NEWS
ASUU Half-Salary: How Lecturers, Teachers Bought Cars With Our Allowances, Christened It “Gbemu Aremu” – Obasanjo
Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president, has acknowledged that his administration made significant investments in the educational sector, enabling professors and teachers to purchase homes and automobiles.
This was said by the former president on Tuesday during a speech at the House of Representatives-organized summit on education.
Obasanjo stated in response to inquiries about the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that his administration was friendly to professors and even instructors.
He said: “In my time, we had it. And if any government had done anything for ASUU, my government did. They all started buying cars and building houses. Even primary schools teachers started buying cars. They called it ‘Gbemu Aremu.’”
The former president said Nigeria must put an end to the high out-of-school youth before they develop into the next Boko Haram.
He stated that there are over 20 million youngsters who are not in school, and that their lack of access to education could lead them to extremist organizations.
According to Obasanjo, who served as president from 1999 to 2007, the instructors gave the jumbo allowance the name “Gbemu Aremu.”
Aremu is Mr. Obasanjo’s middle name, while the Yoruba word “Gbemu” signifies money.
NEWS
NCDMB Sponsored Oracle Primavera P6 Training Underway In Rivers State
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
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The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
NEWS
Tinubu Swears in Taiwo Oyedele as Finance Minister
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
ALSO READ: SERAP Asks Tinubu To Probe N5.9bn Spent On NNPC Rebranding
He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
NEWS
JUST IN: Panic on Abuja–Kaduna Rail as Train Derails, Passengers Injured
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
SEE MORE: Value Creation: NCDMB to train Six Young Engineers in Electrification Interdependency
Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.





