Author: Vincent Osuwo

President Bola Tinubu has earmarked N5.41 trillion for security, the single greatest allocation in the proposed 2026 budget. It was the third straight year that defense and security spending took precedence since the administration began submitting national budgets in November 2023. Tinubu stated this on Friday while presenting the N58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, saying national security remained the underpinning of economic growth, investment, and social stability. Defense and security will receive N5.41 trillion, ahead of infrastructure, education, and health, reaffirming a pattern established in the 2024 and 2025 budgets, in which…

China will apply a 13% value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives beginning January 1, abolishing an exemption that has existed since the nationwide VAT system was implemented in 1993. The shift, which was included in a VAT law signed in 2024 to modernize the tax system, comes as Beijing steps up efforts to increase its decreasing birthrate. VAT generates roughly 40% of China’s overall tax revenue. The move follows years of policy “carrots” since China abandoned its one-child policy, including permitting up to three children per couple, IVF discounts, cash subsidies, and extra paid leave for newlyweds; yet,…

Osinakachukwu Onu, a 37-year-old Nigerian man, has been shot dead on the N12 highway in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa, allegedly by police officers during a traffic operation. Chronicle NG gathered on Thursday, from a report published by Independent Online (IOL), a South African news outlet, that four traffic police officers have been arrested in connection with the killing. Confirming the development, North West police said the policemen, aged 25 to 36, were arrested on Wednesday after allegedly fleeing the site of the shooting but being tracked down by detectives. The report added, “Four traffic police officers aged 25…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday intervened in the leadership tussle rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), summoning the party’s rival factions to its headquarters in Abuja. The meeting brought together the side led by Tanimu Turaki and the group led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, who is supported by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Turaki attended the meeting with members of his National Working Committee, secretariat personnel, and former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, whereas Mohammed was accompanied by members of his national caretaker committee, including its secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu. Speaking at the start…

The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed the state governor, Caleb Mutfwang, into the party, pledging to support him to succeed in his new political journey. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, mentioned this on Friday in an interview in Jos. The APC on Thursday announced the defection of the Plateau State Governor from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling party. His defection was announced by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, during the party’s 14th National Caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Speaking on the development in an…

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has refuted claims linking him to a potential role as Pep Guardiola’s successor at Manchester City, calling the speculation “100%” unfounded. Maresca, who previously served as an assistant to Guardiola at City, has been mentioned in multiple reports suggesting he could replace his former mentor should Guardiola step down at the end of the season. Speaking to the media, Maresca said, “It doesn’t affect me because I know it is 100% speculation, and I don’t have time for these things. I have a contract here until 2029. My focus is just on this club, and I…

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has upheld the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s continuing detention of Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. On Thursday, Justice Babangida Hassan dismissed Malami’s bail summons challenging his incarceration by the anti-graft agency. According to EFCC spokeswoman Dele Oyewale, the verdict was delivered on Thursday, December 18, 2025. According to the statement, Malami, through his attorney, Suliaman Hassan (SAN), sought the court seeking bail from EFCC custody, claiming that his arrest during an ongoing investigation was unconstitutional. However, J. S. Okutepa (SAN), counsel for the EFCC,…

Oba Solomon Owoniyi, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Kabba/Bunu Traditional Council, has ordered a suspension of all church activities in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State until further notice, in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria. The instruction came after a series of security breaches in the neighborhood, including recent attacks on churches and the recovery of a significant cache of rifles and ammunition by state security forces. Rev. Kayode Osatuyi, the Coordinator of CAN in Kabba/Bunu LGA, stated in a notice viewed by Chronicle NG on Friday that the decision was reached after…

Troops from Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) successfully repelled an early-morning terrorist attempt to infiltrate the Bitta district of Borno State from the Mandara Mountains. The military killed numerous rebels and significantly reduced their operating capability. According to a post on the Nigerian Army X handle by the Media Information Officer Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, when troops, aided by advanced surveillance systems, detected the movement of terrorists advancing toward the area. The forces exercised tactical discipline, allowing the insurgents to move into an effective combat…

The Kwara South Consultative Forum, a socio-cultural organization, has vigorously rejected the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari’s call to rename the University of Ilorin after Sheikh Alimi, the founder of the Alimi dynasty. The Forum called the plan “highly provocative” and insulting to Kwara State’s ethnic variety and historical plurality. The Emir made the call during the University of Ilorin’s 50th anniversary celebration, igniting public controversy around the state. In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Secretary-General, Adebayo Daramola, the Forum stated that the University of Ilorin belonged to the entire state, not to any single…