Author: Naija Daily News

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has dismissed criticism over delays in implementing the 2025 budget, insisting the process reflects transparency and careful economic planning. Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Agbese commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a commitment to sustainable growth and accountability. He singled out the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for what he called “meticulous efforts to align Nigeria’s economy with current realities.” Signed into law in December 2024, the N28.7 trillion 2025 budget allocated N4.91 trillion to defence, N4.06 trillion…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to set up a medical team to assess the health condition of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday while ruling on Kanu’s application seeking transfer to a private ward at the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention over alleged life-threatening ailments. The judge ruled that the NMA team, comprising between eight and ten members—including the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital or his representative—must evaluate both Kanu’s current…

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Mutawakilu Ibrahim, for allegedly stabbing his grandparents to death during an argument over food at their residence in Kofar Dawanau Quarters, Dala Local Government Area. Police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, in a statement on Thursday, said the tragic incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. and was reported at the Dala Divisional Police Headquarters. According to the police, Ibrahim, suspected toF have been under the influence of intoxicants at the time, attacked his grandfather, Muhammad Dansokoto, 75, and grandmother, Hadiza Tasidi, 65, with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds. The victims were…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has officially withdrawn its “JICA Africa Hometown” initiative following widespread confusion and pushback from local governments in Japan. In a statement issued Thursday, JICA said the program—first unveiled in August during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9)—was intended to designate four Japanese municipalities as “hometowns” for four African countries to encourage cultural and economic exchanges. However, the agency acknowledged that the use of the term “hometown” and its plan to assign roles to local governments sparked misunderstandings at home and placed unnecessary burdens on the four selected…

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday announced plans to present a budget of over ₦1 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, aimed at consolidating socio-economic and infrastructural development across the state. A statement by the State’s Press Unit revealed that the revelation was made at a citizens’ engagement on the 2026 budget at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba. Oborevwori, who was represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, said 67 per cent of the budget would be dedicated to capital expenditure, while 33 per cent would go to recurrent costs. He explained that the…

The average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) dropped by 22.32% in August 2025, falling to N6,404.02 from N8,243.79 recorded in July. This was revealed in the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report titled “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch”, released on Thursday. On a year-on-year basis, the August 2025 figure reflects a marginal decline of 0.40% compared to N6,430.02 in August 2024. Similarly, the average retail price of refilling a 12.5kg cylinder fell by 21.42% month-on-month, dropping from N20,609.48 in July 2025 to N16,195.07 in August. However, on an annual basis,…

By Deborah Nnamdi A junior secondary school student of Ugboro Secondary School in Bekwara Local Government Area of Cross River State has allegedly hacked a 23-year-old man to death during a fight on Tuesday. The student, identified only as Ogbeche, was said to have been fighting with a fellow student, Nicholas, at the close of school when the victim, known as Oshen, intervened to separate them. An eyewitness, Lizzy, said Ogbeche became enraged, accusing Oshen of taking sides. He reportedly abandoned the fight, fetched a heavy local pestle used for pounding food, and struck Oshen on the head. “When he…

By Deborah Nnamdi Meta has announced the global rollout of its “teen accounts” on Facebook and Messenger, extending additional safety features and parental controls to adolescents worldwide. The company said on Thursday that hundreds of millions of teens are now using the accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. First launched on Instagram last year, the initiative was expanded in April to Facebook and Messenger users in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. According to Meta, the teen accounts include enhanced privacy settings, content restrictions, and tools for parental oversight for users aged 13 to 17. The company said the…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Nigerian national, Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, wanted in the United States for multiple fraud offences. According to the FBI, Adediran faces charges including bank fraud, fraud involving identification documents and authentication features, as well as unauthorized credit card transactions. He also allegedly violated the conditions of his release. Adediran, born on October 11, 1968, is described as a Black male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.…

By Sodeeq Kamsela, with agency reports A Paris court on Thursday sentenced former French president Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison after finding him guilty of criminal conspiracy for accepting illegal campaign funds from late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi during his 2007 presidential campaign. The 70-year-old was also fined €100,000 ($117,000) and barred from holding public office. Prosecutors were instructed to notify him within one month when he must report to prison, and the order stands even if he appeals. Should he serve the sentence, Sarkozy would become the first president in modern French history to be jailed. Presiding…