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Super Falcons Insistence On Dollars Delay Release Of President’s Cash Reward – Sports Analyst

By
Ayodele Oni
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Super Falcons2

By Ayodele Oni

It has been revealed that delay in redeeming President Bola Tinubu’s monetary reward to the victorious Super Falcons, almost, three weeks after, is caused by the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) move to pay in Naira.

The Super Falcons however, reportedly, turned down attempts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay President  Tinubu’s $100,000 reward in Naira, while the footballers insist on receiving the funds in dollars.

Sports analyst Aron Akerejola, speaking on Arise TV, clarified that the delay in disbursing the allowances was not due to negligence, but stemmed from the players’ refusal to accept local currency.

“The part of the story they are not telling is that these girls were given the money. The NFF proposed paying their allowances in Naira at the rate of ₦1,530 to a dollar.

“The players refused, saying, ‘We don’t live in Nigeria. What will we do with Naira?”

He added that the NFF had since forwarded the funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for conversion into dollars, which caused further delay.

“It’s not the fault of the NFF. The government released the money, but the players rejected Naira. That’s why it dragged on,” he said.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade previously confirmed that the squad had yet to receive Tinubu’s $100,000 reward. “We have not received our money, but hopefully, it will be paid,” she told reporters.

President Tinubu had announced the financial gift, along with national honours and housing benefits, following the team’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Morocco.

NOA Backs Ban On lavish Graduation Parties In Imo Schools, Urges States To Copy

By
Ayodele Oni
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Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu - DG NOA

By Ayodele Oni

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on States to implement the ban on lavish graduation parties for pupils in nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools just as Imo state imposed the order.

Director, of Communication and Media of NOA, Bala Musa, in a statement on Monday stated that the Director General of the agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, commended Imo State for the action, describing it as a timely step toward curbing excesses and promoting responsible value reorientation among young learners.

According to the Director General, the trend fosters unrealistic expectations of instant reward, encourages a culture of extravagance, and places undue financial burden on parents, that are often compelled to fund what he described as a wasteful and socially unproductive practice.

Issa-Onilu emphasised that early exposure to such lavish celebrations distorts the values of hard work, humility, and delayed gratification, which are essential for personal growth and national development.

He added that the Agency is committed to working with state governments, schools, and parents to promote a culture prioritising discipline, modesty, and responsible upbringing among children.

He added that the agency recently unveiled a campaign against sign out extreme practises and the ban by the state aligns with the general-purpose of the campaign.

Speaking on the State Government’s directive to stop school proprietors from changing textbooks annually, he noted that the move will significantly reduce the financial burden on families caused by frequent textbook replacements, making education more affordable and accessible for all students.

Onilu stressed that Imo State’s policy allowing graduation ceremonies only for Primary 6 and Senior Secondary students aligns with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system, which ensures consistency with national education standards.

He explained that the policy contributes to a healthier educational environment by emphasising academic focus over extravagant celebrations during the early stages of schooling.

“My Daughter Was Shamed Because I Am Poor” – Mr Emmanson, Ibom Air Passenger’s Father

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Godwin Emmanson and his Daughter Comfort

By Adesina Soyooye

Godwin Emmanson, father of Comfort, the Ibom Air passenger who had an ugly physical confrontation with one of the Airline’s Crew members, Juliana Edward, and later, security personnel, over the switching off of her phone on board, has lamented the fate that befell her daughter.

In his first reaction via a viral video released on Saturday, Mr Emmanson said since after the humiliation of her daughter, he has not been able to eat. What happened to her daughter, he said, broke his heart. He said their family name has been stained because the body of her daughter was exposed, photographed, videod and released for public viewing.

And, perhaps, remembering that a celebrity Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popular as Kwam1 De Ultimate, a few days earlier, had committed a more serious offence than the one, allegedly, committed by her daughter, but was neither arrested, reported to the Police, arraigned in Court and put in custody at the Kirikiri Prisons, Mr Emmanson attributed her daughter’s lot to his economic status. He lamented that his daughter was treated very badly and shamed because he is a nobody, poor, and has no money.

His appeal: a compensation for her. “I’m not happy. Compensation must be paid”, he said.

Following, the full text of his video.

” My name is Godwin Emmanson. I don’t know why it would have happened that way. Is it because I don’t have money? I don’t know how these people are going to pay my bills. They have rubbished us. They tarnished our image. I’m not feeling myself and I don’t feel like eating anything. They exposed my child’s body and, she didn’t steal, just for a mere argument. How can you treat somebody’s child like this in front of the whole world? What has Government done about this – is it because I am broke like Church rat?  I’m not happy. Compensation must be paid.”

Recall that due to the outrage by not a few people including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, and organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Federal Government ordered Comfort’s release from Kirikiri Prison, and immediate withdrawal of the charges against her. The life ban placed on her by the Airline Owners Of Nigeria, AON, was, also, lifted.

Offa Robbery: Families Of Victims Exonerate Saraki, Say ‘Stop Exploiting Our Grief’

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Bukola Saraki

By Akinwale Kasali

“Our loved ones would not have wanted their deaths to be used as tools for political manipulation”

Years after the Offa Bank Robbery incident that claimed several lives, Dr Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, has persistently been linked to the incident.

However, families of tye victims of that fatal robbery incident have appealed to Nigerians to, as a matter of urgency, disregard persistent claims linking the former Kwara State Governor to the incident.

The victims’ families condemned what they described as the politicization of their loss, saying it is uncalled for.

In a statement, the families, who were duly represented by Alhaji Abdul Oseni Aditu Eniolohunpa, Hajia Mulikat Jimoh, and Danjuma Comfort, who spoke on Radio TNT in Offa, Kwara State, in addressing the renewed debates surrounding the tragedy, distanced Saraki from the incident.

Abdul lost his 27-year-old son in the robbery, Hajia Mulikat, the mother of one of the victims, and Mrs Danjuma, the wife of a slain police officer, stressed that their loved ones were victims of a criminal attack and appealed for an end to political exploitation of their grief.

It would be recalled that the tragic Offa bank robbery took place on April 5, 2018, which saw heavily armed robbers attack several banks and a police station. They left 33 people dead, including security personnel.

Since then, the incident has remained a subject of political controversy, with some attempting to link it to prominent figures such as including Saraki.

The families revealed they had previously been approached by individuals urging them to make public statements implicating Saraki in the attack, but believe it is all politically motivated to smear his name.

The families said they rejected such attempts, insisting that their loved ones were victims of a violent crime and that it was unjust for anyone to exploit their tragedy for political ends.

The families also expressed disappointment over the lack of support or compensation from the government since the incident, noting that their priority remains justice and healing, not politics.

They unanimously appealed to Nigerians to focus on preventing similar tragedies in future rather than fuelling political debates on the issue that has left a vacuum in their lives through the death of their loved ones.

“Our loved ones would not have wanted their deaths to be used as tools for political manipulation.

“We call on the public to honour the memory of the victims by refusing to allow their pain to be turned into a political weapon”, the statement reads.

Letter To President Goodluck Jonathan

By
The Source
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Amanze Obi and Goodluck Jonathan

By Amanze Obi

“My appeal to you is this: do not mess up the legacy you have laboured to build”

His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan. I address you today with utmost sense of respect. My choice of this open medium is deliberate. It is aimed at ensuring that others who feel as concerned as I do help in calling you to order. Our dear former President, information reaching us has it that you are considering standing for election in the 2027 presidential race. We hear that you are being propelled into this project by those who feel that what the North needs in 2027 is a southerner who will serve only one term to complete the turn of the South at the Presidency. Since President Bola Tinubu is not an option for the North, or for any Nigerian for that matter, the North, which claims to have the numbers, is shopping seriously for a credible southerner that will spend only four years in office. Those goading you on to throw your hat in the ring are telling you that you will be the best option for the North, since you cannot spend more than one term in office, having been there before. Your prodders are also telling you that your candidacy will appeal more to the North than that of Peter Obi, who has declared that he would serve only one term of four years, if elected President, for the simple reason that Obi’s avowal can only be taken with a pinch of salt. If this permutation is what is goading you on, I advise you, my former President, to shun that temptation. It will not work. If anything, it will end in painful regrets.

Before you take that leap in the dark, I want to remind you of where you are coming from. You ran a keenly contested election in 2015 that saw you handing over power as an incumbent to an opposition candidate. That was a rare act of statesmanship on our shores. Even though you conceded defeat, I strongly felt that you did not lose that election in real terms. What happened was that you allowed Attahiru Jega, the man you appointed as chairman of the electoral commission, to rig you out. Those votes he joined his Fulani brothers in manufacturing in states like Kano, Kaduna and Katsina were not real. While he freely allotted huge figures to your main challenger in the North, he cleverly suppressed your votes in your southern strongholds. Beyond these, he unleashed underage voters in the streets of the North, thus making the credibility of that election questionable. You watched all this helplessly. Are you supposed to be that helpless as a sitting President? In fact, Jega’s manipulation was apparent. But you permitted all that because, according to you, your ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. If you could not take steps to stop the manipulation against you as a sitting president, what do you think you can really do as an outsider with all the odds stacked against you?

When you allowed the hawks to shove you aside, Nigerians of goodwill felt the wound, but they commended you all the same for allowing peace to reign. Since then, you have come to acquire the status of an international statesman, a model for democracy and a peace ambassador. You are, right now, well rated in the eyes of the world. Let me announce to you at this juncture that your 2027 gamble, if you eventually choose to go that way, will make nonsense of the reputation you have laboured to build over the years. I say so because you will not win in that election.

Let me, with utmost respect, ask you what you are aiming at in 2027. Do you aim at defeating Tinubu or to weaken Obi’s push for the presidency? If your aim is to defeat Tinubu, that will be a tall order. I say so because you lack the gravitas and the rawness that that race will require. You need to be more than the Jonathan we already know to be able to achieve that feat. The conditions at this time are not conducive for your return, that is if you will ever return as President. The battle for the presidency in 2027 will be tougher than what you experienced in 2015. I project that, if you could not fight the 2015 battle with your incumbency, 2027 will be a far cry.

Then, if your aim is to weaken Obi’s aspiration, you will be moving against the tide. I project that you will not be able to stand Obi’s popularity. He will dwarf you in a manner that will make your plan to return to power a lifetime mistake. If you insist on going ahead with the ill-advised plan, you will find yourself overwhelmed too soon with the Peter Obi hurricane. Therefore, if anybody is trying to use you to weaken Obi’s quest for the presidency, I advise you, very strongly, to shun the plot. Do not play the spoilsport. Real men stand up for what they believe in, not what is sold to them.

Let me ask you again, Mr. President, What is going to be your trump card in the election you want to venture into? Is it your one-term flag? That will not work. Those who pushed you out want to use you to weaken Obi’s one-term declaration. But let me alert you to the fact that what will decide the election is not term limit. Nigerians will be interested in what you can offer. Remember that Nigerians have already seen the whole of you. They know your capacity. Therefore, you have nothing new to tell them.

Again, where will your votes be coming from in 2027? Are you imagining that the North will just embrace you because of one term? It will be too simplistic on your part to reason along that line. Remember that the South East was your stronghold when you were President. They supported you more than your own zone. Now, one of their own is gunning seriously for the presidency. Your role should be to support and not torpedo the project. The South East does not deserve any form of sabotage from you.

What will be your message to Nigerians, if you decide to run? I can hardly figure out anything. But unlike you, Obi has a living, pulsating message for Nigeria. He is offering Nigerians something new; something they have not seen before in governance. Nigerians are also placing much hope on Obi because of his integrity. They believe that he will do what he has promised. He has said he will do one term. And Nigerians have no reason to doubt him. He has presented Nigerians with a blueprint on how to get the country out of the present mess. Nigerians are hopeful that he will deliver on his promises. It is the confidence they repose in him that made the people to vote massively for him in 2023. Nigerians will do much more than that in 2027.

As you can see, Mr. President, it will be tough for you to fit into this set-up. It will choke you. I am convinced that your participation in the election, if you eventually decide to run, will not be more than a gamble. When this gamble backfires, it will diminish whatever goodwill you have garnered after your peaceful handover of power as an incumbent to an opposition candidate. My appeal to you is this: do not mess up the legacy you have laboured to build.

Obi, PhD, accomplished author, columnist, a former Commissioner for Information, and later, Culture & Tourism, Imo State, was, also, former Chairman, The Sun Editorial Board

“My Body Is Now Used For Stickers… What Will My Unborn Children Think Of Me”? – Emmanson, Ibom Air Passenger”

By
The Source
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Comfort Emmanson - Passenger on Ibom Air

For the first time since the ugly incident between Ibom Air Passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and the Airline’s Crew as well as its security and that of the Airport happened, she has opened up and told her own side of the story. She says she is still in shock, traumatised, and ashamed to show her face in public because of the indecent exposure of her body. She is, also concerned about her future, and worries about what the man she would marry and her unborn children think of her. “The Air Hostess, Juliana Edwards, attacked me and called me a prostitute. She pulled my wig. Now, my body is used for stickers”, she lamented.

Following is her story, in her words, which she posted on her Instagram page.

“I want to first appreciate God Almighty and everyone that stood by me and fought for me when I was in prison. When I came out the love and support I saw, I was not expecting it for a commoner like me. I say God bless you all.

“So, on August 10, I boarded a flight from Uyo to Lagos and the normal procedure was on. The lady (Air Hostess) Juliana was telling everyone to switch off their phones. When she came to me, I was struggling with my phone and she said I should put off my phone.

“I showed her that one of the phone was bad. The button was bad and she said I can turn it off without the power button. I had two phones and so the man sitting beside me helped me to turn off the other one.

“While she was talking, she said I should go to my settings and to general…I pleaded with her to take the phone off, but she refused saying ‘children nowadays…’

“I asked her to spell general for me but the way she looked at me and the pressure from her, so, I turned to the man who switched off the first one and begged him to help.

“The man spelt general and I went back to her but she looked at me with bad eye.

“So, I turned to the man again and he helped me switch the second one off. I put both phones where they are supposed to be.

“But before she left, she said, ‘you will see’. I didn’t take it to heart since I have already switched my phones off.

“So, when we arrived in Lagos, I rushed to the bathroom to pee. My seat was at the back. There was someone inside already and so I had to wait for the person to come out.

“After the person left, I got in, peed and when I was done, I went out of the bathroom. I didn’t stay that long inside because it’s a small place and very discomforting. So, I went out and carried my things to leave but she blocked my way.

“I kept telling her to leave the road for me to go as everyone had left the aircraft but she stood there looking at me with a bad eye (condescendingly).

“That’s when I brought out my phone and did that short video to show how she was blocking my exit. When I brought out my phone, she then turned around showing me her back.

“Then, she noticed I was recording her and she pushed me inside, dragged my frontal hair out, cut my gold chain in the process of tearing my cloth and also made my phones fall to the ground and break.

“I was in pain, she inflicted so much pain on me. Anyone who has fixed a frontal knows how painful it is, then imagine someone dragging it out forcefully. It was all these pains she caused me that made me poke her in the face, asking her why she did that to me?

“God knows I wouldn’t poke an elderly woman, old enough to be my mother, for nothing. It’s the pain she inflicted on me and calling me a prostitute that’s why I was asking her why she did that.

“Before I knew it, all those guys had come in and surrounded me. They were dragging me and the lady Juliana was the one who dragged my pin-under (bodycon top). The way she dragged the pin-under also wounded me inside. I was the only one there surrounded by all of them and I was struggling to help myself.

“They were dragging me and some of them wanted to touch me. So, I was trying to cover myself and also defending myself. That was what they recorded and put out there.

“I was surprised, I never expected that. It was so much for one person to bear. I was very angry and kept asking them why they would do that to me? Still they made video of me and put it out there.

“The trauma is just too much. I cannot even go out there again. My body is out there. Some people have even used it to make stickers.

“Right now, I don’t know how I will be going for work interview. I am into real estate. Imagine going to sell or advertise a property to a client and they will be looking at my breast.

Imagine what my unborn kids or the man that I will marry will say about my reputation. I haven’t come out to say my part of the story because I was still on treatment.

“I never expected that the phone situation will come out this way. People are now making mockery of me, sending me messages that my body is outside.

“Those who know me can attest that I am not really a social media person. I am happy I am strong enough to talk now. I am not a troublesome person; I am not a nuisance. I never refused to switch off my phone.”

The initial life ban placed on her by the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, has been lifted. The Federal Government has also withdrawn all charges against her and her prosecution in Court terminated. But the question remains: Is that the end?

Nigerians are calling for a full investigation of the incident to establish the truth and why Emmanson was visited with so much indignity and humiliation. Meanwhile, Emmanson’s outraged father is seeking compensation for her daughter.

Imo Bans Nursery, JSS Graduation Parties, Restricts Yearly Textbook Changes

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Hope Uzodimma- Governor of Imo State

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the public outcry that has greeted the alleged rip off and extortion by Private Schools of Parents through Graduation of Nurseries and Junior Secondary School Pupils, the Imo State Government has read a Riot Act in to curb the nonsense.

The State Government has banned graduation parties for Nursery and Junior Secondary School, JSS3,  students in a bid to ease financial pressure on parents and focus attention on academics.

Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, Commissioner for Education, in a memo dated August 15, 2025, announced the policy, addressed to parents, guardians, and school proprietors.

The directive, effective immediately, allows graduation ceremonies only for Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) students, in line with Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education system.

“The Ministry is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students in the state,” the Commissioner said.

“Graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished. This policy ensures focus on academic achievements at the completion of primary and secondary education cycles.”

Ikegwuoha also addressed the yearly change of textbooks in private and faith-based schools, describing the practice as a financial burden on families. He directed that approved textbooks be used for, at least, four years, allowing siblings to share them across sessions.

“Proprietors are warned to desist from frequent textbook changes,” he stated. “Adopting the approved list for four years promotes stability, reduces costs for parents, and enhances a consistent learning environment.”

According to the Commissioner, the measures are designed to create a more efficient and financially sustainable education system that benefits students, parents, and the wider public.

Decongestion Of Mortuaries: Ondo To Give Mass Burial To 402 Unclaimed Corpses

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ondo University of Medical Sciences - UNIMED

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo  State Government is set to decongest public morgues with approval of a mass burial to unclaimed corpses numbering 402.

Report revealed that some of the corpses have been abandoned since year 2020, with nobody coming forward to claim them.

The dead bodies are dumped at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), morgue, in Akure and Ondo complexes, leaving no room to deposit fresh ones.

The State Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa has given approval for the immediate mass burial of the 402 known and unknown corpses deposited between 2020 and 2024, to prevent unwarranted hazardous tendencies the development portends for the people of the state.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Michael Odimayo, subtitled; “List of unknown and abandoned bodies in UNIMEDTH Ondo and Akure complexes”, said the governor “has approved the mass burial of prolonged abandoned corpses” in the two hospitals.

Due to the concluded plan on the mass burial, government has called on members of the public to claim the corpses of their loved ones before the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum given for the purpose.

It reads; “The office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health has completed arrangement to effect the mass burial.

“The general public is therefore given up to 21 days from the day of this notice to go with evidence and claim the corpses of their relatives/ loved ones before the proposed mass burial.”

According to the statement, there are a total of 146 abandoned female corpses while that of male were 256.

Out of the 145 female corpses, there are 117 corpses, whose owners could not be traced, while only 29 corpses of the total figure could be identified.

For the male, out of the 256 corpses, 205 are unknown while 51 could be identified.

The number of unknown corpses both for male and female stands at 322 while the total for known corpses stands at 80.

From the above analyses, the total abandoned and unknown corpses expected to be given mass burial by the Ondo  State government remains 402.

NIMASA Promotes 9 Directors, Others

By
James Orji
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Dayo Mobereola - NIMASA DG

The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of nine Deputy Directors to Directors. In addition, the Board approved the promotion of 30 Assistant Directors to Deputy Directors, 35 Chiefs to Assistant Directors, and ratified the promotion of 169 other staff members from one grade level to the next grade level .

The newly appointed Directors include the Coordinator, Abuja Liaison Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh; Director Internal Audit, Dr. Odunayo Ani;  Special Adviser to the DG, Mrs. Nneka Obianyor; Director Procurement, Mrs. Biodun Fatade; Dr. Oma Ofodile; Ms. Gloria Anyasodo; Mr. Abdulahi Yelwa; Umar Buba and Mr. Umar Ibrahim Sidi.

While congratulating the newly promoted officers, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed Management’s commitment to staff welfare and a transparent, merit-based career progression system.

He charged the beneficiaries to rededicate themselves to excellence in service delivery.

“Our administration is committed to improved staff welfare. This promotion exercise is strictly merit-based, and we expect staff to reciprocate by rededicating themselves to higher productivity. We will continue to prioritize staff welfare, while counting on your commitment to the ideals of the Agency in helping Management actualize its mandate,” Mobereola stated.

CBN: Currency In Circulation Hits N4.5trn

By
James Orji
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0
CBN Naira Notes

Currency outside the formal banking system moderated to N4.49 trillion in June 2025, down from N4.63 trillion in May, though it continued to dominate overall liquidity by accounting for about 90 per cent of total circulation.

Currency in circulation,CIC, closed the month at N5.01 trillion, marginally higher than N5.00 trillion recorded in the previous month, according to the latest Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data. The pullback marks the first notable easing in two months, following a steady rise in cash supply. Over the past year, cash outside banks (CoB) had maintained an upward trajectory, climbing from N3.79 trillion in June 2024 to a peak of N5.13 trillion in December 2024, driven largely by festive spending. From July through November, out-of-bank currency expanded consistently—rising from N3.66 trillion in July to N4.02 trillion in September and N4.65 trillion in November underscoring the persistent reliance on cash in the economy.

The trend shifted at the turn of 2025 as liquidity conditions began to adjust. In January, CoB eased to N4.74 trillion before declining further to N4.52 trillion in February. It steadied at N4.57 trillion in April and edged up again to N4.63 trillion in May, before tapering to N4.49 trillion in June. Despite the moderation, the figure remained 18.6 per cent higher year-on-year, highlighting the scale of unbanked liquidity and its implications for monetary policy effectiveness.

A closer look at CIC trends reveals a cycle of seasonal expansion, sharp year-end spikes, and gradual correction. Total CIC stood at N4.05 trillion in June 2024, with N3.79 trillion, over 93 per cent held outside banks. The ratio hovered above 90 per cent throughout the second half of the year, peaking in December when CIC surged to N5.44 trillion, with N5.13 trillion circulating outside the formal system. By early 2025, the pattern reversed as post-holiday withdrawals tapered, with CIC falling to N5.24 trillion in January and further to N5.03 trillion in February, before stabilising around N5 trillion through April, May, and June.

THISDAY

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