President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have allocated N9.36 billion for their local and foreign travels, as well as refreshments, in the proposed 2025 budget.

The 2025 Appropriation Bill, titled “Restoration Budget: Securing Peace and Building Prosperity,” reveals that Tinubu’s travel and refreshment expenses will amount to N7.44 billion, while Shettima’s will total N1.9 billion.

The breakdown shows Tinubu’s international trips will cost N6.14 billion, with local trips budgeted at N873.9 million. Refreshments and catering supplies for the president are pegged at N431.6 million. For the vice president, N1.31 billion is allocated for foreign trips, N417.5 million for local travels, and N186.02 million for refreshments.

The 2025 budget also includes N4.76 billion for vehicles in the Office of the President, with allocations for SUVs and operational fleets.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives have referred the budget to their respective appropriation committees for review, with sittings set to resume on January 14, 2025.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed an attack on the 330-kilovolt Shiroro-Katampe Transmission Line, causing power outages in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to a statement by TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah, the incident occurred on December 18, 2024, at 11:43 PM, when the line lost supply on the grid. Efforts to restore power were unsuccessful as the line tripped again immediately.

A patrol team dispatched to investigate found that vandals had stolen parts of the power conductor between towers T216 and T218.

Mbah assured the public that TCN’s maintenance crew is working diligently to replace the damaged conductor, with power restoration expected soon. She also urged citizens to report any suspicious activities around power infrastructure to curb such incidents.

This attack underscores the urgent need for heightened security measures to protect critical power infrastructure.

The Court of Appeal has ruled against MTN for breaching a subscriber’s privacy, awarding N15 million in damages to Mr. Anene for unsolicited calls and messages despite his activation of the Do Not Disturb (DND) option.

The case, initially filed at the FCT High Court, detailed how MTN made 88 unsolicited calls and sent numerous text messages to Mr. Anene, causing him anxiety and embarrassment.

While the lower court awarded N300,000 in damages, the claimant appealed, deeming the amount insufficient.

Justice Abang, delivering the Appeal Court’s judgment, criticized MTN’s practices, stating they likely generated substantial illegitimate income from millions of Nigerians.

The court dismissed MTN’s cross-appeal, which argued that the deductions amounted to just N14,000 and that the initial damages were excessive.

The judgment emphasized the need for exemplary damages to deter similar practices, especially from foreign entities profiting at the expense of Nigerian subscribers.

“If MTN had sent unsolicited messages to 10 million phones owned by innocent Nigerians, it would have unlawfully enriched itself,” Justice Abang remarked.