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Opposition tags Tinubu’s N47.9tn budget unrealistic

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The Coalition of United Political Parties, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have criticised President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget of N47.9tn, expressing doubts about its feasibility and potential to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

President Tinubu presented the budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, emphasising its focus on economic recovery and development.

However, opposition parties have flagged various concerns.

The CUPP National Secretary, Peter Ahmeh, highlighted instances of budget duplication and mismanagement, claiming that previous APC-led budgets had not translated into meaningful development.

“Every year, the budget increases, but so does poverty. Resources are being mismanaged, roads are deteriorating, and government expenses are skyrocketing. Without proper reviews and effective implementation, this budget will yield little to no development,” Ahmeh stated.

He also questioned the impact of previous budgets, citing unfulfilled promises and increasing hardships for Nigerians.

The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, described the budget’s inflation and exchange rate targets as overly optimistic.

Headline inflation in November 2024 was 34.6%, yet the budget sets a target of 15%. To achieve this, inflation would need to drop by 1.63% per month, which seems unrealistic without clear strategies.

Food inflation, driven by insecurity in food-producing areas, accounts for half of the headline inflation, and there’s no significant plan for mechanised farming,” Johnson said

Johnson also questioned the exchange rate projection, which targets a reduction from N1,650 to N1,500 per dollar, and raised concerns about persistent oil theft undermining production targets.

Similarly, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticised the budget for its reliance on borrowing and accused the administration of failing to address fundamental economic challenges.

“This budget is filled with rhetoric and unrealistic projections. The government claims to save money while constantly seeking loans. Corruption within the administration undermines any chance of success,” Osadolor said.

He emphasised the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, citing skyrocketing food prices, a declining foreign exchange rate, and a stagnant industrial sector.

“A bag of rice now costs more than the minimum wage of most Nigerians. The National Assembly must prioritise strategies to grow the economy instead of relying on endless borrowing,” he said.

Across the board, the opposition raised questions about the sustainability of the budget and its potential impact on Nigeria’s growing debt burden.

They called on the government to adopt more transparent, realistic, and actionable policies to tackle inflation, enhance food security, and address the structural weaknesses in the economy.

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Putin Hails Trump On Inauguration As US President For Second Time, Says Russia Willing To End War

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Russia President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump as he is being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.

Putin on Monday, 20th of January 2025 revealed he was open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on Ukraine and nuclear arms. He also indicated that Moscow was ready to discuss nuclear arms control and wider security issues.

In a video broadcast, Putin noted that he was interested in a long-lasting peace in Ukraine rather than a short-term ceasefire with the country.

He made the comments during the Russia’s Security Council meeting that was shown on state TV. According to him, “We see the statements by the newly elected president of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia,” said Putin.

“We also hear his statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War Three. We of course welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on taking office. “As for the resolution of the situation (in Ukraine) itself, I would like to emphasise that the goal should not be a brief ceasefire, not some kind of period of respite that would allow a regrouping and rearmament of forces, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people and all peoples who live in the region.”

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Court remands suspect over alleged assassination attempt on Lokpobiri

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Yenagoa—A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ordered the remand of a 35-year-old man, Susaine Morgan, over an alleged assassination attempt on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on new year day.

The suspect is also facing charges of unlawful possession of two assault rifles (AK-47).
He was reportedly apprehended at the minister’s residence in Ekeremor town, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The remand warrant, issued by the state Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, and filed by Police Prosecutor, Stella Jerry-Friday, was approved to allow the suspect’s detention for 30 days at Okaka prison.

This is to enable the investigating team of the police to track and arrest six others now at large.
The charge sheet read: “The defendant was arrested on January 1, 2025, at Senator Lokpobiri’s residence for conspiring with others to commit armed robbery, attempted kidnapping, and for being in possession of two AK-47 rifles.”

The police prosecutor explained that the request for suspect remand was necessary due to the limited power of the police to detain the suspect without a court order.

“The suspect’s detention will prevent interference with the ongoing investigation, especially as six other suspects remain at large,” a police source said.

According to security report, seven of the suspects gained access into the residence of the minister by mingling with the crowd of visitors who came to pay homage.

But information got to the military personnel stationed at the residence of the presence of armed persons among the visitors.

“Due to the large crowd, the soldiers could not open fire but ordered everyone to lie down. It was only the arrested suspect, who was with the bag conveying the weapon, that got arrested. Others mingled with the crowd and escaped,” the source stated.

The other suspects reportedly fired shots as they fled the community, attacked a filling station and carted away N400,000.

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42 Executive Orders By Trump On the First Day

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Here is the list of all 42 Executive Orders, Memoranda, and Proclamations Signed by President Donald Trump

1.Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border

2.Designating Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

3.Reinstating the ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy
4.Ending Birthright Citizenship for Children of Illegal Immigrants

5.Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism

6.Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs in Federal Agencies

7.Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement

8.Declaring a National Energy Emergency

9.Reversing Electric Vehicle Mandates

10.Implementing ‘Schedule F’ for Federal Employees

11.Relocating U.S. Space Command Headquarters to Alabama

12.Pardoning Individuals Convicted in Relation to January 6 Events

13.Halting Federal Funding for Abortion Services

14.Suspending Security Clearances for Officials Linked to Hunter Biden Scandal

15.Establishing a Federal Bitcoin Reserve

16.Releasing Classified Documents on JFK, RFK, and MLK Assassinations

17.Reversing AI Regulation Policies

18.Imposing Tariffs on Imports from China, Mexico, and Canada

19.Reinstating the Ban on Transgender Military Service

20.Prohibiting Transgender Women from Participating in Women’s Sports

21.Halting Government Offshore Wind Leases

22.Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America

23.Reverting Mount Denali to Mount McKinley

24.Freezing Federal Workforce Hiring

25.Easing Regulations on Oil and Gas Production

26.Pausing Congress’ TikTok Ban to Seek a U.S. Buyer

27.Reversing Biden-Era Immigration Policies

28.Pulling Out of the World Health
organisations

29.Eliminating Federal Funding for DEI Programs

30.Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

31.Reinstating the ‘Muslim Ban

32.Ending Birthright Citizenship

33.Reforming the Criminal Justice System

34.Banning Critical Race Theory in Federal Agencies

35.Demanding Increased NATO Contributions

36.Confronting China on Trade Practices

37.Ending the War in Ukraine

38.Supporting Law Enforcement

39.Promoting School Choice

40.Restricting Refugee Admissions

41.Increasing Federal Focus on Fentanyl Trafficking

42.Launching a National Infrastructure Plan.

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