The Federal Government has announced plans to feed up to 20 million pupils by 2026 through the Renewed Hope National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, describing it as a tool for education, economic growth, and national security. Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Kolade Fasua, disclosed this during a policy forum on the institutionalisation of the programme in Abuja. “This is not just a social intervention but a national security investment,” Shettima stressed. “Every hot meal served in a classroom also acts as a barrier against recruitment into violent groups, a reinforcement of the state’s presence, and a source of…
Author: Podium Reporters
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians living overseas to lend their skills and resources to national development, warning that the country’s progress depends on joint responsibility between government and citizens. The President made this call on Thursday in Yokohama, Japan, while meeting Nigerians on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Diaspora Engagement and Achievements Tinubu told the gathering that his administration has introduced reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s global standing. He stated: “I am happy to listen to you. I’m happy to report that many of…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has introduced a Personal Income Tax calculator, a new innovation under his administration’s fiscal reforms, which will take effect in January 2026. The President said the calculator was designed to ensure every Nigerian can understand and anticipate how the reforms would affect their income, stressing that fairness is the foundation of the new tax system. “A fair tax system must never punish poverty or weigh down the most vulnerable. With the new tax laws I recently signed, taking effect from January 2026, we have lifted this burden and created a path of equity, fairness, and true…
The online community in Nigeria has erupted in heated reactions after claims surfaced that both the audio and text used to defend Peter Obi’s son, Oseloka Obi, were artificially generated. The controversy began when a viral post alleged that an AI-generated audio recording and a machine-written text were deployed on social media to exonerate Oseloka from accusations linking him to controversial remarks. Nigerians, however, expressed outrage, accusing Obi’s supporters of resorting to artificial intelligence to shape public opinion. Several Nigerians took to social media platforms to vent their frustrations. One user, @naija_pr, wrote on X: “So both the text and…
Confusion erupted on social media after a voice note and written statement, allegedly issued by the son of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, circulated widely in defense of his character. The materials, which appeared to respond to accusations and viral posts, have now been confirmed to be artificially generated. The voice recording, styled in a manner to sound natural and emotionally persuasive, was initially shared as an authentic reaction. Alongside it came a text-based defense attributed to Obi’s son, insisting on his integrity. However, multiple fact-checkers and independent digital investigators have clarified that both the audio and the text…
Former Commissioner and ex-chairman of Atiku Abubakar’s campaign structure in Abia State, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, has stressed the importance of Southern unity in Nigeria’s next presidential contest. Speaking in Umuahia, the APC stalwart urged the South East and South South to close ranks with the South West to guarantee the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, arguing that political equity requires the South to serve out its full eight years before handing over to the North. Ogbonnaya questioned why coalition politics has suddenly become a tool for some actors, pointing out that no such moves were considered during Buhari’s…
Nigeria’s informal economy is set for a major boost following the official launch of the Renewed Hope Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (RHGEEP 3.0) by the Federal Government, with a bold target of empowering five million citizens by the year 2027. The programme was unveiled in Abuja during a national stakeholders’ roundtable organised by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), where its National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, Badamasi Lawal, described the initiative as a deliberate recalibration of previous empowerment schemes to strengthen transparency, improve repayment culture, and expand financial access for vulnerable groups. According to Lawal, “RHGEEP 3.0…
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has strongly distanced himself from a viral statement credited to him by ADC Vanguard, alleging that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is the “most corrupt and dishonest government in Nigeria.” El-Rufai, in a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, August 21, 2025, described the publication as false and misleading. He cautioned ADC Vanguard against fabricating and attributing such statements to him, stressing that he has his own platforms to share his opinions whenever necessary. “Dear ADC Vanguard. Please stop fabricating statements and attributing them to me. I have my…
A social media account linked to KentOkwesa, a London-based screenwriter, has been placed under protection following reported threats allegedly issued by some members of the Obidient movement. KentOkwesa, who identifies as a 25-year-old screenwriter using they/them pronouns, describes their creative work as focusing on narratives that highlight relationships between Black queer people. The account biography also indicates that they are based in London, England, and joined the platform in November 2023. The development comes amid swirling online speculation regarding a supposed connection between KentOkwesa and Oseloka Obi, the son of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. According to social…
The Anambra State Police Command has paraded vigilante members allegedly responsible for the brutal assault of a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in the state. The disturbing incident, which was captured in a viral video circulating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showed the corps member being physically assaulted by the personnel. The video sparked widespread outrage, prompting immediate calls for justice from Nigerians. In response, the police swung into action and arrested the vigilante operatives involved in the act. They were paraded before the public on Wednesday as part of efforts to assure citizens that justice…