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What A Loss! Ambode Becomes First Lagos Governor To Miss Out On Abuja Mansion For Losing Second Term Ticket

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Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State will be the first governor in Lagos State since 2007 to miss out on a mansion in Abuja after leaving office, PUNCH’s investigation has revealed.

The Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law No 11 official Gazette of Lagos State, 2007 states that former governors of Lagos State are entitled to a house in Lagos and Abuja in any location of their choice.

However, the law adds that any governor who does not serve for two consecutive terms, will only be entitled to a house in Abuja.

Section 2 states, “One residential house each for the governor and the deputy governor at any location of their choice in Lagos State and one residential house in the Federal Capital Territory for the governor on two consecutive terms.”

Following his loss to Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the All Progressives Congress governorship primary in October, Ambode will not be returning to the Alausa Governor’s Office on May 29, 2019.

The state government has built houses for former governors of the state in Lagos and Abuja in line with the law.

A house was bought for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Ikoyi and the Asokoro area of Abuja next to the Lagos State Governor’s Lodge.

Although no actual figure was placed on how much the houses procured would cost, our correspondent learnt that to build or buy houses for former governors of Lagos would cost between N500m and N1bn.

For instance, the construction of a “section” of the house of the immediate past Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, on 15 Cameron Drive, Ikoyi, costs the state N329,929,551, according to the Lagos State budget of 2014, which was obtained by SUNDAY PUNCH.

However, Ambode will be entitled to other fringe benefits which comprise a house in any location in Lagos State, six brand new cars every three years, 100 per cent of the basic salary of the serving governor, (N7.7m per annum) free health care for himself and members of his family.

The law also says a former governor will be entitled to furniture allowance, which is 300 per cent of their annual basic salary (N23.3m); house maintenance allowance, which is 10 per cent of basic salary (N778, 296); utility allowance, which is 20 per cent of the salary (N1.5m) and car maintenance allowance, which is 30 per cent of the annual basic salary (N2.3m).

Other benefits include entertainment allowance, which is 10 per cent of the basic salary (N778,296) and a personal assistant, who will earn 25 per cent of the governor’s annual basic salary (N1.9m).

The law adds that a former governor is entitled to domestic workers comprising a cook, a steward, a gardener and others whose appointments are pensionable.

A former governor will be entitled to eight policemen and two officials of the Department of State Services for life, according to the Lagos law.

However, any governor of the state will miss out on all the goodies if he is removed from office by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

 

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President Tinubu Orders Reintroduction Of History In Basic School Curriculum

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Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, says President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that “history” should and will be reintroduced as a subject in Nigeria’s basic schools.

“History,” reports indicate, was removed from Nigeria’s basic school curriculum in 2007, eliciting sharp criticism that spanned years.

In many cases from then on, historical topics were taught with little depth as part of “social studies.”

In 2018, the federal government ordered the nationwide re-introduction of “history” as an independent subject in the curriculum of primary and junior secondary schools in the country.

Adamu Adamu, the then minister of education, had stated that the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) would need to first carry out a disarticulation of “history” from the social studies curriculum.

He said a curriculum would be designed with topics to help students appreciate “history” as a national integration and nation-building tool.

The ex-minister said a total of 3,700 “history” teachers were shortlisted for the first round of training to enhance the teaching of “history.”

Education ministries at the state level, including those of Lagos and Taraba, have since been moving to implement the federal policy.

Tunji Alausa spoke on a Tuesday Channels TV show where he expressed concern that Nigeria’s youth are disconnected from its “history.”

“Let me go to basic education, the curriculum is good. What has been missing in the past is Nigerian “history.” We now have people of 30 years disconnected from our “history.” It doesn’t happen in any part of the world,” the minister said.

“President Bola Tinubu has mandated that we put that back in our curriculum and that is back. From 2025 our students in primary and secondary schools will have that as part of their studies.”

While validating the federal policy of re-introducing “history” as a basic school subject, the former minister Adamu Adamu argued that its absence had led to declining morals, erosion of civic values, and a disconnection of the citizenry from the country’s past.

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2025: President Tinubu’s Reforms Will Unlock Nigeria’s Potentials — First Lady To Nigerians

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The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed optimism about the nation’s future, describing 2025 as a year of “prosperity and abundance.”

In a New Year message to Nigerians posted on X on Wednesday, she called for unity and renewed efforts toward building a thriving nation.

Tinubu emphasised the need for collective investment in rebuilding societal bonds and fostering inclusivity across all regions and demographics.

She urged Nigerians to rise above divisions and work toward mutual respect and understanding.

“As we journey through 2025, let us rise above our differences and rebuild the bridges that connect us—bridges of love, respect, and understanding.”

“It is a year to invest in one another; to nurture our youth and protect the dignity of our elders; to create a country where every Nigerian can thrive, regardless of where they are born, what they believe, or what language they speak,” she said.

The First Lady highlighted the administration’s commitment to ongoing economic reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

She stated, “I assure you all that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is truly committed to and is already undertaking deepening reforms that will unlock our nation’s economic potentials.”

Senator Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stand together and support one another, pledging that the government remains steadfast in its vision for a prosperous nation.

“Together, we can build the Nigeria we all desire. Together, we will. Happy New Year, Nigeria,” she added.

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Federal Government To Establish Credit Guarantee Company, Targets 15% Inflation In 2025

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President Bola Tinubu says his administration will establish a National Credit Guarantee Company before the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 2025.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during his New Year speech.

The president said his administration would consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying efforts to lower these costs by boosting “food production” and promoting local manufacturing of essential “drugs” and other “medical supplies,” he said.

“We are resolute in our ambition to reduce inflation from its current high of 34.6% to 15%. With diligent work and God’s help, we will achieve this goal and provide relief to all our people.

“In this new year, my administration will further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

“To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

“The company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.”

Tinubu said the initiative would strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support underserved groups such as “women” and “youth.”

The president also said the company would drive growth, reindustrialisation, and better living standards for Nigerians.

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