MORNING NEWS
THE HEADLINES
FG approves pay rise for civil servants
Tinubu inaugurates new housing minister
Trump's envoys Witkoff and Kushner to fly to Pakistan for Iran talks
NSC announces UK trials for diaspora athletes
THE DETAILS
The Federal Government has approved a major package of salary-related reforms for civil servants, including an increase in peculiar allowances, upward review of key benefits, and a new retirement exit scheme aimed at improving welfare across the public service.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on recent decisions of the Federal Executive Council.
She said the reforms cut across officers on the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, noting that the adjustments would have a widespread impact across cadres.
She also announced an upward review of several allowances, including duty tour allowance, estacode, and book allowance, describing the move as a comprehensive overhaul of existing welfare provisions.
President Bola Tinubu has administered the oath of office to Dr Muttaqha Darma as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
The swearing in ceremony held at the President’s Conference Room in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Darma, a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday following a screening exercise conducted on the floor of the chamber, a day after Tinubu forwarded his nomination in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
During his screening, Darma pledged to work closely with the National Assembly to address the country’s housing deficit, noting that more than 100 million Nigerians are affected by inadequate housing.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, adjourned further hearing in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, till May 6 and 7, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination of the 12th prosecution witness, Abdullahi Jamilu.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to a total of N80.2bn, as alleged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The adjournment comes a day after the court dismissed the defence’s objection to the prosecution’s move to re-present Exhibit 46, the witness’s earlier statement to the EFCC, describing the objection as speculative and misconstrued.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that candidates of the All Progressives Congress for upcoming elections will be selected based on merit and loyalty to the party.
The governor spoke on Friday at the APC Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting held at the Akure Township Hall.
He said political activities in the state had already gathered momentum, noting that the party’s electoral process would begin with the collection of expressions of interest and nomination forms, followed by screening and appeals where necessary.
Aiyedatiwa also warned aspirants against desperation and “do-or-die” politics ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled for next month.
He further urged aspirants to remain calm and respect party decisions, adding that discipline and unity remained essential to the progress of the APC.
Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on Saturday morning, the White House has said.
The Iranians want to talk," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that US Vice-President JD Vance was "on standby" to travel if the talks proved success
FG approves pay rise for civil servants
Tinubu inaugurates new housing minister
Trump's envoys Witkoff and Kushner to fly to Pakistan for Iran talks
NSC announces UK trials for diaspora athletes
THE DETAILS
The Federal Government has approved a major package of salary-related reforms for civil servants, including an increase in peculiar allowances, upward review of key benefits, and a new retirement exit scheme aimed at improving welfare across the public service.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on recent decisions of the Federal Executive Council.
She said the reforms cut across officers on the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, noting that the adjustments would have a widespread impact across cadres.
She also announced an upward review of several allowances, including duty tour allowance, estacode, and book allowance, describing the move as a comprehensive overhaul of existing welfare provisions.
President Bola Tinubu has administered the oath of office to Dr Muttaqha Darma as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
The swearing in ceremony held at the President’s Conference Room in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Darma, a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday following a screening exercise conducted on the floor of the chamber, a day after Tinubu forwarded his nomination in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
During his screening, Darma pledged to work closely with the National Assembly to address the country’s housing deficit, noting that more than 100 million Nigerians are affected by inadequate housing.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, adjourned further hearing in the alleged money laundering trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, till May 6 and 7, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination of the 12th prosecution witness, Abdullahi Jamilu.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to a total of N80.2bn, as alleged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The adjournment comes a day after the court dismissed the defence’s objection to the prosecution’s move to re-present Exhibit 46, the witness’s earlier statement to the EFCC, describing the objection as speculative and misconstrued.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that candidates of the All Progressives Congress for upcoming elections will be selected based on merit and loyalty to the party.
The governor spoke on Friday at the APC Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting held at the Akure Township Hall.
He said political activities in the state had already gathered momentum, noting that the party’s electoral process would begin with the collection of expressions of interest and nomination forms, followed by screening and appeals where necessary.
Aiyedatiwa also warned aspirants against desperation and “do-or-die” politics ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled for next month.
He further urged aspirants to remain calm and respect party decisions, adding that discipline and unity remained essential to the progress of the APC.
Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on Saturday morning, the White House has said.
The Iranians want to talk," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that US Vice-President JD Vance was "on standby" to travel if the talks proved success