National

US Grants Nigeria $32.5m Aid to Tackle Hunger

Published

7 months ago

September 4, 2025

Eric

The United States has approved $32.5 million for Nigeria to address hunger, in what is seen as rare gesture since President Donald Trump suspended most aid through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The funding will provide food assistance and nutritional support to internally displaced people, IDPS, in conflict-affected areas, the U.S mission to Nigeria said in a statement on Wednesday.

Insecurity and funding cuts have put northern Nigeria in the grip of “an unprecedented hunger crisis” that could leave more than 1.3 million people without food and force the closure of 150 nutrition clinics in Borno State, Margot van der Velden, the World Food Program´s regional director for West Africa, said in July.

In July, the WFP suspended food assistance across crisis-hit West and Central African countries as a result of U.S. and other global aid cuts that are grinding its operations to a halt.

Food stocks were projected to end around September for most of the affected countries, leaving millions of vulnerable people potentially without emergency aid, according to the WFP.The U.S. mission said the donation would provide food and nutrition assistance to 764,205 beneficiaries across north-east and northwest of Africa´s most populous country.

“This includes complementary nutrition top-ups for 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls and 43,235 children through electronic food vouchers,” it said.

In recent months, there has been an uptick in attacks on communities in the northwest and north-central regions of Africa´s most populous country, where farmers often clash over limited access to land and water.

An attack in north-central Nigeria killed 150 people in June.

The West African country is also dealing with an insurgency in its northeast region that has resulted in the death of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 2 million others, according to the United Nations.

National

Eid-el- Fitr: Interior Minister Announces Thursday, Friday As Public Holidays

Published

2 weeks ago

March 18, 2026

Eric

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government.

The minister extended warm greetings and congratulations to Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

Tunji-Ojo urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice emphasised during the holy month.

He also called on Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the country.

“The federal government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians,” he said.

The minister encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.

He noted that Eid-ul-Fitr represents a period of reflection, gratitude, and compassion, urging Nigerians to uphold these values beyond the festive season.

The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity and strengthening peaceful coexistence across the country.

National

Nine Senators Announce Defection to ADC

Published

3 weeks ago

March 12, 2026

Eric

Nine senators on Thursday announced their defection from their various parties to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Five of the senators dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), three left the Labour Party (LP), and one from the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The defectors from PDP are Senators Dauda Yaroe, Lawal Usman, Ogochi Onawe, Aminu Tambuwal and Austin Akubondu.

The LP defectors are Senators Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye.

Eight of the senators who dumped the PDP and LP cited leadership crises in their parties for their defection.

However, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe said he dumped APGA because the party sacked him in September 2025.

National

Police Council Confirms Tunji Disu As Substantive IGP

Published

1 month ago

March 2, 2026

Eric

The National Police Council has confirmed Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police.

His name is now to be sent to the Senate for screening.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Disu as the acting IGP on February 25, 2026, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

Tinubu, in a statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had said he would convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive IGP, after which his name would be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” he said.

The former AIG assumed office as the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) last Wednesday.

Disu, 59, took over the reins as Nigeria’s new police chief at a brief ceremony at the Louis Edet House in Abuja, shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated him as the acting IGP.

Until his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police last year.