In a remarkable showcase of agricultural prowess, Mr Kenneth Ifeakandu, a dedicated yam farmer from Okofia village in Obeledu town, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, clinched the top prize of five hundred thousand Naira for harvesting a record-breaking 95kg yam. This feat was achieved during the 2024 edition of the Obeledu New Yam Festival, an annual event that celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of the community. Speaking with reporters after his victory, Mr Ifeakandu expressed immense joy and gratitude, stating that the prize money would be reinvested into his farm to ensure an even more bountiful harvest next…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Imo State Police Command has successfully apprehended five individuals suspected to be members of the notorious Black Axe Confraternity, a cult group known for its criminal activities in the state capital, Owerri. The arrests, carried out on 2nd September 2024, were the result of a meticulously planned, intelligence-driven operation led by the Quick Intervention Team (QIT) of the command. According to a press release by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Henry Okoye, the operation was part of a broader strategy aimed at curbing the rising tide of cult-related violence and criminality within Owerri and…
In a series of coordinated operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted substantial consignments of cocaine and pharmaceutical opioids concealed in everyday items such as ladies’ sanitary pads and hair treatment cream containers. These consignments, which were destined for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Cyprus, were seized at three courier firms in Lagos, marking a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking. The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed in a statement on Sunday that these seizures were part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on drug smuggling. According to Babafemi, operatives…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), calling him an insignificant figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. This sharp rebuke came after Kwankwaso’s claim that the PDP is a “dead” party, prompting a heated response from PDP’s spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba. Ologunagba argued that Kwankwaso, who is struggling to lead the NNPP—a party with control over only Kano State—lacks the political clout to make such bold statements about the PDP. Kwankwaso, a former member of the PDP, made his controversial remarks during an event in Kano, where he suggested…
As the November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State approaches, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, has sharply criticised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the recent appointment of 344 aides. Ajayi alleges that these appointments, which include Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs), are part of a strategic manoeuvre by Aiyedatiwa to influence the upcoming election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor’s decision to appoint such a large number of aides just three months before the election has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Ajayi contends that the timing and scale of these…
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has launched a scathing critique of the current Nigerian Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, accusing it of solely serving the interests of President Bola Tinubu. Effiong, known for his outspoken views on governance and human rights, described this Senate as the worst in the nation’s history, claiming it rubber-stamps all executive requests without scrutiny and fails to investigate issues of national importance. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Effiong expressed his discontent with the state of the Senate and the broader political landscape. He lambasted those who supported Tinubu’s presidency…
In a tragic incident that unfolded on Sunday morning, at least thirty people lost their lives in a devastating fuel tanker explosion along the Agaie-Bida road in Niger State. The explosion occurred following a collision between a fuel tanker and a trailer loaded with cattle, which was en route to Lagos State from Wudil, Kano State. The impact of the crash resulted in a massive explosion, leading to widespread fatalities and chaos at the scene. According to Abdullahi Arah, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), thirty bodies have been recovered so far. He further stated…
In a surprising development just weeks before the Edo State governorship election, four aides to Governor Godwin Obaseki have resigned from their positions and left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The resignations, which were submitted on September 4 and 6, 2024, signal growing discontent within the party and come at a critical time for the PDP as it seeks to maintain its grip on power in the state. The aides who resigned include Dr. Pamela Archer, a Special Adviser to Owan East Local Government Council, and three Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to the Governor: Osayande Emenya, Henry Osaheni Ukato, and…
Rabiu Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has expressed strong confidence in the party’s prospects for the 2027 presidential election. Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, made these remarks during the inauguration of the NNPP Secretariat along IBB Way in Katsina on Saturday. His visit to Katsina also included a condolence call to the Yar’Adua family following the passing of their matriarch, Hajiya Dada. Addressing party members and supporters, the former Kano State Governor articulated a clear vision for the NNPP’s future, asserting that the party was poised to not…
The African Action Congress (AAC) has issued a strong call for the immediate withdrawal of what it terms as excessive and arbitrary charges imposed on candidates participating in the forthcoming Local Government Area (LGA) elections in Benue State, set for 5th October 2024. The party has raised concerns over the financial barriers that these charges pose, which could potentially disenfranchise candidates who lack substantial financial resources. According to the AAC, the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) has levied steep fees on political aspirants, demanding that chairmanship candidates pay a sum of N500,000, while councillorship candidates are required to pay…
The Police Undercover Surveillance Team attached to the “B” Division in Asaba, Delta State, recently scored a significant victory in their ongoing efforts to combat crime. The team recovered a cache of weapons, including three locally-made cut-to-size guns, one pump-action gun, and three live cartridges, from an abandoned vehicle left behind by fleeing suspects. This discovery was disclosed by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, as part of his address highlighting the achievements of the state police force. The incident took place on 4th September 2024, when the undercover surveillance team was conducting routine patrol duties along…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has unveiled ambitious plans to ‘light up’ Abuja, aiming to transform the city into a beacon of modernity and safety through the extensive use of solar power. During a recent event, Wike formalised agreements with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group, marking the commencement of a landmark project that seeks to illuminate the nation’s capital. Speaking at the signing ceremony for the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Wike expressed his administration’s commitment to the project, which he considers a top priority. He highlighted…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched an investigation into the sale of so-called miracle water and soap at Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries, led by Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin. The agency accuses the church of using NAFDAC’s name to mislead and deceive the public by falsely suggesting that the products are registered and endorsed by the regulatory body. In a statement released on Sunday, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified that none of the products advertised and sold by the church are registered with the agency. Prof. Adeyeye expressed concern over the…
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming local government elections scheduled for 28 September 2024. This election would have marked the first local government poll in Anambra State in over a decade, the last one having been conducted by former Governor Peter Obi in the final days of his administration. However, the APC’s withdrawal underscores the party’s serious concerns regarding the transparency and legality of the election process under the current state administration. Basil Ejidike, the state chairman of the APC, disclosed the party’s decision during a meeting with local…
The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting that it has prematurely published the names of candidates from various political parties ahead of the scheduled local government area (LGA) elections on 21 September. This clarification comes in response to widespread misinformation that threatened to undermine the Commission’s efforts to conduct a fair and transparent electoral process. In an official statement, Charles Ejiogu, Chairman of ISIEC, addressed the misleading reports, urging political parties and the general public to disregard the false information. He emphasised that the reports are not only incorrect but also have the…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has strongly denied allegations that it is working to undermine the operations of the Dangote Refinery, asserting that the petroleum market in Nigeria remains open and competitive, allowing for fair pricing from any domestic refinery. The rebuttal comes in response to accusations made by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which claimed that recent adjustments to the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) would prevent the Dangote Refinery from offering competitive prices. Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, raised concerns that the Nigerian government’s pricing policies could potentially stifle the…
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Osun State, over allegations of misconduct concerning a contract awarded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) at Osun State University (UNIOSUN). The APC claims that Akinleye, leveraging his close relationship with the state government, facilitated the award of a N297 million contract to a company linked to him. In a statement issued by Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, the party…
Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has openly criticised the party’s leadership, including both former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu, for what he describes as their role in ruining the country. In a candid statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Lukman expressed his disillusionment with the APC’s governance, emphasising that the 2027 elections present a critical opportunity to replace the current administration and chart a new course for Nigeria. Lukman’s remarks reflect deep frustration with the trajectory of the APC under its past and present leadership. He argued that…
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, has announced his decision to take an indefinite leave of absence from his official duties, citing urgent medical concerns within his immediate family. The announcement was made through a formal memo submitted to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday. This decision marks a significant pause in Ngelale’s extensive responsibilities within the administration. In his statement, Ngelale expressed the difficulty of making such a choice, emphasising that it was made only after thorough deliberations with his family. “This agonising decision was taken after significant…
The Labour Party (LP) in Kaduna State has clarified that the recent appointment of Nenadi Usman as the National Caretaker Chairman of the party is in line with the conclusion of Barrister Julius Abure’s tenure. This move aims to ensure the party’s continuity and effectiveness as it navigates a critical leadership transition. In a statement issued on Saturday by Mr. Yusuf Solomon Danbaki and Sani Sahabi, Chairman and Secretary of the State Labour Party Interim Committee, the party highlighted the need for unity and acceptance of the new leadership to maintain the momentum and relevance of the party. The statement…