Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has underscored the crucial role of youth empowerment in driving Nigeria’s socio-economic development. He reiterated his commitment to creating an environment where young people can realise their full potential, thus contributing significantly to the progress of the state. Speaking on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony of the Batch B, Stream II, of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu, Abiodun emphasised that empowering the youth is not just a policy but a strategic investment in the future of Ogun State and Nigeria at large. Represented by the Commissioner…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
In the lead-up to the Edo State governorship election scheduled for 21 September 2024, Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata has declared his unwavering independence from political benefactors and godfathers. During an interview on Channels Television’s programme “Politics Today,” Akpata emphatically stated that if elected, he would not be influenced or controlled by any external forces other than the will of the people. Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), stressed his commitment to serving the people of Edo State without the interference often associated with political sponsorship. “That is one reason why the people of Edo can…
In response to a recent Supreme Court ruling mandating that states conduct Local Government Council elections no later than October 2024, the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSAIC) has rescheduled the state’s local government elections to 26th October 2024. This announcement marks a significant adjustment in the electoral timetable, aligning with the court’s directive and ensuring compliance with the new legal framework. Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi, the chairman of KANSAIC, made the announcement on Friday during a press briefing at his office. He explained that the rescheduled date is part of broader adjustments to the election timetable, which are necessary…
Olumide Onabajo, the Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, has officially announced his candidacy for the Ifo Local Government chairmanship election. His decision to run for office stems from a profound commitment to address the pressing challenges faced by the community and to introduce innovative approaches to local governance that prioritise the welfare of the people. Onabajo has expressed deep concern over the longstanding neglect of Ifo Local Government, which has resulted in a lack of basic amenities and infrastructure. According to him, the area has been deprived of essential services for far too long,…
In a dramatic and courageous turn of events, the residents of Matusgi village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State successfully thwarted an attempted attack by armed bandits on Wednesday. The assailants, who had descended on the community with the intent to abduct residents and rustle cattle, were met with fierce resistance from the villagers who had been forewarned of the impending threat. Armed with an array of local weapons, including fabricated guns, the villagers mounted a robust defence against the heavily armed bandits. Unlike previous attacks, where panic and fear had driven residents to flee for…
In a deeply disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Kafanchan community in Kaduna State, a 38-year-old farmer, Timothy Sunday, has been remanded in a correctional facility following allegations of defiling an eight-year-old girl. The incident, which highlights the persistent issue of child sexual abuse in Nigeria, is being taken up by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who have formally charged Sunday with rape under section 257 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law. The case was brought before the Magistrates’ Court in Kafanchan on Thursday. However, the presiding judge, Michael Bawa, noted that the court…
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully neutralised Ubong Archibong, widely known by his alias “Condiment,” a notorious kidnap kingpin and sea pirate who has been terrorising the Uruan and Oron waterways in the state. The suspect was taken down during a fierce gun battle with police operatives at his hideout in Uyanga Community, Cross River State. The announcement was made by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Akwa Ibom, ASP Timfon John, in a statement released on Thursday. According to ASP John, the successful operation marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against organised crime in…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that political parties participating in the Edo State governorship election on 21st September are required to sign a peace accord on 12th September 2024. This step, according to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is aimed at fostering a peaceful electoral environment and ensuring that parties adhere to the principles of fair play and non-violence throughout the election period. The announcement was made during an emergency meeting held on Thursday with the national chairmen and secretaries of all registered political parties. Prof. Yakubu emphasised the importance of the peace accord, noting that it…
In a significant political shift in Kogi State, Abdulrafiu Yakubu, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) along with his supporters. The announcement was made on Thursday in Lokoja, where Yakubu expressed his disillusionment with the PDP’s capacity to meet the needs of the people in Kogi State, and his renewed commitment to what he described as the progressive ideals of the APC. Yakubu, who was once a staunch PDP figure, explained that his decision to return to the APC was driven by a critical reassessment of his…
A civil society group, Advocates of Justice in Africa (AJA), has urged President Bola Tinubu to extend his recent reforms in key intelligence agencies to the oil and gas sector, a critical area of Nigeria’s economy notorious for corruption and mismanagement. The call follows Tinubu’s recent appointments of Adeola Ajayi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Mohammed Mohammed as the new Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), decisions that have been widely praised as positive steps towards enhancing national security. The convener of AJA, Johnson Ali Usman, issued a statement lauding the leadership…
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the newly sworn-in President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has pledged that the association, under his leadership, will actively hold both federal and state governments accountable for their obligations to the Nigerian people. Osigwe made these commitments during his inaugural address titled “Our Mandate,” delivered in Lagos on Thursday, where he outlined a comprehensive agenda aimed at strengthening the role of the legal profession in promoting justice, equity, and good governance. Osigwe, who is the 32nd president of the NBA, emphasised the unique position that legal practitioners hold in society, describing it as a powerful…
The Anambra State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has announced its decision to boycott the upcoming Local Government Area elections scheduled for 28th September. The party’s stance stems from alleged violations of electoral guidelines, which it intends to challenge in court. Speaking on Thursday in Awka, the Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party in the state, Mr Theo Egbe, outlined the party’s reasons for withdrawing from the election, citing a failure by the organisers to adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act. Egbe highlighted that the Labour Party could not participate in an electoral process tainted by what…
As the governorship election in Edo State draws closer, the political landscape is heating up with heightened tensions between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Both parties are among the 17 political groups fielding candidates for the election scheduled for 21st September 2024, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The fierce competition has sparked a war of words between the two main contenders, with each side levelling serious allegations against the other. In recent weeks, the APC and PDP have accused each other of plotting to manipulate the election, allegedly using the…
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed strong confidence in the party’s chances of winning the upcoming Edo State governorship election scheduled for 21st September. Ganduje made this assertion on Thursday in Kano while hosting the leadership of the State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Chairman, Aminu Garko. During the meeting, Ganduje highlighted the robust political strategies that the APC has deployed in Edo State, asserting that these efforts are designed to secure a decisive victory for the party’s candidate. He emphasised that the party’s campaign machinery…
An Enugu Magistrates’ Court in Enugu North Local Government Area has ordered the remand of a 40-year-old man, Osita Igwe, to the Enugu Correctional Centre on charges of armed robbery. The suspect is accused of robbing another resident, Chief Chijioke Mba, of his belongings in an incident that allegedly occurred on 5th July 2024 at the Ebeano Tunnel, Enugu. Osita Igwe, whose residential address remains undisclosed, is facing a three-count charge of robbery. Despite the gravity of the allegations, Igwe pleaded not guilty to all counts. The case is being overseen by the Enugu Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, under…
The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has raised serious concerns about the increasing incidence of child trafficking and kidnapping in the state. The Command has appealed to parents and guardians to exercise heightened vigilance over their children, particularly as schools are on holiday, leaving children more vulnerable to dangers in public spaces without adequate supervision. Commandant Michael Adaralewa expressed alarm over the growing number of reported cases of child abduction in Osun State. In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Adeleke Kehinde, Adaralewa revealed that the NSCDC is currently investigating three cases…
Lagos State Police Command has arrested a nurse in connection with the death of a 36-year-old woman identified only as Mrs Abiola. The incident, which occurred following a cosmetic procedure, has sparked renewed discussions on the safety and regulation of cosmetic surgeries in Nigeria. The arrest was confirmed by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, during a press briefing on Wednesday in Lagos. According to Hundeyin, the Maroko Police Division received a distress report on Tuesday at around 11:40 a.m. from the driver of the deceased, who remains unnamed at this time. Providing further details, Hundeyin explained that the driver…
Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor to President Joe Biden, reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a peaceful and cooperative relationship with China during a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. Amid global concerns over rising tensions between the two superpowers, Sullivan emphasised that the U.S. is not seeking a new Cold War or attempting to alter China’s political system. Sullivan’s visit to Beijing represents a continued effort by both nations to stabilise their complex relationship. The dialogue between Sullivan and President Xi covered a wide range of topics, including economic cooperation, security concerns, and…
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has announced the arrest of two suspects accused of supplying illicit drugs, uniforms, and other materials to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists operating in the Lake Chad region. The operation, which signifies a critical disruption of the supply chains sustaining these insurgent groups, also resulted in the rescue of several individuals believed to be family members of the terrorists. The MNJTF, a coalition force comprising troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Benin, has been actively combating terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin. Their latest success was…
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu expressed his profound grief over the extensive damage caused by recent floods affecting communities and farmlands throughout Nigeria. The floods have led to significant losses, including the destruction of thousands of hectares of agricultural land, numerous fatalities, and the displacement of many residents, according to recent data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). In a heartfelt statement, President Tinubu extended his sympathy to all those affected by the devastating floods. He conveyed his deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, as well as to farmers and communities who have seen their…