The Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare July 13 a national day to honor Prof. Wole Soyinka’s contributions to humanity. He also suggested that Soyinka be awarded the second highest national honor, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, as the Nobel Laureate celebrates his 90th birthday. Oba Gbadebo made this appeal on Tuesday during a press conference to announce events marking Soyinka’s milestone birthday. The royal father proclaimed July 13th as ‘Wole Soyinka Day’, to be celebrated by the sons and daughters of Egba land…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Ogun State government has issued a stern warning to illegal miners and dredgers operating within the state, urging them to desist or face legal actions and stiff sanctions. Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Adebola Sofela, conveyed this warning during a stakeholders’ meeting with miners and dredgers held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Olu Ola Aikulola, emphasized the importance of the mining sector due to its revenue and employment generation advantages. Sofela noted that some miners and dredgers had been operating with expired documents and…
The divide-and-rule method allegedly deployed by the Federal Government in the payment of withheld salaries owed to university workers in 2022 may have further polarized the tertiary education system, as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has threatened to resume its strike from July 4, 2024. SSANU leadership expressed frustration that four months of salaries withheld by the government when its members joined the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on strike have yet to be paid. This issue, along with other challenges plaguing the tertiary education sector, was prominently discussed at the 48th National Executive Council (NEC)…
Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, President of the Ebonyi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EBCIMA), has called on President Bola Tinubu to reorganize his cabinet to address Nigeria’s economic challenges and promote national unity. Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Monday, Ezeh, who is also a Labour Party chieftain, criticized Tinubu’s administration for suffering from an “announcement effect” due to the abrupt removal of the petrol subsidy, which destabilized an already fragile economy. Ezeh remarked, “The current president promised to continue from where Buhari left off, and he is indeed making efforts to fulfill that promise. However, it’s essential…
The Edo State chapter of the Labour Party has criticized the ‘Obidient’ movement for endorsing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, in the forthcoming state election. In a statement on Monday, the Labour Party’s Publicity Secretary, Sam Uruopa, expressed disbelief over the movement’s support for Okpebholo. He said, “It is absurd to hear that the Obidient movement is supporting Okpebholo, just as some also said they were Obidient movement for Asue Ighodalo. The Obidient movement is synonymous with the Labour Party and are integral members of the party.” Uruopa recalled past grievances, stating, “They have forgotten so…
One of the three housewives abducted along the Takum-Katsina-Ala road in Takum local government area of Taraba State has escaped from the kidnappers’ den. The woman, identified as Amina Adamu, reportedly escaped while the kidnappers were asleep. Confirming the incident on Monday, a relative of Amina’s husband revealed that two other housewives, including the daughter of a retired army general, remain in captivity. It was also reported that two emissaries sent to deliver ransom for the release of the housewives were also held hostage. Residents of Takum, who confirmed Amina’s escape, expressed their dismay over the persistent kidnappings in the…
Bauchi State has reported one death from a suspected cholera case, with 50 suspected cases recorded across three local government areas since January. This was disclosed by the chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board during the 2024 MNCH Week launch on Monday. The affected LGAs are Bauchi, Giade, and Toro. Dr. Mohammed stated, “As of today, Monday, 1st July, we have 50 suspected cases from three LGAs: Bauchi, Giade, and Toro. It started with 30 cases in Giade. A few days ago, we recorded four suspected cases in Bauchi LGA. Out of this number, we have…
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has called for caution in the path to constitutional amendment and the establishment of state police. He made this appeal on Monday while delivering a lecture at the University of Ilorin, organized by the Department of Political Science in conjunction with the Institute of Legislative Studies. In his lecture titled “Constitutional Amendment and Political Dynamics of State Policing in Nigeria,” Bamidele emphasized the need to decentralize security affairs in the country. He asserted that with proper control mechanisms, state policing could be successful. “Another critical aspect to consider is the economic feasibility of state policing.…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the formation of a committee to oversee the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin. This announcement was made on Monday. Olakulehin was nominated and appointed as the 43rd Olubadan by the kingmakers in April this year. Governor Makinde recently approved his appointment. The coronation is scheduled to take place on Friday, July 12, 2024. According to a statement provided to the media on Monday, the committee is headed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo. Other members include the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism,…
Barely 24 hours after the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration of allegedly squandering over N28 billion on a hotel project, the state government attributed the variation in the contract sum to inflation induced by the APC-led Federal Government. The Edo State chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, had, during a press conference on Saturday, accused the Obaseki administration of mismanaging state resources on projects like the Radisson Hotel, while the ownership status of the hotel and other projects, such as the Edo Modular Refinery, remain unclear. Tenebe called on the…
House of Representatives member Mukhtar Chawai, representing Kauru federal constituency, visited Ribang village to sympathize with the families of six students who drowned in the Mbang River last week. The tragedy struck as the students were returning from GSS Fadan Chawai in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they had gone to write their junior WAEC exams. Chawai offered condolences to the Chief of Chawai, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, at Tarya Village en route to Ribang Village. He lamented the poor state of the nine-kilometer road and the lack of essential infrastructure, including a bridge, school, and hospital. During…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the commencement of the process to elect new leaders from the ward to the state level in Imo State. This follows a recent shakeup in the state leadership that led to a mass resignation of members. The announcement was made during a stakeholders meeting at the party’s state secretariat in Owerri. State Caretaker Committee Chairman Chidi Dike, who addressed the gathering, assured attendees that the upcoming congress would be conducted in a manner acceptable to all. Dike emphasized that the exercise, once completed, would reposition the party and strengthen it to face future…
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that local government elections in the state will be held on October 5, 2024. Retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of RSIEC, made this declaration during a stakeholder meeting on Monday at the Commission’s office on Aba Road, Port Harcourt. Justice Enebeli assured that under his leadership, the Commission would conduct free, fair, credible, and violence-free local government elections. He emphasized adherence to the electoral rules and highlighted the purpose of the meeting as an educational session for stakeholders and the voting populace about the upcoming election. He called on security agencies…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted reports suggesting that some ward members in certain states were asked to revalidate their membership during the ongoing membership drive. In a statement issued on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the NWC clarified that the membership drive and registration of new members are solely aimed at eligible Nigerians interested in joining the party. The NWC emphasized that the membership status, rights, and privileges of existing members remain valid and unaffected by the membership drive. The statement reads in part: “The NWC in clear terms…
Ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has called on the people of the state to use their votes to punish the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government for its alleged underperformance. During a solidarity visit from members of the ‘Obidient Movement’ in Edo South Senatorial District in Benin City, Okpebholo emphasized the need for change. “If they had done well, I would not have contested. I urge you to punish them with your votes because if you leave it for them, our unborn children will suffer,” he…
In a recent development, the Edo State Police Command has taken action following the death of one Omobude, involving members of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN). Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the arrest of ESSN members linked to the incident during a briefing in Benin City. According to reports by verifiable sources, the altercation leading to Omobude’s death occurred after ESSN members were called to intervene in a fight instigated by Hassan Haladu. Upon arrival at the scene, it was reported that the ESSN members restrained Omobude, inadvertently leading to his suffocation and subsequent death. Commissioner Adegboye disclosed…
Socio-political activist Reno Omokri has accused Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), of showing allegiance to the Biafra flag. Omokri’s accusation follows Obi’s call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as well as EndSARS protesters and other detained freedom fighters. Obi made this appeal to the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government while addressing journalists in Anambra State on Saturday. Obi emphasized that protesters and freedom fighters have the right to express their grievances through protest. In a post on his X page, Omokri criticized Obi, stating:…
Tension has gripped Benue State following the abrupt suspension of a thanksgiving church service organized in honor of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The Caretaker Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Unongu Simon, issued a statewide radio announcement directing the suspension of the service scheduled for Sunday, citing security concerns. The service, which was set to take place at NKST Church in Daudu, was intended to be followed by a grand reception for the SGF. However, Chairman Unongo emphasized that no public event could proceed in the area without official approval from his office. In defiance…
In response to the recent cholera outbreak in parts of the country, the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has urged residents to containerize their waste to reduce the spread of diseases. The agency emphasized that proper waste containerization would facilitate easier collection and disposal, mitigating the health risks associated with exposed waste. Abayomi Hunye, the newly appointed Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of OGWAMA, made this appeal while inspecting ongoing rehabilitation work at the Kurata Dumpsite in Ota. Hunye warned that indiscriminate exposure of waste can contaminate underground water, leading to water-borne diseases such as cholera.…
Anambra State has embarked on a new initiative aimed at recovering 100,000 tonnes of plastic waste as part of efforts to combat environmental pollution. The launch of the operation, known as the ‘All Anambra Community Plastic Waste Recovery Challenge’, took place in Awka. Mr. Felix Odimegwu, the Commissioner for Environment, announced the initiative during the launch, highlighting its ambitious goal to tackle plastic pollution effectively. He noted that last year’s similar initiative surpassed expectations by recovering over 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste. “This year, we have set an ambitious target to recover 100,000 tonnes. Plastic Waste Recovery Challenge 2.0 will…