News

President Buhari Signs 2022 N17.127trn Appropriation Bill Into Law

The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, the 31st of December signed the 2022 appropriation bill totaling NGN17.127 trillion into law at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Present to witness the signing were Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, as well as other members of the Federal Executive Council.

The bill with an aggregate expenditure of N17.127trn is an N735.85 billion increase from the initial Executive Proposal which had a total expenditure of N16.391 trillion. Buhari explained that of the increase, N186.53 billion was due to additional critical expenditures which he had authorized to be included by the Finance minister, Ahmed.

Though the president assented to the bill as presented to him by Senator Babajide Omoworare, his Senior Special Assistant (Senate) on National Assembly, he had some reservations about the bill which he said would be addressed when the National Assembly resumes after the holidays.

The president outlined some of his reservations about the bill to include reduced funding for the Ministry of Transport’s budget for the ongoing Rail Modernisation projects which received NGN 12.6 billion in the appropriation, as well as reduced funding for the Power Sector Reform Programme, and several projects of the Ministry of Agriculture.

He was also displeased about the reduction of the provisions for the Non-Regular Allowances of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Navy by N15 billion and N5 billion respectively.

President Buhari also expressed concerns over increments as well as additions of new provisions in the bill. He criticized the increase in projected Federal Government independent revenue by N400 billion, the increase in the provision for Capital spending (excluding Capital share in Statutory Transfer) by a net amount of N575.63 billion, from N4.89 trillion to N5.47 trillion, among other increments.

The president stated that no explanations were given for some of the changes while reasons given for other changes were unjustifiable. He promised to revert to NASS on these unacceptable changes in order not to stifle the flow of funds to projects critical to his administration.

President Buhari further stated that the full details of the appropriation bill would be made available to the public by his Finance minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed.

News

Senator Natasha confirms Sallah visit to Kogi constituents

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has reaffirmed her commitment to visiting her Kogi Central constituency for the Sallah celebration, dismissing rumors that she had canceled the trip. Her media team released a statement early Tuesday, April 1, confirming that the visit would proceed despite the Kogi State Government’s recent ban on rallies and public gatherings due to security concerns.

“We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central Senatorial District will proceed as planned. Despite rumors circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit,” the statement read.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, encouraged her supporters to join her in celebrating Eid-el-Fitr, emphasising her commitment to engaging with her community.

“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation,” the statement continued.

“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.”
Her insistence on proceeding with the visit comes just hours after the Kogi State Government announced a ban on public gatherings, citing intelligence reports warning of potential security threats.

In a statement on Monday, March 31, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, justified the ban, stating that intelligence reports suggested that some individuals were planning to “stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations” in Kogi Central

The state government also prohibited fishing and other activities after two people were reportedly killed in Kasemiya, Katubo, and Umozu Ette in Kogi West.

Despite these restrictions, Akpoti-Uduaghan assured her constituents that all necessary arrangements had been made for a peaceful and successful celebration and invited the community to join her for the festive occasion.

Entertainment

Bobrisky allegedly arrested by immigration officials upon return to Nigeria

Controversial Nigerian socialite Bobrisky has announced that he was arrested by immigration officials shortly after returning to Nigeria, just five months after leaving the country for his “sanity and health.”
Bobrisky took to Instagram on April 1, 2025, stressing that he was arrested without being told the reason.

Guys I have just been arrested by immigrant in Nigeria, I don’t know what I did o.

The crossdresser has disclosed that this was an April Fools’ prank, and he was not arrested.

Bobrisky’s prank comes months after he publicly disclosed that he had left Nigeria to focus on his well-being. In a previous interview, he shared that constant online backlash and personal struggles had taken a toll on his mental and physical health, prompting him to relocate.

“Yes, I’m here to confirm I’m out of Nigeria temporarily… I need to attend to my sanity and my health. Few Nigeria security agencies try everything to frustrate me but naaa i gat God. Imagine !!! buying business class ticket 3 times. only 1 was successful. @kIm I hope you guys refund me the two i didn’t use. I know is not ur fault but it’s fine,” he wrote in November 2024.

The crossdresser remains outside the country at this time.

Entertainment

Omah Lay announces release date for his second album ‘Clarity of Mind’

Award-winning Afrobeats superstar Omah Lay is finally set to release his keenly awaited sophomore album titled ‘Clarity of Mind’.

The revelation was made via the Instagram handle of label Keyqaad who announced May 16, 2025, as the release date for the album which will be a follow-up to his acclaimed debut ‘Boy Alone’.

Ahead of his next album release, the singer has released the single ‘Holy Ghost’ which was among the most streamed songs on Apple Music Nigeria in 2024.

He also dropped the single ‘Moving’ in 2024 after making guest appearances on songs with rising star and fellow label mate Kaestyle and celebrated musician and DJ Spinall.

Omah Lay’s upcoming album comes after he claimed he had to scrap an album because the sound was ripped off by an artist he loved and trusted.

In the interview on the Zang Sang Show, Omah Lay revealed that he was creating a new sound which he shared with a certain artist who then proceeded to put out an album with the new sound.

Omah Lay added that he decided to re-record a new album which he boasts will be the greatest in the history of Afrobeats.

Since impacting the mainstream with his EP ‘Get Layd’ in 2020, the singer has become one of the most acclaimed Nigerian musicians.

After winning the Headies Next Rated in 2021, Omah Lay has lived up to expectations with a steady release of hit singles that shows both his flowery writing, soulful music, and impressive genre fusion.

With his upcoming album, the singer will be aiming to consolidate his place as one of the standout artists of the new generation of Afrobeats superstars.