News
Buhari to Biden: We look forward to working with you
- Biden calls Nigerian girl, her father who contributed to his victory
- US President signs 17 executive orders
President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States of America on Wednesday.
President Buhari, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, expressed hope that their tenure would engender more cooperation and support for Nigeria as well as the African continent.
“We look forward to the Biden presidency with great hope and optimism for strengthening of existing cordial relationships, working together to tackle global terrorism, climate change, poverty and improvement of economic ties and expansion of trade,” the President said.
Buhari congratulated the new leaders and the entire country on the successful transition, noting that it marked an important historical inflection point for democracy as a system of government and for the global community as a whole.
“We hope that this will be an era of great positivity between our two nations, as we jointly address issues of mutual interest,” the President added.
The statement said President Buhari and all Nigerians rejoiced with President Biden, sharing the proud feeling that the first woman elected Vice President of the United States has an African and Asian ancestry.
Biden praises Nigerian girl, her father
Meanwhile, it will be a memorable day for a Nigerian girl named Josephine who contributed towards Biden’s victory as she received a call from the new president and she and her family are so happy.
The Oyo State girl answered the call from Biden who showered her with praises for her smartness, leaving her proud dad all smile.
Biden targets Trump, signs 17 executive orders
President Biden began signing of 17 executive orders just hours after his inauguration on Wednesday, moving faster and more aggressively to dismantle his predecessor’s legacies than any other modern president.
“There’s no time to start like today,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office as he began signing a stack of orders and memoranda. “I’m going to start by keeping the promises I made to the American people.”
With the stroke of a pen, Biden has halted funding for the construction of Trump’s border wall, reversed his travel ban targeting largely Muslim countries and embraced progressive policies on the environment and diversity that Trump spent four years blocking.
Biden also reversed several of Trump’s attempts to withdraw from international agreements, beginning the process of rejoining the Paris climate accord and halting the United States’ departure from the World Health Organization — where Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, will lead the US delegation.
His first action was to impose a mask mandate on federal property, a break in approach to dealing with the pandemic from Trump, who repeatedly downplayed the virus. Biden also installed a coronavirus response coordinator to oversee the White House’s efforts to distribute vaccines and medical supplies.
Press secretary Jen Psaki and other top Biden officials had told reporters on the eve of his inauguration that the first-day actions are only part of what will be a series of moves to undo Trump policies and implement Biden’s campaign promises in his first weeks in office.
He plans to follow Inauguration Day by centering each day of January on a specific theme, according to a draft of a calendar document sent to administration allies and viewed by CNN.
Thursday, Biden’s first full day in office, will be focused on the coronavirus pandemic, and Friday will highlight Biden’s push for economic relief — including executive orders restoring federal employees’ collective bargaining rights and directing agency action on safety net programs, including Medicaid and unemployment insurance.
The themes next week will be “Buy American,” with a Monday executive order beefing up requirements for government purchases of goods and services from US companies; equity on Tuesday, coupled with a push to eliminate private prisons; climate on Wednesday with an executive order kicking off regulatory actions reestablishing the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and combating climate change; health care on Thursday, a day on which Biden will rescind the so-called Mexico City Policy blocking federal funding for non-governmental organizations that provide abortion services; and immigration on Friday, when Biden plans to sign executive orders focused on border processing and refugee policies and establish a family reunification task force.
February will focus on what’s identified in the calendar document as “restoring America’s place in the world.”
-CNN
News
Tinubu Nominates Ismail Abba Yusuf as NAHCON Chairman, Seeks Senate Confirmation
Tinubu Nominates Ismail Abba Yusuf as NAHCON Chairman, Seeks Senate Confirmation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The nomination was formally conveyed in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday, in line with Section 3(2) of the NAHCON Act, 2006, which mandates Senate approval before the appointment can take effect. The President urged lawmakers to expedite the confirmation process to ensure stability and continuity at the commission, especially as preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise gather momentum.
The development follows the resignation of Professor Abdullahi Usman, who stepped down earlier this week after about 14 months in office as NAHCON Chairman. Although official details surrounding his resignation were not fully disclosed, his tenure was marked by efforts to reposition the commission and enhance coordination of Hajj operations for Nigerian pilgrims.
READ ALSO:
- Starvation Cult Preacher Faces Expanded Murder, Terrorism Charges in Kenya
- Lagos Allocates 180 Shops to Displaced Alabarago Market Traders
- Cubana Chief Priest Vows to Oppose Peter Obi in 2027 Presidential Race
His exit comes at a sensitive period when logistical planning, airlift arrangements, accommodation coordination, and pilgrim welfare services for the upcoming Hajj are intensifying. Stakeholders in the Hajj industry have emphasized the importance of swift leadership confirmation to avoid disruptions in preparations.
Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf is a seasoned Nigerian career diplomat who served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. During his diplomatic assignment, he played key roles in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
If confirmed by the Senate, Yusuf will assume responsibility for overseeing Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah operations, including the welfare and coordination of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims traveling annually to Saudi Arabia. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is the statutory body responsible for organizing, supervising, and regulating Hajj and Umrah activities for Nigerian Muslims, as well as ensuring their welfare in Saudi Arabia.
The Senate is expected to schedule a confirmation hearing where Ambassador Yusuf will be screened by lawmakers. Upon approval, he will formally assume office as NAHCON Chairman, taking charge of preparations for the 2026 Hajj season.
The nomination is seen as part of broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to strengthen key institutions and ensure effective service delivery in religious affairs management.
Tinubu Nominates Ismail Abba Yusuf as NAHCON Chairman, Seeks Senate Confirmation
News
Lagos Allocates 180 Shops to Displaced Alabarago Market Traders
Lagos Allocates 180 Shops to Displaced Alabarago Market Traders
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday officially presented allocation letters to 180 traders affected by the redevelopment of Alabarago Market in Ojo Local Government Area, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to modernize markets and support small businesses. The ceremony took place at the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) office in Ikeja GRA, with Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Renewal, handing over the letters.
Dr. Babatunde explained that former shop occupiers were given first right of refusal and flexible payment options. Beneficiaries can pay 60 percent upfront, with the remaining balance payable over six months, or opt for a 25 percent initial payment if unable to meet the larger installment. He noted that the state collaborated with financial institutions to redevelop the market under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which includes the transformation of 21 markets across Lagos, including Katangwa, Pelewura, Jankara, and Alabarago.
READ ALSO:
- Cubana Chief Priest Vows to Oppose Peter Obi in 2027 Presidential Race
- US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah
- NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement
The redevelopment has converted Alabarago, the largest cattle market in West Africa, into the modern Alaba Transnational Market, featuring 3,000 shops and 1.2 kilometers of newly constructed roads linking the market to main access routes. Ground-floor shops are priced at ₦13 million each, while upper-floor units cost ₦10 million, both subsidized by the government to ease affordability for traders.
Dr. Babatunde commended the collaborative efforts of agencies and partners supporting the project, including LABSCA, the Urban Renewal Agency, United Bank for Africa (UBA), the Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance, and the Accountant-General’s office.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Hussain Lajawa, Chairman of Central Alabarago Market, praised the government for delivering on its promise to develop a market to international standards. He urged the authorities to expedite road construction and access infrastructure to ensure smooth business operations for traders relocating to the new market.
The allocation of shops to displaced traders underscores Lagos State’s commitment to economic empowerment, modern market infrastructure, and business continuity, while cushioning the impact of displacement caused by urban redevelopment projects. The move is expected to revitalize local commerce, particularly in the Ojo area, and strengthen Lagos State’s small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) sector.
Lagos Allocates 180 Shops to Displaced Alabarago Market Traders
News
US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah
US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah
Five United States lawmakers have introduced a bill in the US Congress seeking to impose visa restrictions and asset freezes on former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and other actors over alleged persecution of Christians and severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. It directs the US Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress assessing Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations and the measures taken to protect vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt states.
Under the bill, the US government could impose targeted sanctions, including Global Magnitsky Human Rights sanctions, asset freezes, and visa bans on individuals or entities responsible for religious persecution. It also allows the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs), reflecting growing concern over violence affecting Christian populations.
READ ALSO:
- NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement
- Suspected IED Explosion Rocks Bayelsa Secretariat, Police Arrest Suspect
- Regina Daniels Shares Emotional Message on Children’s Welfare Amid Custody Battle
Lawmakers cited estimates that between 2009 and 2025, between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria, with more than 19,000 churches destroyed. They highlighted recent incidents, including attacks in Yelwata, the Christmas Eve massacres of 2023 and 2024, and Holy Week and Easter attacks of 2024 and 2025, which collectively left thousands dead and displaced over half a million people. According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, Nigeria accounted for 72 percent of Christians killed worldwide.
The bill also calls for the provision of humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Nigerian government, through trusted civil society and faith-based organisations. It encourages collaboration with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, to strengthen religious freedom, peace, and accountability.
Sponsors stressed that the future of US–Nigeria relations would depend on the Nigerian government’s response to these alleged atrocities, asserting that Nigeria could strengthen ties with Washington and play a stabilising role in the Sahel region if it takes concrete steps to protect vulnerable communities and combat religious violence.
The legislation follows prior US actions, including the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under President Donald Trump, aimed at addressing ongoing religious freedom violations and promoting accountability for perpetrators of sectarian violence.
US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Sanction Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: Tinubu Holds Reconciliation Meeting With Wike, Fubara, Rivers Leaders at Aso Rock
-
Business3 days agoBoI Gets CBN Approval to Launch Non‑Interest Banking Window in Nigeria
-
metro2 days agoLeadership Crisis at NAHCON as Chairman Abdullahi Saleh Usman Resigns
-
News2 days agoUS Judge Orders FBI, DEA to Release Tinubu’s Criminal Records, Faults Delays
-
News2 days agoOyo Muslims Reaffirm Loyalty to Sultan on Islamic Matters — Grand Chief Imam
-
International2 days agoUS to Deport 18 More Nigerians on ‘Worst-of-the-Worst’ Criminal List (Full Names)
-
News3 days agoOWN Calls for Immediate Resignation of INEC Chairman
-
Business2 days agoNaira Posts Strong Comeback, Breaking Two‑Year High Against Dollar
You must be logged in to post a comment Login