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‘$7bn FX backlog payment, 4,600 hostages freed’ — FG lists Tinubu’s first year feats

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To commemorate the first anniversary of the Bola Tinubu administration, the federal government has listed the achievements made in different sectors in the past year.

 

According to a publication released by the ministry of information and national orientation, the federal government highlighted the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ scorecard of the president.

 

“The administration has made significant strides from enhancing infrastructure and transportation to investing in education, health, and social welfare,” the publication said.

 

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is paving the way for a more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Nigeria. President Tinubu’s administration lays the foundation for lasting progress and a brighter future for all Nigerians through strategic investments, youth empowerment, and improved governance.”

 

Here is a roundup of the scorecard released by the ministry of information.

 

ECONOMIC ‘REBIRTH’

The document listed the removal of the fuel subsidy regime as one of the achievements of Tinubu. The government said the policy has led to a 50 percent reduction in petrol importation and increased monthly receipts for states and local governments from the federal accounts allocation committee (FAAC).

 

The report said the administration also introduced “comprehensive intervention programmes to cushion the transitional pains. The government identified the launching of a N100 billion CNG bus rollout programme and the award of N35,000 monthly for civil servants for six months as some of the measures taken to mitigate the effect of petrol subsidy removal.

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The document said the administration unified the forex rate market to reflect the actual value of the naira and reformed bureau de change (BDC) operations, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also cleared $7 billion backlog in foreign exchange.

 

NATIONAL SECURITY

According to the publication, over 4,600 hostages were freed, more than 9,300 hostiles were killed while over 7,000 terrorists, bandits, and criminals were arrested since the government took office.

 

The document said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) added five new aircraft to its fleet, including two Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft, two T-129 ATAK helicopters, and one King Air 360 ER, enhancing the fight against banditry and terrorism.

 

According to the government, annual recruitment of police officers was increased from 10,000 to 30,000 and over 120 illegal oil refining sites were deactivated across the Niger Delta.

 

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

The publication said Tinubu’s administration released 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains from the National Strategic Grain Reserves and 60,000 metric tonnes of rice through millers to Nigerians to tackle the rising food price in the country.

 

The scorecard said the CBN donated 2.15 million bags of fertiliser worth N100 billion to support farming, accompanied by the Dry Season Farming Initiative, and financed by the African Development Bank with $134 million.

 

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

 

The report said the government has successfully renovated the Port Harcourt refinery while the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) production has increased from 57 percent in 2023 to 70 percent.

 

INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION

The document said the rail line between Port Harcourt and Aba — part of the 1,443-kilometre Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line — became operational under the Tinubu administration.

 

The government added that construction has begun on the 700 km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and that the engineering design for the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway has also commenced.

 

The FCT monorail project is also listed as set for commissioning, and the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme are said to have kicked off to deliver 100,000 houses across the country.

 

EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL INVESTMENT

The report said the administration allocated N50 billion for the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) in 2024, and N37.4 billion was also designated to establish six oncology centres nationwide.

 

The publication said the government also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund which aims to support 1.2 million students in its first phase, adding that N5.1 billion has been approved for 185 research proposals under the TETFUND National Research Fund to promote educational research.

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The government said it also approved three-month cash transfers of N25,000 to 15 million of Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable households.

 

INDUSTRIALISATION, DIGITISATION AND INNOVATION

The report listed the establishment of the Three Million Technical Talent Initiative (3MTT), Digital and Creative Enterprise (iDICE), National Talent Programme (NATEP) and Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), saying the projects will help improve the country’s creative economy and provide jobs for youth. According to the publication, the government launched the d MOBILIZER app for citizen engagement.

 

ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY

The report said Tinubu reinforced anti-corruption institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), while several high-profile corruption cases involving politicians, business executives, and public officials have been pursued.

 

SPORTS

According to the document, the administration offset over N12 billion in outstanding debts for various national football teams.

 

The report listed the Super Eagles’ winning silver at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, the Super Falcons’ qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024, and Victor Osimhen getting crowned as the 2023 CAF African Footballer of the Year as some of the administration’s achievements in sports.

 

GENDER AND INCLUSION

The publication said the administration launched programmes that provide vocational training and funding to support women’s financial independence and entrepreneurial endeavours.

 

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UK unveils programme for Tinubu’s state visit

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The United Kingdom government has unveiled the programme for the state visit of President Bola Tinubu, scheduled to take place from March 17 to 19. 

According to the itinerary, the visit will be hosted at Windsor Castle and will include bilateral meetings, ceremonial events and engagements with members of the Nigerian diaspora.

Preparations for the visit are scheduled for March 17, with security sweeps, road closures and procession rehearsals taking place ahead of the president’s arrival.

Tinubu will officially arrive the UK on March 18 and will be received by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

A ceremonial welcome will follow on Datchet road, including the playing of national anthems and a guard inspection.

The president will then proceed in a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, where he will be received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The schedule also includes a formal reception, a 21-gun salute and a state luncheon at St George’s Hall.

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Later in the day, Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral meetings with UK officials focusing on trade, security, migration and port development.

The day will conclude with a cultural exchange event showcasing Nigerian artefacts, followed by a state banquet hosted at Windsor Castle.

On March 19, the Nigerian president will hold a private breakfast with the king and queen before departing for London.

While in London, Tinubu is expected to lay a wreath at the The Cenotaph in Westminster.

He will also meet with Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, at 10 Downing Street, for bilateral discussions and a woking lunch.

Other engagements include a meeting with members of the Nigerian diaspora and the signing of bilateral agreements at Buckingham Palace.

The visit will conclude with Tinubu’s departure from RAF Northolt for Nigeria.

The trip marks Nigeria’s first full state visit to the UK in 57 years.

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Four dead, many injured as truck runs into fully-loaded commercial bus in Lagos

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Four passengers have died while many others are seriously injured following a road accident involving a truck and a commercial mini bus along the Lekki–Epe expressway.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the accident occurred “over the weekend” opposite Beechwood in Shapati, inward Ajah.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, spokesperson of the agency, the traffic agency said the crash involved a HOWO truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a Suzuki commercial mini bus popularly known as ‘korope’.

According to the agency, preliminary findings indicated that the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle which then veered across the road, crashing into the oncoming commercial bus conveying passengers.

LASTMA said the impact of the collision killed four male passengers instantly, while four other occupants — two males and two females — sustained severe injuries after getting trapped in the wreckage.

The agency said its personnel arrived at the scene promptly and rescued the injured victims from the mangled vehicle with the support of other emergency responders and passersby.

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The injured passengers were taken to Hamon Royal Hospital for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Shency Hospital morgue by an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Officers of the Nigeria police force attached to the Elemoro police division also secured the accident scene and managed traffic during the rescue operation.

LASTMA added that the driver of the truck and his motorboy fled the scene after the crash.

Olalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of LASTMA, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured speedy recovery.

He also urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to adhere to traffic safety regulations and exercise caution to prevent road accidents.

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ADC faction fixes April 3 for national convention

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A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced April 3 to 5 as the date for the election of new members of the national working committee (NWC).

In a statement issued on Sunday, the ADC faction said party executives at the ward, LGA, state, and national congresses will be elected through consensus.

In a timetable outlining activities leading up to the national convention, the party said ward congresses will take place on March 19, followed by LGA congresses on March 24, and state congresses on March 28.

The group said the decision was taken to promote unity, inclusivity, and internal cohesion.

“This decision is taken in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), in furtherance of its commitment to promoting unity, cohesion, and inclusiveness within the party,” the statement reads.

“The BOT/NWC believes that the consensus approach will foster greater cooperation, understanding, and collective leadership, ultimately strengthening the party’s ability to achieve its goals and objectives.”

The ADC faction also announced the commencement of a membership registration exercise for new members, which will run from March 14 to 25.

The party said new members are expected to register at their respective ward offices and obtain membership cards through the party’s continuous membership registration committee (CMRC).

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“This exercise is strictly for new members; existing members are not required to renew their membership at this time,” the party said.

The group said issues arising from the various congresses would be addressed accordingly, with petitions from the national convention expected to be resolved between April 6 and 10.

The party faction distanced itself from the ongoing electronic membership mobilisation, registration, and revalidation exercise being conducted by the ADC coalition led by David Mark

The group said the exercise does not follow the procedures outlined in the party’s constitution, adding that the official online membership registration portal would be released later through the party’s authorised channels.

The statement was jointly signed by Nafi’u Bala, the factional national chairman, and Rufus Ikanmi, secretary of the board of trustees (BOT).

The ADC coalition, led by Mark, had earlier  scheduled April 14 for the election of the party’s national officers. 

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