News
Breaking News: World Bank to release $17billion to Nigeria for poverty reduction programmes in Nigeria
according to Guardian The Federal Government and the World Bank have entered a fresh partnership towards tackling poverty and boosting the living standards of Nigeria’s vulnerable populations.
This was as the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) described the stance of former Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Ndume, on World Bank loans secured by the President Bola Tinubu administration as a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.
Through the various social investment programmes, the global bank is releasing $17 billion for poverty reduction programmes in Nigeria.
World Bank Regional Vice President, Western and Central Africa, Ousmane Diagana, made this known at a meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof Yilwatda Nentawe, and his Minister of State, Dr Yusuf Sununu, yesterday, in Abuja.
He said: “This partnership of the World Bank is anchored in a strategy that allows Nigeria to continue to make progress as a developing country by providing quality services to the people through job creation and others.
“In that regard, we have a large programme here in Nigeria of more than $17 billion as a commitment to do what is necessary in terms of investment and reforms.”
On his part, Nentawe said all beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer poverty reduction intervention of the Federal Government would be given a digital identity and, therefore, could be digitally traced.
It said: “Our analysis shows that World Bank loans accounted for nearly 80 per cent of Nigeria’s multilateral debt in 2024, rising modestly from $21.15 billion in 2023 to $22.32 billion in 2024, a 5.5 per cent increase, not the $9.5 billion figure Ndume cited.
“Meanwhile, Nigeria’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt fell sharply from $2.47 billion to $800.23 million (-67.6 per cent) over the same period. This evidence supports the view that the Tinubu administration is not carelessly accumulating debt but carefully balancing and securing new credit for critical sectors and reducing overall public debt.”
News
Nigerians now banned from traveling to US as Trump expands travel restriction list
President Donald Trump on Tuesday, December 16, signed a proclamation further restricting entry into the United States for nationals of countries identified as high risk due to what the White House described as persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting and information sharing that threaten national security and public safety.
Among the 15 additional countries placed under partial entry restrictions is Nigeria. The decision was announced in a fact sheet published on the White House website on December 16, 2025, titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”.
The White House said the move was aimed at strengthening national security through what it called common sense restrictions based on data.
The proclamation maintains full entry restrictions on nationals from the original 12 countries previously listed under Proclamation 10949. These countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
It also introduces full restrictions on five additional countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, as well as individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial restrictions, have now been placed under full restrictions.
Nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela remain subject to partial restrictions.
In addition, the proclamation imposes partial entry restrictions on 15 more countries. These include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The fact sheet states that exemptions remain in place for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve United States national interests.
Business
IMO OPENS NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIER AS UZODIMMA COMMISSIONS NOVA BANK REGIONAL OFFICE IN OWERRI.
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
16- DEC- 2025
Imo State took another decisive step toward economic expansion on Monday, December 15, 2025, as Governor Hope Uzodimma formally inaugurated the regional headquarters of Nova Bank in Owerri, signalling the state’s growing appeal as an investment destination.
While addressing guests at the commissioning ceremony, the governor noted that deliberate reforms, sustained infrastructural development, and a more business-friendly policy environment have steadily repositioned Imo State to attract credible investors. He described Nova Bank’s choice of Owerri as a strategic endorsement of the state’s economic viability and long-term growth prospects.
Governor Uzodimma praised the Chairman of Nova Bank, Mr. Philip Oduozor, for his experience and leadership within the financial sector, assuring the institution of continued government collaboration. He added that the arrival of Nova Bank, alongside the recent establishment of Access Bank’s regional headquarters in the state, reflects increasing confidence by the private sector in Imo’s economic direction.
Reiterating his administration’s vision, the governor emphasized ongoing efforts to transition Imo from a largely leisure-based economy into a competitive commercial centre. He pointed to significant investments in road networks, security architecture, digital systems, power supply, and overall ease of doing business, while encouraging Nova Bank to expand its footprint in the state, including consideration of Owerri for its corporate headquarters.
In his remarks, Mr. Oduozor explained that Nova Bank, which began operations in 2018 as a merchant bank, has now secured a full commercial banking licence. He stated that the bank intends to play a critical role in financing small and medium-scale enterprises across Imo State and the wider South East region by improving access to credit.
The commissioning ceremony ended with a guided inspection of the new facilities by Governor Uzodimma and top executives of the bank, marking another milestone in Imo State’s economic transformation drive.
News
Actress Doris Ogala doubles down on claims against Pastor Chris Okafor, insists on compensation or marriage
Actress Doris Ogala has intensified her allegations against Pastor Chris Okafor, insisting she was in a long-term relationship with him from 2017 and was promised marriage.
Speaking emotionally, Doris claimed she supported the pastor privately, bought gifts for his children, and stayed loyal for years, only to be abandoned when he decided to marry someone else.
She accused those online, including Dee One, of taking money to do “damage control,” stressing that her demands are legal, not blackmail. According to her, she is seeking compensation for emotional damage, career loss, and broken promises, adding that her lawyer is already preparing formal demands.
Doris also admitted to phone-based intimacy during her troubled marriage but denied any physical affair at the time. She maintained she has evidence to back her claims and alleged she is not the only woman Pastor Chris promised marriage.
“I’m not backing down. This is my right,” she said, warning that she is ready to speak fully if pushed further.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVHaVegjI7/?igsh=ZG1jNWNnZjN4YWZt
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GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
