NEWS
FG Outlaws Cash Payments In MDAs
The Federal Government has outlawed the use of physical cash for the payment of revenue and directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to install Point of Sale terminals within 45 days. The directive formed part of four Treasury circulars issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and obtained by The PUNCH on Monday. In the documents, the Accountant-General,...
PDP: Turaki-led Faction Labels Wike-backed Caretaker Committee As Illegal
The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the formation of a caretaker committee by the faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing the move as a blatant act of illegality that undermines party rules. In a statement on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong,...
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Raises Concern Over Difficulty Funding Missions
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has again raised concerns over its funding difficulties, prompting a visit by its Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) on Monday. Ahmed met with the Accountant-General, Dr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, to press for more reliable financing and faster disbursement of the ministry’s budgeted allocations. The ministry has struggled...
NSCDC Intercepts Truck Trafficking 21 Underage Children In Kogi
The Kogi State Government has said security operatives have intercepted a group of underage children trafficked into the state in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training. This was contained in a statement issued in the early hours of Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo. “At about 1500hrs on December 5, 2025,...
China Executes Former Firm Executive Over Alleged $156m Bribes
China executed a former executive of a top state-controlled asset management firm for corruption on Tuesday, state media reported. Bai Tianhui, the ex-general manager of China Huarong International Holdings (CHIH), was found guilty of accepting more than $156 million while offering favourable treatment in the acquisition and financing of projects between 2014 and 2018, state broadcaster CCTV said. CHIH is a...
US Delegation On Fact-finding Mission Meets Benue Clerics, Monarchs Over Genocide Cases
The United States delegation on fact-finding mission over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria was in Benue State on Monday where they interacted with Catholic bishops and the Tiv traditional ruler. US congressman, Riley Moore, disclosed this in a post on X on Monday, expressing strong support for Tiv and Christian leaders from Benue State. “It was an honour and deeply moving to...
Coups: ECOWAS Declares State of Emergency Across West Africa Region
The Economic Community of West African States has declared a state of emergency across the region following a surge in coups, attempted coups and escalating insecurity. ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, announced the decision on Tuesday at the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja. According to him, West Africa now faces an “average high-risk” security rating, citing...
Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request To Send Troops To Benin Republic For Peace Mission
The Senate has expeditiously approved the request by President Bola Tinubu for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission. According to the Senate, confirming and approving President Tinubu’s decision to deploy troops to the neighbouring Republic of Benin as part of a peace mission a failed coup attempt against President Patrice Talon was...
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Sign Defence Pact To Strengthen Military Cooperation
The Federal Government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen defence and military cooperation between the two nations. The agreement, according to a statement by Special Assistant on media to the Minister of State, Defence, Ahmed Dan Wudil, will cover strategic collaboration across security, military training, intelligence sharing, defence production, and...
Akume Call on MDAs To Embrace Digital Transformation
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has called on all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to embrace digital transformation, urging even those who are not digitally inclined to rise to the challenge with responsibility and dignity. Akume made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at the launch of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s Enterprise Content Management System...
