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A bill permitting polytechnics to grant bachelor’s degrees has completed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

This legislation, introduced by Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House, and Faud Laguda, a lawmaker from Lagos State representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeks to amend the Federal Polytechnics Act of 2004.

The proposed changes include an amendment to section 3 of the Principal Act, which would add representatives from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to the council of each polytechnic in Nigeria.

Lastly, clause 3 of the bill aims to modify section 8 of the current law, raising the qualification requirement for rectors of federal polytechnics to a PhD.

Udom Emmanuel, the former governor of Akwa Ibom, has been detained by operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning an alleged fraud amounting to ₦700 billion.

Emmanuel appeared at the EFCC headquarters in response to an invitation regarding allegations of money laundering, fund diversion, and theft brought against him by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NCAT), a civil society organisation.

According to sources within the EFCC, the petitioner claims that during his eight-year tenure, the former governor received ₦3 trillion from the federation account but left behind a debt of ₦500 billion and ongoing projects worth ₦300 billion that remain unpaid in Akwa Ibom state. He is also accused of failing to account for ₦700 billion.

The Africa Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reported that Nigeria is among the top 10 African countries, collectively accounting for 69% of the continent’s total external debt.

In its recent report titled “African Debt Outlook: A Ray of Optimism,” Afreximbank noted that external debt levels across Africa remain high, largely due to underdeveloped domestic financial markets and elevated interest rates.

The bank also pointed out the challenges and potential opportunities African countries face in managing debt situations.

According to the report, “In the first half of 2024, ten African nations made up 69% of the continent’s total external debt stock, an increase from 67% in 2023.”

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged the Senate and House of Representatives to approve a bill to add extra seats for women in the national assembly. 

The proposed legislation, which seeks to establish 74 additional seats for women, has successfully passed the second reading in the House of Representatives. 

This bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu along with 12 other lawmakers, aims to amend sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the constitution to designate one “special seat reserved exclusively for women” in both the Senate and the House of Representatives for each state in the federation, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Lent, an important season for Christians, starts today, March 5, 2025, with Ash Wednesday.

It lasts for 40 days, not counting Sundays, and is a time for prayer, fasting, and helping others in preparation for Easter on April 20.

This period represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, focusing on reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual growth.

On Ash Wednesday, millions of Christians attend church services, where a cross of ashes is placed on their foreheads as a sign of faith and repentance.