News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has affirmed the powers bestowed on Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate consumers complaints.  Delivering his judgement on Monday, Justice James Omotosho said that the commission is empowered under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA) to receive complaints, assess matters brought before it, and take appropriate lawful steps, including investigation where necessary. He dismissed the suit filed by Air Peace Limited challenging the Commission’s authority to investigate consumer complaints and issue summons in the exercise of its statutory mandate. The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello stated that the judgment provides useful clarity on the importance of regulatory oversight in protecting consumers and promoting fair market practices. He noted that the matter arose from complaints related to unref...

BY TAIWO OYEDELE, Abuja   Taiwo Oyedele The attention of the Federal Ministry of Finance has been drawn to recent media reports and commentaries that misrepresent the findings of the latest Nigeria Development Update by the World Bank, particularly claims suggesting that a significant portion of federation earnings is being “diverted” or constitutes “hidden spending". These interpretations misrepresent the World Bank’s analysis and reflect a misunderstanding of the fiscal system.  MISINTERPRETATION OF FAAC DEDUCTIONS The misreporting in question incorrectly characterises Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) deductions as “waste” or missing funds. This is incorrect. FAAC deductions, as presented in the World Bank report, include: Statutory transfers, Savings and investments, Security-related expenditures, Cost-of-collection charges, Refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Transfers and interventions benefiting subnational governments. It is...

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....