Author: Victor Fola

The petition of the Labour Party and Peter Obi challenging the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25 election has taken a more gloomy outlook after their final written address to the election tribunal failed to contain a single evidence to establish their arguments. Responding to their addresss, Wole Olanipekun, counsel to President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, asked the court to dismiss Obi and LP’s petition and their final written address because ‘’like the petition itself, it is a fiction.” Tinubu’s lawyers argued that Obi and LP “abandoned” their petition in their final written address. They…

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Rumours were rife Friday on social media concerning an alleged removal of government’s subsidy on education. These speculations arose amidst the recent hike in school fees observed in Unity Schools and the University of Lagos (UNILAG). To verify the claims, Podium Reporters conducted an investigation and found that education in Nigeria continues to be subsidized, as tuition remains free of charge. The fee increments, primarily the charges for laboratory usage, examinations, caution fees, and similar expenses, account for the reported increases. This indicates that the subsidy is still very much in place. Concerning the University of Lagos fee hike, our…

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In a significant political development, 63 high-ranking members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State have crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The mass defection took place on Friday. Among the defectors were notable figures including Idowu Akinseye, the Chairman of the PDP Elders’ Forum in the locality, Marcus Adeoti, former Special Adviser to former governor Olusegun Mimiko, Lad Owoseni, former chairman of Timber Finishers, Brigadier Omogbemi, Chief Banji Kuroloja, former Personal Secretary to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Korede Duyile, and Prof. John Jejela, among others.…

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The Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the Labour Party has been served justice after the Appeal Court sitting in Owerri on Friday rejected the candidates nominated by the Abure-led faction for 11th November 2023 governorship election in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi State. The Appeal Court rather upheld the candidates from Apapa-led faction as the validly nominated for the election in the respective states. This victory comes symbolic for Apapa who in May was assaulted and humiliated at the Appeal Court in Abuja by thugs sent to have been orchestrated by LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi and Abure. Recall the LP has…

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President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for military reforms in countries within the Lake Chad region to combat terrorism and security challenges. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of senior course 45 of the armed forces command and staff college, Jaji, on Friday, the president stressed the importance of cooperation among Cameroon, Niger Republic, Chad, and Nigeria in safeguarding the democratic existence of their nations. “We must courageously revamp military doctrine and practices. Our adversaries are not a conventional army engaged in traditional battles. Instead, we confront agile, elusive irregular forces that disregard the established rules of warfare,” President Tinubu…

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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has hit a milestone in the first half of 2023 after generating N5.5 trillion in tax revenue during the first half of 2023. This unprecedented figure represents the highest tax collection ever recorded by the service within a six-month period in any fiscal year. Providing a comprehensive breakdown of the tax revenue, Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola, the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Chairman of FIRS, revealed that the service achieved 88 percent of its target from oil revenue and surpassed its target for non-oil tax. According to Wojuola, “Tax revenue collected from…

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The Federal Government has unraveled plans to cushion the impact of petroleum subsidy removal on Nigerians. The new interventions covers conditional cash transfers to the poorest of the poor, a cash award policy in aid of civil servants, a new minimum wage for workers, payment of outstanding salaries, support for Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the implementation of the energy transition plan. These were decided upon during the National Economic Council, NEC meeting presided over by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the state house, in Abuja on Thursday. The latest policies comes on the heels of the introduction of…

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons have begun their campaign in Australia on a brave note after playing out a goalless draw in their World Cup opener with Canada. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was the hero on the day as her penalty save in the 50th minute ensured that Nigeria’s Super Falcons earned a point from the encounter. It was an entertaining first half with Canada holding 68 percent of the possession, but Nigeria looked dangerous on a few counter attacking chances, including a shot from distance from 19-year-old Deborah Abiodun in the 34th minute. Nigeria’s best chance came in the 39th minute, when…

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The 36 State Governors have thrown their weight behind the proposal of the Federal Government to share only N900 billion from the whole revenue of N1.9trn which may have accrued to the federation by Federation Accounts Allocation Committee. The endorsement of the Federal Government’s proposal was made known at a meeting held by the Governors on Wednesday night in Abuja. The Federal Government had established during the meeting that the sharing of the entire N1.9trn was no wise economic decision as it would shoot up the amount of money in circulation while putting further inflationary pressures in the economy. One…

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…FAAC shares N907billion from N1.9trillion June revenue President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of Infrastructure Support Fund (ISF) for the 36 States of the Federation as part of measures to cushion the effects of the petrol subsidy removal on the people. In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Dele Alake, the approval was disclosed at the monthly meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), on Thursday July 20, 2023, in Abuja. The new Infrastructure Fund will enable the States to intervene and invest in the critical areas of Transportation, including farm to…

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