Author: Naija Daily News

The head of Finchglow Holdings, Bankole Bernard, on Thursday urged the Nigerian government to cut taxes and levies on air tickets, saying the charges contribute significantly to rising domestic airfares. Bernard, whose company oversees six travel and aviation businesses, told reporters in Lagos that ticket prices typically rise during the end-of-year period due to a spike in demand and limited airline capacity. He said the imbalance between supply and demand, combined with multiple government-imposed charges, has put upward pressure on fares. “In the airline business, you make your profit either through yield or boarding,” he said. “But when you examine…

Nigeria’s crude oil output inched up to 1.436 million barrels per day (bpd) in November from 1.401 million bpd in October, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said in its monthly oil market report on Thursday. Despite the increase, Nigeria missed its OPEC production quota for the fourth straight month. The country last met its assigned target in July 2025. OPEC data showed Nigeria averaged 1.444 million bpd in the third quarter, down from 1.481 million bpd in the second quarter and 1.468 million bpd in the first. The figures underscore Nigeria’s difficulty sustaining a production rebound despite…

A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has explained why he remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after voluntarily honouring an invitation on Monday. Malami is being questioned over allegations linked to terrorism financing, ownership of multiple bank accounts, the hiring of several lawyers in the recovery of the $322.5 million Abacha loot, and the management of funds released under the conditional cash transfer programme. He said no specific reason was given for his continued detention apart from being told that his previous administrative bail had been revoked, even…

Several ambassadorial nominees, including Reno Omokri, former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Senator Grace Bent, appeared before the Senate on Thursday for screening at the National Assembly. Also at the complex were former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau, immediate past INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Others sighted included former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Senator Ita Enang, Senator Nora Daduut, serving ambassadors, and several lawmakers. During the session, nominees who had previously served as ministers, ambassadors, or legislators were asked to “take a bow and leave,” a long-standing Senate practice.…

Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on Thursday approved a fresh batch of ambassadorial nominees, including former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, signalling the final stage of their deployment to foreign missions. The committee also cleared former Interior Minister Abdulrahman Dambazau; ex-presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri; former Special Adviser Senator Ita Enang; and Senator Grace Bent, alongside several high-profile technocrats and former governors such as ex-INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Abia’s former governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu. The screening, conducted in groups of five, unfolded smoothly until Omokri’s appearance triggered a moment of tension on…

…Rushed to the hospital, under observation By Didimoko A. Didimoko Unease swept through Yenagoa on Thursday after Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, suffered a sudden health crisis that forced an emergency rush to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC). The episode happened shortly after midday inside his office, triggering alarm among staff who immediately called for medical assistance. It would be recalled that the Deputy Governor and his political ally, Senator Seriake Dickson, a former governor of the state, were said to have perfected their departure from the PDP to the ADC before the latest development. Medical sources in…

Photo: Deziani Alison-Madueke poster girl of alleged female corruption …List of some powerful women link to corruption Nigeria’s fight against corruption is marked by dramatic arrests, high-profile trials and intense political theatre, yet convictions remain rare. While public attention often centres on male politicians, an emerging pattern reveals a growing list of powerful Nigerian women entangled in corruption allegations, from money laundering to procurement fraud, diversion of public funds and abuse of office. Their stories expose the intricate power webs, weak oversight systems and political protections that shape Nigeria’s corruption landscape. Diezani Alison-Madueke remains the most globally recognised symbol of…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party for the August 8, 2026 election, securing 145 votes in the party’s primary held on Wednesday in Osogbo. Adeleke, who defected to the Accord Party on Tuesday after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was also confirmed as the sole aspirant by the party’s Screening Committee. The committee chairman and National Organising Secretary, Ibe ThankGod, said the governor met all nomination requirements and described him as a “worthy gubernatorial aspirant.” A certificate of clearance was subsequently presented to him. In his acceptance speech,…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed widespread claims of a rift between him and federal or state lawmakers from the state, insisting the rumours are baseless. Speaking on Wednesday during the commissioning of the extended and dualized 28.4-kilometre Ahoada–Omoku Road, Fubara said arrangements had long been made for a meeting with the legislators. He explained that the session was to be convened by his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside elder statesman Ferdinand Alabraba and other leaders. According to the governor, anyone suggesting he refused to meet with lawmakers or rejected proposals concerning them…

The Senate has mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police escorts from VIPs is being applied selectively, with lawmakers reportedly bearing the brunt of the enforcement. The decision followed complaints raised during plenary on Wednesday by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), who invoked Order 9 to protest the withdrawal of his only police orderly. He alleged that while senators were stripped of security aides, ministers, business moguls, political families, and even celebrities continued to enjoy full police protection. Ningi warned that such uneven enforcement could jeopardise the safety of lawmakers and…