Standard Focus – Page 98 – Standard Focus News

The Real Before the New INEC Chairman

October 10, 2025 (updated October 10, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

By Henry Ezekiel With the appointment of a new Chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria finds itself once again at a familiar crossroads — between cautious hope and deep skepticism. While the identity of the new electoral umpire matters, the realities confronting him are far more important. The institution he inherits is bruised, distrusted, and entangled in... Read more

Proposed Institute of Risk Management unnecessary- CRMI tell Reps

October 10, 2025 (updated October 10, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) on Thursday cautioned lawmakers against passing the proposed bill seeking to establish the Chartered Institute of Enterprise Risk Management of Nigeria. The institute described the move as the growing duplication of professional institutions in the country’s legislative space,saying the country already has a legally established and functional body that oversees risk management... Read more

Money Laundering Charge: Court adjourns ex-Gov Bello’s trial to Nov 12

October 10, 2025 (updated October 10, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, on Thursday, adjourned further hearing on the 16-count money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, till November 12. The adjournment came after the anti-graft agency called its sixth witness to testify before trial Justice... Read more

Insecurity in Nigeria Not Religion-Driven, Senate Insists

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

....To Hold Executive Session on U.S. ‘Religious Persecution’ Debate ....Withdraws Motion on Alleged ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative The Senate has clarified that Nigeria’s insecurity and terrorism challenges are not driven by religion but by geography, circumstance, and socio-economic factors. This position was made clear during plenary on Thursday as lawmakers debated a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported... Read more

ECOWAS Moves to Resolve Staffing Shortages After Member States’ Exit

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun major reforms to address a growing staffing crisis across its institutions, following prolonged recruitment delays, workforce shortages, and the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc. Speaking at an extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers held on Thursday in Abuja, the President of... Read more

ADC to Amupitan: Serve Nigerians, Not the Ruling Party

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

ADC to Amupitan: Serve Nigerians, Not the Ruling Party The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, to place the interests of Nigerians above those of the ruling party as he takes charge of the nation’s electoral body. The party described Amupitan’s appointment as a... Read more

Reps to probe NECO over alleged illegal virements, budget implementation

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the National Examination Council (NECO) over alleged irregularities in its budget implementation, internally generated revenue (IGR) utilisation, and possible unauthorised virements between 2023 and 2025. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah on Thursday during plenary. Presenting the motion, Hon. Ogah... Read more

Passenger caught for stealing N290,000 on Ibom Air flight

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

A passenger was arrested for allegedly stealing N290,000 from a foreign traveller moments before takeoff aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m., shortly after boarding had been completed. According to eyewitnesses, the foreign passenger raised an alarm after discovering that the money he had kept in his... Read more

Reps Probe $20bn decommissioning, abandonment compliance gap in Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

…as lawmaker raises alarm over environmental fiscal risks The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alarming level of non-compliance with decommissioning and abandonment (D&A) regulations in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Zakaria Nyampa, member representing Madagali/Michika Federal Constituency of Adamawa during plenary, Nyampa warned that Nigeria could face environmental, financial,... Read more

Reps Order Probe Into $18bn Spent on Moribund Refineries

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

…to investigate 14 years of failed rehabilitation projects kingsley Emeka The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the continued non-functionality of Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna despite over $18 billion reportedly spent on their rehabilitation over the past two decades. This followed the adoption of a motion on the “Non-functionality of State-owned Refineries” moved... Read more

Author: Standard Focus