The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to defeating insurgents, bandits, and other forms of aggression disturbing the country’s peace. In his Easter message to troops in Abuja on Sunday, Lagbaja urged all officers and soldiers to pray for continued operational successes and uphold the values of love, peace, and sacrifice in their duties. Lagbaja highlighted the implementation of quality training to combat security threats, noting the Nigerian Army’s successes in operations such as Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and other internal security operations nationwide. “As we continue to…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
Catholic Bishop calls for national healing and strategic planning to overcome challenges. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has remarked that Nigeria is currently experiencing the consequences of its past actions. In his Easter message, Bishop Kukah urged the Federal Government to develop a comprehensive strategy to reverse the nation’s current trajectory and guide it towards healing. “Our leaders chose the feast rather than the fast. We are today reaping what we sowed yesterday. For over 60 years, our leaders have looked like men in a drunken stupor, staggering, stumbling, and fumbling,” Kukah stated. He highlighted the pervasive…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North West zone has issued a challenge to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State, demanding evidence to support allegations against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, regarding the provision of palliatives to bandits. Failure to provide evidence, APC warned, will result in legal action against the accusers. During a press conference in Kaduna on Sunday, the APC North West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Musa Mada, emphasized the importance of constructive criticism in politics but cautioned against slanderous attacks that undermine freedom of speech. Mada accused the PDP-led government in Zamfara…
Osita Okechukwu, a foundation member of APC, provides insight into recent merger proposals. Former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has offered his perspective on why recent calls for a merger of opposition political parties to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are unlikely to succeed. Speaking in Enugu on Sunday, Okechukwu addressed the merger proposals advocated by Prof. Pat Utomi and former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in light of the recent presidential election in Senegal. Okechukwu, a key figure in the formation of the APC, expressed skepticism about the viability of the merger, citing what…
Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has expressed optimism that Nigeria will eventually overcome the scourge of corruption and other associated challenges. In his Easter goodwill message on Sunday, Olukoyede drew a parallel between Christ’s victory over death and Nigeria’s potential to triumph over corruption, stating that if Christ could overcome death, then Nigeria could overcome corruption. Olukoyede urged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of Christ, which are characterized by honesty and integrity, especially in their dealings. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to actively work towards eliminating corruption and fraudulent practices in…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Renaissance Group has lauded the decision of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to conduct a full membership registration for defectors from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) who joined the PDP during the 2023 governorship election in Ogun State. The PDP’s action aligns with Chapter 2, Part 1, Section 8(1), and Section (58) (1) (C) of the party’s constitution. In a statement issued on Sunday by its chairman, Adebayo Ojo, the group described the PDP’s national leadership’s decision to embrace the defectors as a step in the right direction. During the 2023 general election, Adekunle…
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has reiterated his commitment to meeting the expectations of his people and delivering the desired dividends of democracy during his tenure. In his Easter broadcast on Sunday, Governor Eno acknowledged the economic challenges and anxieties faced by the people. Drawing parallels to Christ’s triumph over death, he expressed confidence that they would overcome their troubles and emerge victorious. The governor emphasized his administration’s dedication to transforming present challenges and anxieties into opportunities for growth and expansion. He highlighted the deliberate efforts made to address the harsh economic realities, particularly through compassionate measures aimed…
The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has adjourned its proceedings until April 1st following contradictory testimonies from witnesses of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, made the decision after six witnesses from the SDP gave evidence and were cross-examined by the defence counsel. During the hearing, the witnesses’ testimonies contradicted their earlier depositions on oath. They admitted to not being polling agents as stipulated by law but rather voters. Yakubu Dahiru, the 10th prosecution witness, acknowledged discrepancies between his claims and depositions. He explained that he suffered from…
The internal crisis within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified, with the camp loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia failing to comply with the National Working Committee’s (NWC) directive to withdraw all legal actions initiated by party members. The directive was issued within a stipulated seven-day period, which has since elapsed. Since the inauguration of the new government led by Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, the leadership crisis has persisted, with no apparent resolution in sight. The discord within the Benue State APC deepened with Governor Alia’s strained relationship with the party’s state leader and current…
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested Oluwafemi Idris, popularly known as Alfa, for the unlawful possession of human parts in the Akoko area of the state. According to SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, the arrest followed intelligence received from a reliable source indicating that Alfa had human parts in his possession for ritual purposes. Following the tip-off, the police conducted a search in Alfa’s house in Akoko, where they found human hands, three kidneys, three hearts, a spine, and a tongue in his possession. Odunlami-Omisanya stated that the suspect claimed to be an Islamic cleric…
The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a 39-year-old man, Dolapo Babalola, for the alleged murder of his childhood friend, Evangelist Opeyemi Oyelakin, and theft of his motorcycle. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, revealed this in Akure on Sunday, stating that the incident occurred in Ondo town. According to Odunlami-Omisanya, the arrest followed a complaint received on March 25 regarding the disappearance of a motorcycle, marked KAK 136 VF, along with its rider. Acting swiftly on the report, detectives apprehended Babalola on the same date. During interrogation, the suspect confessed that Opeyemi Oyelakin, the deceased, was his…
Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, celebrated Easter with prisoners at the Correctional Center in Onitsha, Anambra State, where he delivered a message of hope and redemption. Addressing the inmates, Obi urged them not to feel isolated or defeated, noting that everyone in Nigeria is, in a sense, imprisoned, seeking freedom and redemption. He drew parallels to the story of Mary Magdalene, who, despite her past, was the first to witness the resurrected Christ, highlighting the possibility of transformation and redemption for all. The Easter mass, presided over by the Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese,…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended three men in Bayelsa State for trafficking psychoactive substances concealed in noodles. According to the agency’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, two of the suspects were arrested at Swali Jetty, Yenagoa, on March 27. The substances recovered from them included 73.425kg of codeine, molly, tramadol, and diazepam. The third suspect was apprehended at Amasoma, Yenagoa, in a follow-up operation. The drugs were concealed in jumbo sacks and transported to Swali Jetty in a tricycle. Additionally, the NDLEA arrested two individuals at Orile Imo, Ogun State, on March 29 for possessing 137 blocks…
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has called on Nigerians to reflect on the sacrifice and suffering endured by Jesus Christ on the cross as they navigate through current economic hardships. In a statement, Bamidele likened the price paid by Jesus Christ, which he believes saved humanity from eternal damnation, to the economic challenges faced by Nigerians today. He assured that these sacrifices will eventually yield positive results. Bamidele emphasized the importance of learning from Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, stating that sacrifice is crucial for nation-building. He urged both leaders and citizens to understand the significance of sacrifice in laying a foundation for…
Tea makers, known as ‘Mai shayi’, in Abuja are facing a decline in business due to the rapid increase in the price of Indomie instant noodles. These Mai shayi, predominantly operated by Hausa men in makeshift kiosks, sell fast food items like noodles, fried eggs, bread, and tea. Speaking to NAN, the Mai shayi expressed concern over the rising prices of Indomie noodles, a popular fast food enjoyed by many Nigerians. A carton of Indomie standard pack, containing 40 pieces, now sells for between N10,500 to N11,500. The Super Pack, with 40 packs, is sold for between N17,800 to N18,700,…
Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, stationed in Obinze, Owerri, have successfully destroyed a den used by notorious terrorists led by a man known as Monday Ogu, also known as B44. The operation, which took place in Ezioha community, Mbaitoli Council Area of Imo State, also led to the exhumation of dead bodies believed to be victims of the terrorists, buried in shallow graves near the den. Brigadier General Usman Lawal, the Brigade Commander, addressed journalists after the operation, stating that it was carried out based on intelligence reports. He revealed that the terrorists’ camp, strategically…
United States President Joe Biden has declared Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, as the “Transgender Day of Visibility.” This declaration aligns with the International Transgender Day of Visibility, established on March 31, 2009, to honor transgender individuals and raise awareness about the discrimination they face. President Biden’s declaration, backed by the US Constitution, emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting transgender people. He called upon all Americans to join in celebrating the lives and voices of transgender individuals and to work towards eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity. The Biden administration has prioritized LGBT activism, with the president…
During a town hall meeting in Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani disclosed that his administration inherited a substantial debt burden from the previous administration led by Nasir El-Rufai. The inherited debt includes $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities. Governor Sani noted that this debt burden is significantly impacting the state’s federal allocation, especially with the exchange rate increases, which have led to the state paying back almost three times the borrowed amount. The governor highlighted that the state’s March federal allocation of N10 billion saw N7 billion deducted for debt servicing, leaving only N3 billion for other expenses. This…
In a scathing critique, Daniel Bwala, a former spokesman for the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, has branded Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, as a political “prostitute” and likened him to Judas Iscariot. Bwala took to his social media handle to express his disdain, highlighting Obi’s alleged betrayals of prominent figures such as the late Biafra warlord, Odumegu Ojukwu, and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Sharing a video of Obi pledging allegiance to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and vowing never to leave the party, Bwala accused Obi of hypocrisy, noting that…
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter, has advised Nigerian Christians to stay united, focused, and actively involved in national issues. Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, the state chairman of CAN, issued this advice in an Easter message on Saturday in Ibadan. CAN chairman emphasized the importance of Christians being proactive and participating in political activities, noting that righteousness exalts a nation and that people of God in positions of authority can contribute to peace and sound governance. He urged leaders to prioritize justice, fairness, and equity in governance, ruling with the fear of God and keeping in mind the…