The Reporters Gang

Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammad Matawalle MON, has unequivocally expressed his concern on the recent incidents in the local government councils in Osun State.  In the  light of this significant development, according to a statement signed by Iyogun Sunday, on behalf of the Director Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, he has called upon security agencies to take proactive measures to maintain law and order in the state. Matawalle emphasized that the ruling is not only a reflection of the judiciary’s independence but also aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s unwavering commitment to upholding justice, equity, and the rule of law across the nation.  He highlighted that the  recent incident in Osun state  in which some lives were lost should not be allowed to continue.  As a minister of state for defence, my duty also includes protection  of lives and properties of all citizens...

 Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, has issued a resolute call for Nigeria to assert its position on the global stage in the light of  recent diplomatic incident involving the denial of visas to the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, and other members of the Nigerian delegation.  This unfortunate event occurred while they were en route to a significant function honoring Nigerian veterans in Canada. Matawalle expressed profound disappointment regarding the treatment of the Nigerian delegation, emphasizing that such actions jeopardize the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Canada. “This incident is not merely a bureaucratic oversight; it is a serious affront to our national dignity and integrity. We cannot allow our country to be treated with such disregard and levity  on the international stage,” he stated. He called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the reasons behind this visa denial, asserting t...

Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, has declared 2025 a pivotal year of consolidation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. This declaration comes as the administration marks 19 months of significant achievements across various sectors. During a Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Minister Idris highlighted key areas of achievement, including fiscal, macroeconomic, and legislative reforms. Notable accomplishments in this area include the removal of fuel subsidies, which has plugged financial leakages amounting to hundreds of billions of Naira annually, and the introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), which has led to unprecedented stability in the FX market. Other significant achievements include: Targeted Interventions: Over 169,000 students have benefited from the Students Loan Fund, receiving N32.8 billion for school fees and upkeep. New Development Commissions have been established for the ...

General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) has disputed First Bank of Nigeria's (FBN) claim of a $225 million loan, stating that the relationship between the two companies is a project finance agreement, not a normal commercial loan. The management of GHL in a statement noted that the company was approached by FBN to finance the exploration, development, and production of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 120, with FBN agreeing to share profits 50:50 and pay GHL the cost of finance. However, GHL disclosed that FBN failed to meet its commitment to fully finance the project, resulting in losses of $47 million. Find the full statement below:  General Hydrocarbons Limited Vs FBN: The Explainer 1. Is GHL’s liability to First Bank a loan? The simple answer is NO, as it is not a normal commercial loan: it is a Project Finance relationship. Here is how: 2. GHL is the awardee and licenced operator of OML 120. FBN approached GHL to finance the exploration, development and production of OML 120 and share profit...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Armed Forces, Security and Intelligent Agencies to harmonize their operations and adopt a whole of society approach in combating evolving Security challenges. Mr. President underscored the critical importance of joint security operational effectiveness in tackling Nigeria’s emerging security challenges. President Tinubu who was represented by the Honourable Minister of Defence H. E. Mohammed  Badaru Abubakar CON, mni gave the asserted this at the opening session of the Chief of Defence Staff Joint Task Force Commanders Conference held at Defence Headquarters in Abuja. The President commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in safeguarding the nation.  He noted that this year’s conference theme, “Enhancing Jointness across all Theatres of Operations,” aligns seamlessly with his administration’s strategic vision for a more secured Nigeria. “This forum is expedient and timely especially a...

Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, H.E Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has condemned former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for inciting violence and unrest among Nigerians.  Amaechi's remarks, made at a recent conference in Abuja, suggested that politicians must "steal, maim, and kill" to remain in power.  Dr. Matawalle described Amaechi's statement as "reckless and dangerous," emphasizing that such inflammatory remarks can radicalize the youth and destabilize national peace and security.  He cautioned against misleading young Nigerians with a warped narrative of violence and anarchy, reminding them that Nigeria is a sovereign nation governed by laws. The Minister warned that the security agencies are on high alert and will not tolerate any form of subversive rhetoric that seeks to undermine national unity or incite lawlessness.  He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration remains committed to upholding peace, dem...

...Judge Says First Bank Suppressed Relevant Facts To Secure Order  In a landmark victory for General Hydrocarbons Limited,  the Federal High Court in Lagos has set aside an order of Mareva injunction freezing  the assets of the company and its directors. The court, while upholding the arguments of GHL’s counsel, Abiodun Layonu, SAN held that  the injunction violated an existing order from a court of concurrent jurisdiction.In his ruling, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, stated that when compared with an earlier order issued by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa in Suit No. 1953, the Mareva Injunction should be set aside. The court found that First Bank of Nigeria and FBNQUEST LTD, at whose instance the order was procured, failed to fully disclose Justice Lewis-Allagoa’s order, which made the Mareva Injunction incompatible with the earlier ruling. The court consequently agreed with GHL that First Bank deliberately "suppressed facts" to mislead the court into granting the order ag...

The Nigerian government has taken a significant step towards reforming its civil service, aligning it with global standards, and enhancing its efficiency and innovation.  A high-powered delegation, led by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, recently embarked on a four-day study tour to Singapore. The tour, which took place in January 2025, provided an opportunity for the delegation to understudy the Singaporean Civil Service, renowned for its transformative impact on national development.  The intensive program focused on key aspects of Singapore's public service delivery, uncovering critical insights that could redefine the operational framework of Nigeria's civil service. Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary (Perm Sec), Ministry of Defence, commended Mrs. Walson-Jack for her visionary leadership in facilitating this groundbreaking initiative.  He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained during the study to...

  Popular Nigerian movie producer and author, Duke of Shomolu, has praised Dr. Nduka Obaigbena, the Chairman of Thisday Newspaper, for inviting him to the upcoming Thisday Awards, which will mark the 30th anniversary celebration of the newspaper. In a statement shared on social media this morning, Duke expressed his excitement and gratitude for the invitation. He referred to Dr. Obaigbena as "a prince who refused to turn into a frog," highlighting his admiration for Obaigbena's understanding of Nigeria’s socio-political structure and his unwavering commitment to his values. Duke recounted his encounters with Dr. Obaigbena, noting that he had met him only three times in his life. “Twice in his expansive apartment in Ikoyi, and once at the Afrif event last December, where I had gone to meet the governor. Dr. Obaigbena was seated at the front, preparing to take the stage,” he shared. He further explained the significance of the invitation, especially given his past experienc...