The Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced that there are no confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in the state .
This declaration comes after a reported outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian influenza in Kano State.
According to the Press Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Omotola Ashaolu, the government is raising public awareness to prevent the occurrence of Avian Influenza and safeguard the poultry industry and public health.
Preventive Measures
To prevent the spread of Avian Influenza, the government has called for:
Restriction of access to poultry farms
Prevention of wild birds from interacting with domestic poultry
Prompt reporting of suspected cases
Use of protective equipment
Ashaolu has urged poultry farmers to report suspected cases or seek advice from experts. The ministry has emphasized the importance of strict compliance with these guidelines to protect Kwara State from the threat of Avian Influenza.
It’s worth noting that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza in seven states, including Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Niger . However, Kwara State has not reported any confirmed cases.
US President Donald Trump has escalated his crackdown on diversity programs and immigration, ordering federal employees in diversity offices to be put on paid leave. This move is part of Trump’s hardline agenda, which includes a pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that Trump aims to “return America to a merit-based society where people are hired based on their skills, not for the color of their skin.” However, critics argue that this approach discriminates against minority groups and undermines efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
Trump has also issued an executive order ending affirmative action in awarding federal contracts, revoking an order that dates back to the 1960s. Additionally, he has ordered an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives when hiring employees for the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).
The US Justice Department has threatened to prosecute local and state authorities that fail to cooperate with Trump’s immigration policies. This move has sparked concerns among civil rights groups, who argue that it will lead to increased discrimination and marginalization of minority communities.
Trump’s actions have been met with defiance from some quarters, including a rare public rebuke from a bishop during his inaugural service. Washington National Cathedral Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde urged Trump to “have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now,” referencing the fear and uncertainty among immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has condemned Trump’s actions, arguing that they are part of a broader effort to roll back civil rights gains and promote a white supremacist agenda ¹.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s approval of a 50% telecom tariff hike, describing it as an additional burden on the already suffering masses. NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, argued that this increase comes at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship .
Ajaero emphasized that telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information, yet an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10% of their wages on telecom charges. The proposed hike would increase this burden significantly, with a worker earning the minimum wage of ₦70,000 seeing their telecom expenses rise from ₦7,000 to ₦10,500 per month .
The NLC has threatened to mobilize its members to resist this alleged injustice, potentially leading to a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services. Ajaero urged citizens to prepare for collective action, stating that this fight is for the dignity, rights, and survival of the Nigerian people .
The NLC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. Ajaero called on the Federal government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to halt the implementation of this hike and engage in a reasonable conversation around it .
It’s worth noting that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that the new tariff regime will see a 50% increase in the cost of calls, data, and SMS, with the average price of calls rising to N16.5 per minute .
In a significant move to combat plastic pollution, the Minister of Environment, Malami Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has launched a plastic waste reverse vending machine at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. This innovative solution is part of the government’s broader efforts to promote recycling, foster a culture of environmental responsibility, and ensure a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Nigeria.
The reverse vending machine is a game-changer in effective waste management, allowing individuals to deposit bottles and other recyclable materials in exchange for rewards. This win-win approach to recycling not only promotes proper waste disposal but also cultivates a culture of recycling among Nigerians.
According to the Minister, the machine embodies the principles of a circular economy, ensuring that plastic waste re-enters the production cycle rather than accumulating in landfills or polluting the oceans. This approach reduces the demand for new raw materials and significantly decreases the ecological footprint.
The initiative is expected to bring numerous benefits, including cleaner communities, reduced plastic pollution, and increased economic opportunities through job creation and boosting local industries. Moreover, it aims to raise public awareness, nurturing a sense of responsibility and sustainability, particularly among future generations.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by the Government of Japan. Mr. Mahmud Adam Kambari expressed optimism about the program, stating that it has the potential to serve as a model for other regions across the country.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Julius Pondi, has thanked the Ministry of Environment, UNIDO, and the Government of Japan for their collaborative efforts in launching this innovative solution to combat plastic pollution.
The Nigeria Police Force has achieved significant milestones in its efforts to combat crime, with the arrest of 179 armed robbery suspects, 100 kidnapping suspects, 152 murder/homicide suspects, 34 suspects connected with unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 77 rape suspects, and 110 suspected cultists.
In addition to these arrests, the Police also recovered 73 various firearms and 310 ammunition of various calibers. The Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, attributed these successes to the improved strategies adopted by the Force in the fight against crime and criminality.
ACP Adejobi also highlighted the recovery of 56 stolen vehicles and the rescue of 22 kidnapping victims across the country. Notably, the Police arrested a gang that impersonated military personnel to defraud victims, as well as a gang that specialized in stealing motorcycles from farmers in Lagos and Ogun States, recovering 15 motorcycles in the process.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to safeguarding lives and properties, and creating an enabling environment for peaceful daily activities. The Police will continue to pursue criminal elements and ensure justice is served in accordance with the country’s laws.
These achievements demonstrate the Police’s efforts to curb crime and maintain law and order in Nigeria. With the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and stolen vehicles, the Police are sending a strong message to criminal elements that they will be held accountable for their actions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has hinted that its Collective Investment Schemes increased to over N3 trillion in 2024.
The Director General of the SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama who disclosed this on Wednesday during an interaction with reporters in Abuja, said that collective investment schemes are a part of the market system that allows people to diversify their risk via different angles besides going straight to the companies to invest.
According to him;“In the collective investment schemes, you get a bucket of shares and ask people to invest. Therefore, if you are investing through a collective investment scheme, you probably will be investing in 10 companies via 1 route as different from going to invest directly in any company.
“It reduces your risk, it diversifies your potential and of course takes care of the ups and downs in the market whenever it does exist and it is for us a very good area for Nigerians to invest in because when you do not understand it, do not go into it. With a collective investment scheme, you do not need to understand it because someone is there to understand it for you and invest on your behalf, understanding the vagaries of the market, its dynamics and how it runs”.
The SEC DG disclosed that beyond the CIS, the capital market aided in the development of the economy through the recapitalization exercise of banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He further stated that:“As you are all aware, the banks are a very important element in our development and economic sphere. Last year 2024, the Central bank came up with a regulation to increase capital for all banks. Many people thought it was too daunting a task for the Capital market. However, where else will the banks who already loan money short term get money from, other than the Capital Market?
“But of course, the Capital Market came to the rescue. For all of the issuance that happened in the market last year, we were able to raise more than N2 trillion, precisely about N2.2 trillion for the banks, which means the Capital Market is actually the element that helps to galvanize growth and development”.
Agama also disclosed that apart from the banks, other institutions also came to raise capital from the Capital Market. Agama stated that within the period under review, there were other developments in the market including many government bond issuances geared toward infrastructural development, adding that there is no economy that can actually grow without infrastructure.
“And the only place you can get long-term capital for infrastructural development is the Capital Market. There has always been this mistake of people going to the money market to loan money that will be used for long-term projects. It is a recipe for failure.
The only place you can get that kind of money that you need for long-term projection that you need in achieving the goals of government, the goals of the institution is the Capital Market” He stated that it has become very critical that Nigerians understand the functions and values of the Capital Market as the current management has deployed various initiatives to make the capital market attractive to Nigerians.
“One of the initial stumbling blocks was that processes were too long and it makes it difficult for intending applicants to plan. We have changed all that. Now for the capital market time to market is 14 days, which means that if you come to the capital market with all of your documents right, in 14 days you get an approval to raise a long-term capital, this was never the case. At one point in time, it was about one year or one and half years or two years but we cut all of that short.
“We are using technology to be able to achieve this and that is why we have what is called the E-offering platforms which allows Nigerians with the aid of their phones to be able to make investment without necessarily going to any bank or any other place to do so. For us, we are very confident that the things we have put in place in the capital market in the last nine months since we assumed office have actually transformed the market. This is just the beginning and there is so much to be done”.
Agama disclosed that with the passage of the Investments and Securities Bill 2024, which is currently awaiting presidential assent, the capital market would certainly do more as a driver of the economy.
“That bill is robust, it contains everything on market regulation and development you can ever imagine in the current time and looking into the future. Therefore, we believe strongly that with the conclusion of that process with the National Assembly, it will be sent to Mr. President for assent. We are confident that the President will give his assent because it is actually a vehicle for development for this nation. We want to mainstream the capital market into national development,” he added.
Elected national officers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued a strong warning to party leaders, members, and stakeholders, urging them to either resign or stop demarketing the party.
This call comes amidst concerns over the actions of some members who, under the guise of ‘due process advocates,’ are causing misunderstandings and mischievously promoting self-serving interests
According to Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader, it’s time for the party to come together and reposition itself for winning ways.
He emphasized that the era of blame games is over, and all members must put aside their pride and work together. Osadolor cautioned that court distractions and media demarketing of the PDP must stop immediately, adding that members who are unhappy with the party should resign and join the opposition rather than remaining and disparaging the party
The elected officers also expressed concern over the behavior of some party members, which they described as self-serving and not in the interest of the PDP. They noted that it’s ethically and morally wrong for members to create confusion instead of exploring internal mechanisms for peace .
In a related development, seven deputy national officers of the PDP recently resigned their positions as members of the National Executive Council .
The PDP deputies emphasized the need for party members to focus on preparing for the next elections rather than engaging in present bickering. They reminded members that political parties are formed to gain power through elections, aimed at improving the security and welfare of the people .
As the PDP navigates its current challenges, the elected officers urged members to work together, amend ambiguities in the party’s constitution, and pursue individual ambitions with sincerity and loyalty to the party .
In a landmark judgment, Bishop Kenneth Duke, a 52-year-old clergyman from Cross River State, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison without the option of a fine for raping a 12-year-old girl. The victim, an indigene of Ondo State, was entrusted to the Bishop’s family, who were church members.
The incident occurred on March 6, 2023, when the Bishop, who lives behind Dantata Construction Company in Dakwa, Abuja, sent his children on an errand and violently raped the girl on a chair, covering her mouth and ignoring her cries and pleas.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) dragged the Bishop to court, and he was arraigned on November 2, 2023, on a two-count charge of rape and intentionally causing emotional and psychological abuse on the victim.
The court, presided over by Hon. Justice Adebiyi Osolo, found the Bishop guilty of one count of rape and sentenced him accordingly. This judgment comes on the heels of NAPTIP’s rescue of nine pregnant girls from a suspected baby factory in Abuja.
Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for the landmark judgment, stating that it will serve as a deterrent to others. She emphasized that rape is a serious crime with lasting psychological effects and trauma on the victim, and urged everyone to rise against this heinous crime and ensure the protection of children.
In a related development, NAPTIP operatives rescued nine pregnant girls from a suspected baby factory in Ushafa, Abuja. The victims were recruited through an online platform and locked up in a rented apartment by a suspected trafficking agent. The raid followed a tip-off by a concerned citizen who noticed unusual activity in the area.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has launched two innovative digital tools to drive transformation across the 36 states of the federation. These tools, developed through extensive consultations with stakeholders, aim to enhance digital governance and revenue administration.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Readiness Index
The DPI Readiness Index evaluates states’ readiness for digital governance, assessing their foundational digital capabilities and providing a detailed analysis of strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement. This comprehensive tool is built around three key pillars:
Enabling Environment: Assessing the state’s digital infrastructure and policies
Building Blocks: Evaluating the state’s digital capabilities and resources
Delivery of Public Services: Examining the state’s ability to deliver digital public services
Intelligent Revenue Authority (IRA) Index
The IRA Index focuses on integrating digital tools into revenue administration, aiming to modernize revenue administration and fiscal management.
LThis service-specific tool evaluates core functionalities, operational efficiency, and structural characteristics of revenue administration, including:
Digital IDs
Data exchange mechanisms
Payment systems
To ensure the effectiveness of these tools, the NGF is holding a validation workshop on January 27, 2025, to gather feedback from state representatives.
The workshop will discuss use cases, preliminary feedback trends, and recommendations on treatment measures.
The NGF encourages collaboration from policymakers and development partners to leverage these tools for effective governance and service delivery.
By using these digital tools, states can enhance their digital transformation, improve revenue administration, and deliver better public services to citizens.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged telecom operators to prioritize quality service delivery following the recent 50% tariffs hike.
The commission emphasized that consumers have consistently demanded measurable improvements in service quality before any tariff increases are implemented ¹.
Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, highlighted prevalent concerns such as network congestion, dropped calls, inconsistent internet speeds, unusual data depletion, and poor customer service. He stressed that tariff adjustments must directly translate into tangible service enhancements for consumers.
The FCCPC and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure robust consumer protection, fair competition, and eradication of exploitative practices in the telecommunications sector. The MoU reinforces the principle that regulatory or pricing adjustments must balance industry sustainability with consumer interests.
Key Expectations from Telecom Operators:
Visible and Measurable Improvements: Prioritize network reliability, speed, accessibility, and customer service enhancements.
Responsible Allocation of Increased Revenues: Emphasize infrastructure development and service delivery improvements.
Clear Communication: Inform consumers about tariff adjustments, their benefits, and alignment with service improvement efforts.
Transparency and Accountability: Establish mechanisms to monitor fund utilization and ensure consumers benefit directly from adjustments.
The FCCPC acknowledged the economic pressures faced by telecom operators but emphasized that consumer interests remain paramount. The commission commended the NCC for adopting a measured approach to tariff adjustments and implementing measures to mitigate the impact on consumers .
