Society & Lifestyle Archives - Page 16 of 41

Tinubu’s reforms key to Nigeria’s economic recovery – APC

The All Progressives Congress has commended President Bola Tinubu for his bold and transformative economic reforms, declaring that they have significantly stabilised Nigeria’s macroeconomic fundamentals and repositioned the country for sustainable growth.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party said Tinubu’s decisive actions, particularly in the areas of fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and debt restructuring, have helped address long-standing distortions that plagued the nation’s economy for decades.

According to Morka, the Tinubu administration’s far-reaching reforms have not only restored investor confidence but also attracted over $50 billion in foreign direct investments, achieved consecutive trade surpluses since 2023, and reduced the debt servicing ratio from 98 percent to 68 percent.

“These reforms were inevitable and crucial to stabilising and positioning the economy for steady and sustainable growth,” Morka said.

He noted that the removal of fuel subsidies and harmonisation of exchange rates were landmark decisions that previous administrations failed to implement, often preferring to “kick the can down the road.”

Morka stated that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has recorded a GDP growth of 3.38 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, a development lauded by both the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank as a clear indicator of a rebounding economy.

The party spokesperson also highlighted other notable achievements of the administration, including the clearance of the Central Bank’s backlog of foreign exchange obligations, overhauling the tax system, granting financial autonomy to local governments, and improving oil production which now stands above 1.8 million barrels per day.

“In the face of daunting generational challenges, this President demonstrated political will never before recorded in our contemporary political history.

“Like a confident surgeon, he has enacted and continues to enact policy reforms skillfully designed to give our country not just a chance of urgent resuscitation but a real shot at rejuvenating wellness”, Morka noted.

While acknowledging the temporary hardships imposed by the reforms, the APC maintained that the policies were designed with the long-term wellbeing of Nigerians in mind.

It urged citizens to remain patient and supportive as the administration continues to unfold the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement comes as President Tinubu marks the midpoint of his first four-year tenure, with the APC expressing confidence in the administration’s commitment to delivering even greater benefits to Nigerians in the years ahead.

Abia to foot hospital bill for billboard accident victims 29th May 2025

Abia Government has said that it will offset the hospital bills of the Aba Billboard accident victims.

Mrs Victoria Onwubiko, Managing Director, Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency, made this known on Thursday in Aba at the Salad Market entrance, the site of the accident.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a big billboard fell on some passengers in five tricycles in Aba on Wednesday, following a boisterous wind, killing one person, and injuring seven others.

Onwubiko said the governor had given the necessary approval for procedures regarding the victims’ treatment without hindrances.

“So, we are glad there are not going to be any more deaths; from what we have seen, the victims in the hospital are recovering and doing well. We understand that about eight persons were involved in the accident; five are at the Abia University Teaching Hospital, two have been discharged and one is died,” she said.

Onwubiko added that the governor had sent his Chief of Staff for the proper management of the victims at ABSUTH, Aba.

According to her, there is no hoping that any one of them will go to the court as the state government is doing everything to take care of them.

She said ABSAA would ensure such accidents did not reoccur noting that henceforth the agency would inspect every advertising site in the state.

“We are going to ask the owners of sites like this to give us the technical drawings with which they built their sites. If we don’t see them, the bill board will come down for them to redo it to ensure safety,” she said.

The ABSAA MD pointed out that every site, whether high or low, which is not sound, will go down.

Mr Chinedu Nwibo, an eye-witness and a vulcaniser for tricycle operators, said there were seven persons at the entrance of the Salad Market on that Wednesday when the accident occurred.

“We were inside a little makeshift shop I had set up for my work when the rain started on Wednesday. The wind was very boisterous and some of the tricycle operators went into their tricycles to stay for the rain to stop. No sooner had they ran into their tricycles than a big iron pipe used to hoist a billboard fell on them. One Destiny Uguru, 27, from Izzi in Ebonyi state died from the accident while seven persons sustained injuries,” he said.

Nwibo called on the government to come to the aid of the victims especially by replacing their tricycles.

“The man that lost his life has an expectant wife and two children,” he said.

Nigerians reaping gains of Tinubu’s reforms -Ododo

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of his second year in office.

In a congratulatory message on Thursday, Ododo lauded Tinubu for demonstrating visionary leadership and for inspiring resilience among Nigerians through bold and transformative policies.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismail Ishaq, on Thursday.

Ododo said, “Today marks two years of visionary leadership under our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Your Renewed Hope Agenda has brought bold reforms, national recalibration, and a new sense of purpose across critical sectors of our economy and governance.”

He described the President’s second year as a season of harvest, emphasising that Nigeria is beginning to experience tangible benefits of the far-reaching economic reforms initiated during the first year of the administration.

“Key policy decisions such as the removal of the fuel subsidy, unification of the foreign exchange system, and reforms in the tax and financial sectors were credited for stabilising the economy and restoring investor confidence in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu’s second year in office has been about deepening reforms, managing the effects of bold policy initiatives, and translating difficult decisions into real economic gains.

“We are beginning to see signs of macroeconomic stability, increased non-oil revenue, and renewed private sector interest in key sectors such as gas, agriculture, transportation and technology,” he added.

Ododo also pointed to the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, and the administration’s push for food security and revitalisation of manufacturing as clear evidence of a strategic, long-term transformation agenda.

“We in Kogi State align fully with this national direction, building infrastructure, expanding access to healthcare and education, and creating opportunities for our people.

“The spirit of Renewed Hope is alive in our communities and in the hearts of our citizens,” Ododo said.

He reaffirmed Kogi State’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s agenda by tailoring state policies to attract investment, empower youth and extend the impact of national reforms to the grassroots.

In further support of the clean energy transition, the governor noted that Kogi was actively participating in the CNG revolution by training youths in conversion technology, a move he noted promotes cleaner alternatives, reduces dependency on fossil fuel, and generates sustainable jobs.

He also announced the planned launch of intra-city bus services in the state capital to ease urban transportation as part of the dividends of the renewed hope agenda.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kogi State, I congratulate Mr. President and all Nigerians on this important milestone. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous nation.

“As the president marks this second anniversary in office, we celebrate your resilience, foresight, and unwavering commitment to building a Nigeria that works for all. The journey may be challenging, but your courage and dedication continue to inspire hope and confidence across the nation,” he restated.

Juma Jux surprises Priscilla Ojo with Range Rover during wedding in Tanzania

Tanzanian music star, Juma Jux, surprised his bride, Priscilla Ojo, with a brand-new Range Rover during the reception of their grand, multi-country wedding finale, themed ‘African Royal Wedding’, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Wednesday.

During the final leg of the ceremony, Juma made a heartwarming announcement, asking guests to follow him outside for what he called a “small gift” for his wife.

“Please, I want everybody to follow me outside, I have a very small gift for my baby. Can you guys follow me outside?

“Baby, it is not big, it is small…” the East African artist said.

As the crowd exited the beautifully decorated hall, they gathered around in anticipation.

Priscilla screamed excitedly upon seeing the surprise, a luxurious Range Rover adorned with red ribbons and filled with red balloons.

She was ushered into the front seat, where Juma joined her, both of them visibly overwhelmed by the moment, surrounded by guests and well-wishers.

As one of Juma’s hit songs, “Shaylaa,” played in the background, Priscilla’s mother, Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo, was seen glowing with pride and joy.

She cheered on the couple, calling out affectionate names like, “Juma Odogwu”, “My Presido,” “Priscilla,” and “Odogwu.”

Priscilla hugged and kissed her husband in appreciation of the lavish gesture, eventually breaking into tears. “Thank you,” she said emotionally.

Watch video below

In another clip, Iyabo Ojo was spotted with reality TV star, Chioma Ikokwu, popularly known as Chioma GoodHair, proudly declaring, “we brag differently,” as they celebrated the memorable moment.

The wedding, dubbed JP2025, had numerous Nigerian celebrities in attendance, including Funke Akindele, Enioluwa, Jaiye Kuti, Chioma Ikokwu, Lola Alao, Michelle Gentry, among other notable personalities.

Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that Juma Jux had announced May 28 as the date for the final wedding celebration with Priscilla Ojo.

He made the announcement via a video on his Instagram story, revealing that the grand finale would be held in his home country.

Adron Homes Launches Grand Ileya Promo with Massive Discounts, Star Appearances & Festive Gifts

Adron Homes Launches Grand Ileya Promo with Massive Discounts, Star Appearances & Festive Gift

As the Ileya (Sallah) season approaches, Adron Homes, Nigeria’s leading real estate company, is again giving Nigerians a reason to celebrate beyond the festivities with the launch of its highly anticipated ILEYA/SALLAH PROMO!

This year’s celebration blends culture, community, and homeownership into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families and individuals looking to secure their future through real estate.

With over 40 estate locations nationwide, spanning Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger, Jos, and Ekiti, Adron Homes is offering a generous 30% discount on all land purchases. Even better, customers can enjoy convenient payment plans spread over 24 months, making land ownership more affordable than ever.

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To mark the season of giving, Adron Homes is rolling out exciting gift rewards for customers based on their commitment levels:

• ₦100,000 Payment – 10kg Bag of Rice or Aso Oke or Ankara

• ₦200,000 Payment – 10kg Rice with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara

• ₦500,000 Payment – Goat or 50kg Rice with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara

• ₦1,000,000 Payment – Ram with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara or 50kg Rice + Goat

(Valid for lands worth ₦3M and above)

• ₦3,000,000 Payment – 3 Rams with Aso Oke or 2 Ankara

(Valid for lands worth ₦8M and above)

This campaign is also being celebrated with the support of star brand ambassadors; Lateef Adedimeji, Ibrahim Chatta, and Femi Branch, who embody the spirit of culture, excellence, and family that Adron Homes stands for.

With a proven track record of delivering value and properties in strategic locations, Adron Homes is committed to making the dream of property ownership a reality for every Nigerian regardless of income level.

This Ileya season, the company is inviting all Nigerians to invest not just in land, but in a lifetime of security, prosperity, and generational wealth.

Visit any Adron Homes office nationwide or connect with us through our online platforms:

Website:adronhomesproperties.com

Reps seek reintegration plan for IDPs nationwide

The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on relevant agencies of the Federal Government to carry out a reintegration plan for Internally Displaced Persons across the country.

The decision of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion on notice during Wednesday’s plenary, sponsored by the member representing Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai Federal Constituency, Rivers State, Mr Felix Nwaeke.

Speaking on the substance of the motion, the Rivers lawmaker noted that as of April 2024, the internally displaced persons in Nigeria were estimated at 3.3m persons living in over 300 camps across Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

He said, “The visitations by humanitarian organisations and government agencies to these camps are immersed with calls for improved welfare, feeding, and security of the displaced persons in these over 300 camps.

“There has to be a plan on how to prepare these persons who had been forced out of their homes and subjected to living conditions lower than they are used to psychologically, emotionally, and physically to reintegrate them back to a normal standard of living.

“If the displaced persons, most of whom are women and children, are returned home after relative peace is restored in their communities without a structured reintegration plan that would be providing cash assistance, food and clothing, and psychological and emotional counseling and support; it would amount to insensitivity to their plight and, at most, abandonment.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the National Emergency Management Agency to conduct an assessment of the situation in the IDP camps across the country and draw up a reintegration plan for IDPs.

It also mandated its Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management to ensure compliance.

Gateway Games: Ogun athletes end protest, reopen games village

Events scheduled for Wednesday at the 22nd National Sports Festival gradually commenced, nearly four hours behind schedule, following the reopening of the games village at Babcock University by protesting Ogun State athletes, PUNCH Online reports.

The athletes had earlier blocked the gates of the games village, leaving several participants stranded in protest over unpaid allowances. They began their demonstration as early as 5:30 am and reopened the gates at 12:43 pm.

PUNCH Online gathered that the athletes received payments of N40,000, as promised by Governor Dapo Abiodun, along with an additional N140,000 as their festival allowance.

However, the athletes insisted that the agreed allowance was N210,000, calculated at N15,000 per day over a 14-day period.

“We were paid N50,000 this morning, which was the governor’s promise, but to our surprise, they started paying N140,000 as the festival allowance instead of the agreed N210,000,” one of the athletes lamented.

Meanwhile, prior to the start of the sports festival, Governor Abiodun pledged cash rewards of N2.5 million for every gold medallist from the state, N1.5 million for silver, and N1 million for bronze medallists.

Ogun State currently holds third place on the medals table with 48 gold, 38 silver, and 47 bronze medals.

Ground rent hike is coming, says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that his administration is considering an increase in ground rent payments, while describing the refusal to pay ground rent and other taxes as his greatest challenge in office.

The PUNCH reports that the FCT administration began sealing properties belonging to ground rent defaulters on Monday. These included the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, the National Agency for Trafficking in Persons, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, a branch of Access Bank, and a TotalEnergies filling station.

The leadership of the PDP and the FIRS criticised the actions of the Wike-led FCTA, describing them as unprofessional and an affront to the country’s democracy.

President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting a 14-day ultimatum for the payment of the owed sums, as well as penalties ranging between N2 million and N3 million, depending on locations within the FCT.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike lamented that while residents demand infrastructure in the FCT, they fail to support the government by paying their taxes.

He noted that many debtors owe as much as 20 years’ worth of ground rent, despite the fact that the ground rent has remained unchanged for many years.

“My greatest challenge is the refusal of people to pay what they owe. I will elaborate on this in the next media chat. People want facilities, they want infrastructure, but nobody asks where the funds come from. Abuja is not an oil-producing city; we rely solely on taxes. These are not new taxes; they have been in place for years.

“It is unfortunate that many elites own houses overseas. They understand the consequences of not paying taxes abroad — such properties can be forfeited. Yet, when it comes to their own country, they refuse to comply simply because they believe there are no sanctions.

“Look at the arrears — 20, 30 years. And how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that, and I can assure you we will do so. The President has granted a two-week waiver. Let no one think that blackmail or intimidation will deter us; we will do what is necessary,” he stated.

The minister also disclosed that he had recently signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignment, while again urging residents to pay their taxes and ground rents to support development in the FCT.

“If you pay your taxes, you will see the difference it makes. That is what we are striving to achieve,” he added.

Emefiele appeals final forfeiture order of 753 housing units estate

Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has petitioned the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn a judgment granting the government full control of a substantial estate in Abuja comprising 753 housing units.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier obtained a court order to seize the estate, situated in the Lokogoma district of Abuja.

Initially, the estate was linked to another unnamed former government official. However, Emefiele, through his legal representative A.M. Kotoye, contends that he ought to have been involved in the proceedings, as he holds an interest in the property. He is now seeking the Appeal Court’s reversal of the lower court’s ruling.

“I was unaware of the forfeiture,” Emefiele asserts.

He informed the court that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of a newspaper, making it difficult to detect.

Additionally, Emefiele explained that he was simultaneously managing three criminal cases in both Abuja and Lagos, which hindered his ability to notice the publication.

He further accused the EFCC of deliberately concealing the forfeiture case from him, despite their ongoing engagement with him on other charges.

The trial court, however, dismissed his claim, ruling that the EFCC had followed due process and that the newspaper notice was sufficient.

The judge declared that the notice “could not reasonably be described as hidden.”

Dissatisfied, Emefiele lodged an appeal on April 30, 2025, requesting the Court of Appeal to: reverse the judgment delivered on April 28, 2025; annul the interim and final forfeiture orders dated November 1 and 2 December 2024 respectively; and grant his application filed on January 28, 2025.

He argued that the trial court had misconstrued his application and erroneously dismissed it without proper consideration of critical facts, asserting that the orders were founded on “hearsay, suspicion, and no proper evidence.”

Emefiele also maintained that he possessed both legal and equitable interests in the estate, despite the court’s assertion that he failed to provide proof of ownership.

“The entire ruling is a miscarriage of justice,” Emefiele declared.

He added, “The failure of the trial judge to properly evaluate the affidavit and documents before him is perverse and has caused a miscarriage of justice.

“The orders were made in breach of the 1999 Constitution and are therefore null and void.”

Meanwhile, Emefiele’s legal team has written to the Minister of Housing, urging the government to halt all plans to sell the estate until the appeal is resolved.

“We are aware that the properties may soon be sold to the public. We have already served the EFCC with a notice of appeal and an injunction,” the letter stated.

The federal government had recently announced intentions to auction the estate to low- and middle-income Nigerians.

Gateway Games: Participants stranded as Ogun athletes protest unpaid allowances

Athletes representing hosts Ogun State at the 22nd National Sports Festival on Wednesday, left other athletes and officials stranded at the Games Village at Babcock University, as they protested the non-payment of their allowances with two days to the end of the Gateway Games 2024, PUNCH Online reports.

In videos and pictures circulated by officials at the games village, buses conveying athletes to different venues of events were stranded as athletes in Ogun tracksuits were seen blocking the gate.

It was said that the situation began as early as 5.30am.

Ogun athletes blocking buses at the Gateway Games 2024 event venue in protest over unpaid allowance. Photo: Abiodun Adewale

One of the athletes representing Ogun State also confirmed to PUNCH Online that they had held a meeting over the protest last night and proceeded with their plans this morning.

According to him, they were yet to be paid and do not know how much the state would pay them in terms of allowances.

Before the start of the sports festival, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, pledged a cash reward of N2.5m for every gold medallist from the state, N1.5m for silver and N1m for bronze medallists.

The state is third on the medals table with 48 gold, 38 silver and 47 bronze medals.

PUNCH Online is still awaiting the reaction of the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, as of the time of filing this story.