Standard Focus – Page 101 – Standard Focus News

Obi Hails EFCC’s N853bn Recovery, Demands Transparent Use of Funds

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

By Jacob Abuh The 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for recovering over ₦853 billion believed to be proceeds of crime within one year. Obi, however, stressed that the true test of the recovery lies in how the funds are transparently utilised for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians.... Read more

Ex-FCTA Director Duku Jailed 24 Years for Money Laundering, Ordered to Refund N1.6bn

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

By Kingsley Ameh The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday sentenced former Director of Finance and Administration at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Garuba Mohammed Duku, to 24 years imprisonment for money laundering. Justice James Omotosho found Duku guilty on a six-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), after the court held... Read more

Naira Weakens to N1,490/$ at Parallel Market, Gap with Official Rate Widens

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

By Kemi Adebowale The naira on Friday depreciated to N1,490 per dollar in the parallel market, down from N1,475/$ recorded on Thursday. Similarly, in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the currency slid to N1,469/$, compared to N1,464.85/$ a day earlier, according to data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This reflects a N4.15 loss for the naira... Read more

Fire Razes Sections of Calabar Watt Market, Suspect Arrested

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

Traders at the popular Watt Market in Calabar were thrown into mourning on Thursday after a fire outbreak destroyed several shops along Bedwell Street, where motor spare parts, clothing, and rug carpets are sold. The exact cause of the incident has yet to be officially confirmed, but eyewitnesses alleged that a mentally unstable man living behind the affected shops may... Read more

FG Orders Night Construction on Abuja-Keffi Road to End Gridlock

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The Federal Government has directed contractors handling the Abuja-Keffi Expressway project to shift major construction activities to night hours in order to ease the persistent gridlock along the busy corridor. Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello-Goronyo, gave the directive on Thursday during an inspection of the Abuja section of the project. He explained that the worst bottleneck lies on... Read more

Alia Pledges Scholarships, Economic Support for Families of Fallen Security Officers

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

James Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has pledged full scholarships and economic myempowerment packages for the families of security personnel who lost their lives during an operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on September 19, 2025. The governor made the announcement while hosting the bereaved families at Government House, Makurdi, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence... Read more

Yusuf Pledges to Clear N15.6bn Backlog of Councillors’ Allowances by November

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to clear the outstanding N15.6 billion backlog of severance, gratuity, and furniture allowances owed to former councillors across the state’s 44 local government areas before the end of November. The debt, accumulated during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is being settled in phases by the current government. Speaking at... Read more

Insecurity: Wike Flags Off Hybrid Solar Streetlight Project in Abuja

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA on Wednesday commenced the installation of integrated hybrid solar-powered streetlights across Abuja, a major project designed to tackle insecurity, end the era of darkness in the city, and cut down on recurring streetlight maintenance costs. Speaking at the flag-off of the initiative in Abuja, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the project became necessary after... Read more

Idris Accents to N43.29bn Revised 2025 Budget, Lauds Assembly’s Cooperation

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, on Wednesday signed into law the revised 2025 appropriation bill of N43.29 billion recently passed by the State House of Assembly. The signing ceremony, held at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, was witnessed by the Speaker of the Assembly, Alhaji Usman Muhammad-Zuru, and other lawmakers. Governor Idris commended the legislature for its collaborative spirit, describing the... Read more

SEC Pushes For Capital Market Integration to Unlock West Africa’s Growth

October 3, 2025 (updated October 3, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has urged West African countries to accelerate the integration of their capital markets, describing it as the only way to mobilise the scale of investment needed to drive the region’s development. In a statement from SEC, wpeaking at the Experts Meeting on Validation of the WASRA Charter and... Read more

Author: Standard Focus