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Australia has recorded its first death linked to diphtheria in almost 10 years..

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Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are laying the foundation for Nigeria’s long-term recovery, infrastructural renewal and national prosperity.

Nwuche, who is Chairman of the Board of the South South Development Commission, stated this while congratulating President Tinubu on securing the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the former Deputy Speaker said the overwhelming endorsement of Tinubu by APC members across the country reflected growing confidence in the administration’s economic direction and reform agenda.

According to him, “the broad endorsement from about eleven million APC members across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, reflects the growing national acceptance of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s bold efforts to reposition Nigeria towards economic recovery, infrastructural renewal, and national stability.”

Nwuche acknowledged prevailing economic difficulties but argued that the administration had demonstrated courage by pursuing reforms aimed at building a stronger and more sustainable economy.

“Despite current challenges, the Tinubu administration has shown courage and strategic leadership through pragmatic economic reforms, institutional repositioning, infrastructure expansion, and policies and projects aimed at securing long-term prosperity for all Nigerians, regardless of tribe or faith,” he said.

He stressed that reforms of such scale required time and consistency before their full impact could be felt across the economy.

“Current reforms require time, consistency, and collective national support to fully consolidate and deliver their intended benefits to the Nigerian people,” he added.

The former Deputy Speaker said the administration’s policies were designed to stimulate national growth, strengthen institutions and create a more stable economic environment for investment and development.

He expressed confidence that Nigerians would support Tinubu for another term in office to sustain ongoing reforms and consolidate gains already achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Nigerians across political, ethnic, and regional divides will overwhelmingly renew President Tinubu’s mandate in 2027 to solidify the gains already made and sustain the momentum of national progress,” he stated.

Nwuche further noted that nation-building demanded sacrifice and commitment from both leaders and citizens, urging Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as the administration continues implementing its reform programmes.

According to him, “nation-building demands vision, courage, wisdom, patriotism, and sacrifice not only from leaders but also from citizens who must remain committed to the shared responsibility of building a stronger, more prosperous, and united Nigeria.”

Tinubu’s Reforms Positioning Nigeria For Economic Recovery — Nwuche is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Africa’s economic growth is projected to moderate to 4.2 per cent in 2026 from 4.4 per cent recorded in 2025 as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East drive up energy, food and fertilizer costs, according to the latest economic outlook released by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The continental lender, however, expects growth to rebound to 4.4 per cent in 2027, provided that the current disruptions to global supply chains and commodity markets are short-lived and do not intensify beyond the next few months.

The forecast was contained in the AfDB’s annual economic outlook report unveiled on Tuesday during the bank’s Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

The report highlights mounting external risks facing African economies despite the continent’s resilience amid global uncertainty.
According to the AfDB, Africa remained one of the fastest-growing regions in the world in 2025, alongside Asia, outperforming both Europe and Latin America despite persistent trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts and economic volatility across major global markets.

The bank noted that economic growth last year was largely supported by stronger agricultural output, improved macroeconomic management in several countries, and favourable commodity prices, which helped cushion the impact of global headwinds.

However, the outlook for 2026 has become more challenging as renewed tensions in the Middle East threaten to increase transportation costs, disrupt supply chains and push up prices of critical imports, including fuel, food and fertilizers.

“The impact of this shock on growth and macroeconomic stability will depend on the duration of the supply chain disruptions and their effects on global energy and fertilizer prices,” the report stated.

The AfDB warned that a prolonged crisis could significantly weaken growth prospects across the continent, particularly in countries heavily dependent on imported energy and food products. Rising inflationary pressures could also erode household incomes, increase fiscal strains and undermine efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability.

East Africa, currently Africa’s fastest-growing sub-region, is expected to experience one of the sharpest slowdowns this year.

The bank attributed the projected decline to higher energy and import costs, as well as growing concerns over food security arising from elevated commodity prices.

The report comes at a critical time as African policymakers intensify efforts to mobilise domestic resources and strengthen economic resilience against external shocks.

Discussions at the AfDB Annual Meetings have focused heavily on innovative financing mechanisms and strategies for unlocking regional capital pools to address the continent’s vast infrastructure and development financing needs.

Concerns over a recent Ebola outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo had initially cast uncertainty over attendance at the Brazzaville meetings.

However, AfDB officials and the Congolese government reassured delegates that no Ebola cases had been reported in the Republic of the Congo and that health surveillance measures were being implemented in accordance with guidelines issued.

The bank’s President, , who assumed office in September last year, reiterated the need for Africa to rely more on its own financial resources to drive development as international aid flows continue to decline.

Tah has made domestic resource mobilisation a central pillar of his administration through the New African Financing Architecture for Development (NAFAD), an initiative aimed at leveraging Africa’s substantial savings and capital pools to finance economic transformation across the continent.

“Achieving sustained and inclusive growth will require a substantial increase in investment,” Tah said.

He stressed that while the continent’s current growth trajectory remains positive, Africa must raise and sustain annual economic growth above seven per cent for several decades to generate sufficient employment opportunities for its rapidly expanding population and significantly reduce poverty levels.

Analysts say the AfDB’s latest projections underscore both the resilience and vulnerability of African economies, with the continent continuing to outperform many regions globally while remaining highly exposed to external geopolitical and commodity market shocks.

Sustaining growth, they note, will depend on accelerating structural reforms, deepening regional trade integration, expanding infrastructure investment and strengthening domestic sources of development finance.

AfDB Warns Prolonged Crisis Could Undermine Africa’s Growth is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A Nigerian forward, Victor Udoh, has died at the age of 21 in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to the UK Mirror, Udoh passed away “under suspicious circumstances”.

The former Royal Antwerp and Southampton player was found dead but the exact cause of his death remains unknown at this time of reporting.

He recently returned to the country, after his stint with Dynamo České Budějovice ended.

Udoh joined the Czech team after leaving Southampton in 2025.

Before his move to England, he had been with Belgian side Royal Antwerp, where he rose through the ranks after joining from Abuja-based Hypebuzz.

Nigerian footballer, Victor Udoh dies at 21

The Abia State House of Assembly has approved a request by Governor Alex Otti authorising the state’s participation in the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Receivables Discounting Programme for infrastructure financing.

The resolution was passed during plenary on Tuesday, following a request transmitted to the Abia State House of Assembly by the Executive arm of government.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon Emma Emeruwa, disclosed that the request sought legislative approval to enable Abia State participate in the financing arrangement aimed at supporting infrastructure development across the state.

Leading debate on the motion, the Majority Leader, Hon. Uchenna Kalu, representing Arochukwu State Constituency, urged members to support the request, describing it as critical to sustaining infrastructural development in the state.

“This request, when granted, will improve cash inflow and liquidity for the state, facilitate faster financing of capital projects, and provide a clear repayment structure with lower interest implications,” Kalu stated.

Supporting the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, said the current administration had demonstrated prudence and commitment in the execution of projects across the state.

“Every patriotic Abian will want to align with the interest of the state government because we have seen that every resource accrued to the state has been judiciously applied,” Okezie said.

Also contributing, Hon. Godwin Adiele of Ukwa West State Constituency clarified that the arrangement was not a conventional loan.

“The fund we want to access is a due fund to the state. The only difference is that the state wants to access it ahead of time, and it does not attract interest,” he explained.

Other lawmakers who spoke in support of the request commended the administration’s developmental strides and expressed confidence that the funds would be properly utilised for capital projects and infrastructure development.

Following deliberations, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Emma Emeruwa, put the motion to vote and the lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the request.

The House also received a request for the confirmation of Mr. Uche Elekwachi as Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR).

During the screening, Elekwachi disclosed that he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Babcock University and an MBA from Lagos Business School and Barcelona Business School, Spain.

He further informed lawmakers that he is the Managing Partner of Maximum Value Consulting Ltd, a chartered accounting firm specialising in revenue optimisation, adding that he had consulted for over 28 states and several federal agencies and financial institutions.

Speaking during the screening, lawmakers stressed the importance of revenue generation to support ongoing projects across the state and charged the nominee to justify the confidence proposed in him if confirmed.

The House later confirmed Elekwachi as Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue.

Earlier during plenary, the member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Hon. Obioma Emeka, raised a matter of urgent public importance over severe erosion threatening the Ogbodiukwu Community in Umuopara.

Obioma described the situation as devastating, revealing that a residential building had already been partially consumed by the advancing gully erosion, leaving residents in fear and uncertainty.

“This disaster is threatening lives, homes, roads, economic activities, and critical infrastructure in the community,” Emeka said.

He called on the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies to immediately conduct an on-the-spot assessment and commence urgent erosion control measures to avert further destruction.

The Speaker subsequently directed the House Committee on Works and Environment to liaise with relevant ministries and agencies to assess the affected area and recommend appropriate intervention measures.

Abia Assembly Approves FAAC Financing Request, Confirms New BIR Chairman. is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A group of some members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the conduct of the party’s presidential primary election in Adamawa State, describing it as a charade in which fictitious figures were fabricated to mislead the public.

The Group of Concerned ADC Members, which addressed a news briefing in Yola on Tuesday, alleged that some party leaders and supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar undermined democratic principles through a fraudulent process.

Leader of the group, Hussain Hamman, a prominent party figure from Yola South Local Government Area, said there was hardly any voting in the state, except in Ajiya Ward of Yola North LGA, where Atiku voted.

“Election results cannot be produced in a vacuum,” he asserted.

He alleged that even in Ajiya Ward, the crowd presented to the public was mobilised to create the impression that a credible exercise had taken place.

“From all available evidence and reports gathered across Adamawa State, there was virtually no voting exercise anywhere except in Ajiya Ward, where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar allegedly mobilised hundreds of supporters to create the impression that an election took place,” Hamman stated.

He contended that democracy had been abused, stressing that it must be anchored in transparency, participation, and the free expression of the people’s will.

He said it was ironic that Atiku, who had criticised President Bola Tinubu for claiming fictitious votes to secure the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), would be involved in ADC’s own questionable primary.

Hamman said, “While Atiku Abubakar himself strongly condemned the APC leadership and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over allegations of inflated and manipulated figures in the APC presidential primary, it must be stated that the APC at least conducted a semblance of an election process.

“What happened under Atiku’s watch in Adamawa is even worse because no election took place in reality, yet imaginary results are being circulated to the public.”

Hamman, however, urged aggrieved members to remain peaceful while insisting on credible democratic practices.

ADC group rejects Adamawa presidential primary, calls it ‘charade’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday dismissed claims of giving preferential treatment to the judiciary.

Wike insisted that his administration is providing support to all sectors in the capital city.

The minister spoke after inspecting projects being prepared for commissioning ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s third year anniversary celebration in Abuja.

“For the judiciary to be independent, you must provide the necessary infrastructure, welfare and working conditions.

“It is not only about the judiciary. We are also providing water, schools and other basic needs for Nigerians,” he said.

Wike maintained that ongoing projects across the FCT reflected an inclusive development agenda, particularly in rural and satellite communities, which he said were now benefiting from infrastructure for the first time in decades.

FCT projects: No preferential treatment for judiciary – Wike

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed over 56,000 personnel across the country to ensure a

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The Accord Party has officially affirmed Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi, popularly known as Irekandu, as its candidate for the Obokun Constituency in Osun State ahead of the upcoming elections. The affirmation, which was the outcome of a peaceful consensus arrangement, took place in Ibokun, the headquarters of Obokun Local Government Area. The process was officially overseen […]

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The House of Representatives candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State, Omoniyi Akingunola, on Monday, described former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, as a courageous progressive leader whose ideals of justice, discipline and people-oriented governance continue to shape political consciousness across Nigeria. Akingunola who stated this […]

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