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Lagos Government Reduces BRT Fares By 25 Percent After Passengers’ Outcry

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The Lagos State Government, on Monday, announced the implementation of 25 percent discount effective Tuesday (today), November 7, 2023, following passengers’ outcry over the reversal of the 50 percent rebate on the fares of Lagos State-regulated Bus Rapid Transit and rail transport.

Passengers on Monday had lamented the hike in transport fares as the state government ended the 50 percent palliative on transportation in the state.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority had announced at the weekend plans to end the 50 percent rebate in the state-regulated transport system announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a palliative measure to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on residents of the state.

The 50 percent discount on state-owned/regulated transport systems came into effect on August 2, 2023.

However, LAMATA, in a statement, announced that the 50 percent rebate has now been discontinued and all fares have now been reversed to what they were pre-August 2.

“The 50% rebate in transport fare in the regulated transport system in Lagos ends on Sunday,” LAMATA announced, adding, “The public is hereby informed that from Monday, 6th November 2023, transport fare will return to the pre-2nd August 2023 rate.”

It was gathered that the new fares being charged on passengers’ Cowry Cards were higher than the pre-palliative rates.

“It removed N500 from my card,” a passenger going to Maryland exclaimed in shock as a LAMATA ground officer maintained that the new fare to Maryland from Ikorodu is N500 as against the N400 pre-August 2 rate.

Passengers going to Yaba, Tafawa Balewa Square, among others, whose fare was N600 before the palliative, now pay N700 post-palliative.

It was also gathered that some passengers walked away from the terminal following the development, while others, who eventually boarded the buses, lamented that such a hike was ill-timed.

“Is this the right time to do this?” a passenger, who gave his name as Ade, said.

“We have an insensitive government. How can they increase transport fare through the back door despite the hardship in the land?” another passenger, who did not disclose her name, said.

According to The Punch, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, in a telephone chat, said, “I will have a conversation with my team and get back to you. I think Mr Governor is also looking at it, and we will put out a press statement soon.”

LAMATA, in a statement released late Monday, announced that the governor has directed the implementation of 25 percent discount.

“Responding to calls for the reinstatement of the 50% rebate on fare for regulated bus and rail transport, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the implementation of 25 percent discount beginning Tuesday, 7th November 2023.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu had on 2nd August 2023 announced a 50% discount in fare on regulated transport bus and rail transport which ended on Sunday.

“Following appeals to the Governor, he has extended the passenger fare reduction by 25% across the regulated bus and rail transport services until another review is announced.

“Within the three months period of the rebate, the pump price of diesel jumped from N867 in August to N1,300 in November,” LAMATA said.

BIG STORY

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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BIG STORY

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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