President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended congratulations to Tunde Onakoya for setting a new world chess record, showcasing Nigeria’s ingenuity on the global stage. Onakoya broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, playing for over 58 hours and winning every match in tow. In a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu celebrated the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his remarkable achievement, highlighting Nigeria’s resilience and self-belief to a global audience. Tinubu commended Onakoya for his philanthropic efforts, aiming to raise funds for African children to learn and find opportunities…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Socio-political analyst, Reno Omokri, has disclosed that he recommended Peter Obi to former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, as a running mate in the 2019 elections. Omokri stated that he recommended Obi’s name following a request from Atiku. He made this revelation during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on his podcast, Mic On. He emphasized his commitment to supporting Atiku in future presidential elections, stating that he would not abandon Atiku to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Omokri also mentioned his support for some of Tinubu’s economic recovery policies but clarified…
The Investigation and Enforcement Directorate of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has exposed the illegal activities of a fake cosmetics producer at Balogun Trade Fair Gate in the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. In a statement shared via its social media handle on Monday, April 22, NAFDAC revealed that the producer, identified as Pius Eyoh, the owner of Pasco Global Limited, was apprehended for manufacturing, packaging, distributing, and selling substandard and counterfeit cosmetic products. The Agency disclosed that the products, including items like Skin Balance Perfect Knuckle Organic Peel Therapy and Golden Face Triple Action…
The Chairman of Abia State Judicial Panel on Recovery of Government Property and Funds, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd), has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr Umezuruike Ikenna Kingsley, General Manager of South East Farms and Agro Processing Co. Ltd. This action was taken due to Umezuruike’s alleged failure to appear before the panel to give evidence despite a notice served on him. Justice Duruoha-Igwe stated that the bench warrant was issued following Umezuruike’s non-response to the notice dated 22/3/2024. The panel chairman directed that the general manager should be arrested and adjourned the matter to 3/5/2024. Furthermore,…
The Federal Government has issued a directive prohibiting the admission of candidates below the age of 18 into tertiary institutions across the country. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made this announcement on Monday during a monitoring exercise of the ongoing 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory. Expressing concern over the activities of some parents who pressure their underage children to gain admission into tertiary institutions, the minister emphasized that the 18-year benchmark aligns with the 6-3-3-4 system of education. L Mamman stated, “The minimum age of entry into the University is 18, but…
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, visited Okuama, where he warned against innocent citizens suffering for crimes they did not commit. The governor was accompanied by Commander 63 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Unachukwu Ugochukwu, and other top government officials. Speaking to journalists at Okuama, Governor Oborevwori assured the safe return of the indigenes who fled the community in the wake of the crisis over the killing of 17 officers and soldiers on March 14. “We have followed due process in the whole incident. The people have been buried and the king that was detained has been released Friday, and I am here…
Former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, expressed his happiness that his successor, Francis Nwifuru, still honours him after leaving office. Umahi made this statement while speaking with journalists after receiving an honorary doctorate degree from Ebonyi State University in Abakaliki. Umahi, who is currently the Minister of Works, noted that it is uncommon for a successor to continue honouring their predecessor after taking office. He attributed this to God’s grace and commended Governor Nwifuru for maintaining peace and harmony in the state. He stated, “Governors and their predecessors are fighting in many states, but in Ebonyi, we are always…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, has intercepted 10 victims of human trafficking at Zuba motor park in Abuja. A statement by NSCDC FCT Command spokesperson, Samuel Idoko, revealed that the rescued victims, aged between 24 and 34, comprised of one male and nine females, all claiming to be indigenes of Ondo State. Upon interrogation, it was discovered that the victims were being sponsored for illegal migration abroad. “The victims were accosted at Zuba motor park, Abuja, by officers of the command, following a tip-off of their return from Minna, where they had gone to process…
The Police Command in Lagos State has reported the arrest of at least 1,802 suspects in raids conducted at various black spots across the state within the last two weeks. SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Lagos. Hundeyin stated that between April 8 and April 14, the command arrested 1,019 suspects in raids within Oshodi, Mushin, Agege, Lagos Island, Ojota, and Orile-Iganmu areas. Additionally, between April 15 and April 20, another 783 suspects were arrested in raids in these areas and others. The raids were carried out by area commands, divisions, and tactical…
Violence erupted at Ward 1 at Stella Maris College, Okitipupa, between rival supporters of two governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. The incident occurred as accredited party members gathered in large numbers to elect the party’s candidate for the November 16 poll. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the accreditation and election process had not yet begun when the violence broke out, leading to chaos as voters fled the scene for safety. An anonymous accredited voter told NAN that the violence started when an agent of one of the aspirants snatched the validation…
Governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have expressed dissatisfaction with the primary election overseen by Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State. The primary election, held in the 203 wards of the state, is intended to elect the party’s flag bearer for the November 16 governorship election. Addressing the media in Akure while the election was ongoing, the aspirants claimed that Ododo did not follow the due process outlined by the national leadership of the party. Mr. Gbenga Edema, one of the aspirants, criticized the delay in releasing electoral materials for the primary. Edema stated, “As…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the final list of candidates for the upcoming Edo State Governorship Election. The Commission has also granted permission for political parties to commence public campaigns starting from Wednesday, 24th April 2024. In a statement issued by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC revealed that 17 political parties have fielded candidates for the election, with 16 candidates being male and one female. Olumekun further stated that the final list of candidates has been published at INEC’s office in Edo State and uploaded to…
A suspected drug kingpin, Sumaila Ata, also known as Summy, has been killed by security agencies in Ajaka, Igalamela Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The Transition Chairman of the Local Government, Cosmas Ilemona Atabor, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Saturday, describing it as unfortunate news. He explained that Ata had been a target of security agencies, repeatedly evading capture until his demise. According to Atabor, on April 19, 2024, security agencies received credible intelligence that Ata had received a large shipment of illegal drugs for distribution to unsuspecting youths. Swift action was taken to prevent further harm…
The Abia State Police Command has arrested an officer involved in the killing of a businessman, Emmanuel Michael Okocha, in Aba. This development follows the recent outcry by the Abiriba community in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State over the alleged killing. Emmanuel Michael Okocha was reportedly shot dead along Aba-Owerri road in Aba for allegedly refusing to bribe some policemen despite having a complete vehicle license. In a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Abia State Police Command disclosed that the arrested officer, Police Corporal Obagi Njok, attached to Abayi Police Division,…
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has deemed the judgements rendered by various courts in petitions arising from the 2023 general elections as justifiable. Speaking in Yola on Saturday, NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, commended the judges for delivering justice in these decisions. “Wherever there is justice, there is also commendation, as people connect to the justice of the case,” Maikyau stated. He made these remarks during the Emergency National Executive Committee meeting of the NBA in Adamawa State’s capital, where he urged governments at all levels to ensure decisions align with the constitution. As legal practitioners, Maikyau emphasized that NBA members…
The Abia State Ministry of Education, Umuahia, has instructed schools in the state to resume for the 2023/2024 third term academic session on Monday next week. In a statement signed by Mr Ikechuckwu Oriuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, teachers in the state were directed to resume at their duty posts, with strict monitoring to ensure effective teaching and learning. The statement also called on parents to release their children and wards for resumption. However, the Ministry clarified that schools sealed in the state for failing standard tests would remain sealed and are not permitted to resume. In November…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that it is investigating 11 suspected oil thieves and one vessel, MT SAISNIL II, which were arrested by the Nigerian Navy. Mr Dele Oyewole, the Commission’s spokesperson, confirmed this development in a statement on Saturday. Oyewole stated that the suspects and the vessel were handed over to the EFCC by the Nigerian Navy, NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos. He further explained that the vessel and its crew were intercepted and arrested on February 7, 2024, by naval officers. The suspects are allegedly involved in illegal oil bunkering and Automatic Identification System (AIS)…
The Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Adeniran Tella, stated on Friday that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) cannot be released to the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for the local government elections scheduled for April 27. Dr. Tella made this statement in Ibadan during a discussion with NAN on the sidelines of a quarterly consultative meeting with civil society organizations in the state. He explained that BVAS contains sensitive voter data, and as per the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision, BVAS should not be released for local government elections. Dr. Tella emphasized that what OYSIEC needs…
The Ondo Vanguard for Good Governance, a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised concerns over the party’s decision not to hold a delegates’ congress ahead of Saturday’s governorship primaries in the state. The group accused the committee responsible for revalidating the party’s membership in the state of preparing the grounds for manipulating the exercise. They claimed that committee members were absent from the congress venues and allegedly allocated figures to create the illusion of a delegates’ congress being held. Tade Ogidan, the Chairman of the Ondo Vanguard for Good Governance, called for urgent intervention from President Bola…
The committee overseeing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State announced that a total of 171,922 accredited members would participate in the election on Saturday. The primary is set to take place in 203 wards across 18 local government areas, with 16 aspirants, including the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the race. After a meeting with stakeholders and aspirants in Akure on Friday night, the Secretary of the seven-man committee, Ovie Omo-Agege, confirmed that none of the aspirants had withdrawn or stepped down. Omo-Agege stated that the committee was prepared to conduct the primary using the direct…