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Senate shuns opposition leaders, approves Rivers emergency rule

The Senate has approved the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
Tinubu made the proclamation over the protracted crisis in the oil-rich state. He had suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers House of Assembly.
The development had triggered mixed reactions, with opposition leaders calling on the National Assembly to reject it.
At a press briefing in Abuja, on Thursday, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar who spoke on behalf of other opposition leaders, had said, “We call on patriotic Senators and Representatives to vote against this illegal action when it comes before them for approval.
The National Assembly must stand on the right side of history and not allow itself to be used to legitimise an unconstitutional power grab.”
But after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s request at plenary on Thursday, the red chamber went into closed door session.
Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele had moved a motion for a closed session in pursuant to Order 135 of the senate rules.
The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro.
After the closed door session, Akpabio put the issue to a voice vote and majority supported it.
The Senate President said the red chamber exercised its powers under section 305(2) of the constitution to approve the president’s proclamation.
The House of Representatives had earlier approved the emergency rule.
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FG clears 200,000 passport backlogs, pays ₦28bn debts — Tunji-Ojo

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications since he assumed office.
Tunji-Ojo also revealed that ₦28 billion in old debts have been paid off, all without extra funding from the government.
He made these announcements during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday. He spoke on the topic, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” and called for bold leadership, system reform, and the smart use of technology.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur. And for that, you must always ask: What is your purpose? How will you execute it? And when is the right time to act?” he said.
He explained how his ministry used innovation, technology, and planning to clear passport backlogs and debts. New systems like e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and advanced passenger tracking have been launched.
Speaking about Nigeria’s prisons, Tunji-Ojo said the correctional system is in bad shape.
He pointed out that more than 4,000 inmates are behind bars simply because they can’t pay fines as low as ₦50,000.
“This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one. A society that punishes poverty more harshly than crime has lost its moral compass,” he said.
He added that the ministry is working with private donors to help release many of these non-violent prisoners, noting that it’s also pushing for reforms that focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment.
These include digital case tracking, vocational training in prisons, and partnerships to improve prison conditions.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he said.
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, praised Tunji-Ojo’s leadership.
“Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” he said, adding that the Minister’s work shows what real public service should look like.The event brought together business leaders, government officials, and experts from across the country.
It was part of Access Bank’s effort to spark national change through conversations about leadership and service.
In his final words, Tunji-Ojo urged everyone to live with purpose and pursue excellence.
“Let Access Bank not just be a financial institution, let it be a philosophy. Let Nigeria not just be a country of potential, let it be a nation of performance.
It is time to refine our genius, not just export it,” he said.
News
JUST IN: Tinubu seeks NASS approval to borrow fresh $21.5m, other external borrowing plans

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the National Assembly’s approval to secure external loans of $21.5 million and ¥15 billion as part of the federal government’s proposed 2025–2026 external borrowing plan.
Also, the request consists of a grant of €65 million to be included in the federal government’s external borrowing plan.
The president’s request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary on Tuesday.
In the letter, Mr Tinubu said that the funds will be used to create employment, promote skill acquisition, enhance entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and boost food security.
He emphasised that the proposed projects and programmes are designed to have a nationwide impact, spanning all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This fresh loan comes as Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N144.7 trillion (approximately $94.2 billion), according to Debt Management Office December 2024 data.
A breakdown of the existing public debt showed that about 51.4 percent of the total (N74.4 trillion) is domestic debt, while 48.6 percent (N70.3 trillion) is external debt
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Lagos begins 2025 entrance exams for model colleges, upgraded junior schools

The Lagos State Government has commenced the 2025 entrance examination process for admission into its Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Director of the Lagos State Examinations Board, Mr Orunsolu Adebayo, informed parents, guardians, and head teachers that the Computer-Based Test, CBT, for qualified candidates will be held from Wednesday, May 28 to Thursday, May 29, 2025, across five designated centres within the state.
He urged all registered applicants to log into the board’s portal, https://examsboard.lagosstate.gov.ng, using their unique username and password to print out their examination slips and verify their sitting arrangements ahead of the test.
Candidates are expected to go to the examination venue with the exam slip (printout) and ensure that they arrive at the venue as early as possible,” he said.
Adebayo also clarified that only Primary Six pupils are eligible to sit for the exam, adding that this screening remains the sole gateway to admission into Lagos State’s Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools.
“The Candidates that pass and meet the required cut-off marks will be offered admission into any of the Model Colleges and Upgraded Junior Secondary Schools irrespective of his/her First or Second choice,” he added.
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