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Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on Nigerians to pay their taxes, emphasizing the government’s need for funds to provide essential social services. Wike made this appeal during the inaugural Abuja Business and Investment Summit organized by the Abuja Investment Company Limited on Wednesday.

In a significant move to alleviate the hardships faced by the nation’s poorest, the federal government has announced plans to provide cash transfers to 20 million Nigerians. This initiative was unveiled by Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, on October 15.

The Nigerian naira has been identified as one of the weakest currencies in Sub-Saharan Africa for 2024, according to the latest report from the World Bank, titled “Africa’s Pulse.” As of August 2024, the naira has experienced a steep depreciation of around 43% year-to-date, placing it alongside the Ethiopian birr and the South Sudanese pound in terms of performance.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the 30th Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja yesterday, acknowledged the hardships Nigerians are facing due to ongoing economic reforms but stressed the need for these measures to restore sustainable growth to the economy. Shettima assured the public that both he and President Bola Tinubu empathize deeply with the challenges currently experienced by citizens as a result of these reforms.

A court has ordered popular activist Verydarkman to remove a video deemed defamatory against renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana. The court ruling also prohibits Verydarkman from making any further posts or comments about Falana.

Nigerian actress Kate Henshaw has taken to social media to call out Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Zenith Bank for ongoing issues with their services, despite promises of improvement. In a light-hearted but pointed tweet, she quipped, “@gtbank, they say you guys should stick to selling clothes and food. @ZenithBank, they say you guys should stick to Christmas lights and general decor. Who go come do banking na?”

Controversial social media figure Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has drawn significant attention after his newly launched Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) received ₦33 million in donations within 24 hours. The NGO, announced on Saturday, October 12, 2024, is dedicated to community development and improving public schools.

In a surprising revelation, popular social media personality and activist Verydarkman has made a bold claim that the Nigerian Presidency reached out to him regarding his Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aimed at supporting public schools and ensuring children get a strong educational foundation.

Reports indicate that the price of petrol has surged to N1,030 per litre at various Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) outlets in Abuja as of Wednesday, according to Premium Times.

In a recent viral video, social media personality Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, made explosive claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dropped money laundering charges against popular cross-dresser Bobrisky after receiving a payment of ₦15 million. The allegations, which have sparked widespread debate, revolve around purported corruption within Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency.

Former presidential candidate and journalist Omoyele Sowore has reiterated his commitment to the nationwide hunger protest scheduled for October 1, 2024, despite opposition from the Federal Government and warnings from the Nigerian Police Force. Sowore, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, September 30, 2024, declared that there would be “No Going Back” on the protest aimed at addressing the worsening hunger, insecurity, and economic hardship in the country.

Media personality Rufai Oseni, popularly known as Ruffyfire, has expressed his skepticism about the likelihood of justice being served in the ongoing Nigerian prison saga. In a tweet, Oseni referred to journalist Fisayo Soyombo’s previous investigative revelations about the state of Nigerian prisons, which, according to him, went unanswered. He noted that despite multiple petitions submitted to the authorities over time, no meaningful action has been taken to address the issues.

In a significant stride towards stable electricity in Nigeria, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, announced that over 40% of Nigerians now benefit from 20 hours of electricity supply daily. This improvement, according to Adelabu, was achieved through several strategic measures taken by the government aimed at providing Nigerians with more reliable power.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has delivered a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the resolution of unresolved issues dating back to 2009. The union warned that failure to address these concerns within the given timeframe could lead to further industrial action.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a peaceful and secure atmosphere in the lead-up to the Edo governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 21. In a statement released by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan urged all stakeholders and contestants to prioritize harmony and abide by the law.

In a significant move to modernize policing, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that officers will no longer stop vehicles to check documentation, thanks to the introduction of the digital Central Motor Registry Information System (e-CMR).

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme, economic analyst Oyalowo highlighted a crucial factor behind the nation’s economic difficulties: the weak performance of the naira against the dollar. “I don’t think the price of fuel is a major problem; what is causing most of this problem is the rate at which our naira is priced against the dollar,” Oyalowo stated.

In the Big Brother house, the drama continues to simmer as small pepper Kassia sets her sights on Nelly. The tension between them reached a boiling point after Nelly’s recent switch to Onyeka’s team.

Popular food critic Opeyemi Famakin recently found himself in the middle of a brewing controversy after reviewing Cubana Chiefpriest’s new restaurant, Donald’s. Opeyemi, known for his candid and often harsh food reviews, didn’t hold back when criticizing the restaurant, calling out the “hard pastries” among other complaints.

As Nigerians anticipate the release of petrol from the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced it will begin lifting the product on September 15. However, NNPC highlighted that petrol prices will be influenced by foreign exchange rates and market forces due to the deregulated nature of the market. Oil marketers reported that approximately 2,000 tankers are waiting at depots across Lagos, Warri, and Port Harcourt for fuel.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has confidently asserted that during his tenure as Nigeria’s leader from 1999 to 2007, he fulfilled his responsibilities effectively and managed the country’s affairs with diligence. Speaking at a recent lecture in Lagos, Obasanjo took pride in his accomplishments and the economic strides made during his presidency.