Author: Faith Babatunde

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to local government chairmen in Nigeria, including those in Gombe State, against misusing financial autonomy for personal gain. Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, cautioned council executives to resist the temptation of embezzling public funds. He reminded them that financial autonomy does not grant constitutional immunity, and any violation of financial laws would be swiftly prosecuted. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy, Olukoyede announced that the EFCC would deploy additional personnel to Gombe State to oversee fund management.…

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced a ban on 60,000-litre petroleum tankers, effective March 1, 2025, to enhance road safety. By the fourth quarter of 2025, trucks with a 45,000-litre capacity will also be prohibited from transporting petroleum products. The decision follows increasing concerns over tanker-related accidents. NMDPRA Chief Executive, Mr. Ahmed Farouk, represented by Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, stated that all stakeholders have agreed on these measures to improve petroleum transportation safety. Addressing concerns over fuel quality, Farouk dismissed social media claims as misleading, assuring that all petroleum products undergo strict regulatory testing before distribution.…

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has introduced new special inflation indices as part of its monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. This announcement was made by the Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, during a press briefing on the CPI Rebasing Results in Abuja on Tuesday. Adeniran revealed that the newly introduced indices include: The farm Produce Index, Energy Index, Services Index, Goods Index, and Imported Food Index. These indices were developed in response to stakeholder demand and are designed to enhance the accuracy of economic data, thereby informing policy decisions more effectively. Unlike the traditional CPI rates, these…

In a significant breakthrough, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, handed over 59 rescued kidnapping victims to the Kaduna State Government on Tuesday. The victims, comprising 24 male adults, 28 female adults, and six children, were rescued from different locations across Kaduna State. One victim is currently receiving medical care at a hospital. Ribadu emphasised that “The rescue operation was part of a coordinated effort by all security agencies, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to restore peace, security, and normalcy in the country”. The NSA reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling banditry and insecurity, stressing that collaborative efforts…