The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects at a security checkpoint on the Umudioka-Awkuzu road by Igbariam and recovered one Beretta pistol, two live ammunition and a Toyota Corolla car from them.

In a statement on Monday, the spokesman for the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad from Enugwu-Ukwu carried out the arrest.

Ikenga said four occupants were in the vehicle when they were ordered to stop for a search; while two alighted and ran away, two others were apprehended.

He said, “Operatives of the Special Anti-Cult Squad Enugwu-Ukwu, at a security checkpoint on Umudioka-Awkuzu road by Igbariam on January 25, 2025, at 5:38 pm, arrested two out of the four occupants of a white Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number YAB 26 CB.

“The team also recovered one Barreta pistol, two live ammunition, and the Toyota Corolla vehicle.

“The two suspects are Raphael Peverga and Saakura Teryima, both aged 22 years old and from Benue State. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to arrest the other two suspects who are currently on the run.

“It was reported that the suspects alighted from the vehicle while still in motion when the operatives ordered them to park the vehicle for a security search.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, assures that the Command shall continue to evolve strategy and improve operational positioning in the State to nip the bud of such criminal elements.

Media personality Toke Makinwa has condemned music super star 2Baba for who he handled separation from wife Annie Macaulay-Idibia.

Makinwa expressed outrage on social media stating that 2Baba’s actions were unacceptable

She warned 2Baba that if he thought Annie was alone, he would have to face the collective opposition of her supporters.

Toke wrote: “This is wrong on all levels and you should be ashamed of yourself for bringing this here. Bring it on if you think she is alone, let me tell you here that you will have to fight all of us”.

In another post, Makinwa emphasised the importance of women standing up for themselves.

She argued that if women don’t support one another, they could become vulnerable to similar treatment.

Makinwa vowed to fight for Annie’s rights, warning 2Baba that if he attempted to involve the media, he would be met with resistance.

She wrote “I’m not one for too much talk but what is wrong is wrong and as a woman if you sit on the fence on this one, if it misses you, it will touch your daughter or any female in your family. No one is innocent and if you want to bring the media into it, knowing what is happening, we would fight for her”.

The Lagos State Government has commenced electronic registration for the 2025 Universal Basic Education by Continuous Assessment Scores and Placement Test.

This development is part of the state’s efforts to provide quality education to its citizens.

According to a circular signed by the Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, on Monday, Mr Orunsolu Adebayo, the registration would run from Monday, January 27 to Friday, April 18, 2025.

It read, “Only primary six pupils in public and approved private primary schools in Lagos State are eligible to participate in the UBE by CAS and Placement Test.

“Registration is free for public primary schools, while pupils of approved private primary schools are required to pay N5,000 per candidate through the Lagos State Central Billing System.”

It added that the Lagos State Examinations Board had also approved Yoruba Language as one of the subjects for testing the knowledge and thinking ability of pupils sitting for the Placement Test by CAS.

Adebayo, assured stakeholders and parents that measures were in place to ensure seamless and hitch-free registration.

He emphasised that no child would be left unattended during the registration process.

Alfred Okyere, a Ghanaian studying in Canada, has been stabbed to death at work after spending a few days as a part-time worker at the DSI Underground Canada.

Mr Okyere, 23, who arrived in Canada in 2024 and stayed with his elder sister, Lydia Obeng, was allegedly killed by his co-worker, 53-year-old Troy Francis Leclair, at DSI, a mining supply company.

In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Ms Obeng said the police revealed that Mr Okoye was stabbed more than a dozen times.

“They told us there was an altercation, and he was stabbed 17 times in 30 seconds,” Ms Obeng explained. “I know he is very calm. Alfred is never troublesome. It was a new job he told me he had found, and he started last Wednesday. And he left around 2:40, picked an Uber and went to work.”

She added, “Alfred’s name never crossed my mind when I saw the police here. I know he is very calm. Alfred is not trouble.

“When the police broke the news, I couldn’t believe it until they brought me his bag. I packed his lunch and everything when he was living and a document we took to SGI. So he clearly told me that he was the one.”

In a statement, the police confirmed Mr Alfred suffered injuries from the stabs, and he was pronounced dead in the hospital.

“Upon arrival, police located a 23-year-old male victim suffering from stab wounds,” a police statement. “He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.”

However, Ms Obeng said the deceased’s family did not get any information regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr Okyere’s death.

Meanwhile, the Canadian police have charged Mr Leclair with murder.

The operatives of the Abagana Divisional Police Headquarters, Anambra, said four suspects were nabbed for allegedly burning a 74-year-old woman to death in the Ifitedunu area.

The four suspects included a 21-year-old lady, Chinyere Ekwenugo, who allegedly conspired with others to kill the woman in a wheelchair.

The other suspects are Uzochukwu Okeke, 47, Fidel Anayo, 60 and Ikenna Anene, 54, from Abagana.

A police spokesman in Anambra, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement, saying the incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.

“During interrogation by the police operatives, the suspect, Chinenye Ekwenugo, confessed that her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Igwe, who is currently at large, and three others set the victim ablaze.

“They brought a casket to bury her before the intervention of the security operatives,” he said.

He said the police operatives also recovered the burnt remains of the deceased, the wheelchair, and a casket, adding that moves have been initiated to arrest the main suspect, Mr Igwe.

The body of the deceased, according to the police, has been deposited in the morgue for autopsy and further probe of the cause of death.

The police commissioner, Nnaghe Itam, while reacting to the incident, called for calm and ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command for a comprehensive investigation.

The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, in the early hours of Monday, agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Following Babalola’s petition to the police commissioner in Ekiti State that Farotimi defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, the police arrested the activist lawyer and arraigned him before two courts in Ekiti.

Consequently, Farotimi stood trial for alleged criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District and as well for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court.

But Babalola, who spoke at ABUAD after the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers at the midnight meeting, said, he had agreed to withdraw the criminal case, saying, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”

Also in attendance were the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole: the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.

Babalola, who restated the importance of the Yoruba traditional institution and the influence it wielded, said, “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”

The senior advocate said that he felt so bad that Farotimi accused him of winning all his cases through corruption; hence, he rejected all earlier appeals to him to take the cases out of court.

He listed those who had appealed to him to take the matter out of court including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah; and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe.

He said, “If you go through the pamphlet (Farotimi’s book), you will find that he attacked many judges by names, he attacked Supreme Court judges, and none is bothered, but I am bothered. I am bothered because of where and how I started life, from the farm to where I am.

“There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment. There is nothing I am going to gain from so-called damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.

“The request is simple, take away this criminal case in court. When Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no. when Kukah phoned and came, I said no, but on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you Kabiyesis. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.”

The Ooni, who spoke on behalf of Yoruba monarchs, had requested Babalola to withdraw the case in court, assuring him that “nobody can tarnish your name. Your name is more than silver and gold and you have stood for your name with the message that nobody can joke with your name.”

Ogunwusi, who acknowledged Babalola’s contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria and the world, said, “We (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him and he gave full respect to the obas and agreed.

“We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has invested so hard to build his name. The name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone. Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name and the world has heard him clearly.

“Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son, you may not know him, we give birth to different children in this world, some are tough, some are soft, some are hard. Why we are here is our ethos as a race.”

The Ooni added, “We are using our race because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even beyond Yorubaland have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution, we have heard you, enough, enough and enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our own way, we have done the needful.”

In a petition dated November 19, 2024, addressed to the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, Afe Babalola alleged that defamatory content in Dele Farotimi’s book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, tarnished his reputation.

Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by officers of the Ekiti State Police Command and transported to Ado-Ekiti, where he faced a 16-count charge of criminal defamation and cyberbullying. Following his arraignment in a magistrate court, he was remanded in custody.

The allegations stem from claims in the book accusing Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria of influencing Supreme Court justices through corruption.

Colombia on Sunday backed down and agreed to accept deported citizens sent on US military aircraft, hours after President Donald Trump threatened painful tariffs to punish the defiance to his mass deportation plans.

Colombia’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, had earlier said he would only take back citizens “with dignity,” such as on civilian planes, and had turned back two US military aircraft with repatriated Colombians.

Trump, less than a week back in office, responded furiously and threatened sanctions of 25 percent that would quickly scale up to 50 percent against Latin America’s fourth largest economy.

Petro initially sought to hit back and impose his own tariffs on US products, but by the end of the volatile Sunday he had backed down.

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo told a late-night news conference that his country had “overcome the impasse” and would accept returned citizens.

A White House statement said that Colombia has agreed to “unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on US military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”

“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again,” it said.

“President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States.”

Trump said he would suspend implementation of the tariffs.

It had been unclear even earlier how quickly Trump could impose tariffs on Colombia, historically one of Washington’s closest allies in Latin America, which enjoys a free-trade agreement with the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose wife is Colombian-American, suspended issuance of visas at the US embassy in Bogota and said visas would be revoked to Colombian government officials and their immediate family members.

The White House said the visa measures would stay in place until the first planeload of deportees returns.

Trump also vowed to subject Colombians to greater scrutiny at US airports.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has admitted that divorce from his wife, Melinda, was one of his most regretted mistakes.

In an interview with The Times published on Saturday, the tech billionaire admitted separation from his wife was a miserable experience.

“I’m more cheerful now,” Mr Gates said, but described his failed marriage as “the mistake I most regret.”

Mr Gate, 69, said that although he made other mistakes, his divorce from Melinda after 27 years of marriage was miserable for both of them.

“There are others, but none that matter,” Mr Gates said. “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years.”

Mr Gate and Ms Melinda announced their divorce in 2021, ending their 27 years of marriage.

The federal government has sought Singapore’s partnership to transform the nation’s civil service into a model of professionalism, efficiency and responsiveness.

Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), sought the partnership when she led a delegation to Singapore.

The delegation visited the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development in Singapore.

Ms Walson-Jack, in a statement by Eno Olotu, director of information and public relations in Abuja on Sunday, said the move was to learn from Singapore’s exemplary civil service.

She highlighted the critical importance of collaboration in advancing public service development in Nigeria.

According to her, the visit provided a significant opportunity for the delegation to draw insights and best practices in advancing civil service transformation in Nigeria.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to global excellence in public service, pointing out that the Southeast Asian country was renowned worldwide for its efficiency, transparency, innovation and achievements in public sector transformation.

“The Nigerian delegation is eager to draw inspiration and insights from such successes to drive impactful changes in Nigeria’s civil service.

“The visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening ties between Nigeria’s civil service and Singapore.

“Not only that, both nations aim to establish a partnership between the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria.

“This collaboration will focus on joint training programmes, collaborative research, and sharing innovative solutions,” she said.

The HCSFA said the synergy between the two countries represents a beacon of hope for the quest to transform Nigeria’s civil service into a model of professionalism and efficiency.

She identified some key benefits of the partnership, including joint training programmes, collaborative research, and sharing innovative solutions.

Ms Walson-Jack said this would empower Nigeria’s civil servants with the needed knowledge and tools to excel.

She commended UNDP for facilitating the visit to the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development, formerly the Global Centre for Public Service Excellence.

She expressed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing reforms and building partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of its public service.

The Nigerian delegation, comprising 20 Heads of State Civil Services, is the first batch in the first phase of a two-part initiative.

The initiative is designed to enhance Nigeria’s civil service by leveraging the globally renowned Singapore Public Service model, in line with 21st-century expectations.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on relevant agencies of government to prioritise the safety of lives in the event of accidents or occupational hazards.

He gave the advice against the backdrop of Saturday’s tanker explosion in Enugu which led to the death of about 18 persons and injuries to scores of others in Enugu State.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, on the 9th Mile 82 Division Expressway, Ugwuonyeama section, when a tanker conveying petrol collided with some vehicles and erupted in flames, killing about 18 persons.

The Deputy Speaker, in a statement on Sunday by his special assistant, Print Affairs, Udora Orizu, condoled the families of the victims as well as the government and people of Enugu State, praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

He sadly recalled a similar incident that recently happened in Niger State, urging the federal government to urgently direct relevant authorities to complete the rehabilitation of the road and others to forestall further occurrences.

The Deputy Speaker stresses the need for relevant authorities to provide safety measures and educate citizens to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Wishing the injured a quick recovery, Kalu also urged the relevant government agencies to provide relief materials to the bereaved, adding that the National Assembly will continue to support the Federal Government through budgetary allocation and legislative instruments.

He said, “I’m deeply saddened by the news of a fuel tanker explosion in Enugu State yesterday (Saturday) that caused the death of several people, with many also injured. This horrific incident happened just days after another tanker exploded in Niger State with over 80 people killed.

“I’m deeply concerned that this is one death too many. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families as well as the government and the people of Enugu State.

“I also want to use this opportunity to urge the Federal Government to take immediate action of addressing the deplorable state of our roads especially the 9th mile expressway, provide safety measures and educate citizens to help prevent such tragedies in the future. It’s our responsibility to act now and protect ourselves.”

The management of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, said it has set up a three-member committee that would relate with the police and assist it in unmasking the assailants involved in the recent killing of a student of the institution.

Earlier, Osun State Police Command said its detectives had commenced an investigation to unravel the identities of those who stabbed to death a 200-level student of Bowen University, identified simply as Paul.

The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, who made the disclosure, further said the incident was reported at Iwo Divisional Headquarters last Wednesday at about 10:55 pm.

Opalola also said the deceased, until his death, was a student in the Department of Computer Science at the university.

“On 22/01/2025, at about 10:55 pm, one Akindoyo Joseph CSO Bowen University, Iwo, came to Iwo Police Divisional Headquarters, Iwo and reported that one Paul Thinker, a 200-level Computer Science student, was stabbed by an unknown person or persons,” Opalola said.

Speaking on the efforts by the management to get to the root of the incident and expose the perpetrators, Bowen University’s Public Relations Officer, Havillah Aliyu, in a message sent to The PUNCH on Sunday, commended the police’s prompt response when called by the management.

Aliyu also said family members of the deceased student held a meeting with the management on the campus of the university last Thursday, adding, “Normalcy is gradually returning to the campus, though the atmosphere remains one of cautious hope as we await swift justice for the perpetrator(s) of this despicable act.”

He further said, “Management is satisfied with the prompt response and professionalism displayed by the police, and we are optimistic that the culprit(s) will be apprehended soon.

“While the police are leading the investigation, a three-man committee was immediately set up during an emergency Senate meeting on the morning of Thursday, 23 January 2025. This committee, with full support from management, has been tasked with gathering as much information as possible and relaying it to the police.

“Management has taken proactive steps to enhance security by increasing manpower and enlisting the assistance of the police and other sister agencies to intensify patrols in and around the campus.”

At least 27 Nigerian soldiers were killed in a jihadist suicide attack in the northeast, two Army sources told AFP on Sunday.

On Friday, troops launched a ground offensive on a stronghold of Islamic State-affiliated militants in a wasteland straddling Borno and Yobe states.

“The suicide attack killed 27 soldiers, including the commander, and left several others seriously injured,” a military officer said, making this one of the deadliest suicide attacks targeting soldiers in recent years.

“It was dark, which made it difficult for the troops to have a clear view of the surroundings,” said another officer about the attack which happened around 2030 GMT.

He said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were in a “critical condition”.

A suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle concealed in thick foliage into a convoy of advancing troops targeting the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Timbuktu Triangle, the two military officers said.

Both officers asked not to be identified as they were not authorised to speak on the incident.

Nigerian military officials were not available for comment on the attack.

ISWAP split from the mainstream Boko Haram in 2016 to become the dominant militant faction in the northeast.

They seized territory hitherto under Boko Haram control, including the Timbuktu Triangle and Sambisa forest, a game reserve turned jihadist stronghold.

The group is notorious for planting roadside mines and rigging vehicles with explosives to target troops.

In July last year, seven troops were killed when their vehicle hit a landmine in a village where ISWAP is active.

The 15-year-old conflict has killed 40,000 and displaced around two million from their homes in the northeast.

The violence spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, leading to the creation of a regional force to fight the militants.

The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the pedestrian bridge connecting Oshodi Bus Terminals 2 and 3, citing safety concerns.

The government raised alarms over the bridge’s safety and structural integrity.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, issued the order in a statement released on Friday, expressing concerns about the bridge’s condition.

“The order also mandated the contractor responsible for the initial construction of the terminal, through the Office of Infrastructure, to place concrete barriers at the entrances leading to the bridge. This is to safeguard the lives of pedestrians who use the infrastructure,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the closure would enable a comprehensive structural integrity assessment of the bridge, to determine whether it requires repairs or reconstruction.

Osiyemi advised pedestrians to use an alternative bridge located 30 metres away while the assessment is conducted.

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command, on Friday, arrested two more suspects allegedly involved in the abduction of Mrs Folasade Odumosu, the wife of a former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

The suspects are 27-year-old Agbojule Smart, and Keleke Michael, 30.

They were arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Special Squad.

This was confirmed in a statement issued at the Force Headquarters in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.

The Nigeria Police Force, via its Facebook handle, noted that two locally fabricated rifles, 11 live cartridges and N2.25 million were recovered from the suspects.

“In response to the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., to go after the fleeing suspects in connection to the kidnap of the wife of retired Assistant-Inspector General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, Mrs Odumosu, the operatives of the Lagos State CP Special Squad have apprehended 2 suspects identified as Agbojule Smart ‘m’, 27 years and Keleke Michael ‘m’, 30 years.

“The suspects were arrested in the early hours of today, Friday, January 24, 2025, while on their way out of Lagos State. Upon interrogation, they confessed to their crime; belonging to a gang of four, two of whom have been neutralised previously.

“Recovered from the suspects upon their arrest was the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,250,000), which was part of the requested ransom, 2 locally fabricated rifles, and 11 live cartridges,” the statement partly read.

Adejobi noted that the IG, Kayode Egbetokun commended the operatives “for their gallantry in apprehending these suspects and encourages them to maintain this high standard of competence in the fight against crime in all its manifestations.”

The police further stressed its commitment to improving public security, as it remains steadfast in its commitment to “reducing crime to an absolute minimum and fostering the establishment of peace across the nation.”

Folasade was abducted by four masked men from her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State in the dark hours of Thursday, January 16, 2024.

Less than a week after her abduction, with the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms and the Ogun State police operatives, Folasade was rescued from her captors after a gun duel with the criminals in the swampy area of Ikorodu, Lagos State on Wednesday.

The Oyo State government has signed an agreement with contractors for the execution of 68-kilometre rural access road projects under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

The state commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, signed phase I of the contract agreement with the contractors on Friday in Ibadan.

In his address, Mr Olaleye explained that signing the RAAMP interventions comprised a backlog of maintenance/rehabilitation and cross-drainage structures.

According to him, RAAMP is a major rural transport intervention project funded by the federal government and development partners like the World Bank and the French Development Agency.

“It is an inclusion of farms in the local agricultural market connectivity programme, connecting farmers to agro-logistics hubs.

“It equally strengthens the financial and institutional base for sustainability, as well as enhancing road safety, project management and institutional development support,” he said.

According to the commissioner, one of the project’s objectives is the provision of improved all-weather access to road networks of 8.0 metres in width in selected and prioritised rural development areas.

Others he mentioned include rehabilitation/upgrading and repairs of selected prioritised river crossings throughout the state and improvement of access to transport services for the state’s rural population, among others.

Mr Olaleye said if the objectives were fulfilled, the much-envisaged reduction in post-harvest losses and provision of all-year-round transportation would be attained.

The commissioner added that the projects, when completed, would improve economic activities, ease and make mobility cheaper in the rural communities.

He then charged the contracting firms not to compromise standards, saying that the design specifications and contract duration should be strictly adhered to.

The commissioner said the Federal Projects Monitoring Units, the state government and the benefitting communities would all serve as supervisors in contract execution.

The 30.3-kilometre road network of Fashola Farm Settlement and Olokoyo Junction to Ikere Junction is among the rural access roads awarded.

Dephanny Ventures Ltd, CGC Nig. Ltd., and Coastline Engineering Ltd are among the companies that signed the agreement.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, the South-West Business Director, CGC Nig Ltd, Shao Finguu, promised to deliver quality and timely projects.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group has painted a positive picture of the nation’s economic outlook for 2025 with the potential to achieve a 5.5 per cent GDP growth rate.

NESG, however, pointed out that this positive outlook was only possible provided the current reforms are sustained.

The projection was made at the launch of the 2025 Macroeconomic Outlook Report, titled ‘Stabilisation in Transition: Rethinking Reform Strategies for 2025 and Beyond’, which took place in Lagos on Thursday.

Olusegun Omisakin, the chief economist and director of research and development at NESG, stressed the importance of balancing price stability with the need for high and strong economic growth.

“We believe that at the optimal level, if we embark on more efficient policy reforms, the Nigerian economy has the potential for the GDP to end up at 5.5 per cent, and we believe that this is achievable,” he noted.

Mr Omisakin also highlighted the need for increased collaboration to tame inflation and sectoral reforms, particularly in agriculture, to optimise performance.

He noted that inefficient policy implementation could result in a much lower growth rate of around 3.4 per cent.

Mr Omisakin warned that reversing current policies could lead to a growth rate of just 2.7 per cent.

Regarding inflation, Mr Omisakin predicted that it could be moderated to 24.7 per cent by the end of the year.

He warned that if the current path was continued, it could rise to 34 per cent, leading to an extended stabilisation period.

Mr Omisakin called for collaboration between monetary and fiscal authorities and private sector participation to achieve speedy GDP growth.

He stressed the need to boost foreign exchange liquidity and stabilise the exchange rate. He also emphasised the importance of better fiscal performance.

“We believe so strongly that this must be the main focus of the government. If inflation is moderated, at the end of the year, it has a lot of benefits concerning all other macro indicators,” he said.

Overall, the NESG’s projection suggests that with sustained reforms and efficient policy implementation, Nigeria has the potential to achieve significant economic growth in 2025.

The Senate of the University of Ilorin has approved the appointment of three of the university’s retirees as emeritus professors.

They are Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, Prof. Olu Obafemi, and Prof. Musbau Akanji.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday by the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun.

Akogun confirmed that the university’s highest decision-making body, at its 304th meeting on Thursday, gave its nod to the appointment of the emeritus professors.

Oloyede retired from the services of the university in October 2024.

He is a former Vice-Chancellor of the university and the current Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

On the other hand, Obafemi is a renowned scholar of English and Dramatic Literature.

He also retired from the services of the University of Ilorin in 2020.

Akanji is a former Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and Federal University of Technology, Minna.

He is a renowned scholar of Biochemistry and retired in 2021.

The Federal Government has announced plans to build 10,000 housing units under the Renewed Hope Medic Cities initiative.

The project, which is being led by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in collaboration with the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, aims to provide affordable and decent housing for medical professionals across the country.

Housing Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, revealed the plan during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors on Thursday, in Abuja.

This was according to a statement by Director, Press and Public Relations at the Ministry, Salisu Haiba, on Thursday.

Dangiwa emphasised the importance of improving the living conditions of healthcare workers, who often face challenges in securing accommodation, especially in urban centres where medical facilities are concentrated.

“We recognise the difficulties many healthcare workers face in securing suitable accommodation, particularly in high-demand urban centres where medical facilities are concentrated.

“Housing is a fundamental need that directly impacts productivity, stability, and quality of life. Addressing these challenges requires strong partnerships between the government and professional bodies like yours,” Dangiwa said.

The initiative is part of the broader Renewed Hope Housing Programme aimed at expanding access to affordable housing for all Nigerians.

The minister disclosed that, as part of this programme, “over 10,000 housing units are currently under construction across 14 locations in the country, including 3,112 units in Karsana, Abuja, 2,000 units in Lagos State, and 2,000 units in Kano State.”

In addition to these Renewed Hope Medic Cities, Dangiwa noted that 12 Renewed Hope Estates, each comprising 250 units, are under development in 12 states, with plans to extend the initiative to all 36 states.

He urged healthcare workers to take advantage of the opportunity to own homes through various ownership options, including long-term National Housing Funds mortgage loans, a rent-to-own scheme, instalment payments, and outright purchase.

An online portal has been created to facilitate applications for the housing units: renewedhopehomes.fmhud.gov.ng.

The minister also emphasised that the Renewed Hope Medic Cities initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of healthcare workers and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the well-being of the nation’s medical professionals.

“Your visit today strengthens our resolve to design housing interventions that serve our national heroes—those who dedicate their lives to saving others,” Dangiwa added.

Speaking at the meeting, the National President of NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts in addressing the housing needs of doctors.

He stressed that providing affordable housing for healthcare workers would help address the long-standing issue of Nigerian doctors emigrating for better opportunities abroad.

Osundara also proposed a pilot project for the Federal Capital Territory, which would involve the construction of 1,000 housing units to serve as a template for other states.

He emphasised the need for housing units to be built within hospital premises, noting that resident doctors should ideally live near their workplaces to ensure timely response to medical emergencies.

A representative of REDAN and a member of NARD, Dr. Suleiman Sadiq explained that the Renewed Hope Medic Cities project would be a partnership between the Ministries of Housing and Health, FMBN, and public-private sector collaboration.

Construction is expected to begin between January and February 2025.

Sadiq expressed optimism that the initiative would not only improve the living standards of healthcare workers but also enhance their productivity, ultimately contributing to the betterment of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“This project is a significant step towards enhancing the welfare of healthcare workers, ensuring they have access to safe and affordable housing, and improving morale and productivity within the health sector,” Sadiq said.