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BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Alhaji Musiliu Smith President Bola Tinubu rejoiced with the former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunmi Smith as he clocked 80 years on April 17, 2026. Tinubu alongside family, friends and associates, celebrated the remarkable police officer for his integrity, humility, professionalism and outstanding contributions to the nation and the police force.  Smith joined the Nigerian Police Force in Enugu in 1972 as an Assistant Superintendent. He later served as an Instructor in the Police College, Ikeja and a Divisional Police Officer in Mubi, Adamawa State.  He served in various capacities in the force until he reached the zenith as Inspector General of Police on May 29, 1999. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari recalled Smith from retirement to serve as chairman of the Police Service Commission, a body that oversees police appointments, promotions, and discipline. He resigned from the position in 2022.  President Tinubu ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. In addition, he signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026. The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure. With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth. The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Ni...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to building a stable, peaceful, and prosperous nation, assuring that the well-being of Nigerians remains his top priority. This was even as he disclosed that the political and economic structures that have long undermined Nigerians’ prosperity are steadily replaced through the realignment of the economy to enable full participation. Receiving a delegation of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu pledged to sustain reforms aimed at creating more opportunities for poor and vulnerable citizens. Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda also attended the event, alongside many governors: Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Mohammed Inuwa (Gombe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Abiodun Oyebanji...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has acquired a land for the construction of national secretariat edifice, marking a significant milestone in the association’s history.  This formed the crux of discuss when the NAWOJ National Executive led by the Chairperson, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim visited the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya in Abuja.  Q The NAWOJ national chairperson informed the NUJ leadership that the association secured the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the allocated land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the completion of all required documentation and processes. She noted that the process involved meeting stringent regulatory requirements, including the submission of formal authorization, minutes and attendance of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting approving the action, as well as relevant corporate and identification documents....

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Romuald Wadagni President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the President-elect of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency, Romuald Wadagni on his victory at the polls. Wadagni, the country's Minister of Finance, secured an overwhelming majority of the vote in the presidential election held on April 12.  In a letter signed by him, President Tinubu said that the victory reflected the trust Beninese people placed in Wadagni's vision and distinguished record of service as Minister of Finance. Tinubu stated that Nigeria and the Republic of Benin share a long history of friendship, cultural ties, and cooperation, just as he looked forward to working with His Excellency, Romuald Wadagni to strengthen bilateral relations. Below is the full text of the letter :  Your Excellency and Dear Brother,  "On behalf of the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend my warmest congratulations to you on your election as the Presi...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to sustainable development, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter has concluded plans to seal deal with Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to deepen economic empowerment for women and promote Nigeria’s vast industrial raw materials.  The partnership will be formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at strengthening collaboration in research, innovation, and inclusive economic participation, particularly in creating sustainable opportunities for women in alignment with the mandates and core values of both organisations. Part of the agreement is to support RMRDC’s drive towards fulfilling its mandate, as the council prepares to host the maiden 2026 African Raw Materials Summit scheduled for June. This was revealed when the leadership of NAWOJ FCT visited the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso on Tuesday in Abuja. The Chairperson of NAWOJ F...