By David Torough, Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abass Tajudeen, has declared that Nigeria’s heavy dependence on oil revenue would continue to leave its economy vulnerable, noting that agriculture remained the most viable alternative to achieving resilience.

Abass made the declaration in Abuja on Monday at a one day public hearing on some Bills seeking the establishment of agricultural colleges and institutions. Represented by Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, the Speaker said it was within this context that the establishment and expansion of Agricultural Research Institutions across the country are not only necessary but strategically urgent.He said Nigeria should “Emulate countries like Israel, Brazil, and Vietnam that have attained a significant leap in agro development by investing substantially in research and development.”According to him, Brazil’s Embrapa, for instance, reengineered an infertile savannah into a global food hub, just as Vietnam’s targeted agricultural reforms pulled vast populations out of poverty, while Israel continues to innovate in arid-zone agriculture through technology-driven methods.Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural and Institutions, Hon. Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade, recalled how in the 60s and 70s, the country was among the major exporters of agricultural produce such as cocoa, cotton, palm oil, and groundnuts.The lawmaker noted that Nigeria, with a population size of over 220 million and still growing, is desirous of more agricultural colleges and research institutions to help proffer solutions to issues, “namely climate change, insecurity, pest outbreaks, soil degradation, unskilled labourers, and livestock management.”

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

A total sum of N1.681 trillion, being April 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.According to a statement by the OAGF Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa during the weekend said the revenue was shared at the May 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja.

The N1. 681 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N962.882 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N598.077 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N38.862 billion and Exchange Difference N81.407 billion.A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that total gross revenue of N2,848.721 trillion was available in the month of April 2025. Total deduction for cost of collection was N101.051 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N1066.442 billion. According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N2,084.568 trillion was received for the month of April 2025. This was higher than the sum of N1,718.973 trillion received in the month of March 2025 by N365.595 billion. Gross revenue of N642.265 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in April 2025. This was higher than the N637.618 billion available in the month of March 2025 by N4.647 billion. The communiqué stated that from the N1,681. 228 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N565.307 billion and the State Governments received a total sum of N556.741 billion.The Local government Council received N406.627 billion, while the sum of N152.553 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.On the N962.882 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N431.307 billion and the State Governments received N218.765 billion.The Local Government Councils received N168.659 billion and the sum of N144. 151 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.From the N598.077 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N89.712 billion, the State Governments received N299.039 billion and the Local Government Councils received N209.327 billion.A total sum of N5.829 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N38.862 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N19.431 billion and the Local Government Councils received N13.602 billion.From the N81.407 billion Exchange Difference, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N38.459 billion and the State Governments received N19.507 billion.The Local Government Councils received N15.039 billion, while the sum of N8.402 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.In April 2025, Petroleum Profit Tax(PPT), Oil and Gas Royalty, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), Value Added Tax (VAT), Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies increased significantly while Companies Income Tax (CIT) decreased considerably.

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to use their diversity for the country’s stability and rapid development.In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu spoke on Sunday in Rome when he received members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

The President also issued a stirring call to leaders at all levels to work for the betterment of the citizenry. Tinubu, a Muslim, said, “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress.”He described it as historic, being the President of Nigeria when a new Pope was inaugurated in Rome.The Catholic bishops were part of President Tinubu’s delegation to attend Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass on Sunday.Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, thanked President Tinubu for facilitating their visits to the Vatican to bury the late Pope Francis and witness the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.He said the development signalled a new era of a more robust relationship between the President and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.”You are always there for us. Now that you have come to the Vatican, whenever we have our conference in Nigeria, we will also invite you, and we look forward to interfacing with you just as you were able to do with the Holy Father,” he said.Archbishops Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, attended the meeting with the President.‘I’m the Head of Nigerian Delegation,’ Tinubu Tells Obi, Fayemi at VaticanPresident Bola Tinubu, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi and a former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, met briefly at the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV held on Sunday at the Vatican, Rome.The encounter, which drew attention on social media after it was shared by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga on X, took place during the religious ceremony attended by dignitaries from around the world.According to Onanuga, Fayemi first spotted Tinubu seated with other global leaders and urged Obi to join him in greeting the Nigerian leader.“Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed,” he posted.Upon reaching the President, Fayemi made a light-hearted remark to ease the atmosphere, saying, “Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.”Tinubu immediately responded, “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the head of the Nigerian delegation.”The President’s humorous response reportedly sparked laughter from Obi, who replied in agreement: “Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation.”The interaction stood out for its symbolic significance, coming after the fiercely contested 2023 presidential election which saw Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress declared winner over Obi, the LP candidate.Both Fayemi and Obi are known to be devout Catholics and Papal Knights, an honour conferred by the Vatican on distinguished members of the Catholic Church.