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Lone accident claims five on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

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By Francesca Hangeior

Five persons have reportedly died in a lone accident involving a Mercedes Benz jeep at Fatgbems bus stop on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Sunday night.

The Ogun State Police Command spokesman, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.

Odutola explained that the accident which occurred at about 11:30 p.m., was caused by reckless driving on the part of the driver of the Mercedes Benz.

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“The accident occurred when the driver of the Mercedes Benz, going towards Mowe direction, suddenly lost control, hit the culvert, somersaulted and turned to the opposite direction.

“Three men and two women inside the vehicle were confirmed dead, while one person sustained injuries,” she said.

Odutola explained that the injured victim was taken to AZ Carezone Hospital, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of Real Divine Hospital, Ibafo.

She said that family members of the victims had been contacted.

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The police spokesperson advised motorists to always drive with caution.

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MEET 47th President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump vows to Restore American Greatness

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Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, 20th January making history as only the second U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms.

In a defiant and patriotic inaugural address, Trump vowed to return power to the American people, secure the nation’s borders, and prioritize economic growth under his “America First” agenda.

Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, officially marking Trump’s return to power after his initial presidency from 2017 to 2021. His inauguration follows a heated 2024 election campaign that saw him defeat incumbent President Joe Biden in a fiercely contested race.

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were present, along with Vice President J.D. Vance and other dignitaries. Trump acknowledged his predecessors but made it clear that his administration would represent a sharp break from Washington’s establishment politics.

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In a speech that echoed his first inaugural address, Trump promised to restore prosperity, rebuild America’s industries, and defend the country from what he called “globalist policies that have weakened our nation.”

He declared that his return to office marked the moment when “the American people take back control of their government.”

“From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land,” Trump said. “From this moment on, it’s going to be America First.”

He outlined his administration’s priorities, including:

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Border security – Reinforcing immigration restrictions and resuming construction of a border wall.

Economic revival – Cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.

Energy independence – Expanding domestic oil and gas production.

Foreign policy shifts – Strengthening alliances with nationalist leaders and reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

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Trump also took aim at the political elite, arguing that Washington had failed the American people. “For too long, the ruling class has prospered while hardworking citizens suffered,” he stated. “That ends today.”

Trump’s second inauguration took place in a politically polarized atmosphere. His return to power was met with both celebrations from his supporters and protests from his opponents, with demonstrations occurring in Washington, D.C., and several major cities.

Despite the divisions, Trump called for unity, saying, “When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.” However, his speech made clear that his administration would aggressively pursue his campaign promises, signaling a combative approach to governing.

Trump’s return to the White House is unprecedented in modern American history. After losing to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump remained a dominant force in U.S. politics, influencing the Republican Party and spearheading a populist movement that ultimately led to his comeback victory in 2024.

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Trump’s administration is expected to move swiftly on key legislative priorities, including tax cuts, border security measures, and military expansion. However, opposition from Democrats and legal challenges related to his previous presidency could pose obstacles.

As Trump begins his second term, the nation faces significant challenges, including economic uncertainty, international tensions, and deep political divisions. His supporters view him as a leader who will fight for their interests, while his critics worry about the potential for further polarization.

Despite the uncertainties, Trump’s inauguration marks the start of a new political era—one that promises bold actions, policy reversals, and a continued reshaping of America’s role on the world stage.

Donald Trump’s second inauguration cements his legacy as one of the most consequential figures in modern U.S. history. With a clear mandate from his base and a determined agenda, his presidency is set to redefine American politics once again. Whether his leadership will unite the country or deepen its divisions remains to be seen.

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How BPP Saved Nigeria N1.9 Trillion in 15 Years – DG

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has revealed that it saved Nigeria a total of N1.9 trillion by reviewing procurement processes and verifying contract sums from 2009 to 2023.

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The Director-General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, stated during a budget defense session with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement on Monday in Abuja.

He said: “Mr. Chairman, the Bureau’s Price Intelligence mechanism has generated significant savings to the federal government. The prior review of procurements and the verification of contract sums and approach, has resulted in cumulative savings of over N1.9trillion , and this has prevented funds from being diverted into personal pockets.
“This process also helps to reduce excessive projects costs and release more funds for other development investments”.
According to the BPP Boss these include in 2009  N46.519bn, 2010 N216.690bn, 2011:NN77.652bn, 2012:N124.113bn, 2013: N95.797bn, 2014: N127.368bn and 2015:
N49.519bn.
The rest are 2016: N32.398bn, 2017:N78.977bn, 2018:N170.485bn, 2019: N49.142bn, 2020:N172.676bn, 2021:N146.961bn, 2022:N365.568bn and 2023: N146.410bn totalling N1,900,282,844,421.28 trillion.

He said that beyond the direct savings, the bureau’s compliance mechanisms have also played a role in boosting revenue by ensuring bidders are up-to-date on their tax, pension, and social security payments before participating in any procurement process.

However, the Director-General expressed concern over the budgetary ceiling imposed on the agency, which he feared could undermine this and other strategies designed to enhance the system.

During the budget planning process, the Bureau requested N72,775,250,713, but the Budget Office allocated only N3,283,021,838, excluding the Personnel budget of N649,558,451.59.

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Regarding the 2024 budget performance, he noted that N2,234,785,641 was allocated, with N2,110,061,164 utilized. However, the capital allocation of N289,418,688 was insufficient to achieve significant reforms or address the core mandates needed for effective contract administration. So far, only N184,024,690 of the capital expenditure allocation has been released.

For the 2025 budget, Adedokun highlighted the agency’s focus on addressing office accommodation needs, improving project monitoring and evaluation across the country, implementing an electronic procurement system, and enhancing capacity building.

While thanking the Committee for its continued support, he appealed for additional funding to help the Bureau meet its objectives.

“We also realise that we need to also intensify our audit exercise. It is better to prevent than to prosecute. Under our watch our strategy is to ensure we prevent misuse of funds through real time IT tools in procurement audit.
“We want to go digital in terms of our workflow, which means even if DG is not on seat, certification can be done anywhere in the country. We also provided for an upgrade of our national database of contractors and service providers.
“Under the 2025 budget, it would no longer be business as usual. We will be categorizing contractors meaning that contractors of equal competence must bid for projects within their funding capacity.
“I want to assure you that we have the capacity to transform the procurement space within the shortest possible time. We will do more if empowered financially.
“If we use procurement as a tool for good governance, it would reduce corruption and poverty and increase employment and industry if this appeal is given due consideration.
“BPP has the capacity to contribute significantly to the GDP of the country through the innovations we are bringing on board”, he stated.
Adedokun said the various achievements by the Agency over the years has been with very limited funding.
He said under his administration the Bureau is committed to making the contracting process even more efficient, transparent and competitive for foreign and local contractors.
Chairman of the Committee,  Unyime Idem, said they were mindful of the ceiling imposed on the agency and would do something about that.
“I want to assure you that what you have seen before us the proposal, so we would engage the committee in charge of appropriation to ensure that those inadequacies in terms of funding are addressed,” he added.
Idem also said the BPP remains a vital institution for the ability of any government to achieve good governance and deliver the dividends of democracy.
He said if the BPP improves its productivity in playing its full role, it will improve the quality of governance, procurement and project management.
“However, how can the above be achieved without an empowered BPP? I have looked at the data with respect to the allocation to the BPP in 2024, which indicates that it was allocated N2,234,785,641 and N2,110,061,164 was released under the 2024 budget.
“Under the budget proposal before the National Assembly, the Budget Office of the Federation and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning allocated to the BPP a maximum ceiling of N3,383,021,838, excluding personnel cost. This is notwithstanding the impact of inflation between January 2024 and January 2025″.
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Presidency Slams Kemi Badenoch’s Insultive Remarks About Nigeria

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, to stop making disparaging remarks about Nigeria.

The Nigerian-born politician, sparked controversy in 2024 following repeated critical comments about her country of birth.

In her first address of the year at an event hosted by Onward, a British think tank focused on economic and social issues, Badenoch criticized Nigeria’s governance. She stated she did not want Britain to mirror what she described as Nigeria’s “terrible government,” which, in her words, “destroys lives.”

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Emphasizing the need for reform and trust-building in governance, Badenoch argued that the Conservative Party was the right choice to steer the UK away from such pitfalls. She warned that without significant changes, Britain could risk adopting systemic flaws similar to those she attributed to Nigeria.

The remarks prompted a response from Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communications. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bwala urged Badenoch to avoid using Nigeria as a rhetorical tool to gain favor with her political base.

“I truly wish that sister Kemi Badenoch would avoid denigrating Nigeria, the country of her origin, as a weapon to please her far-right base,” Bwala wrote. He drew a parallel with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, noting that Sunak had never criticized India, his ancestral home, to gain political advantage.

Bwala praised Badenoch’s intelligence and political accomplishments but expressed disappointment over her negative rhetoric about Nigeria. “She is smart, intelligent, and we are proud of her rise in UK politics, but we are equally saddened by her terrible rhetoric against Nigeria,” he added.

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This development underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the portrayal of Nigeria on international platforms, particularly by individuals with ties to the country. It raises broader questions about the balance between constructive criticism and national pride in political discourse.

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