Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the injection of N2 trillion into the economy to stimulate it.

Wale Edun, the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, says Tinubu gave the approval on Thursday while unveiling an accelerated stabilisation and advancement plan.

He unveiled the plan while inaugurating the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) at the State House in Abuja, three months after the formation of a 30-member committee aimed at revitalizing the economy in the short term.

“The sum of that very important exercise is a N2 trillion package involving N350 billion funding for health and social welfare, N500 billion funding for agriculture and food security, N500 billion for the energy and power sector and general business support of about N650 billion,” the minister briefed journalist after the meeting.

“They (PECC members) were presented with the outcomes of Mr. President’s review of the accelerated stabilisation and advancement plan.

“It is an emergency plan to cover the next six months, which Mr. President had directed his economic team, the sub-nationals, and the private sector to put together for his consideration.

“In addition to a range of policy and tax measures, there is a range of executive orders which Mr. President has signed and which are being gazetted to ease the cost of doing business. There are a number of funding which will reduce the cost of interest rates for certain sectors, small and medium scale in particular, but also larger companies.”

The move is coming when the Nigerian economy is facing serious challenges and inflation figures have reached new highs after the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.

Labour unions are demanding improved wages, arguing that the cost of living hit new levels.

But Tinubu’s government has repeatedly called for patience and assured Nigerians that its reforms will yield dividends soonest.

Barely two months after signing on three new Afrobeats artists, Sosi, Tyrod, and Lil Lekzy under its management, Big Beats Records has announced plans to take the budding music stars to the next level in their career.

The chairman of the record label, Abimbola Hakeem expressed confidence in the potentials of Sosi, Tyrod, and Lil Lexzy saying they are the future of the Nigerian music industry.

“At Big Beats Records, we are confident of the talent imbued in Sosi, Tyrod, and Lil Lexzy because we went through a process before identifying their skills and potentials. These three young men are the future of Nigerian music and we are not in a rush to share their talent with the world of music. They are currently in the Big Beats Records academy, where they are going through a refining process and learning the tricks and hacks of the music industry while also creating new sounds that will compliment and dominate the music scene,” Abimbola said.

In the same vein, the Chief Executive Officer, Kunle Rashid, expressed delight in the three signed artists saying, “One thing that will stand these rare talents out will be their distinctive styles which are different from what we have at the moment. Interestingly, they will be merging these individual talents to create a Big Beats Records Allstars release soon.”

Profiling the three artists, Rashid explained that the Big Beats Academy where the signed artists are currently undergoing a refining process and are working with an in-house music producer.

Speaking of the artists, Rashid began with Lil Lekxy, whose real name is Olanrewaju Abdul Rasheed Olamilekan.

He said, “Lil Lekxy was born June 17, 1999 to a family of four in Alimosho area of Lagos State. He started his music career at a tender age of 13 and dropped his first single at the age 15. Lil Lekxy is an Afro pop artist who grew up listening to the likes of 9ice, Olamide, Vector and others. Lil Lexxy who hails from Kwara State, was signed to Big Beats Records in April, 2024.

“For Sosi Saheed Sabi, his life’s journey has been laced with challenges. Yet, in the midst of those struggles, Sosi never lost hope. His journey reflects in his songs which are filled with his life’s stories and hometown vibes. A native of Kenu, a small town in Baruten, Sosi’s music has touched hearts everywhere, earning him the endearing nickname “Sabi Kenu” in his hometown. Sosi was born on September 13, 1995 to the family of Mr Sosi Audu in Ilorin, Kwara State and he started chasing his musical dreams at just 15. Inspired by the melodies of his hometown, he decided to make music his life’s journey. Leaving Kwara State behind, he went on a quest to find his place in the music world. Word of his journey spread, and excitement brewed. Sosi wasn’t just another musician; he was a symbol of perseverance, a beacon of hope, promising something big. And then came April 2024, Sosi’s moment arrived with signing a contract with none other than Big Beats Record Label.

“Quadri Rasheed Abiodun, popularly known as (Tyrod Omo Mopol), was born on (December 1, 1996) into the Rasheed Raji family as the youngest of five siblings. He grew up in Port Harcourt. Tyrod who hails from a royal family in Irin Oye, Okuku Local Government, Osun State, has an upbringing steeped in tradition. He completed his education at Community Secondary School Ogbororo in Rivers State before pursuing further studies at Rivers State University of Science and Technology. His interest in music sparked at the age of 15 during his secondary school days in Port Harcourt. Despite his passion, his father, a police officer, and his mother, a trader, expressed concerns about his chosen career path, especially due to his habit of sneaking out to attend late-night music events. Quadri’s musical style encompasses Afro pop and R&B. He began writing lyrics at 14 but only decided to pursue music professionally after moving from Port Harcourt to Lagos in 2021. His musical journey reached a milestone in 2023 with the release of his debut single, “Faraway.” Finally, in 2024, Quadri’s talent was officially recognized when he signed with Big Beats Record Label, marking a significant achievement in his career.

In ongoing legal battle over the Kano emirate, the legal team representing Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th emir of Kano, has withdrawn from the case before the Kano State High Court.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Abdul Muhammed, counsel for the first respondent, notified the court that he had filed an affidavit of facts on July 3, accompanied by a notice of appeal and a motion to stay proceedings.

He requested the court to suspend the case until the appeal court hears and determines the motion.

“When a judge of a high court is aware of application in a higher court, the notification in the dependency in the lower court must be in affidavit of facts,” he said.

“It is expected that a trial court should stop the hearing on the matter pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

He told the court that they were served with the court processes on Thursday morning.

He sought an adjournment that would enable them to respond but the court refused his prayers.

He therefore announced his withdrawal of service from the case.

Sanusi Musa, another member of the team, announced their withdrawal from the case on behalf of the other counsels for the first respondent.

“Myself and other counsels apply for the withdrawal of our representation and appearances,” Musa said.

Hassan Kyaure, counsel to the third, fourth and fifth respondents, told the court that he has filed an application for an extension of time and counter affidavit in response to the originating motion.

Kyaure prayed the court to set aside the Kano State Emirate Council repeal law as due process was not followed. He also asked that a fine of N1 billion be awarded against the plaintiffs.

Sunday Ekwe, counsel to the sixth respondent, told the court that he had nothing to present.

Responding, Eyitayo Fatogun, counsel to the applicant, urged the court to discount the respondent’s affidavit of facts pursuant to order 39, rules 1 and 2 of the court.

“The motion refers to a proposed notice of appeal not a notice of appeal. It shows that the affidavit of facts is just to delay the proceedings. My lord, the business of today is for the hearing of all pending applications,” he said.

Fatogun asked the court to dismiss the third, fourth and fifth respondents’ applications on the issue of Kano Emirate Repeal Law because the issue is not before the court.

Delivering the ruling, Amina Adamu-Aliyu, presiding judge, refused the application for a stay of proceedings.

“The respondent did not disclose any special fact to warrant any stay of proceedings,” she said.

The judge adjourned the case until July 18 for ruling on the applications for extension of time, notice of preliminary objection, setting aside ex parte order, joinder application, and for the judge to recuse herself, among others.

The applicants in the suit are the attorney-general of Kano, the speaker, and the Kano house of assembly.

Respondents are Aminu Bayero, Nasiru Ado Bayero, Ibrahim Abubakar II, Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa, Aliyu Ibrahim Gaya, inspector-general of police (IGP), director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Army.

In May, the court restrained Aminu Bayero from parading himself as the Emir of Kano pending the determination of the suit.

The court also ordered the police to take over the Nassarawa palace where Bayero has been sheltering since he returned to Kano after his dethronement.