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The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, Sen. Shehu Sani (APC-Kaduna Central) has said the Kaduna Government’s request for a $350m loan was rejected due to the state’s high debt profile.

Sani said that the senators from the state supported the rejection of the request. According to him, approving the loan for a state with a high debt profile will put a lot of burden on future generations of the state.

The Senate had on March 29, rejected the World Bank loan sought by the Kaduna State Government for developmental projects. Shehu Sani vowed not to be part of any move that would jeopardise the lives of unborn children in the state.

He said: “We rejected the loan to save the children of Kaduna state from the slavery of debt that will overtake them in the future.“Most political elite leave behind for their children, hotels, houses, mansions and estates, but they leave mountains of debts for the children of the poor.

“I do not see the reason why state governors cannot use the Paris Refund, the bailout funds and Excess Crude Account distributions to execute their projects and programmes. Why must they go for loans?

“If the loan is even reasonable, you will look at it from that point of view. The tenure of a government is at most eight years and you leave behind 20, 30, 40 years of loan for people to pay.”

He said that as chairman of the committee on loans, he owed it a duty to the state and all other states to ensure that states that were in debt did not acquire more debts.

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Mass Stabbing On UK Train Leaves 9 Critically Injured

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Ten people were rushed to hospital after a mass stabbing on a London-bound train Saturday evening, with police confirming that nine of the victims are in critical condition. Authorities say counter-terrorism officers have joined the investigation to support efforts to establish the motive behind the attack.

British Transport Police, which has jurisdiction over railway security, announced early Sunday that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident. The force described the situation as a major incident, noting that “Counter Terrorism Policing are supporting our investigation whilst we work to establish the full circumstances and motivation for this incident.”

Officials confirmed that “Plato” — the national emergency response term used for potential “marauding terror attack” incidents — was activated briefly before being stood down. No motive has yet been identified.

Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said detectives were working urgently to determine what happened but cautioned against speculation, stressing that it may take time before further details can be confirmed.

The attack occurred on a train traveling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross as it approached Huntingdon, a town near Cambridge. Armed police and air ambulance teams responded rapidly when the train arrived at Huntingdon station, securing the scene quickly. Forensic officers and police dogs were later seen on the platform.

Cambridgeshire police reported that officers were called to Huntingdon station at 7:39 p.m. and confirmed the arrest of two individuals at the scene, roughly 75 miles north of London.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his “thoughts are with all those affected” following what he described as an “appalling incident.” Paul Bristow, the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said he had heard of “horrendous scenes” on the train.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which operates the route, confirmed the incident occurred aboard one of its trains and urged passengers to avoid travel due to “major disruption.”

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Ex-Beauty Queen, Tomi Salami’s Aurora Foundation Partners LASEPA For Cleaner, Greener Lagos

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For a cleaner, greener Lagos, over 1,500 students from public secondary schools have been penciled to attend the 2nd edition of the Catch Them Young Environmental Awareness Convention, which will hold on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Organised by Aurora International Charity Foundation (AICF), in partnership with Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the one-day knowledge-sharing, innovation, advocacy and environmental stewardship convention will also have as participants teachers, eco-advocates, youth leaders, celebrities, influencers and policymakers.
According to Ambassador Tomi Salami, President, Aurora International Charity Foundation, the summit, with the theme: Our Lagos, Our Future: Inspiring Young Minds for Sustainable Change, is a bold call to action focused on building a generation of environmentally-conscious young leaders equipped with the knowledge, creativity and civic responsibility to safeguard Lagos long-term sustainability.
With Lagos rapidly urbanising and facing increasing climate impact and environmental pressure, Aurora International Charity Foundation and LASEPA share a joint commitment to strengthening environmental education at the student level as a long-term behavioral change strategy, she said, adding Lagos is not just a place we live – it is a legacy we are all responsible for. To truly protect our future, we must start by educating those who will inherit it.
The former beauty queen and social entrepreneur stated that the convention would feature keynote sessions, eco-challenges, interactive panels, awards, climate education engagements and inspirational storytelling from role models driving environmental impact across Nigeria.
The summit would also serve as a platform to nurture leadership, community advocacy, innovation and civic responsibility among young Lagosians who will one day shape policy direction, sustainable business models and community action, she noted.
Over the years, Ms. Salami has embarked on a mission of advocacy for clean energy, climate action and environmental protection through her non-for-profit organization, Aurora International Charity Foundation.
Through the NGO, she has established a track record of positively impacting over 30,000 adults, youths and children across the country, using various platforms of education, welfare, empowerment and health. This years edition will build on the success of the 2024 debut, which convened nearly 1,000 students in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment & Water Resources, and received strong public endorsement for youth participation in sustainability initiatives.

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Q3 2025: UBA Delivers N538bn PAT, Robust Balance Sheet

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Following its recently released half-year financials, Africa’s Global Bank – United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced its audited results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, where it recorded strong and impressive growth across all its key indicators.

As in the first two quarters of the current fiscal year, the bank’s gross earnings grew by 3.0 per cent to N2.469 trillion up from N2.398 trillion recorded in September last year, while its net Interest income which stood at N1.103 trillion at the end of the third quarter in 2024, rose by 6.2 per cent to N1.172 trillion in the period under consideration.

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The bank’s financial report filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday also indicated a slight drop by 4.1 per cent in Profit before Tax (PBT) to N578.59 billion compared to N603.48 recorded at the end of the third quarter of 2024, while profit after tax rose by 2.3 per cent from N525.31 billion recorded a year earlier to N537.53 billion at the end of September 2025.

As in the preceding two quarters this year, UBA continues to maintain a very strong balance sheet, with Total Assets rising to N32.492 trillion, representing a 7.2 per cent increase over the N30.323 trillion recorded at the end of December 2024, just as total deposits rose by 7.7 per cent from N24.651 trillion at the end of last year to N26.54 trillion in September 2025.

UBA shareholders’ funds remained very strong at N4.301 trillion rising by 25.8 per cent from N3.418 trillion recorded in December 2024 again reflecting a strong capacity for internal capital generation and growth.

Commenting on the result, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, said the bank continues to demonstrate the strength, resilience, and diversification of its business in a dynamic operating environment.

“We delivered solid performance supported by prudent balance sheet management, innovation, and a well-diversified earnings base across all our markets,” he stated.

According to him, with profit After tax rising to N538 billion, from N525 billion, the bank continues to reflect consistent earnings momentum and its commitment to sustainable growth, with strength in Nigeria, African network and global presence amidst persistent macroeconomic headwinds.

Updating shareholders and investors on its recent recapitalisation efforts, the GMD said, “I am pleased to report that we have made significant progress on our capital raising, as part of the mandated industry wide recapitalization exercise with the successful completion of the final phase II of the Rights Issue. This has strengthened our capital base and will support the continued, prudent expansion of our operations across our markets.”

Alawuba emphasised UBA’s unwavering focus on disciplined execution and strategic growth, ensuring the delivery of sustainable returns and long-term value to all shareholders.

UBA’s Executive Director, Finance & Risk, Ugo Nwaghodoh, who also spoke on the result, pointed out that the Group delivered steady growth in earnings, with gross earnings rising to N2.47 trillion, driven by a 10.1% increase in interest income and a 6.2% uplift in net interest income.

He noted that total assets grew by 7% to N32.5 trillion, supported by focused deposit mobilisation and increased investment in earning assets.

“Shareholders’ funds expanded by 26% to N4.3 trillion, underscoring the continued confidence of investors in the Group’s strategy, while capital adequacy and liquidity ratios remain well above regulatory thresholds and provide significant buffers to support continued growth,” he explained.

Speaking on the bank’s efforts to consolidate its performance for the rest of the 2025 financial year and beyond, Nwaghodoh said, “We remain focused on sustaining profitability, expanding our digital income streams, and delivering long-term value to our shareholders.”

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.

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