News Agency of Nigeria
EFCC nabs 4 Chinese, 27 other suspected illegal miners in Jos
Defence/Security

EFCC nabs 4 Chinese, 27 other suspected illegal miners in Jos

Arrest

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained four Chinese and 27 others over alleged illegal mining in Jos.

This is contained in a statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Oyewale said that the suspects were arrested on Saturday in the premises of Jiasheng Nigeria Limited, located at Dura Rayfield, Mangu Road, Jos.

He said that the arrest was sequel to credible intelligence linking the company to illegal mining activities in the state.

According to him the suspects include four Chinese and 27 Nigerians, part of who are suppliers in possession of unprocessed solid minerals, suspected to have been illegally mined.

He added that some exhibits which include a truck loaded with eight bags of processed Monazite, weighing 1000kg, worth N4 million each were recovered in the premises during the arrests.

He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

FG unveils economic plan for the country 
Economy/Business

FG unveils economic plan for the country 

Economy

By Nana Musa

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, says the Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive economic plan for sustainable development.

Edun disclosed this in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Mohammed Manga, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister, who unveiled the plan at the 2025 KPMG Arise TV Budget News Day, also outlined Nigeria’s fiscal priorities and economic direction for the coming year.

Edun said that government was committed to fiscal discipline, revenue mobilisation, and an improved investment in climate.

According to him, the government has projected GDP growth of 4.6 per cent for 2025, with a long-term ambition of seven per cent annually, a crucial target for poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The minister said that the macroeconomic stability remained priority, with exchange rate stability, trade surplus, and increased oil production positioning the country as a stronger global player.

Edun said that the foreign reserves had exceeded 40 billion dollars signalling confidence in economic policies and financial management.

He emphasised the crucial role of the private sector in driving economic growth, highlighting Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a key mechanism to bridge Nigeria’s 100 billion dollars annual infrastructure investment gap.

According to him, landmark projects, including the Benin-Asaba Highway and the Lagos-Abeokuta Road, are to be developed under PPP frameworks, with the aim to reduce travel time and enhance productivity.

The minister said that in the oil and gas sector, domestic refining was important, with the Dangote Refinery now leading local crude petroleum processing.

He said that the shift would significantly reduce reliance on imports, strengthen energy security, and enhance economic resilience.

Edun also addressed fiscal policy reforms, the government’s drive to expand the tax base, streamline revenue collection, and create a business-friendly tax system.

He said that a balanced approach to taxation would encourage investment while ensuring adequate funding for national priorities.

The minister said that as the country moved forward, the government was dedicated to economic transformation, driven by policies that fostered growth, stability, and private sector participation.

Edun said that building on strategic reforms, Nigeria was poised to unlock new opportunities for prosperity, accelerate national development, and secure a brighter future for generations to come.
(NAN)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

AEDC attributes power outage in parts of FCT to technical fault
Economy/Business

AEDC attributes power outage in parts of FCT to technical fault

Outage

By Constance Athekame

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has attributed the power outage in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)  to a technical fault on the feeder serving the areas.

The company made this known in a statement posted on its X handle in Abuja on Monday.

The company listed the areas affected to include Jabi, kado, Life Camp, Idu, Karmo, Citec Mbora, Airport Road, Nile University, Karimajiji, Kuchingoro communities, Lugbe FHA 1, NIA Senior and Junior, Baba Gida Market, Mr Biggs.

Other areas affected by the outage according to AEDC are Tipper Garage, Okada Bridge and Peace Village, Lugbe FHA 2, AMAC Market, New Site Leg, Living Faith Leg, CBN Estate, Sharon leg, 1R Estate, NNPC, T.Pumpy, Rebando Football Arena and surrounding areas.

”We regret to inform you that the power outage is due to a technical fault on the feeder serving these areas, ”it said.

According to the company, its dedicated technical team were  working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible.(NAN)

Court orders Akpabio, others to file defence in Natasha’s suit
Judiciary

Court orders Akpabio, others to file defence in Natasha’s suit

Order
By Taiye Agbaje

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and others to file their defence in a suit filed by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order after it was confirmed from the court records that all processes in the suit had been duly served on the defendants.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the embattled senator had, in a motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, sued clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) and the Senate as 1st and 2nd defendants.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also named the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Sen. Neda Imasuem, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct as 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

The lawmaker, among others, sought an order of interim injunction restraining the Senate’s committee headed by Imasuem from proceeding with the purported investigation against her for alleged misconduct sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary on Feb. 20, pursuant to the referral by the Senate on Feb. 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

Justice Egwuatu had, on March 4, granted all the prayers in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motion, including an order declaring any action taken during the pendency of the suit as null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

The judge also granted leave to the lawmaker to serve the 2nd to 4th defendants the originating summons and all other accompanying processes in the suit by substituted means to wit: by serving same through the 1st defendant (Clerk of NASS) or pasting same on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.

Justuce Egwuatu subsequently made an order “directing the 1st -4th defendants to come and show cause within 72 hours upon the service of the order on them why an order of interlocutory injunction should not be granted against them restraining them from proceeding with the purported investigation against the plaintiff for alleged misconduct without affording her privileges as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023 and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.”

Upon resumed hearing on Monday, counsel to the 1st (clerk), 2nd (Senate) and 3rd (Akpabio) defendants told the court that they had not been served with the processes in the suit.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa, SAN, disagreed with their submission.

Numa informed the court that all parties had been served, adding that affidavits of service were already before the court.

After going through the affidavits of service in the court records, Justice Egwatu confirmed service of all processes on all defendants.

At this point, counsel to the senate president, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, prayed the court for an adjournment for all processes to be regularised.

Other lawyers aligned with Ogunwumiju’s submission, pointing out that this would facilitate accelerated hearing at the next adjourned date.

Justice Egwatu, in a ruling, ordered that all relevant processes should be filed and served on parties in the matter before the next adjourned date.

The judge then adjourned the matter until March 25 for hearing.

NAN reports that the Senate, at a plenary presided over by the senate president on Thursday, suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after it considered the report of the committee chaired by Imasuem.(NAN)
edited by Sadiya Hamza

Be firm, audacious in parliamentary duties, Shehu Sani tells NASS members  
Politics

Be firm, audacious in parliamentary duties, Shehu Sani tells NASS members  

NASS

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A former Senator, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has called on members of the 10th National Assembly to be firm and audacious in carrying out their legislative functions

Sani, a human rights activist-turned politician, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja,

He said for the lawmakers to defend the independence of the parliament, they must be critical in their checks and balances and oversight functions.

Sani, while assessing the performance of the 10th national assembly, said that the current legislature is in-between the Eighth and Ninth Assembly in terms of performance.

“While every set of the national assembly has its peculiar experiences, challenges and issues, the basic functions of the legislature are law-making and performing oversight functions on the executive to ensure checks and balances.

”One of the factors that distinguished the eighth senate was its ability to stand up to the executive arm of the government at that very time.

“But that standard dropped during the ninth NASS when it became a rubber stamp and a forum of praise singers, approving every request from the executive without asking questions.

“if I should rate the 10th NASS, they are in-between the eighth and ninth assembly, because they are still in the business of approval, approval with very little checks.

“But on a more dignifying level, I have not seen any serious controversy affecting the sanctity of this assembly as to say that they are also rubber stamp.

“They are not rubber stamp, but they are also not as independent, progressive and accounting as we used to be at the eighth senate,’’ he said.

Sani said that as the closest arm of government to the people, he would love to see the 10th NASS to be stricter in activating its checks and balances power.

“For example, on the matters of the kind of money that government is borrowing, policies and programmes being implemented that are causing so much pains to the masses, they are expected to be more proactive.

“For example, the telecommunication companies are increasing their tariffs. I want to see the national assembly pressing them down.

“On the unnecessary charges that banks are charging and some policies of the Central Banks of Nigeria (CBN), causing the people pains, they should be very vocal and firm, but that is not happening.

“They should be firm on the issue of inflation, making sure that the economic reforms and other programmes do not impact negatively on the lives of our people, but I am not seeing that,’’ he said.

The former senator said that every lawmaker must uphold, protect and defend the integrity and dignity of the parliament, maintaining that the national assembly is not a department of the executive.(NAN)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu and ‘Wale Sadeeq

Catholic Bishops seek reforms in correctional centres
Metro

Catholic Bishops seek reforms in correctional centres

Reforms

By Philomina Attah

The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria
(CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, has decried the deplorable state of correctional facilities in the country.

Speaking at CBCN’s first plenary in 2025, in Abuja, Ugorji called for urgent reforms to address overcrowding, inhumane treatment of inmates, and delays in the judicial process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference has as its theme: “Jubilee of Hope: A Light for a New Nigeria”.

He commended the law that changed the prisons from punitive system, to one focused on rehabilitation and reintegration.

According to him, the law provides for medical, psychological, spiritual, and vocational training programmes, to aid inmates’ reintegration into society.

He said that the implementation of the law had been largely ineffective, describing Nigeria’s correctional centres as outdated, ill-maintained, overcrowded, and unhygienic.

The Archbishop said that due to their unsanitary conditions, the correctional centres were also known for their offensive odours, which encouraged the spread of disease.

He said that inmates of the centres were thrown into overcrowded, squalid and unhealthy cells with about 20 people, crammed into a cell meant for five.

“Consequently, they have to sleep at night in shifts because of lack of space. Essential amenities such as food, potable water and medical care seem to be luxuries that are not always available in the centres.

“Depending on the correctional centre, the number of inmates awaiting trial ranges from 60 to 90 per cent.

“Thus, suspects may stay in the facility many years longer than they would have, if they were promptly sentenced for their alleged offences,” the cleric said.

Ugorji further noted that many of the inmates are often subjected to inhumane and degrading physical and psychological abuse.

He said that this exposed them to severe emotional disturbance, including anxiety and depression.

“To say the least, their mistreatment is an affront on human dignity and right.

“To address these challenges, the government too should uphold the fundamental rights of inmates and treat them with dignity,” Ugorji said.

He called for the fast-tracking of the judicial process to prevent prolonged detention without trial, and decongest correctional centres, by granting pardon to well-behaved minor offenders.

The cleric called for the upgrading of existing facilities and constructing of new ones to ease overcrowding.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the event, Mr Steve Adehi, called on the Church to play its role in realising a new Nigeria.

He also said that while Nigeria held the title of the happiest people globally, yet Nigerians led the misery index rating. (NAN)

Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Mark Longyen

NCDC confirms new Lassa fever case, calls for enhanced surveillance
Health

NCDC confirms new Lassa fever case, calls for enhanced surveillance

Lassa Fever

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a new case of Lassa fever in a 31-year-old physician who had recently travelled to the United Kingdom.

NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Idris stated that the patient, who was diagnosed in Ondo State, unfortunately succumbed to the disease before the test results confirming the infection were available.

Idris raised an alert on the situation, stressing the need for heightened surveillance and precautionary measures.

He emphasised that the latest case highlighted the persistent threat of Lassa fever in Nigeria and the potential for international transmission.

According to the NCDC’s latest epidemiological report, Nigeria has recorded 2,728 suspected cases and 535 confirmed cases of Lassa fever in 2025, with 98 deaths across 14 states.

“The current case fatality rate stands at 18.3 per cent, indicating the severity of the disease.

“Five states, Ondo 31 per cent, Bauchi 24 per cent, Edo 17 per cent, Taraba 16 per cent, and Ebonyi 3 per cent account for 91 per cent of all confirmed cases.

“The most affected local government areas include Owo, Akure South, Etsako West, Kirfi, Akoko South-West, Bali, Esan North-East, Bauchi, Toro, and Jalingo.”

He said that the confirmed case involved the Nigerian physician, who travelled to the UK on Feb. 19, 2025, and returned on Feb. 27, 2025.

“He was admitted to a private health facility in Ondo State with symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever.

“Samples were taken on Feb. 28, 2025, but the patient passed away on March 1, 2025, before test results were confirmed.

“The NCDC confirmed the diagnosis of Lassa fever on March 4, 2025.

“Investigation revealed that the deceased had visited his fiancée in Edo State before his UK trip and had also met with family and friends.

“Contact tracing efforts have since been launched in both Nigeria and the UK to curb further spread of the disease.”

In response to the case, the NCDC, in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Health, had intensified contact tracing, surveillance, and infection control measures.

“The agency is identifying and monitoring all potential contacts of the deceased, including family members, healthcare workers, and co-passengers on flights.

“Port Health Services are also enhancing surveillance at entry points, particularly airports, while collaboration with UK health authorities ensures cross-border tracking of potential exposures.”

Idris reiterated public health guidelines to prevent further outbreaks, urging Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, control rodent populations, and seek early medical intervention for suspected cases.

He emphasised that Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated by the urine, feces, or saliva of infected rodents.

“Human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings with inadequate infection prevention and control measures.

“The NCDC continues to monitor disease patterns and deploy rapid response teams to affected areas, with specialised treatment centres providing care for severe cases.

“Public awareness campaigns are ongoing, educating communities on rodent control, food safety, and early symptom reporting.

“In spite of these efforts, Lassa fever remains a significant public health challenge, with high mortality rates and the potential for international spread, as demonstrated by this recent case.” (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

AU Chairperson calls for end to hostilities in South Sudan
Foreign

AU Chairperson calls for end to hostilities in South Sudan

Hostilities

By Fortune Abang

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki, has called for an end to hostilities in South Sudan.

Faki expressed concern over the escalating tensions and clashes in Nasir County, Upper-Nile State, including a lethal attack on a UN helicopter and violence in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el-Ghazal, which threatened the peace process.

In a statement on the AUC website, Faki condemned the violence and urged all parties to exercise the utmost restraint.

He called on the authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable and take immediate measures to protect citizens.

“I call for an immediate end to the hostilities, adherence to the ceasefire arrangements, and for the parties to urgently engage in national dialogue.

“The AUC is currently consulting with authorities, IGAD, and other stakeholders to ensure a de-escalation of the situation,” he said.

Faki reiterated the AU’s longstanding call for the full implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, stressing that South Sudan’s future depends on peaceful coexistence, unity, and collective responsibility.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

No shortfall in workers’ salaries, OAGF insists
Economy/Business

No shortfall in workers’ salaries, OAGF insists

Salaries

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF),has clarified that there are no shortfalls in salaries paid to federal workers in January and February.

The OAGF made the clarification in a statement issued by Bawa Mokwa, the Director, Press and Public Relations in Abuja.

Mokwa said that the salaries that workers received in January and February were their normal salaries after the various arrears that were paid from October to December 2024 had been exhausted.

He said that it was imperative to make clarifications on the purported shortfall in January and February salaries in order to ease any anxiety in the minds of workers.

According to him, various salary arrears have been paid in the last quarter of 2024, namely, minimum wage arrears, 25 per cent/35 per cent increase in salary arrears, and wage award arrears.

“All these arrears were paid from the month of October 2024 to December 2024. This made salaries to increase abnormally in the last quarter of 2024.

“Payment of normal salaries after exhausting the various arrears began in January 2025, which made some workers think that they were shortchanged, when in actual sense, it was their real salaries ” he said.

He said that what was paid in January and February 2025 shall continue to be the salaries until when the Federal Government reviews the salaries again.

The director said that there were cases of overpayments in the month of December 2024 due to system error.

“The error has been corrected and deductions in respect of the overpayments from the salaries of affected workers is on-going and shall continue until such overpayments were fully recovered,” he said.

On the payment of promotion arrears, Mokwa said that the exercise was handled by a standing committee on promotion and salary arrears in the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF).

According to him, the BOF compiles and vets all salary and promotion arrears from various MDAs before such is channeled in batches to IPPIS for payment.

He said that IPPIS had fully paid batches 1 to 6 and was awaiting more batches from the BOF for payment.

Mokwa reiterated the determination of the OAGF to efficiently manage the IPPIS in view of its importance to workers.

He advised workers with genuine complaints about their salaries to follow the formal processes to get such resolved as quickly as possible.(NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

IWD: Chinese Ambassador pledge cooperation with Nigeria to boost women empowerment
Foreign

IWD: Chinese Ambassador pledge cooperation with Nigeria to boost women empowerment

Empowerment

By Sarafina Christopher

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai has affirmed China’s dedication in collaborating with Nigeria to enhance gender equality and promote women’s empowerment.

He made this pledge on Friday in Abuja during the “Her Story and Future” event marking the 115th International Women’s Day and 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration hosted by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Women Affairs.

The ambassador stressed the significance of the Beijing Declaration, a widely acknowledged blueprint for safeguarding women’s rights globally.

He said that the belief in gender not being a hindrance to humanity’s progress informed part of the decision for the crucial declaration.

Furthermore, he acknowledged women as the driving force behind both human advancement and economic growth.

He noted that with the backdrop of strengthened China-Nigeria relations, especially following President Bola Tinubu’s trip to China and participation in the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, there was need to ramp up efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.

“We would like to work with Nigeria to improve gender equality and also women empowerment

“We are keen on empowering Nigerian women through avenues like education, capacity enhancement, vocational training, and have already taken strides in this direction,” he stated.

He also listed successes such as a Nigerian female train conductor trained by the Chinese company CCECC and the rise of talented Nigerian female entrepreneurs in sectors like ICT, with whom China hopes to foster deeper collaboration.

Yu noted that China has underlined its commitment to gender equality through a robust legal framework encompassing over 100 laws and regulations aimed at safeguarding women’s rights.

Key achievements include an average life expectancy of nearly 81 years for Chinese women and the elimination of gender disparities in education.

Notably, women constitute 45 per cent of China’s workforce, and in the internet sector, female entrepreneurs surpass their male counterparts at 55 per cent.

He also highlighted the active involvement of women in the “Two Sessions” political meetings in Beijing, shaping national policies as representatives.

The Ambassador stressed that China’s strides in gender equality and women’s development not only underscore its human rights framework but also contribute significantly to global equality, development, and peace.

Yu expressed confidence that more Nigeria women would benefit from high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, allowing them to realise their aspirations and shape a prosperous future

Yu also extended warm greetings to women in Nigeria and worldwide, emphasising the United Nations theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”

Mrs Olubunmi Olowookere, Permanent Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, lauded the resilience and bravery of women across history.

She emphasised the imperative of acknowledging and celebrating women’s contributions in science, business, the arts, and leadership for a future where education, equality, and empowerment are basic rights, not luxuries.

“As we honour the past, we must also commit to a future where education, equality, and empowerment are fundamental rights, not privileges,” she said.

NAN reports that the event attracted government officials, diplomats, and gender advocates who echoed the call for advancing women’s rights in Nigeria.(NAN)

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