News
Reps approve $347m loan for Lagos-Calabar highway, others
The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to the National Assembly, seeking approval to borrow $347m under the 2025–2026 borrowing plan.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, read the President’s correspondence on the floor of the Green Chamber during Wednesday’s plenary.
According to the President, the loan is necessary due to a rise in the funding needs for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, whose cost increased by $47m, from $700m to $747m.
Justifying the loan request, the President said that when the borrowing plan was transmitted to the parliament, the lead arranger for financing only had financing commitments of up $700m from lenders, stressing that the shortfall in the financing was covered by export credit agencies.
“It is, therefore, necessary to increase the value of the financing for the project by $47m to ensure it aligns with the loan size agreed in the finance documents for the project,” the President said in the letter.
He noted that $300m is needed for the Nigerian universal communications access project, a landmark telecommunications initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide through the deployment of 7,000 telecommunications towers across hard-to-reach rural dwellings.
Recall that in May, Tinubu sought the approval of the parliament to approve the 2025-2026 borrowing plan of $21.54bn, €2.19bn and ¥15bn, in addition to a €65m grant.
With the extra $47m for the Lagos-Calabar road project and $300 million for the universal communication access project, the initial $21.54bn has witnessed a marginal increase to $21.89bn.
On Wednesday, the House adopted the report presented by the Nasarawa lawmaker, Abubakar Nalaraba, who chairs the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management.
The lawmaker noted that despite increased borrowing, Nigeria’s debt portfolio “remains sustainable.”
He said, “At over N145tn, the debt-to-GDP ratio of about 50 per cent is within the international threshold (56 per cent).
“The current administration has succeeded in reducing the high debt service to revenue ratio from over 90 per cent to less than 70 per cent.
“The Federal Government’s capacity to service the new debt is bolstered by the anticipated revenue gains from the Nigerian Tax Act 2025, projected to grow by over 18 per cent year-on-year starting from 2026.”
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who took over the plenary after the Speaker had left midway into the session, then approved the request.
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A senior police officer attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected a bribe of N800,000 offered in an attempt to secure the release of a suspected armed robber and cover up the crime.
The spokesperson of the command, Timfon John, in a statement said the incident occurred on Wednesday, 30th July, 2025.
According to her, the prime suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung smartphone, reportedly stolen at gunpoint, was traced to him.
Investigations revealed that Isaac is a repeat offender, having previously been arrested and charged to court for a similar offence last year. He reportedly returned to criminal activity shortly after being released.
The second suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter, was apprehended at the SWAT office while attempting to offer the N800,000 bribe to secure Isaac’s release.
“A police officer in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, CSP Ebong Thompson, rejected N800,000 bribe offered to him on Wednesday, July 30, 2025,” the statement read.
“The money was intended to secure the release of an armed robbery suspect and also cover up the crime. The suspect, 53-year-old David Samuel Isaac, was arrested after a Samsung phone that was gotten at gun point was traced to him.
“Isaac has a history of similar offences as he was arrested and charged to court for similar crimes sometime last year but returned to criminal activities after his release.
“The other suspect, Emmanuel Mendie Peter was arrested after he brought the bribe to the SWAT office to secure the release of the main suspect. He was taken into custody after the offer was rejected.
“All officers concerned with this discreet investigation received a commendation letter from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare.
“The CP, while addressing officers at the end of the month briefing, charged them to emulate the Distinguished officers.
“Members of the public are therefore warned to desist from compromising police investigation.”
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President Bola Tinubu has called on young Nigerians active in the digital media space to harness their platforms as instruments of national unity.
Speaking at the opening of the Progressives Digital Media Summit, themed ‘Unveiling the Critical Role of New Media in National Development,’ the President emphasised the importance of verifying information before amplifying it.
He urged the youth to serve as positive catalysts for societal development by building businesses that create employment and producing content that reflects unifying values.
“I urge you to continue using digital platforms to advance our nation’s progress. Build businesses that employ others. Create content that uplifts and unites. Use your influence to foster unity, not division.
Your generation has recognised this moment. You are using digital tools to innovate, educate, and demand accountability. But as your influence grows, so must our collective sense of purpose and responsibility” President Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga
The President commended the creativity and resilience of Nigeria’s youth, describing digital media as a driving force of economic and social transformation, rather than a mere accessory to life.
‘’From developing innovative platforms to building vibrant online communities, you are demonstrating the determination that is redefining what is possible for this country.
You are not waiting for the future; you are building it. Digital media is now a central driver of economic growth, civic engagement, and social change. It broadens representation for those previously unheard.”
The President, however, said his administration is committed to supporting digital innovation through the National Digital Innovation Fund and policies that promote a thriving startup ecosystem.
He also warned practitioners to remain vigilant against disinformation and cyber threats.
The summit convener, Segun Dada, said that in less than a decade, digital media had evolved from a tool of personal connection into a powerful engine for communication, innovation, and influence.
Dada, who is also the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, stressed the importance of harnessing this force for Nigeria’s good while managing inherent risks such as privacy concerns and threats to social cohesion.
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A grieving mother has opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her newborn baby due to complications worsened by her church’s strict doctrine against medical care.
In a now-viral narration, the lady explained that she was born into a church that forbids the use of medicine, medical intervention, or even routine hospital visits. Growing up under this belief, she never questioned it—until she got pregnant.
She shared that she refused antenatal care, took no multivitamins, and avoided the hospital completely because of her church’s teachings. But in her third trimester, she began to feel weak and sick.
Eventually, she defied her family and visited a doctor secretly, only to be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication that required urgent hospitalization. When she informed her husband, he was furious she had gone against the church’s teachings. Her family and in-laws backed him, urging her to “have faith.”
Things took a turn for the worse when she fell unconscious one night. She was rushed to the hospital where doctors insisted on emergency surgery (C-section) due to her dangerously high blood pressure. Her husband initially refused medication but eventually allowed the procedure—though not without blame.
Tragically, her baby was born with multiple complications and had to be placed in NICU. After one month, the baby passed away.
Now, she says her husband and his family blame her for the loss, claiming it was due to her “lack of faith.” She, on the other hand, is questioning everything she was raised to believe and says she’s done with the church that cost her child’s life.
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