General
Criticism: FG Plotting to Arrest Some Elder Statesmen—Group

By Dipo Olowookere
A pan Yoruba youth organizations, Igbimo Odo Yoruba, has raised an alarm about a plot by the federal government to clampdown on some leaders of the Nigerian leaders and elders forum comprising Afenifere, Northern Elders Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Middle Belt Forum, with the aim of weakening the group’s perceived opposition to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by using the Nigerian Police Force and the Department of State Services to execute a series of arrests targeting key chieftains of the groups such as Comrade Yinka Odumakin, Dr Junaid Mohammed, Chief John Nwodo, Dr Isuwa Dogo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and others, on trumped-up charges.
The group alleged in a press statement released Friday by its Coordinator, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, in Lagos that the plot also involves executing illegal searches on residential and business premises of persons believed to be arrow heads of the groups, with the ultimate objective of silencing them so to as cripple their criticisms of the Mr Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the country.
The youth group also alleged that the plot is aimed at decapitating the any opposition to the “now unpopular” government of President Buhari, which is desperately seeking a second term in office come 2019.
Making reference to the recent illegal raid on the Abuja residence of elder statesman and Niger Delta leader, Mr Edwin Clark, the group alleged that it was the first step in the series of orchestrated actions geared towards silencing the opposition to the Buhari’s government, which has been mainly championed by the Nigerian Leaders and Elders Forum.
The group further stated that the glaring failures of the APC administration in the country and the increasing agitation for the restructuring of the country, being spearheaded by the Elders and Leaders, is responsible for the federal government’s plot to clampdown on those persons, who are now considered to be the arrowhead of the opposition to the Buhari’s government.
According to the group, the increasing resort to dirty tactic fits into the pattern of the Buhari’s administration abuse of federal institutions, including the police, DSS, the military and the regulatory agencies, to harass and intimidate the opposition.
The group also stated that the recent events are proof of the desperation of the Buhari’s administration, which it alleged is determined to make sure that Nigeria is plunged into chaos through its anti-democratic activities.
“We are therefore using this medium to alert Nigerians and the international community of the evil machinations of the Federal government and the APC to throw Nigeria into crisis.
“We also call on Nigerians and the global community to take note of the desperate tactics of this administration and do whatever they can to prevail on President Buhari not to plunge the country into chaos,” the group further stated.
The group warned that any crisis arising from the desperate antics of the federal government would not augur well for Nigeria and her democracy, adding that the country “must not be allowed to be plunged into crisis for whatever reason.”
General
FG Moves to Fast-Track Household Cash Transfer Scheme

By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government is fast-tracking the implementation phase of its economic and financial inclusion strategy aimed at improving access to economic opportunities for Nigerians.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Ibrahim Hadejia, at the inaugural meeting of the Technical Committee of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI).
He said that “Financial inclusion is not just about having a bank account—it means access to quality services, credit, and the visibility that digital platforms offer.”
The meeting was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The federal government established an inter-agency task force to address challenges delaying President Bola Tinubu’s approved conditional cash transfers to 15 million vulnerable households.
The task force includes the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office, National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).
The mandate of the taskforce goal is to unlock bottlenecks and fast-track the distribution of critical financial support to Nigeria’s most vulnerable.
The meeting also endorsed steps to work with state governments in localising data from the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access in Nigeria (EFInA) Access to Financial Services survey – a biennial study conducted by the EFInA.
Mr Hadejia explained that the meeting brought together high-level stakeholders from government agencies, financial institutions, and academia to align on the President’s vision and execution roadmap.
“We are off to a very good start. What has led to the success of what we’ve done so far is alignment and inclusive stakeholder engagement,” he said.
On hsi part, the committee’s Secretary, Mr Nurudeen Zauro, said the meeting also approved PreCEFI’s strategic roadmap and governance structure.
Mr Zauro, who is also the Technical Advisor to the President on Financial Inclusion, said ” an inter-agency committee has been established to address delays in the disbursement of conditional cash transfers to 15 million households as mandated by President Tinubu.
“We will be presenting the report to the National Economic Council and the Nigerian Governors Forum to ensure data is domesticated and acted upon at the subnational level.”
Also, Director-General of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, explained that digital identity plays a foundational role in achieving inclusion goals.
“The beauty of the NIN is that it bridges the financial divide. It provides access to health, education, and agricultural services and strengthens national data infrastructure,” she said.
The Director of Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion at the CBN, Mrs Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, urged the committee to focus on implementable outcomes that serve those at the base of the pyramid.
According to her, financial inclusion is one of the eight reform pillars of the President’s agenda.
General
Senate to Finalise Passage of Tax Reform Bills Today

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate has passed two out of four major tax reform bills, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing overhaul of the nation’s tax administration framework.
The two bills, one seeking to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and another to establish the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill 2025 along with the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill 2025, were passed following a clause-by-clause consideration during the Committee of the Whole and their subsequent third reading on the Senate floor.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in October 2024 transmitted the four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.
However, the bills were met with opposition from many quarters, particularly from Northerners, who lamented that the bills put their interests at stake.
During deliberations, the upper chamber went through the clause-by-clause consideration of the four key tax reform bills submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Mr Sani Musa.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended the progress, expressing optimism that the reform bills would not only enhance governance but also revolutionise tax collection and distribution across the country.
“These bills will add immense value to governance and transform how taxes are collected and shared in Nigeria,” he said.
He further assured that the remaining two bills would be finalised today (Thursday), even if it required extended sitting hours.
“We are committed to concluding the outstanding bills tomorrow, even if we have to stay here until 10 p.m.,” Mr Akpabio said.
General
FG Reiterates Actualisation of $3bn Agge Seaport

By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has pledged its commitment towards the actualisation of the $3 billion Agge Deep Seaport project to promote job creation, economic development and attract local and foreign investments to the Niger Delta region.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, stated this at the weekend during the flag-off of the marine safety sensitisation and distribution of life jackets to waterways users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The minister said the realisation of the Agge Sea Port Project in Bayelsa State was part of President Bola Tinubu administration’s alignment with the broader marine and blue economy vision which is part of its transformative agenda to revive the economy.
Mr Oyetola disclosed that the ministry was working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Agge Deep Seaport becomes a reality in record time.
He said the port will serve as a major maritime gateway in the South-south, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, creating jobs, boosting local and foreign investment, and accelerating economic development in the Niger Delta and beyond.
On his part, the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Douye Diri for his initiatives and his administration’s alignment with the broader Marine and Blue Economy vision of the federal government, he added that the port will also open up new frontiers in logistics, fisheries, ship-building, and tourism.
Speaking on the distribution of life jackets to waterways users, the minister said the initiative was in continuation of the implementation of the federal government’s national safety initiative that speaks directly to the value the administration placed on human lives.
“Today, we are here in Bayelsa State to fulfill that same promise, distributing 3,500 life jackets to users of inland waterways in this great state.
“This landmark initiative, launched under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is not just symbolic; it is strategic, proactive, and long overdue. It is our direct response to the alarming rate of boat mishaps and the heartbreaking fatalities that have plagued our waterways for far too long.
“As we all know, water transportation remains the most viable means of connectivity for many of our rural and riverine communities, yet it is also one of the riskiest when safety protocols are ignored or unavailable.
“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe.
“It is our firm belief that no one should lose their life simply because they had to cross a river or travel by boat. The distribution of life jackets to the 12 selected states in this first phase represents one of the most comprehensive federal responses in recent times to the persistent safety challenges on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
He appealed to the national government to make good its promise of supporting the state in developing the Agge Deep Seaport.
Represented at the ceremony by his deputy, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor described the Agge Seaport project as a gateway to regional and international trade that would be of immense benefit to the state and the country at large.
Mr Diri assured the federal government of his administration’s commitment to actualising the project, and called for effective collaboration from all critical stakeholders including development partners.
“We are happy that you have spoken profusely about the Agge Deep Seaport. But we will be happier if all of us work together in pursuing this endeavour to its completion and use.
“The Agge Deep Seaport is not only important to Bayelsa. It will not only open the gateway to Bayelsa, but also open the gateway to the Nigerian economy in several ways,” he said.
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