News
Senate committee proposes N10b budgetary vote for capital market

The Senate has recommended that the Federal Government approve an allocation of N10 billion in the current year’s budget to facilitate literacy development within the capital market.
This recommendation was presented by Osita Izunaso, the Chairman on Capital Market, during the appearance of Dr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, and Dr. Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), before the panel in Abuja yesterday.
Izunaso noted that this request is aimed at enhancing the capital market’s operations, thereby contributing effectively to the overall economic development.
The committee chairman, who regretted that only 5,000 investors were in the capital market, said a special fund would boost the sector.
“We are asking for an intervention for capital allocation, a special funding to finance literacy development in the capital market because that is where the problem is.
“So, if you do that, we will be happy and the capital market will blossom. You will get our letter in that regard today after this meeting.
“That is the hallmark of what Senator Victor Umeh said, that most of them (investors) lost their money through this capital market system. People lost money; people have not regained confidence and we are pushing them,” Izunaso said.
Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) had described the capital market as an essential indicator of “the health of any economy” and how the capital market operates across the world.
He said: “From the past experience from the capital market, a lot is expected to be done to restore public confidence in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
“Being able to restore public confidence is key to the operations in that sector. Why we said this is because what we saw was a shock and traumatic experience where investors in the market lost all their funds.”
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sani Musa, explained that the request for N10 billion for literacy and enlightenment was necessary in the light of the current realities.
“We need to see how we can take money out from the budget for the campaign,” he said.
Edun announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had set up a target of $1 trillion economy, adding: “What matters is the vibrancy of the economy.
“This is in terms of having economic stability at the macro level, in terms of the revenues, budget deficits, and inflation rates such that the coming together of these major variables can create a stable environment which will improve investment, including investment in the capital market through the stock exchange.
“All these are under the purview of the SEC.
We now have a much more stable macro economy for investments as a result of the President’s decisive, timely intervention.”
Also, Senate President Godswill Akpabio yesterday promised that the Red Chamber will pass this year’s N54.2 trillion Appropriations Bill latest by tomorrow.
Akpabio made the promise during plenary, urging relevant committees to take swift actions to make the passage possible.
He said: “We need to finish quickly to brush up the budget for possible presentation tomorrow (Wednesday) or next (Thursday).”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had initially presented a ₦49.7 trillion budget to the National Assembly on December 18, last year.
But on February 5, he revised the budget upwards to ₦54.2 trillion, citing additional revenue to be generated by key government agencies.
The President said the increase was backed by ₦1.4 trillion in additional revenue from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), ₦1.2 trillion from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and ₦1.8 trillion from other government agencies.
News
15 huts razed, one injured in renewed Jukun-Tiv violence

A fresh outbreak of ethnic violence between the Jukun and Tiv communities has erupted in Taraba State, with suspected Jukun militias launching an early-morning attack on Dekeh Village along the Wukari–Kente Road.
According to security sources available to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
About six armed assailants stormed the village, opening fire indiscriminately and setting 15 huts ablaze. The attack forced residents to flee in panic, leaving behind food items, including yam seedlings, which were destroyed in the blaze.
One resident identified as Mdue Saaondo, sustained gunshot injuries during the assault. He was rescued by a joint team of police and military personnel and transported to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Wukari for medical treatment.
The Taraba State Police Command has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have also scheduled a security meeting with the Wukari Local Government Traditional Council as part of efforts to restore peace and encourage dialogue between the Tiv and Jukun communities, who have long-standing disputes over land and territorial claims.
“Patrol and surveillance operations are ongoing to forestall further violence and ensure stability in the area,” police authorities stated.
The incident adds to the growing list of violent clashes that have plagued southern Taraba in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the communal tensions.
News
2025 U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles zoom into quarter-final after draw with Kenya

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked a place in the quarter-final at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after playing out a 2-2 draw against Kenya.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side finished second in Group B with five points from three games.
The Atlas Cub of Morocco top the group with seven points after beating Tunisia 3-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Kenya started the game strongly, and deservedly took the lead after six minutes.
Nigeria defender Emmanuel Chukwu handled the ball inside the box, and after initially awarding a free kick to Kenya, the centre referee pointed to the spot following consultation with VAR.
Captain Kevin Wangaya Colly slotted the ball past Ebenezer Harcourt to give the Rising Stars the lead.
The Flying Eagles fought back seven minutes later with Lillestrøm striker Kparobo Arierhi netting after he was put on through on goal by Simon Cletus.
Nigeria dominated the game in the second half but failed to test the Kenyan goalkeeper.
Kenya took the lead for the second time in the game through substitute William Nwangi on 68 minutes.
Nwangi lashed home Humphrey Kegengo’s free kick from inside the box.
Daniel Bameyi, however, converted from the spot to hand the Flying Eagles a share of the spoils.
News
Trump announces judicial nominees, accuses US court of obstruction

United States President Donald Trump has announced a fresh slate of judicial nominees in a series of posts on Truth Social on Tuesday.
The president, who has repeatedly expressed frustration over what he sees as judicial obstruction, followed up on Wednesday with a post criticising the judiciary for allegedly preventing him from carrying out the mandate of the American people.
The Republican leader, whose second-term agenda has encountered multiple judicial roadblocks, wrote: “Our Court System is not letting me do the job I was Elected to do.
“Activist judges must let the [Donald] Trump Administration deport murderers, and other criminals who have come into our Country illegally, WITHOUT DELAY!!!”
Trump named Maria Lanahan, Missouri’s Principal Deputy Solicitor General, as a nominee for a judgeship on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He praised her as “a true patriot” in a post on Tuesday.
The 78-year-old also nominated Judge Cristian Stevens to serve on the same court, describing him in another post as “a Great Patriot.”
The announcements came a day after a federal appeals court declined the Trump administration’s request to revoke temporary legal status from hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Cubans living in the United States.
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