News
FCT’s 2025 budget of N1.783 trillion passes second reading in Senate
The Federal Capital Territory 2025 budget of N1.783 trillion passed through first and secondary reading in the Senate on Wednesday.
The budget, which was presented by the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele sought for the legislative debate to enable appropriation of the amount proposed, given that the Senate serves as the State House of Assembly with powers to legislate for the FCT.
The lawmaker said the figure covered capital and recurrent expenditure proposals with details of sectoral allocation.
Bamidele laid the FCT budget proposal for first reading after which the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio called for the second reading against the observation raised by Senator Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, citing relevant provisions.
Ningi observed that copies of the FCT budget have just been distributed against the provision that Senators must have prior notice of the bill which copies must have been distributed early enough for their study before bringing the proposal for legislative debate.
He, however, was overruled by the Senate President for “urgency of time”.
Speaking on the proposal, Senator Adamu Aliero representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District drew the attention of the Red Chamber to the fact that the influx of people posed a serious challenge to the infrastructure.
“He said the original master plan of the FCT was supposed to be 750,000 people, but unfortunately every citizen has the right to live and work in the FCT and nobody can oppose their living in the FCT,” he said.
Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike for the massive infrastructural development in FCT.
On a lighter note, he said: “Mr Senate President, our party, PDP is a development driven party and you can see that Nyesom Wike who is a PDP man is doing well in terms of infrastructure.
“Remember that you were a product of PDP and since APC took over, development has slowed down.”
Having supported the proposal, Ningi urged Senators to support the bill to enable the continued development of FCT.
Other speakers on the budget supported the proposed and commended the Minister for his commitment to the development of the Federal Capital Territory.
In his remark, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed his belief that the approval of the budget will strengthen the effort of the Minister and passed it for second reading after a voice vote.
The proposal was referred to the Senate Committee on FCT to revert in a week’s time.
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.
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GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI
