Category Archives: News

Fed Govt orders partial closure of Keffi bridge

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The Federal Government has announced the immediate partial closure of the Keffi Bridge in Nasarawa State following damage caused by a heavy-duty vehicle that struck and dislodged parts of the structure.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while reacting to the incident, which involved an excavator-loaded truck hitting the bridge and causing a partial collapse.

According to the Minister, the closure became necessary to prevent further deterioration and to protect public safety. Umahi stated that only the affected carriageway, which sustained direct impact from the vehicle, would be shut down for now.

“We have directed the shutdown of the Keffi Bridge. But the shutdown is definitely the first carriageway that had direct impact with the excavator,” he said. “We are sending senior technical officers to work with the controller of that location, and then we will assess the second carriageway. If the beams of the second carriageway are affected, then the entire bridge will be shut down, and it becomes an emergency situation.”

The Minister explained that the ministry is working on an immediate design solution and will engage a qualified contractor with relevant expertise to carry out repairs. He emphasized the importance of complying with engineering standards in bridge construction, particularly the 5.6-meter standard headroom for flyovers.

Read Also: Online poll rates Nigerian Ministers who performed well

Umahi attributed recent incidents of bridge damage across the country to violations of traffic codes, particularly the use of high-bed trucks that exceed the designated height limits. He noted that these violations have led to structural failures and disruptions to traffic and commerce.

To address the recurring problem, the Minister said that a new standard headroom of 6.5 meters would be considered for future flyover designs, and the ministry would begin installing metal height restrictors at bridge entrances to prevent over-height vehicles from accessing them.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Olofunsho Adebiyi, also confirmed the incident, explaining that the excavator being transported by the truck struck the beam of the Keffi Bridge, severely compromising its structural integrity.

He said the impact of the excavator destroyed part of the bridge’s slab and displaced a section of the beam, rendering that portion of the structure unsafe.

“It has totally distorted and affected the structural integrity of the entire structure there,” Adebiyi said. “The public cannot be allowed to continue to do things that destroy our expensive infrastructure.”

The ministry has advised motorists and residents to cooperate with traffic officials and use alternative routes where necessary as assessments and repair work commence on the affected bridge section.

How $12m was swapped in 10 days in SunTrust Bank -EFCC witness

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 Mr Suleiman Ciroma, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s witness, on Thursday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja how the sum of 12 million dollars was swapped in SunTrust Bank within 10 days.

Ciroma stated this while being led in evidence by EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite, in the ongoing trial of Halima Buba, the Managing Director/CEO of the bank.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buba and her co-defendant, Innocent Mbagwu, the Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of SunTrust Bank, are being prosecuted on money laundering offences to the tune of $12 million.

The duo, in a six-count charge, was alleged to have aided high-value cash transactions without routing them through a financial institution.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 21(a), 2(1), and 9(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.

The defendants were, on June 13, arraigned by the anti-graft agency.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts, and admitted to a N100 million bail with one surety, each in like sum.

Upon resumed hearing on Thursday, Ciroma, the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1), told the court that he is a businessman and had worked as a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator before.

“I have a travel agency,” he said.

The witness, who identified Buba, said though he had never met Mbagwu one-on-one before, he said they talked on phone.

The PW-1 tendered in evidence a bundle of documents to support his testimony before the court.

He narrated how the defendants facilitated the release of the $12 million at branches of the bank in Abuja and Lagos State, within 10 days.

He said the transactions commenced on March 10, after he got a call from Aisha Achimugu, an oil magnate, who informed him that she had some forex transactions to carry out with the bank.

The witness told the court that he immediately called Buba, who confirmed that she was aware of the proposed transactions.

Read Also: Alleged 27bn fraud: Court overrules Darius Ishaku’s admissibility objection

The PW-1 told the court that later on the same day, a man named, Iliya called to notify him that he was at a branch of the bank in Abuja for payment of $1 million in cash as a swap to be paid to Achimugu through the account of a company, Oceangate Energy Oil & Gas, domiciled in Zenith Bank.

“I then contacted my friend, Hassan Dantani of Ashrap Ltd, who sent Tijjani Adamu for the collection of the cash payment,” he said.

He told the court that on the same day, Abdulkadir Mohammed collected another $1 million cash payment from a branch of the bank in Abuja, while another $2 million was also received by a man he identified as Kabiru.

Ciroma disclosed that the defendants helped to swap the $12 million cash payments into the account of Achimugu’s company, in tranches, between March 10 and March 20.

“In all the transactions, I made a profit of N15 million,” he told the court.

Asked if he knew the reason behind the alleged illicit transactions, the PW-1 said: “Aisha Achimugu told me that she wanted to buy an oil block and would need dollar inflow into Oceangate Energy Oil & Gas account.”

He told the court that while Buba facilitated the transactions that took place in Abuja, Mbagwu handled the ones that occured in Lagos.

Ciroma, through the lawyer, tendered some exhibits, including the printout of WhatsApp conversations he had with Buba in relation to the transactions, as well as a certificate of identification he signed.

Buba’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, and Mbagwu’s lawyer, Mr. M. S. Ibrahim, SAN, though opposed to tendering the evidence as exhibits, they reserved their reasons till the final address stage.

Justice Nwite then admitted and marked the evidence as Exhibit P1.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until July 18 for continuation of trial.

(NAN)

Nigeria’s inflation rate drops to 22.22% in June — NBS

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Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased further to 22.22 percent in June 2025, marking a continued slowdown in inflationary pressures across the country, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The figures, contained in the June 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report and made available on Wednesday in Abuja, indicate a 0.76 percent decrease compared to the 22.97 percent recorded in May 2025.

Despite the annual decline, the report showed that inflation rose slightly on a month-to-month basis. The headline inflation rate for June stood at 1.68 percent, which is 0.15 percentage points higher than the 1.53 percent recorded in May, suggesting a quicker pace of price increases within the month.

“This means that in June 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level was higher than the rate recorded in May,” the NBS noted.

The rise in the inflation index was largely driven by price increases in key categories of consumer goods and services. According to the report, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Restaurants and Accommodation Services, and Transport were the top contributors to the headline inflation rate on a year-on-year basis. On the other hand, the least contributing divisions were Recreation, Sport and Culture, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and Insurance and Financial Services.

Food inflation, a critical indicator for Nigerian households, recorded a significant decline on a year-on-year basis, standing at 21.97 percent in June 2025. This represents a sharp drop of 18.90 percentage points when compared to the 40.87 percent recorded in June 2024. The NBS attributed this decline primarily to the recent rebasing of the Consumer Price Index, which has adjusted the base year for comparison to reflect more recent economic conditions.

However, on a month-to-month basis, food inflation increased to 3.25 percent in June, rising from 2.19 percent in May. The increase was driven by price hikes in several staple food items, including green peas, fresh pepper, dried shrimps, crayfish, fresh meat, tomatoes, plantain flour, and ground pepper.

Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy items, rose to 22.76 percent on a year-on-year basis in June. Month-on-month, the core inflation rate increased to 2.46 percent, up from 1.10 percent in May.

Read Also: Food prices rose in October – NBS

The report also provided new insights into the country’s inflation structure, following the introduction of newly rebased sub-indices. According to the NBS, on a month-on-month basis, the inflation rate for farm produce dropped by 13.3 percent, while goods inflation stood at 0.93 percent, down from 22.38 percent and 9.39 percent respectively in May. Meanwhile, inflation for services and energy was recorded at 3.26 percent and -11.0 percent, respectively, compared to 1.79 percent and -0.43 percent in the previous month.

On the regional front, urban inflation was higher than rural inflation. The urban inflation rate was recorded at 22.72 percent year-on-year and 2.11 percent month-on-month, indicating a 0.71 percent increase from the previous month. Rural inflation, by contrast, stood at 20.85 percent year-on-year, with a lower month-on-month figure of 0.63 percent, showing a decline from 1.83 percent in May.

A breakdown by state revealed that Borno State recorded the highest inflation rate in June on a year-on-year basis at 31.63 percent, followed by the Federal Capital Territory at 26.79 percent and Abia at 25.91 percent. The slowest inflation rates were recorded in Zamfara at 9.90 percent, Yobe at 13.51 percent, and Sokoto at 15.78 percent.

Month-on-month, Ekiti recorded the highest inflation rate at 5.39 percent, followed by Delta at 5.15 percent, and Lagos at 5.13 percent. Conversely, the slowest month-on-month inflation was recorded in Zamfara at -6.89 percent, Niger at -5.53 percent, and Plateau at -4.01 percent.

In terms of food inflation, Borno State again topped the chart with 47.40 percent, followed by Ebonyi at 30.62 percent and Bayelsa at 28.64 percent. The states with the lowest food inflation year-on-year were Katsina at 6.21 percent, Adamawa at 10.90 percent, and Sokoto at 15.25 percent.

On a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Enugu at 11.90 percent, Kwara at 9.97 percent, and Rivers at 9.88 percent. The slowest increases were observed in Borno at -7.63 percent, Sokoto at -6.43 percent, and Bayelsa at -6.34 percent.

The NBS noted that the June 2025 CPI rose to 123.4, reflecting a 2-point increase from the previous month. This rise is part of the broader changes introduced through the recent rebasing of the CPI, which updated the base year from 2009 to 2024, with 2023 now serving as the reference year for expenditure patterns.

According to Adeyemi Adeniran, the Statistician-General of the Federation, the rebasing was necessary to ensure that Nigeria’s inflation metrics accurately reflect the country’s current economic realities. He explained that the process involved incorporating emerging sectors, updating household consumption baskets, and refining data collection methodologies.

For more insights and updates on Nigeria’s economy, stay tuned to News Access NG.

I never once doubted Buhari’s sincerity or his patriotism – IBB

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Former military Head of State, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) on Monday mourned former President, Muhammadu Buhari, saying he never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism .

Babangida in a tribute he wrote, said:”it is a deeply heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of Buhari, who was my friend, brother, course mate, and a fellow soldier in the journey of nationhood.

“Our paths crossed in 1962 when we both joined the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna.

“From those early days, Buhari stood out quietly yet resolutely, principled yet humble, deeply patriotic and fiercely loyal to Nigeria.

“Through the years, we shared trenches and trials, dreams and disappointments, victories and moments of reflection.”

Read Also: Nigeria mourns as Tinubu pays Tribute to late Buhari

“Our bond was forged not only by military training, but by a shared commitment to the ideals of service, discipline, and love for country.”

Beyond the uniform and the public glare, Babangida said he knew Buhari as a deeply spiritual man, a man who found solace in faith, and who carried himself with the humility of someone who believed in a higher calling.

“We may not have agreed on everything — as brothers often don’t — but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism.

“His passing today is not just the loss of a former Head of State, or a two-term civilian President.

“It is the loss of a symbol, a man whose life embodied the transition of Nigeria from the old guard to the new republic.

“A man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life,” he said.

Babangida expressed his deepest condolences to Buhari’s wife, Aisha, his children, grandchildren, and “the nation he loved and served.”

“May Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, forgive his shortcomings, accept his deeds, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

“May his legacy endure,” Babangida prayed.

(NAN)

BREAKING: Chelsea make history with 3-0 Club World Cup Triumph over PSG

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Chelsea have etched their name into football history after defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the final of the first-ever expanded FIFA Club World Cup, capping a remarkable season in which they overcame the reigning UEFA Champions League winners on the grandest global stage.

In front of a packed crowd at MetLife Stadium, Chelsea delivered a dominant first-half performance that stunned the French champions.

Cole Palmer opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, calmly slotting home after a sweeping move.

Read Also: Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion

The 22-year-old midfielder added a second just seven minutes later with a precise finish into the bottom corner.

João Pedro put the contest beyond doubt before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to make it 3–0.

PSG, who lifted their first Champions League title earlier this year with a commanding 5–0 win over Inter Milan, were outplayed in all departments.

With the win, Chelsea become the first English club to claim the rebranded Club World Cup and the first to defeat the current Champions League holders in the final, an achievement that will resonate across continents and underscore the Premier League’s continued dominance on the global stage.

The Club World Cup, contested by 32 teams, carried a record prize fund, and Chelsea are likely to receive as much as $125 million for their victory tonight..

Nigeria mourns as Tinubu pays Tribute to late Buhari

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a patriot, a soldier, and a statesman whose legacy will endure for generations.

Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in the United Kingdom. He was 82.

In an official statement released by the Presidency, Tinubu said: “It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of His Excellency, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), GCFR, my predecessor, who departed this life today.”

He praised Buhari’s decades of public service and dedication to Nigeria, noting his tenure as military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985 and as a democratically elected president between 2015 and 2023.

“President Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman. His legacy of service and sacrifice endures,” Tinubu said. “Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life.”

Read Also: Former President Buhari dies at 82

He described Buhari as a leader who stood firm in turbulent times, championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption, and consistently placed the country above personal interest.

President Tinubu extended condolences to Buhari’s widow, Aisha, their children, the entire Buhari family, and the people and government of Katsina State, particularly the Daura Emirate.

“We honour his service. We reflect on his legacy. And we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” Tinubu said.

As a mark of respect, Tinubu ordered all national flags to fly at half-staff for seven days starting Sunday. He also announced that the Federal Executive Council will hold an emergency session on Tuesday in Buhari’s honour.

“The Federal Government will accord President Buhari full state honours befitting his towering contributions to our country,” the statement added.

President Tinubu prayed that Allah would forgive Buhari’s shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, while expressing hope that his life would inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness.

23 things to know about late former President Muhammadu Buhari  

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

The sad news of his demise was announced on X, in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu on Sunday afternoon.

According to Garba Shehu, Buhari died on Sunday at a hospital in the United Kingdom.

He wrote; “INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHIRRAJIUUN.

“The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu

“Buhari, this afternoon in a clinic in London.

“May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.

Read Also: Former President Buhari dies at 82

Here are things to know about late former President Muhammadu Buhari 

1. Buhari was born to a Muslim family on December 17, 1942. He was 82.
2. He was the twenty-third child of Mallam Hardo Adamu, a Fula chieftain originally from Dumurkul in Mai’Adua, and his mother Zulaihat.
3. He was named after the ninth-century Islamic scholar Muhammad al-Bukhari.
4. Buhari was four years old when his father died, and Waziri Alhassan, the son of Emir Musa dan Nuhu, became guardian to Zulaihat and her children.
5. He attended Qur’anic school, where he helped in rearing cattle.
6. He had his primary education in Daura and Mai’Adua and graduated in 1953.
7. He was admitted into Katsina Middle School (later Katsina Provincial Secondary School), where he completed his secondary education from 1956 to 1961.
8. During his sixth form, he served as the house captain and head boy.
9. In 1960, he received a scholarship from Elder Dempster Lines for a summer visit to the United Kingdom.
10. In 1962, at age 19, Buhari was one of 70 boys selected for recruitment into the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC).
11. From 1962 to 1963, he trained as an officer cadet at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England.
12. In January 1963, at age 20, he was commissioned a second lieutenant, appointed Platoon Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta, and attended the Platoon Commanders’ Course in Kaduna.
13. From 1965 to 1967, Buhari commanded the Second Infantry Battalion and was appointed brigade major of the Second Sector, First Infantry Division.
14. In the 2003 Presidential Election, Buhari ran under the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and lost to President Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) by over 11 million votes.
15. In the 2007 Presidential Election, he was again ANPP’s candidate. He received 18% of the vote against Umaru Yar’Adua (PDP).
16. In the 2011 Presidential Election, after founding the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buhari ran against Goodluck Jonathan. He came second with over 12 million votes.
17. In the 2015 Presidential Election, Buhari contested as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. He won the election after Jonathan conceded, and was sworn in on May 29, 2015.
18. In the 2019 Presidential Election, Buhari was re-elected for a second term, inaugurated on May 29, 2019, in Abuja.
19. Buhari frequently traveled to the UK for medical treatment, including a 104-day stay in 2017.
20. In 1971, Buhari married his first wife, Safinatu (née Yusuf). They had five children together, four girls and one boy.
21. In 1988, Buhari and his first wife Safinatu divorced. Safinatu later died in 2006.
22. In December 1989, Buhari married his second and current wife Aisha Buhari (née Halilu).
23. They also had five children together, a boy and four girls: Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zahra “Zarah” and Amina.

Late Olubadan: We are celebrating, not mourning – Son

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Mr Olasumbo Owolabi, the eldest son of the late Olubadan of Ibadan, has said his father left lasting legacies of a life well-lived and worthy of celebration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olasunmbo stated this during the family announcement of the Oba’s demise at the private residence of the traditional ruler on Monday in Ibadan.

Olasunmbo, represented by the former Commissioner for Information in Oyo State, Mr Toye Arulogun, said his father made significant impacts and landmark achievements while he lived.

He said that the endeavours of the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, cut across politics, business, military career and traditional matters.

Read Also: Who becomes the next Olubadan?

“We are not mourning because it is a double celebration of his 90th birthday and glorious passing to eternal glory.

“We also give glory to God because he left enduring legacies for the family,” he said.

NAN reports that the family announcement was preceded by the palace traditional talking drum final display, signifying the end of the late Oba’s era.

Olakulehin, who ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, barely two days after celebrating his 90th birthday.

His reign followed that of Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died on March 14, 2024, at the age of 81.

(NAN)

Tinubu promises to address diaspora issues

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President Bola Tinubu has pledged to address the challenges facing Nigerians in Saint Lucia and other parts of the world through diplomatic engagement.

He made the pledge on Wednesday during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia.

The event was organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), chaired by Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

A statement on the event, issued by Presidential Spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga, was released to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

President Tinubu urged Nigerians living in Saint Lucia to remain law-abiding and serve as good ambassadors of the country.

“My plea to you all: continue to be of good behaviour, don’t break the law,” he said.

Drawing from his experience as a student in the U.S. five decades ago, Tinubu emphasised the importance of focus and hard work.

Read Also: Tinubu travels to France on private visit

“Life is about working hard, being consistent,” he noted.

Assuring the community of government support, Tinubu stated, “For the professionals living here, our government will not abandon you. But you must work hard. It is our job to help you succeed.”

He highlighted efforts by his administration to stabilise Nigeria’s economy, saying, “We inherited a country that was near bankruptcy. But we have been able to rescue the economy.”

He also noted improvements in oil revenue management and foreign exchange policy.

Dabiri-Erewa lauded the contributions of Nigerians in Saint Lucia and encouraged them to stay connected to their homeland.

Mr Smart Duah, President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), raised concerns about a 2,500 dollars annual work permit fee as one of the challenges faced by the community.

Father Festus Iwuagwu, a Nigerian priest in Saint Lucia, said the large turnout reflected the community’s respect and affection for the President.

Dr Olugbemisola Ogunlusi, a paediatrician and graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, welcomed the President and shared her story of raising two doctors in Saint Lucia.

She added that her husband had since returned to Nigeria, where he now served as Chief Medical Director at a new federal medical centre.

As a token of appreciation, the Nigerian community presented President Tinubu with a portrait made by Doris, a medical student and talented artist.

(NAN)

JUST IN: Liverpool’s Diogo Jota dies in road accident

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Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 following a tragic car accident in Spain.

The crash occurred on the A-52 motorway, around kilometre 65, near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora province.

According to Spanish sports daily MARCA, Jota lost his life at the scene.

Read Also: EPL: Haaland scores hat trick as Man City beat Ipswich 4-1

“Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota dies in a traffic accident in Zamora province,” the outlet reported in a statement on Thursday morning.

His 26-year-old brother, Andre, was also killed when their vehicle caught fire after the collision.

Born in December 1996, Jota first joined the Premier League on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017 before signing for Liverpool, then league champions, in 2020.