The Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) said that the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) grew to N60 billion in 2025, marking a significant increase from ₦36 billion in 2024. The Acting Chairman of ODIRS, Mr Bayo Rojugbokan, made the disclosure in an interview with NAN in Akure on Friday. He said the figure, which represented a significant increase, was the highest annual IGR ever generated in the state’s history. Rojugbokan, a tax expert, said that the state’s monthly revenue rose from an average of N3 billion in 2024 to N5 billion in 2025. He explained that while the core…
Author: Newsdesk
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will roll out a free visa policy for all Africans starting May 25, 2026. The announcement was made following a bilateral meeting with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Peduase Lodge in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Under the new policy, African travellers will be able to obtain e-visas online at no cost as part of broader immigration reforms. President Mahama said the initiative reflects Ghana’s long-standing commitment to Pan-Africanism and regional integration. “I am also pleased to announce that effective 25th May, 2026, when we commemorate Africa Day, Ghana will commence a free…
The Federal Government on Thursday said the reconstruction of the Enugu–Onitsha federal highway would cost ₦350 billion. Sen. David Umahi, the Minister of Works, made this announcement while inaugurating completed portions of the road. He noted that President Bola Tinubu had shown unwavering commitment to completing the project. READ ALSO: Orile-Agege LCDA disburses N96m to boost waste management Umahi explained that the federal government reviewed the original ₦202 billion contract for the road, retaining part of it. “The FG further carved a 72-kilometre stretch for reconstruction using reinforced concrete pavement. This section costs about ₦150 billion. It is being executed…
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has brought together stakeholders from Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states to enhance coordination and peer learning on social protection reporting. The announcement was made Thursday at the opening of a two-day joint quarterly Social Protection Technical Working Groups meeting organized in Kaduna by UNICEF’s Kano Field Office. UNICEF Social Policy Specialist Fatimah Musa said social protection ensures stable access to income and essential services such as healthcare and education. She noted that child poverty is higher in rural areas, requiring urgent interventions to help children reach their potential. “They face severe deprivation, including poor…
The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the health of pregnant women and children through continuous training of healthcare workers on malaria in pregnancy. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, spoke on Thursday in Ilorin during a two-day training programme organized for doctors, nurses, and community health extension workers. Represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, the commissioner stressed the importance of proper record-keeping, noting that “what is not documented is as good as unknown.” She explained that accurate records help the government plan better and improve health services. “The government remains committed…
The Edo government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusion, understanding, and support for persons living with autism. This was stated by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, on Thursday in Benin, to mark World Autism Awareness Day. Abdallah emphasized the need for an inclusive society where individuals with autism are neither stigmatized nor marginalized. She commended Gov. Monday Okpebholo and his wife for their dedication to protecting vulnerable groups in the state. The commissioner urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to raise awareness, eliminate discrimination, and create environments that enable individuals with autism to thrive.…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has inaugurated a Payments Service Providers’ Committee to strengthen coordination, address industry challenges, and sustain growth in Nigeria’s digital payments ecosystem. Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Lagos, CBN Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Abdullahi Sani, said the platform brings together licensed payment providers and key regulators to deepen collaboration. He noted that Nigeria’s digital payments landscape has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by increasing adoption across sectors. ALSO READ Bank recapitalisation to drive SME lending, customer-focused reforms – Experts ALSO READ [EXPLAINER] 10 risks in Nigeria’s new AML rules and what banks…
The Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has disbursed N96 million in soft loans to eight Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to strengthen waste collection and environmental sanitation within the council. The initiative provides each operator with N12 million as working capital to enhance operational efficiency. The Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Mr. Idowu Akinola, said the scheme is designed to improve service delivery and ensure a cleaner environment. The loans will be repaid over 12 months following an initial grace period, with monthly instalments of N1 million. “We are supporting PSP operators as part of our commitment to environmental…
The Federal Government and key stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja validated the Nigerian Oil Palm Development Strategy to boost productivity, achieve self-sufficiency, and reduce poverty. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, described the policy as a comprehensive roadmap for the growth and development of the oil palm industry. The validation meeting, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Oil Palm Potential: Pathways to Sustainability and Growth,” focused on implementing the oil palm value chain strategy. Abdullahi said the initiative comes at a critical time in efforts to reposition Nigeria’s oil palm industry, noting that the crop remains vital…
A wood scientist, Dr. Olayiwola Ajala, has said that efficient utilisation of forest resources could support diverse industries, generate employment, strengthen rural livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. Ajala, an Associate Professor of Wood Science and Utilisation at the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, stated this while delivering a valedictory lecture organised by the college in his honour on Thursday, as he retires from active service. The lecture, titled “From Waste to Wealth: Reflections on Sustainable Wood Utilisation and National Development,” examined how forest resources can be effectively harnessed for national economic growth. Ajala said the concept of transforming…