News
Cash Shortages in Ondo State Ahead of Governorship Election.
As Ondo State approaches its governorship election in just one week, residents are grappling with serious cash shortages in commercial banks throughout the region. Reports indicate that politicians from major parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been making substantial withdrawals, purportedly to stockpile cash for vote-buying.
According to sources within the banking sector, a surge in cash withdrawals occurred over the past week, with politicians allegedly colluding with bank managers to facilitate these transactions. A source from a new generation bank stated, “The politicians have colluded with bank managers to withdraw huge amounts of money daily. When the politicians ‘settle’ the bankers, they permit them to withdraw as much as they want.”
As a consequence, everyday customers have found it increasingly difficult to access their own funds. Many banks are informing customers that there is insufficient cash available, leading to frustrations among the public. For instance, a customer named Tunde recounted an experience at a bank in Akure, where he was limited to withdrawing only N10,000 instead of the N50,000 he sought.
Another customer echoed this sentiment, stating, “I was told that I could only withdraw N10,000 as the highest amount, even though I wanted to access N30,000.” The bank representatives attributed these restrictions to limited cash supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
A bank manager, speaking under conditions of anonymity, confirmed the troubling trend of cash depletion, emphasizing that recent regulations limit cash withdrawals from the CBN to just twice within a two-week period. This has compounded the cash flow issues already affecting the branches.
As the election approaches, the implications of these cash shortages are significant. With allegations of collusion between politicians and banking officials, residents are left questioning the integrity of both the electoral process and the banking system in Ondo State.
The Federal Government has declared a state of emergency on the construction of the Suleja-Minna road. Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the declaration on Saturday following an inspection of the road. He stated that the project, initially awarded to Salini Nigeria Limited, had been poorly executed or abandoned.
Umahi explained that despite repeated attempts to have Salini repair the road over the past year and a half, progress had been unsatisfactory. Niger Governor Mohammed Bago raised concerns with President Bola Tinubu, prompting the Ministry of Works to intervene. The road, described as being “in a very terrible situation delaying travel time by seven hours instead of an hour and half hours and vehicles are falling and killing people,” has been designated an emergency project.
The contract with Salini has been irrevocably terminated due to substandard work. Umahi has directed his ministry to recover funds owed by Salini, potentially involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Two contractors are now engaged in the project. CCCC International Engineering Nigeria Ltd. has been contracted to handle part of the road, with 60km already completed under the Governor’s urban renewal agenda. CCCC has been given 10 days to mobilize and commence work on a critical 7km stretch. Umahi emphasized that work will begin immediately under emergency procurement guidelines, with pricing to be verified subsequently.
The Nigerian film industry is in mourning following the death of Kayode Peters, a renowned filmmaker and producer. The news was announced by his family on his official Instagram page, stating that he passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, after a long illness.
Peters, fondly known as KP, was celebrated for his contributions as a filmmaker, actor, and producer. He was known for his role as Koko in the popular sitcoms “Twilight Zone” and “Flatmates” in the early 2000s. His work also extended to stage plays and sitcoms like “Extended Family” and “Being Farouk,” significantly impacting Nigeria’s contemporary theatre and television landscape.
He is survived by his wife, Alexander, and their children. Funeral arrangements are underway, and further details will be shared by the family in due course. The industry and fans alike will deeply miss his warmth, generosity, and contributions to Nollywood.
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, on Saturday, marking the commencement of a two-nation tour encompassing the Caribbean and South America. Upon arrival at Hewanorra International Airport, he was received with full military honors by Governor-General Errol Melchiades Charles and Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
The President’s itinerary includes courtesy visits to the Governor-General and Prime Minister, followed by an address to a joint session of the Senate and the House of Assembly of Saint Lucia. Discussions will focus on deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), with emphasis on economic partnerships and cultural solidarity. A visit to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College is also planned to strengthen educational ties.
Following his engagements in Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will proceed to Brazil to participate in the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, attending at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. Nigeria’s participation as a ‘partner country’ underscores its commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations on a global scale.
Federal Government Declares State of Emergency on Suleja-Minna Road.
Nollywood Mourns the Loss of Kayode Peters.
President Tinubu Begins Two-Nation Tour with State Visit to Saint Lucia.
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News23 hours agoNigeria’s tax reform bills rename FIRS to Nigeria Revenue Service.
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News23 hours agoPresident Tinubu Begins Two-Nation Tour with State Visit to Saint Lucia.
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Entertainment12 hours agoNollywood Mourns the Loss of Kayode Peters.
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News12 hours agoFederal Government Declares State of Emergency on Suleja-Minna Road.