1. President Bola Tinubu has said things are taking shape for the better, even though people may not like his government. He said amid the tough challenges in the country, his administration has made some progress, noting that there are better days ahead.

2. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said Nigeria’s tax administration system is due for reform in terms of design and implementation flaws, as well as taxpayers’ attitude. He, however, emphasised the need for constructive dialogue in democracy, especially in relation to the controversy generated by the tax reform bills.

3. One farmer, Isyaku Gambo, has been reportedly killed in a bomb explosion near Bassa in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. Residents said the victim stepped on the explosive suspected to have been planted on the road between Unguwan-Usman village and Bassa while conveying his farm produce to Bassa on a motorcycle.

4. Following the circulation of the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant in 29 countries globally, the Federal Government has directed all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of tertiary hospitals to immediately activate alert systems for high index of suspicion in patients with symptoms.

5. The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed the purported suspension of Hon. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu from the party by his ward executives. National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said this in a statement in response to a viral letter from the Umuopia/Umukegwu Ward Chapter, of the party in Imo State, purporting to have expelled the federal lawmaker.

6. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), has announced a strategic partnership with Dangote Refinery aimed at ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply across Nigeria during and after the yuletide season. PETROAN National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, in a statement, disclosed this development following a high-level business meeting held with Dangote Refinery’s management in Lagos.

7. The Federal Government has set aside N700bn from the federation account for the implementation of the distribution of free electricity meters under the Presidential Metering Initiative. This is according to the Special Adviser to the Minister of Power on Strategic Communications and Media, Bolaji Tunji.

8. Yobe State Police Command has clamped down on a syndicate that has been targeting unsuspecting Automated Teller Machine users across the state. The command’s State Intelligence Department arrested three suspects identified as Sani Kasim, 35, Nura Umaru, 24, and Umar Suleman, 22.

9. Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in collaboration with emergency response agencies, has rescued 18 individuals involved in a vehicular collision on the Third Mainland Bridge.m LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki in a statement on Saturday, in Lagos said that the accident occurred on Third Mainland Bridge near Ilaje, heading towards Iyana Oworonsoki.

10. The Zone 16 Police Command on Saturday paraded three suspects for allegedly engaging in illicit drugs and fraudulent activities. A statement by the zone’s spokesman in Yenagoa, SP Gunn Emonena, said the Zonal Financial and Cyber Crime unit, based on credible intelligence, stormed Rumukparali community in Obio/Akpo Local Government of Rivers to arrest the suspects.