Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has voiced her concerns about the influence Elon Musk holds over the ongoing government funding crisis on Capitol Hill.

In a post on X, Clinton accused the Republican Party of being guided by Musk, the world’s richest man, stating, “The Republican Party, taking orders from the world’s richest man, is on course to shut down the government over the holidays.

Stopping paychecks for our troops and nutrition benefits for low-income families just in time for Christmas.”

This sharp criticism came after House Democrats labelled some Republicans as ‘Extreme MAGA’ for their hardline stance in budget negotiations, which could potentially leave essential services unfunded.

The possibility of a government shutdown, set to take effect at midnight on Saturday, would mean thousands of federal employees, including military personnel, might not receive paychecks.

Additionally, millions of vulnerable families relying on programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) could face disruptions in their benefits just before the holidays.

Fox News reported that the core issue is a dispute over the spending deal initially brokered by House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Democrats.

Musk, known for his outspoken views on politics and social issues, rejected the original agreement, threatening to support primary challengers against any Republican who voted in favour of it.

In response, House Republicans proposed a revised spending package.

The Nigerian government has officially launched the N250 billion Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF).

The announcement was made on Thursday via a statement from the Federal Ministry of Finance’s official X account.

According to the government, the fund’s primary goal is to provide low-cost, long-term mortgage financing, particularly focusing on the housing and construction industries, which are vital sectors for job creation and economic development.

At the signing ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, stated the importance of the initiative in bridging the country’s significant housing finance gap.

He explained that the new fund would offer mortgages with terms of up to 25 years, a stark contrast to the short-term, high-interest loans typically provided by commercial banks.

This longer repayment period is expected to make homeownership more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.

Edun also shared details about the fund’s structure, revealing that the first series, worth N150 billion, aims to attract substantial private-sector investment.

A second series, which will raise an additional N100 billion, will follow.

The initiative is closely aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to promote widespread homeownership, create jobs, and drive economic growth, particularly in the construction and real estate sectors.

Armstrong Takang, the Managing Director of MOFI, also spoke on the impact of the initiative, emphasizing that the MREIF will allow Nigerians to build generational wealth through sustainable homeownership.

Justice Aluko of the Federal High Court has sentenced a man identified as Roomy to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of ₦300,000 for possession of tramadol. The sentencing followed his guilty plea to charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Roomy was arrested on November 15, 2024, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, during a routine passenger screening for an Ethiopian Airlines flight. He was en route to Turkey via Addis Ababa when the contraband was discovered.

The NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, highlighted that Roomy’s actions violated Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Despite urging for a stricter penalty, Roomy’s lawyer, Augustine Nwagu, pleaded for leniency, noting his client’s remorse and first-time offender status.

Justice Aluko also ordered the forfeiture of Roomy’s passport to the Nigerian Immigration Service and the destruction of the seized drugs if no appeal is filed.

The court’s decision underscores the balance between upholding the law and considering mitigating circumstances.