Fola Badmus, Author at Trendbrio.com

Tinubu Vows Fiscal Discipline, Transparency as Lawmakers Demand Tougher Oversight

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago15 mins

By Kamal Yalwa: Abuja, July 8, 2025 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prudent fiscal governance and transparent use of public funds, pledging to redirect national resources into critical sectors to restore public trust and drive inclusive development. Speaking through the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, at the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance on Monday, Tinubu defended the controversial fuel subsidy removal, saying it has enabled the government to fund social safety nets, public transportation, and infrastructure. “A subsidy that disproportionately benefited the affluent and encouraged smuggling was neither equitable nor strategic,” the President said. “We are now redirecting those funds into impactful, people-oriented projects.” He also highlighted key reforms under his administration, including new tax laws designed to expand the tax base, simplify compliance, and enhance revenue collection through digitisation. “We are laying the foundation for a self-sustaining economy that gradually moves away from dependence on oil revenues,” Tinubu noted, citing initiatives like the National Credit Guarantee Company to empower SMEs and grow non-oil exports. On monetary policy, Tinubu praised the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) efforts in stabilising the naira and curbing inflation, stressing better coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities to remove structural bottlenecks, especially in the food supply chain. Lawmakers Demand Accountability, Slam Audit Gaps Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Abdul Ningi, called on public agencies to respect legislative oversight, warning that failure to honour audit queries and legislative summons was “an affront to democracy.” “PACs are not just committees; they are constitutional bodies empowered to summon any individual over the use of public funds,” he said. “Non-compliance must stop.” House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, decried the over ₦300bn in unresolved audit infractions, revealing persistent non-compliance among MDAs. “Audit recommendations must be implemented with consequences for mismanagement,” he said, noting that fiscal responsibility cannot exist without enforcement. The Speaker also advocated for full digitisation of public financial management systems, including real-time expenditure tracking, automated audit tools, and wider public access to audit reports to boost transparency and citizen engagement. Public Accounts Committees Demand Reform Senate PAC Chairman, Senator Ahmed Wadada, stressed the need to “reimagine Nigeria’s fiscal framework” in response to declining revenues and rising public mistrust. “Every Naira must count—for education, health, infrastructure, and national stability,” Wadada said, citing poor budget implementation, untracked funds, and weak reporting systems. House PAC Chairman, Bamidele Salam, called for a “complete recalibration” of fiscal governance systems, adding that public service must align with constitutional obligations and measurable results. “Fiscal transparency must not remain an elite exercise—it must become a democratic right,” he said. The conference, themed “Fiscal Governance in Nigeria: Charting a New Course for Transparency and Sustainable Development,” brought together lawmakers, government officials, and audit experts to discuss Nigeria’s path toward financial integrity and institutional accountability. As fiscal reforms continue under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stakeholders agreed that achieving sustainable development would require not only policy reforms but also strict oversight, citizen participation, and measurable service delivery outcomes.

João Pedro Strike Sends Chelsea Past Fluminense Into Club World Cup Final

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago32 mins

Chelsea edged Fluminense 1–0 on Tuesday night to advance to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, thanks to a second-half goal from João Pedro. The semifinal, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, saw the Blues withstand early Brazilian pressure before striking decisively after the break. Fluminense started the match on the front foot, threatening Chelsea’s backline with slick passing and aggressive runs. However, the Premier League side grew into the game, with improved midfield control and tactical discipline. The decisive moment came in the 65th minute when João Pedro, introduced as a substitute, latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball, beat his marker, and calmly slotted past the Fluminense goalkeeper. His composure and sharp movement gave Chelsea the edge in a tightly contested encounter. Fluminense pushed for an equalizer in the final stages, but Chelsea’s defense held firm to secure their spot in the final. The Blues will now face either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s championship match, as they seek to add another international trophy to their cabinet.

Netanyahu Nominated Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago17 mins

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Donald Trump he nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, using a visit to the White House to further cement the pair’s relationship as the US presses for a ceasefire in Gaza. “He’s forging peace as we speak,” Netanyahu told reporters at the start of a dinner with Trump and other top officials on Monday. “I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee.” “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful,” Trump said. Netanyahu is not the first foreign leader to nominate Trump, who has long coveted a Nobel. Last month, Pakistan said it would nominate the US leader, underscoring how foreign leaders understand the best way to get what they want is to shower him with praise. In his letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, dated 1 July, Netanyahu said Trump’s efforts had “brought about dramatic change and created new opportunities to expand the circle of peace and normalization.” Netanyahu cited the Abraham Accords, which saw the likes of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain formalize ties with Israel during Trump’s first term. Trump has long expressed irritation about the fact that his first-term predecessor, Barack Obama, won the Nobel Prize in 2009 — a controversial decision that came before Obama surged US troops in Afghanistan. Netanyahu’s visit to the White House — his third since Trump took office in January — comes as the two leaders also take a victory lap on the heels of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. The US joined Israel’s military campaign against Iran and carried out a series of missile strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump claimed the sites were “obliterated” but damage assessments are continuing and the whereabouts of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains unclear. Trump helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to end the fighting and is now pressuring the Islamic Republic to return to negotiations. At the dinner, Trump said the US and Iran were set to meet soon and reiterated that he’s open to lifting sanctions on Iran. His envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters that the US and Iran would meet within the next week. “I would love to be able to, at the right time, take those sanctions off, give them a chance at rebuilding,” Trump said at the dinner with Netanyahu. “Because I’d like to see Iran build itself back up in a peaceful manner, and not going around saying ‘Death to America, Death to the USA, Death to Israel,’ as they were doing.” Netanyahu is also visiting Washington as the Trump administration pushes for a halt to the war in Gaza, with the US president raising hopes for a deal that could stop the fighting and see the release of hostages still being held by Hamas. Trump said last week that a ceasefire could be “close” to the conflict that has raged since the attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023 and which has threatened to further destabilize the region. Trump and Netanyahu suggested a ceasefire was in reach, and the Israeli leader hinted that he would be willing to expand the Abraham Accords that normalized Israel’s relations with several regional nations. “I think we can work out a peace between us and the rest of the Middle East with President Trump’s leadership,” Netanyahu said. Netanyahu has accepted a proposal put forward by Trump that would pause fighting in Gaza for 60 days and see the return of some hostages. Hamas said last week it had responded positively to the proposed deal and was ready to immediately enter negotiations. International pressure is mounting on Israel to end its war in Gaza as more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in the military campaign, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Aid agencies are warning the 2 million residents of Gaza are at risk of famine. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US and European Union, still holds about 50 hostages, of whom Israel believes 20 are still alive.

Breaking: Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Olakulehin, Dies At 90

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has joined his ancestors at the age of 90. Vanguard has learnt that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, exactly one year after he ascended the throne. Born on July 5, 1935, Oba Olakulehin’s death comes just two days after he marked his 90th birthday. He was officially presented with the staff of office by Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on July 12, 2024, becoming the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland. Details later.

Israel Dispatches Delegation to Qatar for Ceasefire Talks as Gaza Death Toll Climbs by 78

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Doha / Gaza City – July 7, 2025 Amid intensifying diplomatic efforts and a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to send a negotiating team to Qatar for renewed ceasefire talks, even as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 78 Palestinians in the last 24 hours. The decision to dispatch the team came after Netanyahu’s office said Israel would “accept the invitation for close talks” in Doha, but maintained that Hamas’s proposed changes to the truce framework are “unacceptable.” The statement did not detail which parts of the proposal Hamas sought to amend. Background to the Talks The move follows Hamas’s announcement on Friday, where the group described its response to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal as “positive.” The proposed deal reportedly includes a 60-day truce, paving the way for hostage releases and increased humanitarian aid. Despite this, Israel’s leadership has rejected some of Hamas’s latest demands, which are believed to include: The Toll of War The war, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks, has left at least 57,338 Palestinians dead and over 135,000 injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli airstrikes have flattened neighborhoods, devastated infrastructure, and driven much of the Strip’s population to the brink of famine. On Saturday night, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes across Gaza, including a deadly attack on a UNRWA school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City. Dozens were killed or injured, with funerals held at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital drawing grief-stricken crowds. Hamas and International Pressure Hamas, in its recent statement, reaffirmed its willingness to “immediately enter a new round of negotiations”, signaling readiness to advance the implementation of the current ceasefire framework. The pressure for a truce is mounting as international outrage grows over the humanitarian catastrophe and rising civilian death toll. Aid organizations have warned that Gaza’s situation is spiraling into an unprecedented disaster, with hunger, disease, and mass displacement now rampant. What’s Next? With Israeli envoys en route to Qatar, attention now shifts to whether a viable compromise can be brokered. Netanyahu remains under domestic and international pressure — not just to end the war, but to secure the return of hostages still held in Gaza. But deep mistrust and clashing political interests on both sides may continue to stall progress .

Hamas Seeks Key Amendments to Ceasefire Proposal as Netanyahu Faces Mounting Pressure at Home

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

July 7, 2025 – Gaza/Tel Aviv/Amman Hamas has submitted three major requests for amending the current ceasefire proposal, even as pressure mounts on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a deal for the release of hostages still held in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Amman, Hamas’s demands are centered on: Netanyahu Under Fire from Hostage Families Meanwhile, protests erupted across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa over the weekend as families of Israeli hostages still in Gaza demanded urgent action. Only 10 of the estimated 20 surviving hostages would be returned under the current ceasefire proposal. This has led to public outrage and accusations that Netanyahu is blocking the deal for political gain. “His right-wing allies—the reason why Netanyahu is still in power—oppose any deal,” said Salhut, adding that the families believe politics is being prioritized over lives. The Prime Minister is currently on trial for corruption and is expected to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, where Gaza will likely dominate discussions. Far-Right Pressure: ‘Abandon the Path of Surrender’ Hardline figures in Netanyahu’s coalition have also come out strongly against the deal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared any agreement that involves Israeli troop withdrawal, release of Palestinian prisoners, or resumption of aid as a “reward for terrorism.” “Victory lies in the total conquest of Gaza and halting all humanitarian aid,” Ben-Gvir posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling on Netanyahu to “abandon the path of surrender.” Expert: Netanyahu ‘Hedging His Bets’ Omer Bartov, an Israeli-American scholar of genocide studies, told Al Jazeera that Netanyahu may be intentionally stalling the end of the war to preserve his grip on power. “If Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire, his government may collapse,” Bartov said.“He’s negotiating cynically—using both the hostages and the war to buy time.” Bartov warned that the current proposal allows Netanyahu to later accuse Hamas of non-compliance and resume military operations, thereby maintaining the conflict.

Nigeria, Togo Set to Defend Titles at 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships in Lagos

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Defending champions Nigeria and Togo are gearing up to retain their titles at the 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 19 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. Nigeria, the region’s most decorated team, will defend its women’s team title, which it retained in Lomé last year. Meanwhile, Togo will aim to secure a second consecutive men’s team title, following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Nigeria in the 2024 final. This year’s championship will feature strong competition from across the region, with Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger Republic, and Sierra Leone joining the fray. In the singles events, Nigeria’s top-ranked player, Matthew Kuti, will defend his men’s singles title. Kuti made history last year in Lomé by defeating Côte d’Ivoire’s Oba Oba Kizito 4-1 to claim his first regional crown. A repeat victory would make him the first male player to win back-to-back singles titles in the tournament’s history. The women’s singles title is open for the taking following the absence of reigning champion Hope Udoaka of Nigeria, setting the stage for a new champion to emerge. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2025 African Championships, to be held later this year in Rwanda. With the advantage of home support and the largest player contingent, Nigeria is also eyeing a return to the top in the men’s team event. Participation has reached a new high, with over 10 countries confirmed, surpassing previous editions that peaked at nine. Notably, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Niger Republic are returning to the competition after years of absence. “All eyes will be on Nigeria,” said Ferdinand Sonou, Vice President of ITTF Africa West Region and former President of the Benin Table Tennis Federation. “Nigeria has a proven track record of hosting international competitions, and teams always look forward to playing here. This tournament marks the beginning of a series of international events in Lagos, and I believe we’ll witness the emergence of new stars alongside the established ones.” Sonou also commended ITTF Africa President Wahid Enitan Oshodi for his continued support, noting that the increased number of participating teams reflects the growing strength of table tennis in the region. The 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships promise high-stakes action, intense rivalries, and a celebration of West African table tennis excellence.

Mission X: Super Falcons Trounce Tunisia, Look Forward to Clash with Botswana

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

A fourth minute strike by six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala steered the Super Falcons to a comfortable 3-0 victory over their Tunisian counterparts as the nine-time champions got their challenge for a 10th continental title smoothly off the ground in Casablanca on Sunday. Rinsola Babajide, from the left side of the field, floated the ball from a free-kick, and as defender Ashley Plumptre missed contact, the USA-based Oshoala met the ball with a glancing header to force the ball past goalkeeper Soulaima Jabrani at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Morocco’s industrial and economic capital. Oshoala came close to doubling the advantage in the 16th minute, but defender Norhene Bettoumi was alert and diverted the ball as the forward was set to pull the trigger from Toni Payne’s cross. Deborah Abiodun’s left-footed shot in the 37th minute did not have enough power behind it, but two minutes into added time of the first period, Babajide packed enough power into her shot as she stormed past Chaima Alabbassi and blasted past Jabrani for Nigeria’s second of the evening. Just before the break, Ashleigh Plumptre thought she had got Nigeria’s third off a header from Babajide’s corner kick, but her effort was disallowed. In the second half, Plumptre, forever adventurous, rattled Jabrani with a sharp shot, and four minutes later, substitute Esther Okoronkwo’s sharp delivery begged for connection. Osinachi Ohale missed from close range as Nigeria chased the ball in a melee from a free-kick in the 62nd minute. At the other end, the veteran defender was fortunate not to be penalized after bringing down the lively Salma Zemzem in Nigeria’s vital area. True to character, Okoronkwo bustled and hustled, and came pretty close with nine minutes left when she turned a defender and saw the ball hit the upfront from her shot. Three minutes later, she was jumping for joy when her knockdown, from Plumptre’s cross, found fellow substitute Chinwendu Ihezuo in the right place to slot the ball past Jabrani for Nigeria’s third. In added time, Plumptre’s clever header almost got Jabrani befuddled, but there was still time for Zemzem to rattle goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s crossbar. Victory handed the Super Falcons three precious points and momentary leadership of group B, ahead of the clash between Algeria and Botswana.