Amid reports of slow internet speeds from users of MTN, Airtel, and other networks, there were speculations that the government might have ordered telecom operators to disrupt services to hinder the protests.

Tijani, however, clarified on Channels TV that there was no directive given to tamper with phone networks.

Tijani said: “There’s no instruction to tamper with (phone) networks.”

Recall on Thursday, Tijani condemned the looting of the National Communication Commission, NCC, building in Kano State.

He said it would be a setback to the federal government’s efforts at encouraging youth employment through technology.

During a recent meeting with Joint Tax Board (JTB) Secretary Olusegun Adesokan, Tunji-Ojo highlighted the need for a unified identification system to prevent tax evasion, emphasizing that integrating NIN with TIN would simplify tracking taxpayers.

He advocated for a close partnership between the Joint Tax Board and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure seamless data sharing.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the minister proposed that the NIN serve as a comprehensive security identifier, encompassing tax and other vital information.

The JTB Secretary’s visit aimed at fostering collaboration with the Ministry, enhancing capacity with the Nigerian Immigration Service, and addressing issues related to expatriate data and tax.

Previously, in September 2023, Tunji-Ojo committed to investing in the harmonization of national data through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), aiming to end multiple ID registrations and ensure a unified data repository.

He emphasized that success in this initiative would significantly enhance the integrity of Nigeria’s identification systems.

Gaidam was among the ministers who spoke at the National Press Centre, Abuja, during the second day of the Ministerial Sectoral Updates, marking one year of the Tinubu administration.

He highlighted that the Nigeria Police Force is collaborating to develop and implement a Revitalized Police Agenda and Transformation Roadmap.

This initiative addresses current challenges and transforms the Nigerian Police Force into a modern, proactive, and efficient entity.

Key focus areas under the Renewed Hope policing vision include enhancing infrastructure development, boosting the technical and operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), improving welfare within the NPF, establishing a robust policy framework for policing in Nigeria, and prioritizing the wellness of NPF officers.

Additionally, efforts are being made to strengthen community policing, build public trust in the NPF, rebrand the NPF, and restore citizens’ confidence in the force.

Gaidam outlined several achievements over the past year, including establishing the National Criminal Data Fusion Center (NCDFC) for the Nigeria Police Force, strengthening the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), and automating police specialized services.

The Ministry has also launched the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), enhanced the deployment of tactical squads, shifted towards E-Policing, improved highways and train safety measures, and revamped infrastructure at the Police Academy. Emphasis has also been placed on community policing and citizen engagement.

The Minister emphasized that the Nigeria Police system has fully embraced community-oriented policing, recognizing its importance in promoting nationwide safety.

Additionally, Gaidam noted that the Ministry of Police Affairs promoted 3,071 education officers within the police education system, addressing salary arrears owed for over five years.

The Police Pension Bill is currently under review to enhance the welfare of police officers.

Under Gaidam’s leadership, the Nigeria Police Veterans Foundation, which supports retired police officers, has been established.

Keyamo, who made this known on the Morning Show, an Arise TV programme, said he had received a letter from the Emirates confirming that all issues between it and Nigeria had been resolved.

He said: “Emirates flight resumption is almost happening. I just received a letter from Emirates. The letter is on my phone now. They have gone through all the gamut, and they are ready to come back. They will announce the date because to restart a route, they have to get an aircraft for that route.

“I am announcing to Nigerians for the first time; that I just received a letter from Emirates now. The letter is with me. I have a hard copy thanking you for all the efforts we made. Mr President was the showman here. He was the one who pushed for it.

“He made my job easy because he went there, and had a diplomatic shuttle to resolve all the issues. That was why I said the last announcement was hasty and not fake news. They will announce the date for their next flight. We have received a letter confirming that all the issues have been resolved and prepared to start coming back. It may be before June.”

In October 2022, the UAE banned nationals of about 20 African countries from entering its borders.

Affected countries include Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.

In a notice issued to trade partners, including travel agents, Emirati authorities demanded that all applications be rejected.

“Any applications from the above-mentioned countries will be sent back or cancelled,” said the notice. Since the ban, the UAE and Nigeria have been locked in a diplomatic row over issues involving flight allocations and travel restrictions.

Addressing a gathering of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in a recent press briefing held at the Oyo State party headquarters in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Adelabu highlighted the administration’s determination to overhaul the existing challenges plaguing the power sector.

He emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of these issues comprehensively.

“This is why we are addressing the root cause of the power sector problems.

“We are addressing all the problems associated with all the segments of the power sector value chain – from gas supply to generation, to transmission, to distribution and to the customers themselves. There are a lot of things that we are doing that Nigerians will soon start seeing.

“Yes, there are pockets of improvements here and there, but that is not where we are going. We are still going to Eldorado whereby every Nigerian will be able to enjoy adequate, stable, functional and reliable power supply.

“But let me tell you that it is a journey and not a destination. We will start seeing this improvement as we are seeing now to improve. This is because when you are repairing, you will still suffer some damages, you will still suffer some pains.

“When they were repairing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for 10 years, people were having traffic jam and getting held up in serious traffic until they finished the road.

“So, while we are repairing, people must help us to bear the little pains that will come with it. But at the end of the day, we will make gains. For you to make an omelet, you must break eggs. This is the period of breaking the eggs. Very soon, we will start eating our omelet.

“I am determined to solve the problems in the power sector and Nigerians will start singing our good songs very soon,” he said.

Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, made the disclosure while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.

The minister also explained that the Federal Government was working on reforming the NYSC scheme to reflect the present realities of the nation.

She further explained that they all understand that resources were dwindling, stressing that they would find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is well-taken care of.

According to her, “The reforms will transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and prepare the corps members for the job market and to be decently and gainfully employed or to be employers of labour through entrepreneurship all the support they need in that career path.”

She also disclosed that corps members were no longer posted to states deemed unsafe in the wake of worsening insecurity in the country.

The minister explained that the security of corps members required collaboration with other agencies of government.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that

Oyetola made this statement during the arrival ceremony of the largest container vessel, ‘CMA CGM Scandola,’ powered with liquefied natural gas at Lekki Port in Lagos.

Represented by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, Oyetola emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing the NPA’s capacity for sulphur analysis.

He highlighted the steps taken to procure the necessary tools for sulphur analysis and the implementation of a sanction regime for non-compliant vessels.

The minister underscored the importance of reducing sulphur content in ship fuels to minimize air pollution in the shipping industry. He applauded the transition to the use of natural gas, emphasizing Nigeria’s high-quality gas virtually free of sulphur.

Oyetola recognized the pivotal role of shipping in global decarbonization efforts and commended the NPA’s compliance with global energy transition in its port modernization project.

The arrival of the eco-friendly vessel, Scandola, with its distinctive features and substantial container capacity, was hailed as a significant development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, celebrated the achievement, stating that it positioned Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos, and Nigeria in the global logistics marine business.

Du Rougang, the Managing Director of Lekki Deep Seaport, emphasized that the berthing of the vessel marked a new era for Nigeria’s ports, aiming to play a major role in the nation’s maritime industry.

Edun made this announcement at the opening of the 2024 Strategic Management Retreat of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which centered around the theme “Re-imagining Tax Administration for Equity and Economic Growth.”

Highlighting the pivotal role of taxes in the government’s efforts to bolster revenue, Edun emphasized that this increase is crucial for addressing infrastructure deficits and establishing social safety nets for ordinary Nigerians.

Commending the FIRS management for their commitment to meeting revenue targets, Edun expressed optimism about achieving the ambitious IGR target.

He stated, “We are projecting a 77 per cent increase in IGR. Our revenue as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is low, below 10 per cent. It should be much higher.”

Edun further explained that the government’s focus is to shift from relying on expensive debts to domestic revenue mobilization, enabling more substantial investments in infrastructure and social services.

In an interview with Arise TV, Musawa outlined the ministry’s comprehensive plan and strategy to achieve this ambitious goal.

The minister emphasized the significance of the creative industry and its potential impact on Nigeria’s economic landscape.