Emir Sanusi Backs 80% of Tinubu’s Policies, Flags Concerns Over Fiscal Spending, Food Importation

The Emir of Kano and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Muhammad Sanusi II, has expressed strong support for most of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, while voicing concerns over the government’s fiscal management and approach to food importation. Speaking in an interview with News Central on Tuesday, Sanusi commended the Tinubu administration for stabilising Nigeria’s economy through improved fiscal discipline and more coherent monetary policy coordination. “In terms of monetary policy and stability, I have nothing but commendation for the government. On the fiscal side, we have had an improvement in revenue-to-GDP ratios, improvement in debt service ratios, and a contraction in the deficit. These are positive steps, but we still have a long way to go,” he said. While applauding progress in revenue generation, the former CBN governor urged the federal government to prioritise the quality and efficiency of public expenditure. “We’re still spending too much money on government—on the cost of governance, too many political appointees, too many officers,” Sanusi said. “If we do not improve the quality of spending and put a rein on expenditure, we’re going to continue borrowing.” Sanusi warned that Nigeria risks falling back into a debt trap if savings from the removal of fuel subsidies are not managed prudently. “After saving money from these expensive subsidies, after building up the government balance sheet, you go and spend it, and then you have to borrow again,” he cautioned. On food security, the Emir criticised the recent wave of food importation, arguing that it undermines local farmers and threatens long-term agricultural development. “I would like to see that we put a stop to the mass importation of food. I know it was driven by a desire to bring down food prices, but it is, in the end, very counterproductive to domestic production and domestic producer prices,” he said. Sanusi urged the government to strengthen the agricultural value chain and invest in domestic production to achieve sustainable food security. “Hopefully, we will get to a point where we go back on track with the reforms in the agricultural sector—fixing the agricultural value chain and relying on domestic production to feed the nation,” he added. Summing up his assessment, Sanusi said the Tinubu administration had made significant strides despite the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

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Traditional Rulers Have No Constitutional Powers to Impose Bans

Let’s be clear: traditional rulers in Nigeria have no constitutional authority to impose or enforce bans. Their functions are largely symbolic, advisory, cultural, and mediatory, particularly on issues related to customs, festivals, and community traditions. If a traditional ruler desires that a particular policy or restriction be made law, the proper democratic process is to present the proposal to the State House of Assembly, where it can be debated and, if found appropriate, passed into law by elected representatives of the people. In the present case, concerned residents of Lagos State should seriously consider challenging such actions in court to reinforce the principle that traditional institutions have no legal power to issue enforceable directives. This issue goes beyond one community or ruler—it is about upholding constitutional order and democratic accountability. Lagos, as Nigeria’s most cosmopolitan and economically vital state, must not set a precedent that allows unelected individuals to wield powers reserved for elected officials. Allowing such practices to stand risks blurring the line between cultural authority and constitutional governance, a development that could undermine both democracy and the rule of law.

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FCT Police Suspend Enforcement Of Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Pending Court Verdict

FCT Police Suspend Enforcement Of Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Pending Court Verdict

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has temporarily halted the enforcement of the vehicle tinted glass permit after receiving a court directive. FCT Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh told AIT, “Information reaching me from the office of the PRO is that the order has been received and the enforcement of the tinted permit is now on hold pending the court’s verdict.” She added that the suspension will remain in effect until the court delivers its judgment. “We are waiting for the verdict. We are not against the courts, and we will continue to wait until we get a verdict,” Adeh said. Adeh also clarified that the tinted glass permit was introduced for security reasons, noting that criminals had exploited vehicles with darkened windows to evade law enforcement. “The law was not made by us. We are enforcers. The policy was purely security-driven. Some criminals were using tinted vehicles to commit offences, making it difficult for law enforcement to identify suspects,” she explained.  

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Annie Macaulay Throws Subtle Shade At Ex 2Baba With African Queen Post

Annie Macaulay Throws Subtle Shade At Ex 2Baba With African Queen Post

Actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia appears to be sending a subtle message to her ex-husband 2Baba with a recent Instagram post that fans are calling a quiet shade. Annie shared a photo of her daughters holding a pillowcase labeled “African Queen,” which also featured a picture of herself. She captioned it: “My girls!!! They said mama we miss u so much, this is the closest we can get to feel u! N that hit me deep!! So deep #soonShow” The post comes shortly after 2Baba publicly referred to his new wife as his “African Queen,” a title forever linked to Annie from the iconic song and music video that first catapulted them both into fame. Fans quickly interpreted Annie’s post as a subtle reminder that, despite 2Baba’s declarations, she remains a central figure in her children’s lives. The message highlights her continuing role as a devoted mother while also hinting at the lingering complexities of her past relationship. Supporters praised Annie’s emotional strength, noting the post’s mix of sentimentality and subtle defiance, while the hashtag #soonShow suggests she may have new projects on the horizon, keeping her audience eagerly anticipating what comes next.

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UK-Based Nigerian Doctor Allegedly Rapes Woman on Staircase

UK-Based Nigerian Doctor Allegedly Rapes Woman on Staircase

An NHS doctor ‘forcefully’ held a woman down on her staircase, lifted up her dress and raped her, a court heard. Later in the same evening, Dr Osareme Edeoghon, 39, allegedly raped the woman again while she was on the phone to her friend, jurors heard. Prosecutor Robert Harding told how the medic had been invited to the woman’s house but, without saying a word, started having sex with her as soon as she opened the front door. Jurors were told how the woman said ‘no’ and told Edeoghon ‘maybe later’, but his grip was so ‘tight’ that she ‘couldn’t move her hands’. The medic is also accused of raping the alleged victim a third time, an incident the woman described as a ‘violation’. Jurors were told that Edeoghon was based at the NHS hospital in Basingstoke, Hampshire, at the time of the alleged incidents. Mr Harding said: ‘There was no consent given, and it would have been clear to any person that she did not consent.’ The prosecutor told Winchester Crown Court that Edeoghon and the woman knew each other and she was expecting him at her house. He said that when Edeoghon arrived ‘She greeted him at the door, but without any invitation from her, he started to have sex with her.’ Mr Harding continued: ‘She was not consenting to this, and it would have been clear to any person that she did not consent. ‘She told him things, such as ‘no’, and even went as far as to say ‘maybe later on’. ‘After the defendant finished having sex, the complainant had a shower and busied herself as best she could cooking dinner. ‘She then returned to her bedroom and used her phone to call a friend. The defendant proceeded to try to have sex with her. There was no consent given.’ During his opening of the case on Monday, Mr Harding said that the woman ‘spoke with police about the allegations’ and told officers she had also been orally raped. The police interview with the woman was played to the court, in which she said: ‘I wanted to report rape, that he raped me.’ She told how the doctor had arrived at her home by taxi and added: ‘When I went down to the door, he did not say anything, and he turned me around and lifted up my dress. ‘I was like ‘no what are you doing?’ and he continued. So, I said ‘no’, and I said ‘maybe later’. But he just did not say anything, he just kept turning me and lifting up my dress. ‘By this time, I was at the stairs, or he had pushed me to the stairs. He started to have sex with me.’ The woman told how she was restrained by her arms as she was ‘pushed’ onto the stairs. ‘I tried to say no and stop but I couldn’t because he was forceful’, she added. ‘I couldn’t move my hands because he was holding my hands and turning me around. Because of how tight he was holding me; I couldn’t lift my arms.’ After the alleged attack the woman said she went upstairs to shower ‘because I just felt dirty anyway’. After dinner, she was in her room on her phone when ‘he came into the room and did the same thing again’, she said. The woman continued: ‘I was on the phone to my friend, and he came in out of nowhere again. He pulled my underwear down, moved my leg. ‘I just remember him being over me and me trying to figure out what to do in that situation because I am on the phone. I couldn’t say anything because I was on the phone.’ When a police officer asked what she was talking to her friend about on the phone, she said: ‘We were talking about carnival and the events and where to get tickets.’ The officer also asked how he would know she was not consenting, and she said: ‘I was on the phone and not inviting him.’ She said if she were not on the phone, she would have ‘pushed him off me and said no, I was tired.’ She said she had work the following day and would have told him that she would be too tired for work. She added: ‘It took time to register what was happening, and it was difficult to say stop while my friend was on the phone or to say stop because of what he was doing.’ During the interview, the woman, who can’t be named for legal reasons, alleged that she had also been orally raped by Edeoghon. The woman said: ‘That time I did say no, I turned away and covered my mouth. ‘I moved away from him because I just felt used. So I moved away to try to control the situation and ended up having sex to stop what was happening. It just felt like a violation.’ Edeoghon from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, denies three counts of rape. The trial continues.

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Professor Mahmood Yakubu Receives Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) as INEC Tenure Ends

Professor Mahmood Yakubu Receives Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) as INEC Tenure Ends

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Professor Mahmood Yakubu following the end of his second term as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yakubu was first appointed INEC chairman in November 2015 for a five-year term, which was renewed in 2020, and has now concluded. The award recognises his dedicated service to the nation and his role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that Tinubu thanked Yakubu for his efforts in conducting free and fair elections throughout his tenure. “President Tinubu has directed that Professor Yakubu hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will oversee the commission until a new chairman is appointed,” the statement added. In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve as INEC chairman since 2015.

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Nigeria Officially Bids to Host Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja

Nigeria Officially Bids to Host Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja

Nigeria has officially submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abuja, potentially bringing the sport back to Africa for the first time since 1993. Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, confirmed that the proposal has been forwarded to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula 1 Management through Opus Racing Promotions, Nigeria’s official negotiating partner. “This bid goes beyond hosting a race. It is a chance to highlight Nigeria’s creativity, capacity, and commitment to world-class sporting infrastructure,” Dikko said. “It is a landmark project that could transform Nigeria’s role in global motorsport and sports tourism.” The Abuja Grand Prix has received support from senior government officials and private sector stakeholders. Invitations have been extended to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, racing legend Lewis Hamilton, and Tilke Engineers & Architects—the firm behind most modern F1 tracks—for site inspections and stakeholder engagements in Abuja. The bid follows Nigeria’s successful hosting of the inaugural E1 Lagos GP in March, marking Africa’s first leg of the all-electric powerboat series. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed the event as a demonstration of the state’s focus on innovation and clean energy. Nigeria is also competing with India to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. President Bola Tinubu has called on the Commonwealth to award the centenary edition to Nigeria, which would make it the first African country to host the Games.  

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Sanwo-Olu to Commission 420 Housing Units in Ajara, Badagry

Sanwo-Olu to Commission 420 Housing Units in Ajara, BadagryGovernor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, commission the newly completed Ajara Housing Estate Phase 1 in Badagry, comprising 420 home units. The new estate is expected to boost Lagos State’s housing stock and provide accommodation for over 2,000 residents, further advancing the government’s goal of delivering affordable and quality homes to Lagosians. Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said the estate consists of a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, designed to meet the diverse housing needs of residents. Akinderu-Fatai noted that the project’s completion aligns with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s campaign commitment to finish all ongoing housing projects across the state. “The Ajara Housing Estate represents another milestone in our quest to make decent and affordable housing accessible to Lagos residents,” the commissioner said. “We are excited about its completion because it will also stimulate the local economy in Badagry.” He expressed appreciation to prospective homeowners for their patience and trust in the administration throughout the project’s duration. The commissioner also cautioned members of the public against dealing with unauthorised agents or middlemen, stressing that the Ministry of Housing does not engage agents in the sale of its housing units. “Interested applicants should visit the Estate Department of the Ministry at Block 3, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, for legitimate information and subscription processes,” he advised.

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