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…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
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…
A tragic boat accident in Lafia East Local Government Area of Nasarawa State claimed the lives of four individuals on Thursday, highlighting the critical need for better infrastructure in the region. The victims, comprised of one man and three women, were farmers travelling from Alogani village to Ashangwa market when their overloaded boat capsized. Eyewitness Abdul Hamid Sale, who witnessed the harrowing incident, described the tragedy as a needless loss of lives that could have been prevented. Sale explained that the lack of adequate road networks forced the farmers to resort to the perilous boat journey across the local river.…
The Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, has sentenced 15 notorious gang members, locally known as Shila Boys, to prison terms ranging from one to five years for a series of criminal offences. The Shila Boys, infamous for their involvement in street crime, were convicted on charges including extortion, receiving stolen property, thuggery, criminal conspiracy, and causing grievous bodily harm. Presided over by Magistrate Abbas Adamu, the court delivered its judgment after the youths were tried and found guilty based on the evidence presented by the prosecuting police officer, ASP Iliya Akawu, who represented the…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Centre to tackle the growing menace of counterfeit drugs and chemical threats in Nigeria. This collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was announced by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement released on Friday. The National Counter Terrorism Centre operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser and plays a critical role in Nigeria’s security framework. The MoU between NAFDAC and the Centre is part of the broader National…
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a public warning about a surge in fraudulent activities involving scammers who falsely claim to represent the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme. The commission has clarified that registration for the internship scheme officially closed on 31st August 2024, and any communication suggesting otherwise should be considered suspicious. In an official statement released on Friday by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, the commission alerted the public to the deceptive tactics being employed by these fraudsters. According to the statement, numerous individuals have reported receiving unsolicited messages falsely informing them that…
Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Ideato North South Federal Constituency (PDP, Imo), has strongly refuted claims that a legitimate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress took place in Rivers State over the weekend. According to Ugochinyere, the event was not an official party congress but rather a gathering organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, under the guise of a PDP congress. The controversy unfolded as PDP state congresses were conducted across various states, including Rivers, Benue, Katsina, and Kogi. These congresses were marked by widespread discontent and complaints, with several…
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to revert to the previous pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, amid recent price hikes across the nation. This appeal comes as Nigerians continue to grapple with economic hardships exacerbated by inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC expressed deep concern over the current economic challenges facing Nigerians. The statement, released to Newsmen on Friday, highlighted the widespread suffering and hunger afflicting the population. Professor Akintola emphasised that the…