News – Democracy Radio

PenCom Urges Lagos Governor to Ensure Equitable Pension Increases

By Oluwakemi Kindness The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has urged Lagos state Governor, Sanwo-Olu to extend periodic pension increases given to retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) to those under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to improve their monthly payments. The Director General, PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, made the request during a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu. She points out that currently, only DBS retirees are paid pension increases in Lagos State, leaving out their counterparts under the CPS. According […]

May 8, 2025 7

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National Assembly

Reps Moves to Mitigate Ecological Emergencies

By Oluwakemi Kindness The House of Representatives on Thursday, passed through second reading a bill seeking to address critical issues such as climate change adaptation, drought, desertification, flooding, coastal erosion, dam failure, building collapse, oil spills, road accidents, fire, air crashes, boat mishaps, among others. The proposed legislation titled, "Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Emergency Management Agency Act, Cap. N34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Enact the National Emergency Management Agency Bill and for […]

May 8, 2025 8 2

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Business

NEPC, NBS Sign MoU to Capture Informal Cross-Border Trade Data

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have formalized a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve data collection on Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) in Nigeria. Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the NBS Headquarters in Abuja, NEPC Executive Director/CEO, Nonye Ayeni, describes the agreement as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to expand its export trade by including data from the informal sector. Ayeni […]

May 8, 2025 15 4

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News

NELFUND Refutes ICPC’s Allegation of Fund Diversion

By Oluwakemi Kindness The National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has dismissed claims by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that it diverted funds meant for student loans. Speaking before the House of Representatives Committee on Students Loan, Scholarship, and Higher Education, the Managing Director of NELFUND, Adekunle Sawyer, firmly denied any financial misconduct, asserting that the ICPC's claims were based on incorrect figures. Sawyer stated, “We at NELFUND were surprised by the ICPC's release suggesting that […]

May 8, 2025 7 3

News

NILDS DG Urges Nigerians to Uphold National Interest Over Religious Divisiveness

By Zainab Bakare The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, has called on Nigerians to place national interest above religious sentiments, warning against the manipulation of faith to undermine national peace and unity. Professor Sulaiman made the appeal on Wednesday, May 7, during the inauguration of the Non-Interest Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (NMCS) at the NILDS permanent site in Abuja. The initiative, open to all staff regardless of religious background, […]

May 7, 2025 7

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National Assembly

Kalu Advocates U.S. Support for Nigeria’s Gender, Electoral Reform Agendas

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu on Wednesday advocated for partnership with the United States government to support Nigeria's efforts in promoting gender equity and electoral reforms. Kalu made the call at a meeting with a delegation from the U. S Embassy in Nigeria led by David Frost, a political counsellor and Cassandra Carrony at the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja. According to a statement by Kalu's chief Press Secretary Levinus Nwabughiogu, […]

May 7, 2025 20 4

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News

Governors’ Wives Backs NDLEA, Says Drug-Free Nigeria Key to Renewed Hope

By Oluwakemi Kindness The Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum says tackling drug abuse is crucial to achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This is as they note that backing NDLEA’s fight against illicit drugs is a key step toward national progress. Wives of state governors declared these as part of their resolutions in a communique read by the first lady of Ogun state, Bamidele Dapo Abiodun on behalf of the Chairperson of the Forum and first lady of Kwara state, Prof […]

May 7, 2025 10 2

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Security

FCT Police, Army to Deepen Strategic Cooperation for Abuja Security

By Oluwakemi Kindness In the bid at bolstering inter-agency collaboration and deepen strategic cooperation, the FCT Police command and the Army Garrison Abuja have pledged to work in synergy for the safety of all residents. The pledge follows a historic visit by the Commander Army Garrison Abuja, Major General W.M. Dangana, to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao S. Adewale, I'm Abuja on Tuesday. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration, mutual respect, and professional excellence in […]

May 7, 2025 9 4

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National Assembly

Reps Target Rural Agriculture to Strengthen Food Security

By Oluwakemi Kindness The House of Representatives has passed through second reading a bill seeking to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act. The amendment seeks to expand its mandate through the establishment of specialised training institutions across the federation to deepen national agricultural productivity capacity and ensure innovation is not confined to a few urban centres. The proposed legislation titled, "Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the […]

May 7, 2025 8 2