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RMAFC Finalises New Pay Package for Political Office Holders, Submits Proposal to Tinubu

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RMAFC Finalises New Pay Package for Political Office Holders, Submits Proposal to Tinubu



The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has concluded work on a new remuneration framework for political office holders and has submitted the proposal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Chairman of the Commission, Mohammed Bello Shehu, disclosed this on Thursday during the agency’s budget defence before the House Committee on Finance. He said the proposed pay structure, which covers ministers and other political office holders, will be transmitted to the National Assembly by the President in due course.

Shehu also revealed that the Commission is making progress on the review of the vertical and horizontal revenue sharing formulas, expressing confidence that the exercise would be concluded before the end of the year.

According to him, the RMAFC has largely completed its work on the review of revenue allocation for the three tiers of government as well as the remuneration package for political office holders, with only final data analysis left before submission.

The RMAFC chairman raised concerns over what he described as long-standing interference by state governments in the fiscal autonomy of local governments, noting that the Commission plans to re-establish a Local Government Monitoring Committee to oversee financial governance at the grassroots.

Shehu said the Commission fully supports President Tinubu’s stance on enforcing local government autonomy, recalling the President’s warning to governors that an Executive Order could be issued if necessary.

He attributed many of Nigeria’s development challenges to the poor functionality of local governments, stressing that effective grassroots governance is critical to national stability and growth.

Commending the House Committee on Finance, Shehu said legislative support has strengthened the Commission’s authority and improved cooperation with revenue-generating agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

He further disclosed that the RMAFC is currently conducting a comprehensive audit and verification of Nigeria’s oil assets across the Niger Delta, describing the exercise as unprecedented. According to him, the findings, when presented to the President, would have far-reaching implications for the country’s revenue management.




Olórí Comfort Omoyeni Asaju: A Glorious Homegoing Of Grace And Nobility

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Olórí Comfort Omoyeni Asaju: A Glorious Homegoing Of Grace And Nobility

The Royal Household of His Royal Highness, Oba Michael Bolorunduro Asaju, has announced the peaceful transition to eternal glory of its revered matriarch, Olórí (Deaconess) Comfort Omoyeni Asaju, who passed on at the blessed age of eighty-six.

Olórí Comfort Omoyeni Asaju was the devoted wife of Oba Michael Bolorunduro Asaju, a respected traditional ruler and former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), whose distinguished career in public service and the media left an indelible mark on the nation.

Her departure, though deeply felt within the palace and far beyond, is being received with heartfelt gratitude to God for a life richly spent in faith, dignity, and selfless service to humanity. A woman of uncommon grace and quiet strength, she was widely admired for her unwavering devotion to God, humility of spirit, and enduring commitment to family values, peace, and community harmony.
Fondly remembered as a woman of prayer and compassion, Olórí Comfort Omoyeni Asaju played a stabilising and unifying role within the royal household of the Asaju Royal Family of Iyara, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. She offered wisdom, counsel, and motherly guidance that touched lives across generations, both within and outside the palace walls

Her life exemplified noble character, discipline, and righteousness—virtues that endeared her to many and earned her lasting respect across social, religious, and professional divides.
As news of her passing spread, tributes have continued to pour in from family members, associates, colleagues of her husband in the journalism profession, and well-wishers from across the country, all celebrating her as a virtuous woman who ran her race faithfully and finished strong.

These details were contained in a statement issued by her son, Ekundayo Asaju, Publisher of First Weekly Magazine, on Thursday, on behalf of the royal family.
While funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, the Royal Household takes comfort in the assurance of Scripture: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Indeed, her transition is seen not as an end, but as a glorious homecoming into eternal rest.

She leaves behind a timeless legacy of love, faith, service, and honour—one that will remain etched in hearts and remembered with reverence for generations to come.

Elon Musk Admits: Money Can’t Buy Happiness, Sparks Global Conversation

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Elon Musk Admits: Money Can’t Buy Happiness, Sparks Global Conversation

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has endorsed the timeless saying that wealth does not guarantee happiness.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted:

“Whoever said ‘money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about.”

The post quickly went viral, garnering over 47 million views and 334,000 likes within hours, as followers interpreted it as a candid admission of the pressures and emotional challenges that accompany Musk’s vast fortune.

The conversation also resonated globally, particularly in Nigeria, where social media users drew parallels between Musk’s reflection and Afrobeat star Adekunle Gold’s 2021 hit, It Is What It Is. In the song, Adekunle Gold similarly acknowledges the limits of wealth, singing:

“Money no dey bring happiness oh / Na when I get money I realise oh.”

Musk’s post reignited a broader discussion about the emotional toll of extreme wealth, with many noting that even the richest individuals face personal and psychological challenges that money alone cannot solve.

TotalEnergies Warns Nigeria’s Deregulated Fuel Market Needs Discipline to Thrive

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TotalEnergies Warns Nigeria’s Deregulated Fuel Market Needs Discipline to Thrive


TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc has cautioned that Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market will struggle to deliver sustainable value unless it is supported by firm regulatory discipline, consistent policies, and strict safety enforcement.

The oil major stressed that the exit of multinational oil companies from Nigeria’s downstream sector over the years was less about capital constraints and more about the absence of regulatory consistency and enforcement.

Speaking at a high-level panel, “Driving Domestic Value: Transforming Downstream Markets and Refining,” during the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja, the company reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria, highlighting policy stability, deregulation, and improving supply infrastructure as crucial to sustaining operations.

Represented by Abdullahi Umar, General Manager of Retail and Cards, TotalEnergies emphasized that its adherence to world-class operational, safety, and governance standards has allowed it to remain the only multinational operator in Nigeria’s downstream space.

“Capital alone does not build a sustainable downstream market. No serious investor wants to operate in an environment where policies are inconsistent and safety standards are weak,” the company said.

TotalEnergies highlighted the risks of deregulation without discipline, noting that weak enforcement of standards in the past created uneven competition, discouraged investment, and led to market exits by several international players.

The company operates over 500 retail service stations nationwide, demonstrating that Nigeria’s downstream market remains viable for operators committed to safety, discipline, and consistent standards.

“It’s not enough to deregulate; enforcement of safety, quality, and operational standards is essential to maintain credibility and protect consumers. Healthy competition depends on a level playing field,” Umar said.

The oil giant also welcomed the gradual implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, emphasizing that predictable regulation is key to restoring investor confidence after years of subsidy distortions, especially following Nigeria’s 2023 removal of petrol subsidies.

TotalEnergies underlined the importance of domestic refining and logistics efficiency, particularly praising the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a potential game changer in product availability and distribution.

“This year marks 70 years of downstream operations in Nigeria. Our longevity reflects resilience and belief in the market’s potential, provided reforms are executed with discipline,” the company said.

The statement concluded by calling on policymakers and regulators to ensure that deregulation delivers long-term value, not just short-term gains, and reaffirmed TotalEnergies’ readiness to support Nigeria’s growing energy sector.

Kebbi Gov Approves ₦714.98m for Overseas Training of Indigene Students

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Kebbi Gov Approves ₦714.98m for Overseas Training of Indigene Students


Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has approved and released a total of ₦714.98 million to support the overseas education and professional training of indigene students in key medical and allied disciplines.

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Isah Abubakar-Tunga, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, describing the approvals as part of the governor’s broader effort to reposition tertiary education in the state and align it with global standards.

According to the commissioner, the governor approved ₦247.5 million for the payment of registration, tuition, visa extension, internship and other financial support for Kebbi indigenes studying Medicine, Pharmacy, and Medical and Allied Sciences at Subharti University, GD Goenka University and Jaipur National University in India.

He added that ₦117.68 million was approved as upkeep allowances for 25 Kebbi indigenes currently studying Medicine across seven universities in Egypt.

Abubakar-Tunga further revealed that ₦70.21 million was released as financial assistance for Kebbi students studying Pharmacy and Medical Allied Sciences at Jaipur National University and GD Goenka University in India.

In addition, the governor approved and released ₦349.73 million to cover registration, tuition and upkeep allowances for 35 Kebbi indigenes proceeding to Ethiopia to study Medicine and Pharmacy.

The commissioner noted that all approvals, granted in January, brought the total financial commitment of the governor to the ministry within the period to ₦714.98 million.

He also announced the appointment of Dr Muhammed Murtala-Musa as the pioneer Provost of the Kauran Gwandu College of Midwifery Sciences, Ambursa.

Abubakar-Tunga reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustaining the governor’s education development initiatives and strengthening human capacity development in the state.

China’s Economic Rise Was No Accident — NCSP Boss Urges Nigeria to Learn Key Lessons

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China’s Economic Rise Was No Accident — NCSP Boss Urges Nigeria to Learn Key Lessons


The Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Dr Joseph Tegbe, has said that China’s remarkable economic transformation was not accidental but the result of deliberate policy choices anchored on focus, standardisation and consistent execution.

Tegbe stressed the need for Nigeria to adopt discipline, scale and long-term thinking as critical pillars for sustainable enterprise development, drawing lessons from China’s national development journey as a practical blueprint for economic growth.

He made the remarks during a presentation titled “Hacking Your Personal Economic Growth: Lessons from China’s National Development Journey,” delivered at a three-day capacity-building seminar themed “Leveraging Chinese Partnerships to Scale Nigerian Businesses.”

The seminar was organised as part of NCSP’s ongoing efforts to promote structured knowledge exchange and enterprise-focused learning.

Speaking at the session, Tegbe noted that China’s rise to global economic prominence was driven by pragmatic and intentional policies rather than chance.

He highlighted China’s approach to innovation, observing that many Chinese small and medium-scale enterprises began by adapting existing products, proven business models and imported technologies before introducing incremental improvements.

According to him, Chinese enterprises succeed by mastering a single product or service, replicating it efficiently and innovating gradually based on tested models.

The NCSP boss also underscored the importance of collaboration, noting that Chinese businesses often grow within industrial clusters that share infrastructure, suppliers and labour, a system that significantly reduces costs and boosts productivity.

Tegbe described discipline as China’s most enduring competitive advantage, explaining that entrepreneurs in the country aggressively reinvest profits into machinery, inventory and process efficiency while maintaining modest lifestyles during early growth stages.

He added that rigorous cost control, accurate financial tracking and a clear understanding of unit economics are essential to sustaining profitability and achieving scale.

Urging Nigerian entrepreneurs to rethink their growth strategies, Tegbe called for a focus on technical competence, market-driven expansion, export readiness and patient, long-term planning over short-term gains.

He reaffirmed NCSP’s commitment to translating Nigeria–China cooperation into practical outcomes that enhance productivity, enterprise development and economic self-reliance.

The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership remains focused on strengthening bilateral collaboration between the two countries in areas including trade, investment, technology transfer, infrastructure development and capacity building, with the overarching goal of delivering measurable and lasting value to the Nigerian economy.

Senate Did Not Reject Electronic Transmission of Results — Minority Caucus

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Senate Did Not Reject Electronic Transmission of Results — Minority Caucus


The Senate Minority Caucus has clarified that the Senate did not reject the electronic transmission of election results before passing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, contrary to widespread media reports.

The clarification came on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the upper chamber came under intense criticism following reports that lawmakers had rejected proposals on electronic transmission of results and a 10-year ban on vote buyers and other electoral offenders.

Shortly after the reports went viral on Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed the claims as misleading, insisting that lawmakers retained provisions on electronic transmission as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act. He explained that the distinction made during plenary was necessary to avoid legal and operational ambiguities.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the caucus was compelled to address what he described as a widespread misunderstanding of the Senate’s proceedings.

“Since yesterday, the media has been awash with reports suggesting that the Senate rejected the electronic transmission of election results. That is not correct,” Abaribe said.

“To put the record straight, the Senate did not — I repeat, did not — reject electronic transmission of results as provided for in the 2022 Electoral Act.”

He explained that what the Senate ultimately passed was the electronic transmission of results, a position he said was also clearly stated by the Senate President during plenary.

Abaribe stressed that senators hold public trust on behalf of their constituencies, adding that the caucus considered it necessary to clarify the issue in the interest of transparency and accountability.

“We came here under the trust of our senatorial districts. When it appears that our actions have been misunderstood, it becomes necessary to clarify exactly what happened,” he said.

He further outlined the legislative process that led to the decision, beginning with the work of the joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on electoral matters.

According to him, the joint committee held several retreats within and outside Abuja, with participation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations.

“At the end of those retreats, everyone agreed that electronic transmission of results was the way to go. That position was reflected in the reports presented to both chambers,” Abaribe said.

He added that the process involved extensive debates, public hearings and consultations, describing electronic transmission of results as a core and non-negotiable provision of electoral reform.

Following the submission of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters’ report, Abaribe said an ad hoc committee was constituted to further review the document, culminating in the decision passed by the Senate.

Angela Okorie Apologises to Mercy Johnson After Cybercrime Arrest

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Angela Okorie Apologises to Mercy Johnson After Cybercrime Arrest

Angela Okorie Apologises to Mercy Johnson After Cybercrime Arrest

Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has tendered a public apology to her colleague Mercy Johnson following a cybercrime-related incident that led to her arrest and brief detention.

Okorie made the apology in a video shared on her Instagram page, where she expressed remorse over her actions and admitted that she was influenced by negative information and gossip about Johnson.

According to reports, the actress was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre in Abuja at her residence in Lagos and was later released from the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.

In the video, Okorie said she had since made peace with Mercy Johnson, noting that her colleague had accepted her apology.

She described Johnson as a kind and genuine person, contrary to the rumours she had previously heard, and said she was determined to step away from drama and focus on her business and personal growth.

“I am not a perfect being. This video is specifically for Mercy, her kids and family,” Okorie said, thanking her fans worldwide for their support during the ordeal.

She explained that conflicting narratives within the industry had fueled the misunderstanding, with people badmouthing both parties to each other.

“At this age, I don’t think this is what I want. The only thing I want is to run a business. I am no longer listening to cheap gossip,” she said.

Okorie offered an unreserved apology to Johnson, dismissing rumours surrounding her colleague and expressing regret for any hurt caused.

“I just want to apologise to you. I am deeply sorry. You’re not what people are calling you. This is to say I am sorry,” she said.

She added that reconciliation was important, especially considering their children and future relationships, and declared her commitment to peace.

“If I have offended anyone knowingly or unknowingly, I am sorry. I love everybody and I am making peace with all men,” Okorie stated.

Addressing Mercy Johnson directly, she described the apology as a fresh start.

“Mercy, this is a new beginning. You’re my friend and you’re still my friend. I will never listen to what anyone has to say about you again. I pray God bless you and lift you higher,” she said.

The apology has since sparked reactions across social media, with fans applauding both actresses for choosing reconciliation over prolonged conflict.

Declare War on Insecurity’ — Peter Obi Condemns Kwara Killings

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Declare War on Insecurity’ — Peter Obi Condemns Kwara Killings


Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent wave of killings in Kwara State, describing the incident as tragic and indicative of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.

In a statement shared on X on Thursday, the former Anambra State governor said he was “deeply saddened” by reports that gunmen attacked communities including Woro and Nuku, allegedly killing about 150 people.

Obi extended his condolences to the bereaved families, as well as to the Kwara State Government and residents affected by the attacks.

“Every loss of innocent life is tragic, and these killings represent a major failure for us as a nation,” he wrote.

He warned that the persistent violence across various parts of the country underscores the urgent need for decisive action, noting that Nigeria’s security situation has deteriorated beyond levels seen in some conflict-ridden nations.

“These recurring acts of violence across our country — now worse than what occurs in some countries at war — underscore the urgent need for us, as a nation, to declare war on insecurity of lives and property and to deploy every possible means to end this scourge,” Obi stated.

The former presidential candidate called on relevant authorities to act swiftly by restoring peace in the affected communities, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice, and reassuring citizens of their safety.

The killings have drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, civil society organisations and community stakeholders, many of whom have called for intensified security operations and a stronger military presence in the region.

In response to the attacks, security personnel have been deployed to the affected communities to prevent further violence, while government officials have assured the public that those responsible will be identified and prosecuted.

Kaduna Kidnappings: Gov Uba Sani Confirms Rescue of 82 Church Worshippers

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Kaduna Kidnappings: Gov Uba Sani Confirms Rescue of 82 Church Worshippers


Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has confirmed the rescue of 82 worshippers abducted during a church service at Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

The worshippers were rescued through a joint security operation coordinated by the Kaduna State Government, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Governor Sani disclosed the development on Wednesday while visiting the victims at the Women and Children Shelter in Kaduna, where they are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support.

However, a credible security source revealed that the number of those freed during the operation was over 100, including children and infants, suggesting that more victims may have been rescued than officially confirmed.

According to the source, the victims were freed through a carefully coordinated operation involving DSS operatives, ONSA officials and security assets mobilised by the Kaduna State Government.

Bandits had stormed the church in Kurmin Wali on January 18, abducting 177 worshippers during a service and plunging the community into fear and grief.

In the days following the attack, 11 victims reportedly escaped or were released, leaving 166 worshippers in captivity before the latest rescue breakthrough.

During his visit, Governor Sani sympathised with the victims and their families, describing their ordeal as traumatic, and assured residents of Kurmin Wali that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those still being held.

He expressed optimism that the remaining abductees would regain their freedom within a few days.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ending banditry and kidnapping across Kaduna State, stressing that no effort would be spared to ensure the safe return of every victim.

Sani commended the DSS, ONSA and other security agencies for their gallantry, professionalism and swift response, which he said made the rescue operation successful.

He also called on residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to support ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in the area.

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