News on the Go: 5 things that should matter to you today

• Lakurawa: No cause for alarm, membership not more than 200, says Major General Adamu Laka
• Tinubu appoints Atiku’s ex-spokesperson media aide
• MultiChoice writes off $21m deposited in defunct Heritage Bank

We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Friday, November 15, and present them below.

5 issues in the news that should matter to you today

1. Lakurawa: No cause for alarm, membership not more than 200, says Major Gen Adamu Laka: The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm despite the recent emergence of the Lakurawa terrorist group, which has been causing disturbances in Sokoto State and parts of the Northwest.

According to him, the group’s membership does not exceed 200 individuals, and efforts to neutralise their threat are ongoing under the coordination of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

2. Tinubu appoints Atiku’s ex-spokesperson media aide: On November 14, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Mr Daniel Bwala, a former spokesperson for the Atiku campaign, as his Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications (State House) and three others as directors-general of various agencies.

The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement  titled “President Tinubu Appoints Three Directors-General And One Special Adviser On Public Communication.”

3. FG secures $134m AfDB loan facility for agricultural growth: The Federal Government has successfully secured a $134m loan facility from the African Development Bank to boost agricultural production, particularly in the seeds and grains sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security's Chief Information Officer, Eremah Anthonia, disclosed the development in a statement released on November 14.

4. Ponzi scheme operators face N20 million fine, imprisonment – SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says the Investments and Securities Bill (ISB) 2024 has proposed a penalty of  N20 million or 10 years imprisonment or both for Ponzi scheme operators.

The Director-General of SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, said this at the bill's public hearing on November 14 in Abuja.

5. MultiChoice writes off $21m deposited in defunct Heritage Bank: MultiChoice Group Limited has written off $21 million deposited in Nigeria’s Heritage Bank following the financial institution’s liquidation earlier this year.

This disclosure was contained in the company’s interim financial statements for the September 30, 2024, half-year.