IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Gusau, Prof. Muazu Abubakar, has refuted claims that members of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education demanded N480 million to approve federal universities' 2025 budgets.

In a letter dated January 27 and addressed to the committee’s chairman, Abubakar Fulata, the VC dismissed media reports alleging that lawmakers pressured vice-chancellors to pay N8 million each as a condition for budget approval.

He clarified that while the report referred to a “stubborn vice-chancellor,” speculated to be him, he initially chose to ignore the claims but later responded to prevent misinformation from being accepted as fact.

“The attention of the Federal University, Gusau, has been drawn to an online report titled Investigation: Nigerian Lawmakers Demand N480 Million from Universities to Approve 2025 Budget,” he stated.

He emphasized that no member of the university’s team involved in the budget defense had any connection to the allegations and urged the committee to disregard the “malicious and misleading” report. Abubakar also praised the committee for conducting a “robust, friendly, and engaging” budget defense session.

Similarly, Fulata dismissed the allegations in a press briefing, describing them as an attempt to tarnish the committee’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s education sector.

“It is absurd to suggest that lawmakers demanded even a kobo to approve budget proposals,” he said, adding that the report sought to mislead the public about the committee’s activities.

House spokesman Akin Rotimi also condemned the report, stating that it was a deliberate attempt to discredit lawmakers. He reaffirmed the 10th House of Representatives' commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical standards, stressing that the allegations lacked credible investigative effort and were meant to erode public trust in the legislature.

Following the confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has heightened its preparedness efforts and advised Nigerians to avoid non-essential travel to countries with confirmed cases of the disease. 

Although no cases have been reported in Nigeria, the NCDC is monitoring the situation and strengthening surveillance at points of entry. The public is urged to follow preventive measures such as good hand hygiene, avoiding contact with infected persons, and refraining from consuming bush meat. The NCDC reassured that vaccines and therapeutics are available for some strains of the virus. 

Jay-Z has made history by becoming the most-awarded rapper at the Grammys. At the 67th annual Grammy Awards, the New York icon secured his 25th award, surpassing Kanye West’s 24. Jay-Z earned the honor for his contribution to Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’, which won the coveted Album of the Year award. 

According to Grammy rules, all major contributors to an album are recognized as winners in this category. This victory marked Beyoncé’s first-ever Album of the Year Grammy. Last year, Jay-Z had criticized the Recording Academy for overlooking Beyoncé in this category despite her record-breaking number of awards. 

Afrobeats star Davido has congratulated his fellow artist, Tems, after her victory in the Best African Music Performance category at the 67th Grammy Awards on Sunday. In a social media post early Monday, Davido praised Tems for her win over notable competitors, including Yemi Alade, Asake, Burna Boy, and himself. Tems won with her hit track Love Me Jeje, marking her second Grammy win after contributing to Future's chart-topping single Wait For U.

The Best African Music Performance category was fiercely contested, with other nominees including Yemi Alade’s Tomorrow, Asake’s MMS, Chris Brown’s Sensational (featuring Davido & Lojay), and Burna Boy’s Higher. All nominees were Nigerian artists, underscoring Nigeria's global musical influence.

Davido expressed his pride, writing: “Congratulations to my one and only! #chrisbrown! And to the Queen @temsbaby, we are proud of you!” The 67th Grammy Awards were held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. 

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has congratulated Nigerian singer Tems on her victory at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Tems won the Best African Music Performance award for her song Love Me Jeje, triumphing over other nominees including Yemi Alade’s Tomorrow, Asake & Wizkid’s MMS, Chris Brown’s Sensational (featuring Davido & Lojay), and Burna Boy’s Higher.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Monday, Obi also commended other Nigerian artists who were nominated in various categories, despite not winning.

“I extend my hearty congratulations to our Nigerian Afrobeats star, Tems 

@temsbaby, who just secured her second Grammy Award with her win in the Best African Music Performance category. I also rejoice with Nigeria’s entertainment industry and other Nigerian artists who were nominated for different awards in their respective categories,” the statement read.

Obi emphasized his commitment to building a nation that encourages youth growth and helps them harness their talents for national development. 

US President Donald Trump has accused South Africa of "confiscating" land and mistreating certain groups of people, announcing he will cut all future funding to the country until an investigation is conducted.

The land issue in South Africa remains contentious, with efforts to address the inequality of land ownership under apartheid drawing criticism from conservatives, including Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire and Trump adviser.

Last month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill allowing the government to expropriate land with “nil compensation” under specific conditions. While the South African government maintains the bill doesn't authorize arbitrary expropriation, some fear it could lead to a situation similar to Zimbabwe's land seizures after its independence in 1980.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” adding that he would suspend future funding until the situation is thoroughly investigated.

In a press briefing, Trump further criticized South Africa’s leadership, describing their actions as “terrible” and “horrible,” without providing specific examples. He warned that South Africa might be engaging in actions "far worse" than land confiscation.

Land ownership remains a sensitive issue in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white individuals decades after apartheid ended. The South African government attributes the historical inequities to the 1913 Natives Land Act, which forcibly removed thousands of Black families from their land.

The matter has drawn attention from right-wing figures, including Musk, who have expressed concern over the potential consequences for white landowners. Musk and other conservative voices have supported a movement to protect white land ownership in South Africa.

Trump’s inner circle includes prominent figures who were raised in apartheid-era southern Africa, such as David Sacks and Peter Thiel, both of whom have ties to Silicon Valley and the PayPal co-founder network.