General news

• Manufacturers cry out as Senate bill seeks 1,200% hike in SSB excise duty

  08-12-2025 18:20 via vanguardngr.com
  By Emma NnadozieFresh controversy has erupted over a proposed amendment to the Customs and Excise Tariff (Consolidation) Act that seeks to increase the excise duty on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) from the current ₦10 per litre to as high as ₦130 per litre—an effective hike of over 1,200 per cent.The bill, sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, aims to replace the existing volumetric tax system with a percentage-based regime tied to retail prices. While public health ad
  
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• Oil Blocks: FG limits bidders to two blocks

  10-12-2025 06:36 via vanguardngr.com
  By Udeme Akpan, Energy EditorThe Federal Government has limited bidders of its 50 oil blocks located in the onshore, shallow water, and deep offshore areas to a maximum of two blocks.This limit  and other guidelines would be discussed during the Bid Conference and Roadshow in January 2026 to enable local and foreign investors to understand more and participate.In its guidelines sighted by Vanguard, the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, stated: “Notwithstanding
  
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• NNPC E&P oil output hits 355,000 bpd

  10-12-2025 06:26 via vanguardngr.com
  By Obas Esiedesa, AbujaNNPC Limited on yesterday  disclosed that oil production by its upstream subsidiary, NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL), has reached 355,000 barrels per day. The company in a statement by Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh said the milestone was achieved on December 1, 2025, representing its highest daily output since 1989. Odey noted that the output marked a significant step forward for Nigeria’s upstream sector and reflects the company&
  
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• CBN revamps agric guarantee scheme, targets smallholder farmers 

  10-12-2025 06:22 via vanguardngr.com
  By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has launched a major overhaul of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF), unveiling a new strategic direction aimed at expanding credit access to smallholder farmers and accelerating national food security efforts.Speaking in Abuja at the inauguration of the reconstituted ACGSF Board, CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, described the revamp as “a new dawn” for agricultural financing.
  
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• Lagos vows to remove buildings under high-tension power lines

  10-12-2025 03:13 via vanguardngr.com
  Lagos State Government has restated its determination to remove all buildings and structures erected beneath high-tension power lines across the state, warning that such encroachments pose severe safety risks to residents.Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Electronic Geographic Information System, EGIS, and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, gave the warning during an assessment tour of the Third Mainland Bridge corridor.Babatunde was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mi
  
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• Wanted terrorist/kidnapping kingpin, Kalamu, confirmed killed in Sokoto

  10-12-2025 03:01 via vanguardngr.com
  By: Kingsley OmonobiMilitary sources, yesterday, confirmed that one of the wanted, and notorious terrorist kingpin, ‘Kalamu,’ was among the terrorists neutralised during the ambush operation conducted by Special Forces of 8 Division in Sokoto State on Monday.Consequently, the villagers of several communities in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, who have suffered kidnapping for ransom and attacks, trooped out to the streets jubilating the successful operation of the
  
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• Police arrest suspected kidnapper while attempting to withdraw N1m ransom at PoS

  10-12-2025 02:56 via vanguardngr.com
  By Dayo JohnsonAkure —Police detectives in Ondo State have a arrested a suspected kidnapper, Godspower Cletus, while attempting to withdraw N1 million ransom collected from the husband of his victim.Vanguard gathered that the suspect stormed the residence of Mrs. Farimoyo Endurance of Odudu community, Akure, where he allegedly robbed her of her Android phone and ATM card while armed with a gun.A police source said during the incident, the suspect threatened the victim and compelled her to
  
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• Edo varsity student dies in auto crash while celebrating graduation

  10-12-2025 02:54 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ozioruva AliuBENIN CITY – A student of the Edo State-owned Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, has reportedly died in an auto crash while celebrating the completion of his final examinations.The incident which also involved a motorcade reportedly happened around Ujoelen Junction on the Ekpoma–Auchi Expressway.The student’s identity was yet to be confirmed at press time, though the incident happened on Monday as he was part of a motorcade of fresh graduates, who took to th
  
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• Forex fraud: 2 get 10-year jail in A’Ibom

  10-12-2025 02:51 via vanguardngr.com
  By Egufe YafugborhiUYO — AN Akwa Ibom State High Court in Uyo has sentenced two men, Chukwudi Onwuka and Eze Chinedu, to 10 years imprisonment for defrauding Mr. Tochi Obiano, a businessman of N67.51million.In its judgment, on a case of failed forex transaction in 2017, Justice Archibong Archibong held that the prosecution proved all six counts bothering on obtaining by false pretence, stealing, and aiding and abetting beyond reasonable doubt.Harping on Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fra
  
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• State Police, death penalty for kidnappers’ll address insecurity — South West leaders

  10-12-2025 02:37 via vanguardngr.com
  …Back ban on open grazing in YorubalandBy Shina AbubakarLAGOS — LEADERS in the South-West under the aegis of South-West Security Stakeholders Summit have thrown their weight behind the call for State Police and death penalty for kidnappers as a way of addressing the multifaceted security challenges in the country.These were key resolutions from the summit, which was themed ‘Towards A United Front Against Insecurity in Yorubaland’, held at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in
  
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• Fake ‘fertility specialist’ arrested in Ogun for alleged sale of unapproved drugs

  10-12-2025 02:30 via vanguardngr.com
  By James OgunnaikeAbeokuta—The Ogun State Police Command has arrested one Williams Adetunji, alleged to be a fake fertility specialist, for the production and sale of unauthorised medical products in Abeokuta, the state capital.Police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, who confirmed the arrest, stated that several complainants had already come forward to identify the suspect.“He is in our custody. Investigation has commenced, and complainants have been coming to identify him as the per
  
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• Naira depreciates to N1,485/$ in parallel market

  10-12-2025 02:26 via vanguardngr.com
  By Elizabeth AdegbesanTHE Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,485 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,475 per dollar on Monday.However, the naira was stable at N1,454 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed.As a result, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate widened to N31 per dollar from N21 per dollar on Monday.
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• A banner without stain: Justice, accountability, development  

  10-12-2025 02:12 via vanguardngr.com
  By Chidi Odinkalu This conference meets in a difficult moment for a country with a troubling balance sheet. On the credit side, civilian government under the guise of electoral legitimacy is now in its 26th year, the longest unbroken stretch in Nigeria’s history. It is a stretch long enough to inspire genuine questions from the people about the rewards it has offered to any demographic on a national scale in the country other than the politicians. Alive to the fact of their
  
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• CSOs fault hasty NASS approval of Tinubu’s request to send troops to Benin Republic

  10-12-2025 02:06 via vanguardngr.com
  By Gabriel EwepuSome civil society groups have faulted the hasty way and manner the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian soldiers to Benin Republic, which recently experienced a military coup.The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, in its reaction to the development, described it as a sign of collapsed foreign policy.Speaking with Vanguard, Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, said: “We have a collapse of foreign policy
  
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• Senate approves Tinubu’s request to deploy troops in Benin

  10-12-2025 02:03 via vanguardngr.com
  …ECOWAS declares state of emergency in West Africa over poor governance
  …Flags Nigeria, others as highest in displaced populationBy Henry Umoru, Nkiruka Nnorom & Favour UleborABUJA—The Senate has given President Bola Tinubu approval to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of efforts to help restore calm and stability after last weekend’s attempted military takeover.The endorsement was announced yesterday by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, a
  
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• Millions of out-of-school children, a national emergency — Shettima

  10-12-2025 01:54 via vanguardngr.com
  By Henry UmoruABUJA- VICE President Kashim Shettima yesterday raised alarm that the millions of out-of-school children in the country have become a national emergency.According to him, it has become imperative for all hands to be on deck by the federal, state, local governments and all critical stakeholders in order to address the problem.Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Education Forum, NEF, organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Educati
  
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• Politics of Gov Otti’s Ngwa identity, by Ochereome Nnanna

  10-12-2025 01:52 via vanguardngr.com
  It is so irritating that some mischievous elements in the deservedly dying Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the Ngwa axis in Abia State have continued to tease the Governor of the State, Dr Alex C. Otti (CON) with the issue of whether or not he is a full-blooded Ngwa person. I saw a recent Facebook post on this issue, with the picture of an unnamed political yokel used to illustrate it. The identity profiler was quoted as threatening to publish a video where Otti allegedly denied his Ng
  
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• Who gave the order?

  10-12-2025 01:41 via vanguardngr.com
  Immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, was in the Senate on Wednesday December 3, 2025 for his screening as President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Defence Minister. Why is an officer removed as CDS just about a month ago suddenly found worthy to be Defence Minister? What changed?At the screening exercise, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, really came out of himself. He strongly opposed suggestions by some of his colleagues that Musa should just be allo
  
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• Airspace Violations: Nigeria, Sahel states differ over detained aircraft, soldiers

  10-12-2025 01:41 via vanguardngr.com
  By Kingsley Omonobi & Favour UleborBobo Dioulasso—Conflicting accounts yesterday trailed the detention of a Nigerian Air Force, NAF, C-130 plane and 11 soldiers onboard in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.The Hercules aircraft and its occupants were detained by the Burkinabe government on Monday, with the crew, having been accused of entering the country’s airspace without clearance.While NAF claimed its crew landed the aircraft in Burkina Faso due to technical concerns, Burkina Fas
  
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• A coup and its aftermath, by Rotimi Fasan

  10-12-2025 01:34 via vanguardngr.com
  Less than two weeks after the self-orchestrated coup that led to the ouster of then incumbent president of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Embalo, another coup was staged in Benin Republic of President Patrice Talon. It would have been the latest successful coup in the West African sub-region since Mali opened the door that is fast leading African countries, particularly the former French-speaking colonies, down the abandoned route that leads to the khaki-wearing usurpers that postured as the peoples&rsqu
  
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• Edo Youth Parliament Speaker resigns, alleges abandonment of youth activities, funding

  10-12-2025 01:04 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ozioruva AliuBENIN CITY – THE Speaker of the Edo State Youth Parliament, Prince Fawaz Muhammed, has resigned his position and membership of the parliament, citing abandonment of youth-oriented programmes and non-funding of the parliament.In a letter addressed to the Clerk of the parliament, Muhammed said they have been self-funding the parliament and that most of the programmes that relate to youths were being abandoned while praise singers are the people getting attention, a developme
  
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• Adamawa communal clash: Army, community, disagree over killing of women

  10-12-2025 00:58 via vanguardngr.com
  •Militia killed 2 protesting women — ArmyBy Kingsley Omonobi & Umar YusufThe Nigerian Army 23 Brigade, and the people of Bachamas community in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State, have disagreed over the killing of protesting women in Lamurde, during which some others were injured.While the army denied being responsible for the killings, locals alleged that the protesters were shot by the soldiers drafted to the area to maintain peace and order.Recall that there have b
  
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• France Beyond Politics: The Civilisation that Continues to Shape the World, by Usman Sarki

  10-12-2025 00:52 via vanguardngr.com
  “A nation is great not by its size alone, but by the justice it upholds and the ideals it serves”— Jean JuaresThere is a tendency in contemporary African discourse to reduce France to a set of political quarrels, historical grievances, and present-day misalignments. In the heated rhetoric of the Sahel, France is spoken of only as a fading power, a resented former colonial authority, or a scapegoat for domestic failures. This framing, while emotionally potent and simplisti
  
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• The resurgence of military coups in Africa and why democracy is failing 

  10-12-2025 00:41 via vanguardngr.com
  By ERNEST OSOGBUEThe recent coup de’tat in Guinea Bissau should begin to get all lovers of good governance in Africa worried about the fate of democracy on the continent. It has now become the vogue in recent years for impatient military officers to turn their guns against democratically elected governments. These officers, who pretend to be messiahs, hide their ambitions behind their rifles in a bid to show their superiority in statecraft, of which knowledge they lack in reality.Whi
  
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• Telecoms:  We are all underserved, dear Minister, by Okoh Aihe

  10-12-2025 00:16 via vanguardngr.com
  I am obviously excited that the Nigerian government is going to build 4,000 telecom towers in order to boost the capacity of the nation’s telecommunications backbone. A happy Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, informed, last week, that it was one of the decisions taken at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting. Good reasons, he adduced for such a landmark decision. It will help to take service to the underserved people in the underserved areas
  
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• The Need for National Political Reform Conference (11), by Afe Babalola

  10-12-2025 00:09 via vanguardngr.com
  Continued from last weekEconomic ReformsAs part of the ongoing exercise, there is urgent need for economic reforms. Regrettably, Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world.Having regard to the natural resources, including minerals, grassland, savannah, tropical and rain forest region, we should be one of the richest countries in the world. There is urgent need to develop agriculture, minerals of all types, including oil, bitumen, gas, iron, coal, gold, columbite, etc.Government s
  
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• Allow political pluralism if you want to stop coups — Falana tells FG

  09-12-2025 23:32 via vanguardngr.com
  Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has urged the Federal Government to expand political freedoms and open up the democratic space if it intends to prevent coups and promote stability in Nigeria and West Africa.Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Falana said Nigeria must confront the underlying social and political conditions that fuel instability.“If we want to have political stability in Nigeria, you must address the cris
  
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• NAFDAC raises alarm over incessant importation of unregistered edible oil

  09-12-2025 23:15 via vanguardngr.com
  By Chioma ObinnaThe National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has issued a public alert over the rising importation and circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils across the country, warning that the trend poses a serious risk to public health.In a press statement published on its X handle – @NafdacAgency, the agency said the alert followed a formal complaint from Lebruni Agro Limited, a duly registered Nigerian manufacturer of premium-quality edib
  
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• 2026: Osun APC elects 1,660 ward delegates for guber primary

  09-12-2025 23:11 via vanguardngr.com
  By Shina AbubakarAs the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State prepares for its governorship primary on Saturday, the party on Tuesday elected one thousand six hundred and sixty (1,660) delegates for the exercise.Announcing the outcome at the party secretariat in Osogbo after the exercise held across the 332 wards, the Chairman of the Osun State Gubernatorial Congress Delegate Committee, Engr. Shehu Dange confirmed that five delegates were elected in each of the state’s 332 wards.H
  
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• Why I decided not to celebrate my birthday -Akpabio

  09-12-2025 23:06 via vanguardngr.com
  By Henry UmoruThe President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed that he decided against an elaborate celebration of his birthday due to the nation’s mood.According to Akpabio, there was no elaborate celebration of the occasion except the cutting of the birthday cake presented to him by the Staff and Aides in the Office of the Senate President.Akpabio, who clocked 63 yesterday, was presented with a cake  in his office after the Senate Plenary, with some Senators in
  
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