Seasoned Nigerian entertainment journalist Gbenga Bada has called on students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) to approach entertainment reporting with unwavering passion and strict adherence to professional standards.

Speaking at a recent engagement with students at the prestigious journalism institution in Ogba, Lagos, Bada, who serves as Assistant Entertainment Editor at *The Nation* newspaper, emphasized that the dynamic field of entertainment journalism demands more than mere reporting—it requires genuine enthusiasm and ethical rigor to stand out in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

“Entertainment reporting is not just about chasing headlines or celebrity gossip,” Bada reportedly told the aspiring journalists. “It thrives on passion for the arts, culture, and stories that shape our society, combined with the professionalism that ensures accuracy, fairness, and credibility.

“Bada, known for his in-depth coverage of Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment industry—including music, film, and celebrity features—drew from his extensive experience to inspire the students.

He highlighted the importance of building strong ethical foundations amid the rise of digital media and social platforms, where misinformation can spread rapidly.

The session, part of NIJ’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry practice, resonated with attendees, who praised Bada’s practical insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities in entertainment journalism.

As Nigeria’s creative sector continues to grow globally, voices like Bada’s underscore the need for a new generation of reporters equipped not only with skills but with the drive to elevate the profession.

• President Tinubu at the National Assembly during the 2026 budget presentation, Friday, December 19,2025.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday presented the N58.18 trillion 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

Tagged the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”, the proposal seeks to lock in recent macroeconomic gains, restore investor confidence and translate recovery into jobs and improved living standards for Nigerians.

“I appear before this Joint Session of the National Assembly, in fulfilment of my constitutional duty, to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill,” said Tinubu, describing the moment as “defining” in Nigeria’s reform journey.

He acknowledged the pains of reforms over the last two and a half years but assured citizens that “their sacrifices are not in vain.”

The President said Nigeria’s economy was showing clear signs of stabilisation, citing 3.98 per cent GDP growth in Q3 2025, moderation in inflation for eight consecutive months to 14.45 per cent in November 2025, improved oil production, stronger non-oil revenues and rising investor confidence.

External reserves, he disclosed, climbed to a seven-year high of about $47 billion as of mid-November 2025, providing over 10 months of import cover.“These outcomes are not accidental. They reflect difficult but deliberate policy choices,” Tinubu sai.

The tasks ahead are to ensure that “stability becomes prosperity, and prosperity becomes shared prosperity.” said Tinubu.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2026 Appropriation Bill, dismissing its official theme of “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity” as misleading and rebranding it the “Budget of Consolidated Renewed Sufferings.

”In a press statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the opposition party accused the APC-led administration of presiding over unmitigated hardship for ordinary Nigerians while the governing elite continues to enjoy affluence.

The PDP challenged President Tinubu’s claim of economic stabilisation, particularly his citation of a 3.98% GDP growth rate.

The party argued that growth figures alone do not translate to improved living standards, pointing to the World Bank’s 2025 Poverty & Equity Brief which indicates that over 30.9% of Nigerians live below the international extreme poverty line.

“This clearly indicates that whatever economic gains exist are not reaching the majority of Nigerians,” the statement read, describing the situation as “growth without prosperity.

“The opposition contrasted the current growth rate with the 6.87% recorded in the corresponding period of 2013 under the previous PDP administration, which it said was driven by non-oil sectors such as agriculture and trade. It accused the President of failing to specify the sectors driving the present growth or identify its beneficiaries, amid widespread hunger and soaring cost of living.

While acknowledging the allocation for security in the 2026 budget, the PDP stressed that funding alone is inadequate without effective and transparent implementation.

It demanded tangible outcomes, including modern equipment, sufficient ammunition, enhanced intelligence, and improved welfare for security personnel, noting reports that non-state actors in various conflict zones possess superior weaponry.

The party expressed deep concern over President Tinubu’s admission that the capital component of the 2024 budget has been extended to December 2025, while the 2025 budget remains operational.

The PDP described this as confirmation of long-standing rumours about the concurrent running of multiple budgets—a practice it condemned as a violation of fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability.

“This cannot be described as best practice, as every budget has a defined period of operation and no two budgets should operate concurrently,” the statement asserted, calling it “yet another unprecedented negative feat” by the Tinubu administration.

The PDP called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s finances, stating that these elements have been “conspicuously absent” under the current government and are essential for rebuilding public trust.