Wednesday, December 10, 2025
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Ondo Secures Slot in €18.3m Germany–EU Agriculture Project

By
Toyin Adebayo
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has been listed among seven states to benefit from a €18.3 million climate-smart agriculture programme jointly backed by the German government, the European Union and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

 

The initiative, known as the EU-VACE TARED Project, is designed to revitalise key agricultural value chains and strengthen rural economies. Running from October 2024 to September 2028, the project will be implemented by the German development agency GIZ in partnership with federal ministries and participating state governments.

Under the scheme, four major value chains — cocoa, dairy, tomatoes and ginger — will receive targeted support aimed at improving productivity, upgrading processing capacity and boosting farmers’ access to finance. The project also plans to equip smallholder farmers and agribusinesses with new skills and technologies while promoting climate-smart practices to reduce environmental impact.

 

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olaleye Akinola, described the state as a conducive and secure environment for agricultural investment when he hosted the project team in Akure. He said the state government is eager to collaborate and tap into opportunities the initiative will bring to local farmers and the wider economy.

 

The EU-VACE TARED programme is part of broader development cooperation efforts between Nigeria, the EU and Germany under the Global Gateway framework, aimed at strengthening food security, creating jobs and supporting sustainable economic growth across the country.

Reps Demand Full Disclosure from EFCC on Crude Oil Seizures, Question Lack of Naira-for-Crude Investigations

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA – The House of Representatives has demanded complete records of all crude oil seizures and sales from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), expressing concern over the anti-graft agency’s failure to conduct specific investigations into the government’s Naira-for-Crude-Oil policy.

During a resumed investigative hearing on Wednesday, the Ad-hoc Committee on the Implementation and Oversight of the Naira-for-Crude-Oil Policy challenged the EFCC’s incomplete documentation, which contained empty fields for crucial details like volume and grade of seized crude oil.

Committee Chairman Emerengwa Boniface Sunday directed the Commission to provide comprehensive data on all crude oil seizures under its supervision, including disposal rates, end users, and transaction currencies.

“The documents you submitted, including payment evidence, need more clarity on how the remitted amounts to the EFCC were calculated,” said Rep. Muhammed Bello Shehu, highlighting significant gaps in the agency’s submission. “In the same tables, the columns for crude volume and grade show ‘nil, nil,’ yet there should be a section indicating the value of what was seized.”

EFCC Special Adviser on Regulatory Compliance, Francis Usani, acknowledged that the agency had not conducted any direct investigations specifically under the Naira-for-Crude initiative, despite the policy being launched in 2024 to stabilize the naira and support domestic refineries.

“It is surprising that the national anti-graft agency has not investigated the Naira-for-Crude policy, which is a major government initiative aimed at easing operations for domestic refineries and reducing pressure on the naira and dollar,” Rep. Shehu stated. “Nigerians deserve transparency on this.”

The EFCC representative committed to revising the submission to include full details, clarifying that the agency primarily handles crude oil seizures rather than refined products.

The hearing was adjourned to December 4, 2025, with Chairman Sunday emphasizing that the probe represents constitutional oversight to strengthen Nigeria’s economic framework, not target any individual or institution.

Follow NewsFocus for continuing coverage of legislative investigations and economic policy oversight.

Reps Probe Delayed Stipends for Nigerian Students Abroad, Citing “Breach of National Trust”

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA – The House of Representatives has launched a major investigation into the prolonged non-payment of scholarship stipends to Nigerian students studying abroad, with lawmakers describing the situation as a “breach of national trust” that threatens the academic futures of the nation’s youth.

During an investigative hearing on Wednesday, the House Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing heard alarming testimony that students under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship have received no stipends for the entire 2025 fiscal year, with some arrears dating back to 2023.

Committee Chairman Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero condemned the delays as symptomatic of deeper bureaucratic failures. “A nation that sends its students abroad must be committed to funding them, guiding them, and protecting their dignity as an investment in the country’s future,” Ehindero stated.

Parents representing the Forum of Parents and Guardians of BEA Scholarship Recipients provided detailed evidence of the crisis, revealing that award letters guarantee beneficiaries a $500 monthly supplement, $600 annual allowance for feeding and books, $250 warm clothing allowance, $200 health insurance, and a $60,000 take-off grant—commitments the government has consistently failed to meet.

“The delays have severely hindered students’ ability to cover basic living expenses, jeopardizing their health, safety, and academic progress,” Forum Chairman Prince Ponfa A. Wuyep told lawmakers.

The investigation comes amid reports that currency fluctuations between the naira and dollar have caused payment shortfalls since 2023, compounding the scholarship program’s administrative challenges.

Speaker of the House Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Rep. David Agada, expressed grave concern that the payment delays “could negatively affect students’ education and motivation,” pledging that the 10th Assembly would work to improve administrative efficiency in scholarship disbursements.

The committee has committed to identifying the root causes of the funding gaps and ensuring proper processes are implemented to prevent future failures in the critical scholarship program.

 

 

Senate Launches Probe Into Kebbi School Attack, Troop Withdrawal; Proposes Death Penalty for Kidnapping

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA – The Senate has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Kebbi school abduction, including the controversial withdrawal of soldiers prior to the attack, while proposing radical new measures including the death penalty for kidnapping offenses.

During a heated plenary session on Wednesday, the Red Chamber directed its Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, Police Affairs, and Interior to probe both the Kebbi incident and the recent killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno State, with particular focus on allegations that his location was compromised by his own team.

The Senate resolved that “the relevant sections of the nation’s extant law should be amended to make act of kidnapping carry death sentence without option of fine,” marking one of the most severe proposed responses to Nigeria’s kidnapping epidemic.

The investigation, which must report back within two weeks, will examine the withdrawal of soldiers from the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga just before ISWAP fighters invaded the institution, killed the vice principal, and abducted over 25 students.

The session grew contentious when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe challenged the government’s accountability, asking: “Who asked them? Nobody knows. If I were the Commander-in-Chief, I would demand answers.”

Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole escalated the confrontation, demanding: “Who ordered the military to withdraw? That person should be tried for terrorism.” The Senate subsequently adopted this demand among its resolutions.

The chamber also witnessed an uproar when Senator Seriake Dickson accused the majority caucus of “managing the issues rather than confronting them,” resulting in his microphone being cut off by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Beyond the investigations, the Senate outlined a comprehensive security response, including the establishment of a Joint Task Force covering the Kwara-Kogi corridor, immediate reconstruction of the Idofian-Omu-Aran-Eruku-Egbe-Kabba federal highway, and enhanced intelligence-driven operations across multiple states.

In a significant policy shift, the Senate advised the Federal Government to “review Nigeria’s firearm law to reflect current security challenges,” noting that over 175 countries permit responsible citizens to own guns.

The Senate leadership was mandated to brief President Tinubu on all resolutions, encouraging him to “persevere in his efforts” amid the worsening security crisis.

Follow NewsFocus for continuing coverage of national security developments and legislative actions.

ADC Accuses Tinubu Administration of “Expanding Banditry Economy” Through Terrorist Negotiations

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

ABUJA – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s security strategy, accusing the federal government of “expanding the banditry economy” through negotiations with terrorists while effectively enforcing Boko Haram’s ideology through widespread school closures.

In a strongly-worded press conference on Wednesday, ADC National Spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi declared that the administration’s approach to securing recent hostage releases represents a “dangerous and misguided path” that rewards criminal behavior.

“The Federal Government cannot fight insurgency by doing deals with bandits,” Abdullahi stated. “By appeasing insurgents in this manner, the government is, in effect, expanding the banditry economy.”

The opposition party’s condemnation comes amid conflicting government accounts about the release of kidnapped schoolchildren in Kebbi State and worshippers in Kwara State, with officials offering explanations ranging from peaceful negotiations to terrorists voluntarily surrendering weapons.

The ADC particularly criticized the government’s decision to close dozens of schools across northern states, arguing that “a government that quietly negotiates with insurgents and then shuts down schools to avoid further kidnappings has, in effect, conceded ground to terror.”

“What we are witnessing is the creeping paralysis of our society and the gradual shutting down of our country,” Abdullahi said. “Terrorists are now dictating government decisions and reshaping the future of our children.”

The party questioned the transparency of the hostage releases, demanding to know whether ransoms were paid and why perpetrators were not arrested. They cited the Inspector General of Police’s statement that Kwara church attackers “came out voluntarily for the peace talk” and Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga’s suggestion that abductees were released because security operatives “asked them nicely.”

Calling for immediate action, the ADC urged the administration to reopen schools with proper security measures, determine the exact number of children still in captivity, and abandon negotiation tactics that perpetuate what they termed a “vicious cycle of terror.”

 

Niger Rep Raises Alarm: Bandits Overrun Borgu–Agwara, 303 Students Abducted

By
Roland Edet
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0

 

Niger Rep Raises Alarm: Bandits Overrun Borgu–Agwara, 303 Students Abducted

 

 

The lawmaker representing Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency of Niger State, Hon. Jafaru Mohammed Ali, has issued a stark warning over the deepening insecurity in his constituency, urging the Federal Government to act swiftly as bandits tighten their grip on communities.

 

Addressing journalists after Wednesday’s special plenary, Hon. Ali called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban Borgu, to deploy decisive measures to halt the escalating attacks that, he said, threaten to overrun the entire Borgu Emirate.

 

The lawmaker’s alarm follows a string of violent attacks, including the abduction of 303 students, 12 teachers, and a community leader from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area on November 21. He confirmed that 50 of the students have so far escaped and reunited with their families.

 

Hon. Ali also recounted how his convoy was ambushed on November 4 during a condolence visit between Agwara and Babanna in Borgu LGA, resulting in casualties. He commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), DSS, and the Nigerian Army for their swift intervention, including deploying a helicopter to extract him and members of his entourage.

 

The lawmaker further reported additional killings, including the murder of three family members at Gidan Guga on November 2, with the surviving patriarch currently receiving treatment at Usmanu DanFodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

 

He said several communities Boyiya and Bakin Bara have been completely displaced, while others such as Aika, Kuka, Dekara, Kerenji, Saminaka, and Audu Fari are now “fully under bandits’ control.”

 

According to him, the attackers operate from the vast Kainji and Ibbi National Parks, launching coordinated assaults on communities in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States, as well as border communities in the Benin Republic. He alleged that many of the armed groups comprise foreign nationals who speak neither Hausa nor other local languages.

 

Hon. Ali also revealed that a month earlier, bandits ambushed and killed four security personnel between Babanna and Lumma, while a Fulani clan leader was assassinated in broad daylight at the Lumma police station for resisting their demands.

 

“The situation is dire. If the government does not intervene immediately, these criminals may take full control of the entire federal constituency in the coming months,” he warned, adding that residents are being forced into dangerous compromises with the bandits to survive.

 

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise clearing Kainji National Park, which he described as the insurgents’ operational headquarters.

 

 

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for First Ambassadorial Nominees Since 2023 Recall

By
Ola Akinola
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0

ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has submitted his first ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, seeking confirmation for three non-career ambassadors more than two years after recalling all of Nigeria’s envoys stationed abroad.

In a letter read during Wednesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President nominated Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa State), and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State) for diplomatic postings.

The nominations mark a significant step in rebuilding Nigeria’s diplomatic corps following President Tinubu’s controversial decision in September 2023 to recall all ambassadors, both career and non-career, without immediate replacements.

President Tinubu’s letter invoked Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution and urged the Senate to “consider and confirm the appointments of the nominees expeditiously,” extending his “assurances of highest consideration” to the lawmakers.

Senate President Akpabio immediately referred the nominations to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello, with instructions to complete the screening process and report back within one week.

The move comes amid growing international concerns about Nigeria’s diplomatic representation gap, with key embassies operating without ambassadors for an extended period. When confirmed, the nominees are expected to be posted to strategic Nigerian missions abroad.

The swift one-week timeline for committee review signals legislative urgency in addressing the diplomatic vacuum that has persisted since the mass recall of ambassadors over two years ago.

Follow NewsFocus for continuing coverage of governmental appointments and foreign policy developments.

Nigeria’s Sovereignty ‘Paper Thin’—Minority Whip Warns as Nation Bleeds

By
Uche Kingsley
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0

Nigeria’s Sovereignty ‘Paper Thin’—Minority Whip Warns as Nation Bleed

Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. George Ozodinobi, on Wednesday issued a searing indictment of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, warning that the nation’s sovereignty is “fast becoming paper thin” as terrorists continue to unleash bloodshed across the country.

Speaking during a special plenary convened to confront the escalating violence, Ozodinobi lamented the surge in coordinated terrorist attacks, mass abductions, and targeted killings of civilians and senior military officers. He said communities across the North West, North East, and North Central have become “war zones,” while highways, schools, and farmlands no longer offer safety.

Recent killings of top military commanders have deepened public anxiety and raised fears about the state’s capacity to defend both citizens and its own security forces. Fresh abductions in Papiri and Kamba, along with deadly raids in Plateau, Kaduna, and Borno, he noted, underscore the crumbling state of Nigeria’s security architecture.

In a passionate contribution, the lawmaker questioned whether Nigeria could still lay claim to sovereignty when terrorists continue to murder citizens and commanders with impunity.

“Is this what we call sovereignty?” Ozodinobi asked. “When commanders are being murdered and the government remains muted? When children can no longer attend school safely? Our roads and communities have become open slaughter grounds.”

He warned that the nation must stop pretending that “all is normal” when unchecked violence is steadily eroding its authority and territorial integrity.

According to him, a country that cannot protect even one citizen is already failing its most fundamental obligation. “If a senior military officer can be killed this easily, then what is sovereignty worth when the state cannot defend its own?” he queried.

Ozodinobi acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s history of courage from the democracy struggle to driving major legislative reforms and urged him to “summon that courage once again at this critical juncture.”

“I have seen Mr. President show courage many times. That courage is needed now more than ever,” he stressed.

Speaking on the legal controversies surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s case, Ozodinobi explained that while the judiciary has delivered judgment based on evidence, the responsibility now rests squarely with the President.

“We are not begging today; we are insisting,” he declared. “Mr. President has a historic opportunity to act. Within the constitutional window, he must use the powers available to him to ensure justice prevails.”

He urged the federal government to abandon what he described as its “hesitant, overly cautious approach” and respond decisively in honour of the many lives already lost.

Shocking Infiltration: Boko Haram Suspects Found on Army, Police Recruitment Lists — Wase Reveals

By
Uche Kingsley
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0

A disturbing revelation stunned lawmakers on Wednesday as former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris-Wase, disclosed that individuals linked to Boko Haram and other criminal gangs were, at some point, discovered on official recruitment lists of the Nigerian Army and Police.

Speaking during a special plenary session convened to address Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, Wase who represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State and leads the North Central Caucus warned that the infiltration of security institutions by criminal elements poses an existential threat to national stability.

According to him, his claim can be verified by former Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Muktar Betara, who witnessed similar irregularities.

“There were times during recruitment exercises when names of Boko Haram members appeared on the list. Armed robbers and criminals were also discovered among those shortlisted for the Army and Police,” Wase said.

The former Deputy Speaker blamed loopholes in Nigeria’s recruitment processes for enabling dangerous individuals to penetrate agencies charged with protecting citizens. He urged political actors to show restraint when recommending candidates, insisting that only individuals of integrity and good character should be endorsed.

Wase, who emotionally recalled losing a brother, cousin and nephew to terrorist attacks, said the North Central bears 52% of Nigeria’s insecurity burden. He described a desperate plea from his younger brother begging to be relocated from their violence-stricken community.

He also called for a careful review of the presidential directive withdrawing police from VIP protection duties, warning that while the policy is laudable, it requires proper categorisation to avoid exposing certain officials to grave risks.

North West:
Hon. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) described the region’s security crisis as “complex and multi-layered,” driven by a mix of criminality, climate shocks, broken governance structures and economic hardship. He stressed that military action alone is insufficient, calling for security operations to be paired with social and economic reforms.

North East:
Hon. Muktar Betara said the North East remains the “epicentre of terrorism and insurgency,” recalling tragedies from the 2015 Baga massacre to recent IED explosions claiming soldiers and civilians. He said rebuilding public trust and enhancing coordinated security planning are essential to halting the violence.

South South:
Hon. Solomon Bob condemned successive governments for lacking the courage to confront insecurity head-on. “Since 1999, we have seen failure of leadership,” he said. “Appeasing terrorists or rebranding terrorism as banditry only deepens the crisis.”

Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, lamented that women and children remain the most vulnerable victims of insecurity. She described the recent mass abductions in Papiri and Kamba as a national tragedy and a glaring failure of the state’s duty to protect lives and property.

PDP Raises Alarm, Asks FCT Chief Judge to Stop Assigning Its Cases to Three ‘Controversial’ Judges

By
Roland Edet
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, to stop assigning any of its cases to three judges of the Federal High Court Justice James Omotosho, Justice Peter Odo Lifu, and Justice Abduimalik whom it described as “courts of particular concern.”

In a formal letter signed by its newly elected National Secretary, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, the party expressed serious worry that for several years, virtually all cases filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division—either by or against the PDP—have been repeatedly and exclusively assigned to the three judges.

The PDP said the pattern has sparked disquiet among its members and has created public perception challenges regarding fairness and neutrality.

The party noted that although the Abuja Division has 12 judges, cases related to the PDP appear to be consistently routed to only three, a development it says raises legitimate fears about transparency.

“It is of great concern to our Party that all matters filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, either for or against our Party, have always been assigned to the same three judges,” the letter read.

“Several of our members have complained bitterly about this. Indeed, all these three courts are viewed by our members and the public as courts of particular concern with regard to matters affecting the PDP.”

The party stressed that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done by reasonable observers, especially given the internal and external challenges the PDP currently faces.

The PDP appealed to the Chief Judge to ensure that no new case involving the party is assigned to Justices Omotosho, Lifu, or Abduimalik going forward, arguing that “justice is rooted in trust and integrity.”

While reaffirming its respect for the Judiciary, the party insisted that its request is necessary to restore confidence and ensure impartial adjudication.

“Our Party reiterates that we have no doubt about the integrity of the Judiciary,” the letter emphasized. “However, the fears and apprehension raised by our members regarding this recurring pattern cannot be ignored.”

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