Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq is set to join Valencia on loan from Real Sociedad.

The forward is currently undergoing his medical with the Spanish club, with the loan deal including a buy option.

This move will provide Sadiq with an opportunity to showcase his talents in La Liga and contribute to Valencia’s success.

Further details regarding the loan deal, including the duration and the buy-option clause, are expected to be announced soon.

The Chief Executive of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, has said the telecommunications firm has sent a proposal to the Nigerian Communications Commission for a 100 percent service tariff increase.

He disclosed this during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday.

However, the CEO expressed that it remains uncertain whether the Nigerian Communications Commission, the telecom regulator, will approve the proposal owing to existing economic hardship in the country.

“We’ve put forward requests of approximately 100 percent tariff increases to regulators.

“I doubt they’re going to approve that quantum of increases because they are very, very sensitive to the current economic situation in the country,” Toriola said.

This comes amid heightened speculation of an imminent telecom service tariff hike in Nigeria, this year.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, recently threatened a shutdown of operations without a tariff hike.

However, telecom subscribers rejected any move to hike tariffs.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has revealed the reason former President Umaru Yar’Adua did not sell the Port Harcourt refinery to a consortium led by Dangote.

Falana said the reversal was a pivotal step to address the legal and ethical breaches surrounding the transaction and to protect Nigeria’s national interest.

The senior lawyer, in a statement, explained that under the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act, the Vice President is the chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, the body responsible for overseeing the privatisation of public enterprises.

Falana, however, alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo bypassed this legal requirement by sidelining then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and directly managing the privatisation of several state-owned enterprises.

“On May 17, 2007, President Obasanjo sold a 51 per cent stake in the Port Harcourt refinery to Bluestar Oil for US$561 million. In another transaction that took place on May 28, 2007, President Obasanjo sold 51 per cent shares in Kaduna Refinery to Bluestar Oil for $160 million,” Falana revealed.

The human rights activist stressed that the deals drew sharp criticism from key stakeholders, including the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN.

According to him, the unions raised concerns over due process and alleged that the country had been shortchanged.

He further explained that they also alleged that the nation had been shortchanged as the shares acquired in the Port Harcourt refinery for $516 million were worth $5 billion.

“It is on record that the cancellation of the privatisation was not challenged in any court as it was carried out contrary to the letter and spirit of the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act,” Falana stated.

He further commended the role of NUPENG and PENGASSAN in advocating for national interest and called on them to remain vigilant amid renewed calls for the privatisation of Nigeria’s refineries.

Falana’s statement emphasised the ongoing debate over privatisation in Nigeria, with advocates stressing the need for transparency and due process in managing the country’s public assets.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has dissolved the state executive council comprising his commissioners and sacked Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Muhammad Aliyu-Ubamdoma.

Weekend Trust reports that the decision was announced by the governor at a special emergency executive meeting in Government House, Lafia, on Friday, shortly after the departure of Vice President Kashim Shetima, who was in the state for a one-day working visit to inaugurate some projects in the state.

A top government official, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that although the exact reasons for the dissolution were not yet clear, he said the governor was known for restructuring the state’s administration.

Our correspondent reports that in 2021, Sule dissolved the state executive council, citing the need for a more effective and efficient governance structure.

“As the situation unfolds, citizens of Nasarawa State await further clarification on the implications of this decision and the future direction of the state’s administration,” the source added.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by Mohammed Iliyasu-Idde, permanent secretary cabinet affairs and special services, said Governor Sule expressed his gratitude to the outgoing council members for their contributions towards the growth of the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.

The statement read in part, “All the outgoing council members are to hand over the affairs of their ministries and government property in their possession to the permanent secretaries in their respective ministries while the SSG is to hand over to the permanent secretary cabinet affairs and special services.”

The governor had in July 2023 submitted the names of 17 commissioner-nominees to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as members of the State Executive Council.

Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo Friday announced visa-free travel for all African passport holders from the start of this year, marking a step towards continental economic integration.

The announcement came during his final state of the nation address as he prepares to step down on January 6 after two terms in office.

“I am proud to have approved visa-free travel to Ghana for all African passport holders, with effect from the beginning of this year,” Akufo-Addo said in his speech to parliament.

“This is the logical next step to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the workings of the largest trading bloc in the world,” he said.

“All these are essential elements to the realisation of the AU’s Agenda 2063, which envisages an integrated and connected Africa by 2063,” he added, referring to the African Union’s development blueprint for a 50-year period.

Ghana joins Rwanda, Seychelles, Gambia and Benin in offering visa-free entry to African travellers.

Ghana had previously allowed visa-free access to citizens of 26 African nations and visas on arrival for travellers from 25 others, while only two African countries — Eritrea and Morocco — required a visa before entry.

The visa-free policy builds on Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its international reputation, particularly through initiatives like the 2019 Year of Return, which celebrated the African diaspora and commemorated 400 years since the transatlantic slave trade.

The campaign attracted thousands of visitors, including celebrities, to Ghana and led to some receiving citizenship, bolstering the country’s global profile as a cultural and tourism hub.

Akufo-Addo also used his last address to trumpet economic progress under his leadership, citing an increase in Ghana’s gross international reserves to $8 billion, from $6.2 billion in 2017, and significant GDP growth in 2024.

“Economic growth has returned to the pre-Covid trajectory,” he said, projecting a 6.3-percent growth rate for 2025.

“I leave behind a Ghana that is thriving, one that has navigated significant global challenges with remarkable tenacity, whose economy is steadily rebounding, and whose institutions are operating effectively,” he said.

The oil-and-gold-rich West African nation is one of the most stable democracies in Africa.

Since 2022, it has been battling one of its worst economic crises in decades and is currently under a $3-billion International Monetary Fund relief programme.

The outgoing president hands over power to John Mahama, who won the December elections.

Speaking on Tuesday during Channels Television’s End-of-Year Special Review Show, Alausa stated, “President Tinubu has mandated the return of Nigerian History as a subject in basic education.

T he Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the reintroduction of Nigerian History as a subject in basic education.

Speaking on Tuesday during Channels Television’s End-of-Year Special Review Show, Alausa stated,

“President Tinubu has mandated the return of Nigerian History as a subject in basic education.”

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Nigerian government announced the formal reintroduction of history as a subject in the country’s basic education curriculum after it was abolished 13 years ago.

Former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua-led government in 2009 removed history from Nigeria’s basic education curriculum supposedly because students were avoiding it with the claim that there were few jobs for history graduates, and that there was dearth of history teachers.

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday emphasised the critical role of state governors in driving Nigeria’s development and prosperity, saying that this accounts for why 65% of federation accounts go to states.

Speaking during a new year homage by Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his Ikoyi residence, the President described thire leadership at the subnational level as “central to achieving food security, economic prosperity and rapid national growth”.

This is just as the President expressed his gratitude to the Governors for their support and collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort for the nation’s progress.

“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands,” he said.

The President also called for a stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address pressing challenges, including local government autonomy, agricultural productivity, and currency stability.

Expressing his commitment to local government development and autonomy, the President stressed its importance for grassroots development and dispelled rumours of disagreement with the governors.

“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.”

President Tinubu urged governors to prioritise agricultural growth as a pathway to economic stability.

“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he said.

He also urged the governors to take pride in their efforts and acknowledged their progress across the states.

“There is no state we cannot visit and be proud of its development. We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.

Reflecting on his leadership journey in the last 19 months, the President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to thrive given the resilience and leadership demonstrated by the administration.

“I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together. I thank all of you for where we are today and where we are heading,” he said.

The President announced that he will be visiting Enugu State on January 4 as part of his planned visits to some states of the federation.

“The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest,” Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State said during the visit.

“So, most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos, store them for the rainy day. So, in terms of agriculture, the policy is working. We’ll continue to deepen that and ensure we are 100% sustained in food security and feed the whole of West Africa,” he said.

The governor urged the President to visit various states to see the ongoing transformations and progress firsthand.

He assured the President of the steadfast support of the governors, particularly in contributing to local security architecture to further enhance the nation’s security.

“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term”, Governor Abdulrazaq said.

“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” the governor said.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says Heyden Petroleum and Ardova Plc have joined it to ensure the supply of affordable Premium Motor Spirit (petro) in Nigeria.

The Dangote refinery in a statement on Thursday, said the two companies, propelled by the economic relief provided by President Bola Tinubu’s crude-for-naira swap initiative, entered into a bulk purchase agreement with the refinery.

“This strategic move is designed to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products at affordable prices, further stabilising the nation’s fuel market and enhancing energy security for consumers,” the statement read partly.

According to the company, the development followed the example set by MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, which had previously entered into a similar agreement with Dangote Refinery.

As a result, MRS Oil recently lowered its fuel prices to N935 per litre across all its stations nationwide, addressing the long-standing issue of price disparities between states.

“Furthermore, MRS Oil’s stock surged to a new 52-week high last Friday, as investors became increasingly optimistic about the company’s future earnings prospects,” Dangote stated in its statement.

The statement disclosed that the bulk purchase agreement with Dangote refinery will enable both Ardova and Heyden to secure a reliable and consistent supply of petroleum products from the world’s largest single-train refinery.

This will ensure a stable supply of fuel at competitive prices, benefiting consumers across the country.

“The arrangement ensures that Ardova and Heyden will have access to a full range of refined products, thereby securing their operations with a reliable supply chain,” it explained.

Ardova, Dangote Refinery sign bulk purchase deal

A statement from Ardova Plc recently underscored the importance of this agreement in fostering a more competitive environment within Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.

According to the statement, Ardova has been a key off-taker from the Dangote refinery since its inception, but this new framework is expected to formalise and strengthen the partnership between the two companies, creating long-term benefits for both parties.

“This framework will see Ardova Plc offtake a full slate of petroleum products from the refinery. While Ardova Plc has been a significant off-taker from the refinery since its inception, this new framework will institutionalise a more robust relationship between the two companies to further enhance the emerging competitive landscape in the downstream oil and gas industry in the country.

“The partnership with the Dangote refinery is poised to have a transformative impact on Nigeria’s oil and gas market. By ensuring a stable and affordable supply of fuel products in the over 1,000 retail outlets of the two companies, the agreement will help to alleviate the recurring issue of fuel scarcity that has long plagued Nigeria,” the company maintained.

The Dangote refinery, which began production in 2024, said it has already played a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of fuel scarcity.

Its large-scale operations were said to have helped alleviate the supply pressures that often lead to price hikes and fuel shortages.

During this festive season, Nigerians enjoyed a relatively smooth period, with stable fuel availability and no significant price increases at the pump.

“Unlike the previous years, when the country faced fuel shortages and arbitrary price hikes during peak periods, the Dangote Refinery has significantly contributed to stabilising the market and maintaining price consistency,” the statement concluded.

Nigerian telecommunications companies have submitted a proposed 100 per cent increase in their tariffs to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

During an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, stated that the increase is to address rising operational costs, including inflation and increased service delivery expenses.

Toriola, however, expressed uncertainty about the proposal being approved by telecom regulator NCC.

He said the hike became imperative to sustain the industry bedevilled by significant financial pressures due to rising operational costs.

“We’ve put forward requests of approximately 100 per cent tariff increases to regulators.

“I doubt they’re going to approve that quantum of increases because they are very, very sensitive to the current economic situation in the country,” Toriola stated.

“I believe we’re all on the same side, the policymakers, the regulators, our Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, and the industry.

“Without a sustainable industry, the broader economy and the well-being of the people will be negatively impacted,” he added.