FocalPoint Reports

A former Commissioner for Religious Affairs in Zamfara State,  Abdullahi Maharazu Mafara,  has narrowly escaped death after gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked his vehicle and shot him in the leg. The incident occurred on Saturday while the cleric was travelling from Talata Mafara to Gusau to attend a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to a security alert by Bakatsine, the attackers ambushed the vehicle along the route and opened fire, hitting the former commissioner during the assault. Zamfara former Commissioner’s vehicle shot Despite the attack, Mafara survived the encounter and was rushed for medical attention. Bakatsine stated that the cleric, who is also a former local government chairman, sustained a gunshot wound but is currently receiving treatment. “He sustained a gunshot wound to the leg; the bullet has been removed, and he is currently recuperating at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital,”  the alert noted. The attack ha...

The Presidency has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a party struggling to maintain “coherence and balance.” The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated this while responding to the ADC’s National Legislators’ criticism of the president's submission on the party's national convention. The ADC forum, led by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, had argued that Nigeria is at a critical democratic juncture and accused the administration of shrinking political space. The group also referenced Tinubu’s past as an opposition leader who once advocated political pluralism and judicial independence, saying his current leadership posture appears inconsistent with those democratic values. However, Dare, in a detailed statement shared on Saturday via 𝕏, said ADC was suffering from “internal disarray”. The statement was titled ‘WHAT’S THAT NOISE! Response to Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje and the ADC Fo...

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Muttaqha Darma as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development after his Senate clearance. Darma from Katsina State replaced Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently resigned. This is contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday. The president congratulated Dr Darma for coming on board at this very challenging time of national development. “You have a very rich and interesting background. As a leader, we need competent hands like yours. “There is no doubt that you have rendered valuable services in all the assignments you have embarked upon; You are a fitting peg in the right position,” he said. The President urged the new Minister to be ready to serve in any capacity in which he is called upon. It was reported that Darma is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, administrator, and development expert who holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Liv...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc,  Tunde Ayeni , over an alleged multi-billion naira fraud. The businessman is alleged to be at the centre of an investigation of the alleged diversion and misappropriation of funds estimated at ₦36.5 billion and $30 million, said to have been obtained from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to him. According to The Cable, Ayeni was picked up in Abuja on Thursday and is currently in EFCC custody as investigations continue. Details Later…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has granted an immediate waiver of fees for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Nigerian Law School, Abuja campus. Speaking during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja, Wike also declared an emergency on the construction of staff quarters and other critical infrastructure to enhance the institution’s learning environment. Wike expressed surprise that the institution had operated without a C of O since moving to Bwari. “The lack of official documentation for government institutions is a trend that this administration is actively correcting.” Wike directed the Director of Lands to waive all processing fees for the school’s C of O, and issued a firm directive to ensure the document is processed and ready within one week. He noted that regularising the land is essential to move the school from what he colloquially termed an “illegal session” to rightful ownership. Beyond land matters, the Minister committed ...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sought the Senate’s approval for a $516.3 million loan to fund part of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway project. It was reported that the request was conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Thursday’s plenary. The President said the project is a 1,000-kilometre flagship highway designed to link Nigeria’s North-West to the South-West. According to the proposal, the highway will run from Illela in Sokoto State through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun, terminating in Badagry, Lagos State. The loan will specifically fund Sections 1, Phase 1a and 1b, covering 120 kilometres of the total corridor. Tinubu explained that the funding arrangement involves a syndicated loan from Deutsche Bank AG, backed by a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit. He added that the Federal Government would provide counterpart funding of over ₦265.5 billion for land a...