Year: 2025

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has said many Nigerians blame the President for the country’s challenges because they suffer from a “short memory” and often forget the state of the nation before Tinubu assumed office. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, Onanuga argued that critics of the administration fail to consider the economic and structural problems Tinubu inherited when he took office in May 2023. According to him, Nigerians are too quick to forget the fuel shortages, foreign exchange crises, and heavy subsidy debts that plagued the nation prior to Tinubu’s emergence as President. Onanuga recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had significantly reduced fuel imports due to the federal government’s failure to settle over ₦4 trillion in unpaid subsidy claims. He noted that the fuel scarcity witnessed during the 2023 elections forced Tinubu to announce the removal of the subsidy on his first day in office, a decision aimed at reviving the oil sector and stabilising fuel supply. Defending the controversial reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, Onanuga insisted these were necessary measures to correct systemic imbalances and ensure long-term stability. He urged Nigerians to give the President credit for tackling issues that previous governments avoided, emphasising that the administration’s actions have started yielding positive results, despite the initial hardships. Onanuga concluded by highlighting the government’s commitment to transparency and its efforts to ease the burden on citizens, pointing to the steps taken to stabilise the forex market and attract investment into the economy.Tools

Enugu State has been announced as the host of the 2025 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), a week-long event themed “Connected Culture,” slated for November 22–29, 2025. The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, presented the hosting rights to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House in Enugu, citing the state’s rich cultural heritage, recent developments, and vibrant atmosphere as reasons for the selection. Asika commended the state’s growing cultural and economic influence, noting that NAFEST would attract over 5,000 participants from across Nigeria and beyond. He added that the festival’s return to Enugu, after 17 years, would not only foster unity but also stimulate youth empowerment and capacity-building opportunities, particularly for the state’s creative sector. Governor Mbah welcomed the development, promising to deliver an exceptional NAFEST experience. He said hosting the festival aligns with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a premier hub for business, leisure, and tourism, with a target of attracting three million visitors annually. He assured participants of safety and a conducive environment, given the state’s investment in security infrastructure. The 2025 NAFEST is expected to significantly boost Enugu’s economy, spotlight its cultural landmarks such as the Awhum Waterfall and Nsude Pyramid Canopy Walkway, and position the state as a key destination for arts and culture in Nigeria. Governor Mbah expressed optimism that the event would be a memorable one, leveraging Enugu’s aesthetic appeal and ongoing infrastructural advancements.

The suspected billionaire ritualist Ezeani, who was arrested while trying to escape Nigeria, has narrated his side of the story, saying some people in his community didn’t want him to be next-of-king, calling his arrest political