Headlines
Endure a Little Bit More, FG Tells Nigerians Amid Hardship
The Federal government, on Thursday, said it appreciates the endurance of Nigerians on side effects of economic reforms, which it says have started yielding results.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated this during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Finance.
According to him, teething problems from the reforms are over for Nigerians as positive indicators for better days are already emerging.
“The two critical reforms on market-based price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and foreign exchange, are now at the stage of results delivery and by extension, viability of the Nation’s economy through restoration of fiscal viability,” he stated.
“These two pillars of the economic reforms that have taken positive shape now portends additional revenue for government, recovery of the finances of NNPCL and strong basis for growing the economy, in terms of attracting investment and creating of jobs.
“I think we need to commend Nigerians for staying the cause to this stage of getting benefits.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa, said the session was a fact finding one on workability or otherwise of the various reforms.
“Today we gather to deliberate on the pressing matters related to the sales of crude oil to domestic refineries in Nigeria, in Naira and its implication on the approved medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper for 2024-2026 and what we should expect for 2025-2027.
“Additionally, we will examine shortfalls in NMPCL revenue remittances, focusing on key areas such as foreign and domestic excess crude accounts, the signature bonus accounts, NMPCL cash call account and any outstanding or remitted revenue linked to under-recoveries.
“This meeting underscores our commitment to transparency, accountability and the responsible management of our national resources.
“I am confident that with the collaboration of the Ministry of Finance under the able leadership of the coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria and Revenue Mobilization and Physical Commission and other critical stakeholders present here, we will identify solutions and ensure that due process are upheld for the benefit of our economy and the Nigerian people.”
Aside the Finance Minister, the Group Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, the Director General of Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, representatives of Governor of the Central Bank also attended the session which was later joined by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio while in closed door.
Headlines
‘Hands off’: Millions of People Join Protests Against Trump and Elon Musk Across All US States
Millions of people took part in protests against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk across all 50 states and globally on Saturday, organized by a pro-democracy movement over “hostile takeover” and attack on American rights and freedoms.
According to CNN, over 1,400 “Hands Off!” mass-action protests were held at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices, Social Security’s headquarters, parks and city halls throughout the entire country – anywhere “we can make sure they hear us,” organizers said.
“Hands Off!” demands “an end to this billionaire power grab.”
“Whether you are mobilized by the attacks on our democracy, the slashing of jobs, the invasion of privacy, or the assault on our services – this moment is for you,” the event flyers state. “We are setting out to build a massive, visible, national rejection of this crisis.”
Nearly 600,000 people had signed up to attend the events, some of which took place in major cities like London and Paris, according to Indivisible, one of the organizations leading the movement in collaboration with a nationwide coalition that includes civil rights organizations, veterans, women’s rights groups, labor unions and LGBTQ+ advocates.
Organizers say they have three demands: “an end to the billionaire takeover and rampant corruption of the Trump administration; an end to slashing federal funds for Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs working people rely on; and an end to the attacks on immigrants, trans people, and other communities.”
Commissioner of Police, CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, acting on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Force Intelligence Department (FID) Abuja, has extended an invitation to the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, for an “investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain”.
The said incident is in connection with the violence that broke out during the recent Eid-el-Fitr procession in Kano, which resulted in the death of a local vigilante member.
The incident happened as the Emir’s entourage moved from the Eid prayer ground to the palace in a traditional procession. The clash, which marred the otherwise peaceful celebration, led to the tragic loss of life of a vigilante member, Surajo Rabiu, and left one other injured.
The invitation was conveyed in an official letter dated April 4, 2025, and signed by Commissioner of Police, CP Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Force Intelligence Department (FID) Abuja.
The letter reads: “I have the directives of the Inspector General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), to invite you for an investigative meeting with regards to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration within your domain.”
The Emir has been requested to appear before the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, opposite the Police Headquarters, Area 11, by 10:00am on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
This development comes amid heightened tensions in Kano State following the earlier decision by the State Police Command to ban the annual Durbar festival due to security concerns. The ban, announced days before the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, was intended to prevent any possible breakdown of law and order during the festive period.
However, despite the suspension of the Durbar, a motorcade procession of Emir Sanusi II still took place on the third day of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The Kano State Police Commissioner, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, had also inaugurated an eight-member Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to investigate the violence.
As at the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Emir Sanusi II’s palace regarding the Police invitation.
Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the political adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has resigned his appointment.
Reports say the former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) tendered his resignation about two weeks ago.
Further reports quoting presidency sources did not, however, provide details of the reasons for his decision, but only stated that it was on personal grounds.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed in September 2023 as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Over the past 17 months, he had represented the presidency at several public fora, including a recent national conference themed: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, which held from January 28 and 29, 2025 in Abuja.
