The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has advocated for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as a crucial step to addressing the security crisis in the region. In a statement issued by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, and made available to the media on Saturday, COSEYL emphasized that as long as Kanu remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), the rampant killings in the region may persist. Ibem highlighted that Kanu’s continued incarceration has exacerbated insecurity in the Southeast, leading to hardship, starvation, and economic…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a warning to the public, particularly those with relatives abroad, about a new scam involving individuals impersonating its officers. According to Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the scammers contact unsuspecting citizens, claiming that their relatives have been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, or another international airport in Nigeria for carrying illicit drugs upon arrival. After causing panic among the family members, the scammers then demand large sums of money to facilitate the release of the detained individuals. Babafemi stated, “We have thwarted a…
Callistus Okafor, a former deputy national chairman of the Labour Party, has denounced Mr. Julius Abure’s continued occupation of the national chairmanship seat, labeling it illegal due to his lack of election by any convention. Okafor criticized the planned national convention by the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, insisting that Abure must step down to allow for a strategic and all-inclusive convention to elect new national officers. Speaking on an Arise TV program on Friday, Okafor expressed his disapproval of Abure’s actions, including the planned secret convention without elected delegates and the conduct of ward, local government,…
Following the Edo State House of Assembly’s resolution last Tuesday, Chief Judge Justice Daniel Okungbowa has assembled a seven-man panel to investigate the petition against the State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu. The House of Assembly had served a notice of impeachment on the deputy governor on March 6, 2024, over alleged misconduct and perjury, giving him seven days to respond to the petition. However, due to the deputy governor’s alleged evasion of being served the impeachment notice, the House ordered a substituted means of service through the state-owned Observer Newspaper and the Vanguard Newspapers. The notice was published on March…
As the world commemorated World Water Day, residents of Minna, the capital of Niger State, and its environs expressed deep concern over the lack of adequate potable water in the metropolitan town. Many parts of the town are facing challenges in accessing water for daily needs, leading to reliance on water vendors, known as ‘mai ruwa’, for those who can afford it, while others have to trek long distances in search of water. Daily Post findings revealed that in areas like Tunga, Sauke Kahuta, a truck of water is sold for N700 to N800, while residents of other parts such…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly condemned the recent killing of soldiers on a peace mission in Okuama Community, Delta State, describing it as a heinous crime. INEC expressed confidence that the ongoing investigation will lead to the swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, conveyed the commission’s condolences to the Army, armed forces, security agencies, families of the fallen soldiers, and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) during a meeting held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja. Yakubu highlighted the commission’s engagement with stakeholders, including security agencies, in…
The Labour Party (LP) has officially lodged a petition with key government institutions, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Registrar of Trade Unions, seeking urgent intervention to protect the party from what it perceives as aggression by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The LP’s petition calls for disciplinary action against NLC President Joe Ajaero and other union leaders allegedly involved in vandalizing LP property during recent picketing of the party’s secretariats across the country. The conflict between the NLC and LP escalated when…
During a colloquium organized by the Southeast chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nnewi, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC, emphasized the need for Anambra State to join the ruling party, describing its continued stay in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as a “political dislocation.” Ganduje highlighted the marginalization of the South East, attributing it to what he described as miscalculations by the region’s people. He stated that Anambra State, having had governors from APGA for 25 years, needs to connect with the ruling party to experience progress and development. According to Ganduje, joining…
In a significant political development, 37,874 members of opposition parties in Akwa Ibom State officially joined the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday, March 22, 2024. The defectors comprised individuals from various parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others. Former state secretary of the APC, Nkereuwem Enyong Ekere, and Emmanuel Uko Etteh of the YPP, speaking on behalf of the defectors, expressed their willingness to dissolve their structures and work for the PDP. Governor Umo Eno, receiving the defectors at the PDP…
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has expressed his condolences to the families and management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, over the tragic deaths of students during a stampede on Friday. The incident occurred when some students and suspected hoodlums rushed the Convocation Square at the university and looted rice meant for distribution as palliatives, leading to the deaths of two students. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, Governor Sule described the news of the stampede as shocking, especially just hours before the scheduled flag-off of the distribution exercise. The statement explained that the unfortunate incident…
Stakeholders have urged state and federal governments to enact laws and implement drastic measures to deter sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. They emphasized the need for a policy document from the government to effectively address the menace. This call was made during a one-day training on sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment held in Calabar. Social justice crusaders at the event highlighted the urgency of crafting legal enactments to tackle the situation. Dr. Iwara Iwara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, noted that gender-based violence often leads to health challenges for survivors. He emphasized that his ministry is…
The Presidency announced on Friday that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, would save N5 billion quarterly from the ban on foreign trips for ministers, chiefs of government agencies, and other official travels paid with public funds. Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made this known while addressing State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tinubu recently imposed a significant ban on foreign trips funded with public money for ministers, heads of government agencies, and other officials in Nigeria. The three-month ban, effective from April 1, 2024, is part of a broader effort…
Eyitayo Jegede, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has announced his withdrawal from the forthcoming primary election. Jegede, who was the PDP candidate in the 2016 and 2020 elections but lost to late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated his commitment to providing solutions to the party’s problems. Speaking in Akure on Thursday, Jegede explained that after consultations and considerations, he realized the need to reassess whether to continue or take a different path that aligns with the prevailing opinion regarding equitable representation, fairness, and justice, particularly in…
Tajudeen Lawal, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke’s move to investigate contracts awarded by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, describing it as a ploy to divert attention from his alleged mismanagement of state resources. Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, on Thursday, questioned the timing of Adeleke’s decision to set up an implementation panel on the white paper regarding the review of government contracts. He pointed out that this decision came shortly after the APC accused Adeleke of awarding state road and flyover contracts to his…
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has revealed plans to establish the FCT Rapid Response Team to tackle security challenges in Abuja effectively. In a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Wike outlined the initiative, which aims to create a collaborative force comprising the Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Civil Defence. The primary objective of the team is to bolster the city’s capacity to combat crime and maintain peace. Wike stressed the importance of equipping the rapid response team with cutting-edge technology to enhance their crime-fighting capabilities in the…
Madaka village in Niger State was recently besieged by gunmen in a tragic attack that claimed the lives of 30 people and left about 50 houses razed to the ground. The assault, which occurred on Thursday, also resulted in the deaths of key figures in the community, including the Village Head, Saleh Ahmad Kakuri, and the Commander of the vigilante, along with his Deputy, in the Madaka District of Rafi local government area. The bandits extended their rampage to Majanjan District in the same local government, where Alhaji Salihu Immahuri, the Maianguwan (Village Head) of Anguwan Bala, and his two…
The Ogun State government has responded to a video featuring 500 pastors urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to fulfill his re-election pledge by rehabilitating the Agbado-Oke Aro-Akute road. In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, the government affirmed its commitment to road construction, highlighting the completion of over 600 kilometers of roads since assuming office in 2019. The statement acknowledged the ongoing rehabilitation of the Alagbole-Sango Ota road, with half of the project completed and the remaining portion included in the 2024 budget. The government attributed the slight delay in project execution to…
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has authorized the disbursement of over N967 million for the payment of registration fees for indigenous students studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abdullahi-Tunga, lauded the governor’s decision, hailing it as a demonstration of his dedication to nurturing youths for future leadership positions. Abdullahi-Tunga disclosed the approval during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, revealing that 20,908 Kebbi State students in 36 tertiary institutions nationwide would benefit from the sponsorship. He highlighted the governor’s vision to revamp higher education in the state and ensure that youths capitalize on…
In a recent development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the suspension of the 25 percent penalty imposed as a surcharge on improperly imported vehicles. This decision follows a directive from the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. A press statement issued by Abdullahi Maiwada, the national public relations officer of the service, highlights the initiative as an effort to encourage stakeholders, including vehicle owners, importers, and agents, to regularise their vehicle’s import duty payments within a 90-day window. The statement reads: “NCS, under the directives of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating…
The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has expressed outrage over his prolonged incarceration despite numerous appeals and court orders for his release. They described the situation as a humiliation not just to Kanu but to the entire Igbo race. In a statement issued by Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the family accused certain selfish politicians benefiting from the insecurity in the Southeast region of being behind Kanu’s continued detention. Family criticized the Igbo political elite for allegedly failing to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Kanu’s release, nearly a year…