging governors to follow suit to reduce recurrent expenditure.

Despite some skepticism, there was widespread appreciation for the cost-cutting initiative, with citizens lauding President Tinubu's leadership by example. The spokesperson emphasized that the president is determined to bring prudence and sanity to the management of public resources.

Further details include limits on staff members accompanying officials on domestic and international trips. Ministers and agency heads now face restrictions on the number of individuals allowed to travel with them. The president's spokesperson emphasized the seriousness of the directive and warned against defying it. This initiative reflects Tinubu's commitment to aligning government prudence with the expectations of Nigerian citizens.

In the aftermath of the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the ministry's Permanent Secretary, has assumed the responsibilities of the ministry. This transition aligns with the directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who suspended Betta Edu on Monday, citing alleged payments of public funds into private accounts.

The assumption of responsibilities by Enitan occurred following the reception of a letter to that effect from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Monday night. President Tinubu, through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, instructed the suspended Minister to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The President further directed Edu to fully cooperate with investigating authorities during their inquiry. Additionally, a panel headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance has been tasked by the President to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programs. The aim is to reform relevant institutions and programs, addressing institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and regaining lost public confidence in the initiative.

The year 2023 marked the tenth anniversary of the partial privatization of the power sector, where the Federal Government relinquished its 60% stakes in 11 electricity distribution companies and either sold or concessioned seven power generation plants. Despite this move toward privatization, electricity supply has remained inconsistent, leaving consumers frustrated. Surprisingly, the government, attempting to divest from the sector, ended up spending over N7 trillion to support the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The power sector underwent significant changes in 2023 with the signing into law of the Electoral Act, shifting the power sector from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list. This allowed state governments not only to issue licenses but also to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their states. Adebayo Adelabu's appointment as the Minister of Power marked a unique development, as he became the first individual to administer the sector single-handedly since the advent of the present democracy in 1999.

Despite a 13,000MW installed capacity from the country's 27 power generating plants, power generation remained exceptionally low due to poor utilization. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reported a worrying plant availability factor (PAF) of 33.31% in 2023/Q3, highlighting the significant issue of mechanical outages, particularly stemming from the age of many plants.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), managing the national grid, faced challenges with repeated collapses and attacks on transmission towers. The government aimed to unbundle TCN into two entities, Independent System Operator and Transmission Service Provider. Despite efforts to upgrade substations and procure new transformers, incidents like fire outbreaks and attacks on power towers persisted.

Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) continued to perform poorly, neglecting infrastructure investments and lacking in proper metering. As of September 2023, only 44.51% of registered electricity customers in NESI were metered. The Federal Government took steps to address this metering gap, opening bids for 1.25 million electricity smart meters funded by a $155 million World Bank loan.

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) played a role in rural electrification through the Nigeria Electrification Projects (NEP), providing electricity to 6.8 million people under a $350 million World Bank loan and a $200 million African Development Bank loan. The World Bank expressed interest in supporting a successor project with another $750 million grant.

Despite these efforts, the power sector faced financial struggles. Closing the metering gap was identified as a crucial step, with calls for the government to ensure that all customers are provided with electricity meters. Addressing losses, expanding and modernizing networks, and encouraging necessary investments in the sector were highlighted as essential measures to support tariff adjustments and improve overall efficiency in the power sector.

President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for public universities currently under the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to exit the payment platform. The Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir, revealed this development shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Tinubu.

Providing further clarification on this presidential directive, Minister of Information and National Orientation Muhammed Idris explained, "Today, the universities and other tertiary institutions have gotten a very big relief from the integrated payroll and personnel information system." He emphasized that the clamor for exemption from IPPIS by university authorities and other tertiary institutions has been addressed.

The Federal Executive Council has officially approved the removal of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education from the IPPIS. Going forward, these institutions, as highlighted by the Minister of Education, will manage the payment of their personnel independently, marking a significant shift from reliance on the IPPIS system. This decision is expected to offer more autonomy to universities and other tertiary institutions in handling their financial processes.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly stated his willingness to testify on behalf of Nigeria in the $2.3 billion disputed Mambilla power contract involving former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye. The disagreement has led to a legal battle at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France, where Sunrise Power and Nigeria are entangled in a contractual dispute.

Sunrise Power claims to have been awarded a $6 billion contract in May 2003 by the government during Obasanjo's presidency. This contract was for the construction, operation, and transfer of the Mambilla power project. The company alleges that the Federal Government of Nigeria breached the contract and is seeking compensation of $2.3 billion. Sunrise Power contends that it had incurred significant expenses on financial and legal consultants before the contract was canceled.

Contrarily, the Nigerian government, in its defense, has raised allegations of fraud and corruption involving public officials in the awarding of the Mambilla power contract. In response to these developments, Obasanjo, through a letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, expressed his readiness to testify on behalf of the Nigerian government "in any form." This revelation adds an intriguing dimension to the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Mambilla power project.

Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Minister of Finance, has called on the federal government to address the issue of Nigerian refineries by repairing them and subsequently selling the facilities to capable operators. Falae emphasized the importance of crude oil, the nation's natural resource, suggesting that it should be sold at the cost of production plus a reasonable margin. He firmly believes that resolving Nigeria's fuel-related problems, including pricing issues, largely hinges on the repair and recommissioning of the refineries, followed by their transfer to competent operators.

Falae expressed skepticism about the federal government's ability to effectively run the refineries. He proposed a solution where the government repairs and sells the refineries to entities with the expertise to manage them efficiently. According to Falae, this approach could lead to a significant improvement in the fuel situation in Nigeria.

Additionally, Falae addressed concerns about the manufacturing industry in the country, describing it as almost dead. He identified inadequate power supply as a critical factor affecting the manufacturing sector, stating that addressing power challenges is crucial for the revival of manufacturing in Nigeria. Furthermore, Falae suggested that the president does not necessarily have to hold the position of the minister of petroleum, indicating that separating these roles could be beneficial.

Protesters surged onto the premises of the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday, responding to the Sunday bombing of a village in Kaduna State. Occupying the entrance gate for over two hours, the demonstrators called for justice for the victims and issued a challenge to the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, urging him to fulfill his responsibilities or step down.

An air strike intended to target terrorists inadvertently struck civilians during a religious celebration in Tudun Biri on Sunday night. Amnesty International officials, upon visiting the affected villages, confirmed an increase in the death toll, which now stands at 120.

Addressing the media, Nasir Ishaku, the leader of the protesters representing the National Youth Council of Nigeria, North West Zone, and Arewa Youth Movement, demanded justice for the victims. He expressed concern over the escalating security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern region, and criticized the perceived incompetence of Minister Badaru, calling for his resignation. Ishaku highlighted the ongoing challenges, including the loss of armed forces members, the captivity of university students, and the overall deterioration of security in the country.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has sounded an alarm regarding the widespread resignation of lecturers from Nigerian universities, causing a significant shortage of staff in various departments and units. The union attributes this exodus to factors such as poor and delayed salaries, unpaid allowances, inadequate infrastructure, lack of respect for the academic community, and a perceived decline in hope for improvement. Professor Ayo Akinwole, the chairman of ASUU at the University of Ibadan, emphasized the dire state of Nigeria's public universities, with visibly stressed and frustrated lecturers.

Akinwole pointed out that unless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervenes by addressing the conditions of service, including salaries, allowances, and infrastructure, the trend of lecturers resigning and seeking opportunities abroad may persist. He criticized the government's approach, noting that while funding for education is lacking, there are proposals in the National Assembly to establish 32 more universities. Akinwole argued that creating more universities is not a solution and suggested enhancing the capacity of existing institutions to admit more students.

The ASUU leader highlighted reports of monthly resignations among colleagues due to poor treatment and inadequate remuneration in Nigeria. He expressed concern about global competition for quality educators and emphasized the need for intentional improvements in conditions of service to retain the best talent. Akinwole criticized the government's policy, stating that the prolonged process of obtaining approval from Abuja for hiring delays urgent replacements and allows other countries to attract highly qualified candidates. Additionally, he pointed out the interference from higher-ups, including the Ministry of Education and legislators, in dictating university hiring decisions.

In a successful joint operation, troops from the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with local vigilantes, managed to rescue six hostages who had been abducted by bandits in the dense forest of Shanga Local Government Area in Kebbi. The operation, conducted by the troops of 1 Battalion stationed at Dukku Barracks in Birnin Kebbi, alongside vigilant community members, targeted Kogon Damisa Hill near Saminaka in Shanga LGA, situated on the border between Kebbi and Niger. The rescue mission proved effective, dislodging a significant number of bandits and ensuring the safe recovery of all six kidnap victims. Despite having been reported missing earlier, the victims were found to have been abducted some time ago. The hostages, comprising all males, were rescued in good condition and have since been reunited with their families. The success of the operation highlights the commitment of the Nigerian government to collaborate with and support security agencies in the ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities in the region. The government's Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris on Media and Publicity, Malam Yahaya Sarki, expressed gratitude to the gallant troops and emphasized the unwavering dedication to enhancing security across the state.

Burna Boy has secured the top spot on the Billboard Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Artists Chart, reaffirming his global influence. The Grammy-winning Nigerian singer's accomplishment is notable, with Rema following closely in the second position. The chart also features talented artists like Tems, Libianca, and Wizkid in the third, fourth, and fifth spots, respectively.

The rest of the top 10 includes Ayra Starr, CKay, Asake, Davido, and Oxlade, showcasing the diverse talents within the Afrobeats genre. This ranking, released via the Billboard website, emphasizes the impact of these artists on the U.S. Afrobeats scene.

In addition to the artist chart, Rema's 'Calm Down' remix featuring Selena Gomez claimed the top spot on the Billboard Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. Libianca's 'People' and Tems' 'Free Mind' secured the second and third positions, contributing to the rich musical landscape.

Wizkid's 'Essence' featuring Tems and Justin Bieber, along with Burna Boy's 'Last Last,' completed the top 5 songs on the Afrobeats Songs chart. Rema's 'Calm Down' further achieved notable success, ranking No. 1 on Billboard's 2023 Pop Airplay & Rhythmic Airplay year-end chart and securing the sixth position on the Hot 100 Year-End 2023 chart. These achievements underscore the growing influence and popularity of Afrobeats on the global music scene.

The Federal Government has given its approval for the establishment of the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD) system, as revealed by the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman. During a stakeholders' engagement program in Abuja, Mamman announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) not only approved the establishment of the National Databank for the education sector but also endorsed the national policy for its operation.

Mamman characterized the unveiling of the NERD project as a groundbreaking initiative, marking a pivotal moment in the history of post-secondary and tertiary education in Nigeria. Over the next five years, the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with key stakeholders, aims to lead the NERD project, an ambitious digitalization effort capturing academic reports and publications dating back to 1932 from all types of institutions.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Mamman emphasized that it is the most audacious attempt to aggregate all knowledge produced in tertiary institutions without compromising their autonomy. The project is designed to preserve and digitize a comprehensive range of academic records and publications.

Mr. Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development, commended the Ministry for addressing a critical national problem through the employment of state institutions. He expressed his appreciation for witnessing the federal government's commitment to knowledge preservation.

The Permanent Secretary, David Adejo, explained that the NERD project is a holistic effort to promote perpetual document and record preservation in electronic formats, contributing positively to national security and prestige. Adejo further noted that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with the private sector to establish the first-ever private-sector-led automated National Education Document Bank in Africa, serving as both a commercial enterprise and a significant contributor to the nation's digital economy.