Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has attributed the high rate of corruption in Nigeria to the neglect of cultural values. Ola made this assertion on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by Chief Biodun Ajiboye, the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), in Abuja. The purpose of the visit was to discuss inter-agency collaborations aimed at reorienting Nigerians on the importance of reviving cultural values as a tool to combat and eradicate corruption in the country. In a statement issued by Mr. Caleb Nor, media aide to Ajiboye, Olukoyede…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Delta State House of Assembly has urged the state governor to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the crisis between Okuama in Ughelli South and Okoloba in Bomadi Local Government Area. The call was made following a motion raised during Tuesday’s plenary session under matters of urgent public importance by Festus Utuama, the member representing Ughelli South State Constituency. Utuama’s motion sought strong condemnation of the killing of 16 Nigerian Army officers and one civilian who were on a peace mission in the community. The lawmakers called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently prompt relevant security agencies to…
The Senate has given its approval for the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) 2024 Statutory Budget, amounting to N1.28 trillion. The budget received approval following the consideration of the harmonized report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on FCT during the plenary session on Tuesday. Chairman of the Committee on FCT, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, presented the report, stating that the FCT had initially proposed N1.15 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year. After deliberation, the committee recommended an increase to N1.28 trillion. The breakdown includes N140 billion for personnel costs, N373 billion for overhead costs, and N768 billion for capital…
An amalgamation of concerned groups in Bauchi State has strongly criticized Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio, and demanded his resignation. The groups accuse him of trying to divert attention from the alleged N3.7 trillion padding of the 2024 budget by framing the issue as a North-South divide. The call for the Senate President’s resignation follows the suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, for his comments on the untraceable N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget. Describing the suspension of Senator Ningi as “unlawful, hasty, and undemocratic,” the groups held a press conference at the secretariat of…
The Nigerian Army (NA) has disclosed the identities of soldiers who were brutally murdered by suspected militias in Delta State last week. InfoStride News reported that at least 17 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the NA, who were on a peaceful and mediatory mission in Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Ughelli South and Bomadi LGAs of Delta State, were killed by an armed gang in the communities. The incident has garnered attention from concerned Nigerians both at home and abroad. Following the incident, reports emerged that troops had invaded some communities in the area and launched a reprisal…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has approved the appointment of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) for government-owned hospitals in the state, along with members of the governing councils of state-owned institutions. The appointments were announced in a statement signed by Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, on Monday. The appointed Chief Medical Directors are Kalu U. Kalu (Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare), Chimezie Okwuonu (CMD, Specialist/Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia), Prof Ijeoma Nduka (CMD, ABSUTH), N.O.E. Kamanu (CMD, General Hospital, Aba), Odochi Azubuike (CEO, Health Management Board), Agbonma Ukaobasi (SSA, Ease of Doing Business), and Mrs Victoria Onwubiko (MD/CEO, ABSSAA). Additionally,…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has requested the House of Representatives to approve a N500 billion loan to finance the N1.147 trillion 2024 budget of the territory. Wike appeared before the House Committee on FCT on Monday to defend his budget proposal. During his presentation, the former Rivers State governor proposed borrowing N500 billion from commercial banks to finance capital projects. In response, a lawmaker from Niger State, Saidu Abdulahi, expressed concern over the planned borrowing, stating that obtaining the proposed N500 billion loan from commercial banks would incur higher costs. Abdulahi urged the minister…
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has called on its members nationwide to abstain from violence and instead promote peace and unity within the country. Khalil Muhammad Bello, the National President of KACRAN, made this appeal in a statement released to journalists in Damaturu on Monday. Bello stated, “KACRAN, as an organization, is dedicated to harmony and progress. It strongly denounces any acts of vandalism and lawlessness, as such behavior threatens the nation’s fragile security and goes against our values as a civilized society.” He acknowledged the challenging times Nigeria is facing, especially regarding insecurity affecting various…
The Arewa Initiative for the Defence and Promotion of Democracy (AIDPD) has expressed discontent with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) over its position regarding the suspension of ex-Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), Senator Abdul Ningi, in relation to the budget padding controversy. In a press statement released on Monday, the spokesperson for AIDPD, Tasiu Haruna, advised the ACF not to align itself with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but to remain “an umbrella association of all northerners.” The ACF had previously condemned the senate’s suspension of Senator Ningi (PDP – Bauchi Central) following his allegation on the BBC…
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has visited the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, where military officers and civilians were killed in an ambush. The governor’s visit aimed to assess the extent of the damage caused by the incident. However, journalists were barred from covering the governor’s tour of the troubled community by the military Joint Task Force (JTF). The JTF operatives blocked the major entries to Okuama with an armoured personnel carrier tank, preventing vehicular and human traffic, including media personnel, from accessing the community. Governor Oborevwori was welcomed by the leader of the…
The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to the Okuama community in Delta State, urging them to prepare to face the full consequences of their actions. This warning comes in the wake of the killing of soldiers who were on a peaceful and mediatory mission following a communal clash between the Okuama and Okoloba communities. In a statement signed by Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the Army criticized the Okuama community for resorting to propaganda instead of assisting in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators. The statement condemned the killing of troops from the 181 Amphibious…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence that the legislative agenda of the 10th National Assembly will significantly enhance the standard of living for Nigerians. He made this assertion in Abuja on Monday during the public hearing on the Student Loan Access to Higher Education Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2024. The public hearing, organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tetfund and the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarship, and Higher Education Financing, aimed to gather input on the bill. Represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, Akpabio commended President Bola Tinubu for…
President Bola Tinubu has officially presented the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag to the party’s standard bearer for the September 21 Edo State gubernatorial election, alongside his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, at the state house. During the presentation, President Tinubu expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects for victory in the upcoming election. The President commended the state leadership of the APC for their efforts in resolving internal conflicts that led to the emergence of the candidate and his running mate. He stated his belief that the path is now clear for the APC to assume leadership in the state after…
The Labour Party (LP) has issued a stern warning to federal lawmakers, particularly those from the House of Representatives elected under its banner, urging them to uphold the party’s supremacy or face disciplinary measures. The caution came via a statement released on Monday by Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary. In the statement, the party expressed disappointment in the lawmakers’ conduct, noting that they have not lived up to the expectations of being true representatives of the people and the Labour Party. The party highlighted the sacrifices made by Nigerians in electing them. Ifoh specifically referenced a statement by…
In the aftermath of the killing of 16 soldiers on a peacekeeping mission, several houses in the coastal and rustic Okuoma community, in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, were engulfed in flames. According to a statement by the Director of Information at the Defence Headquarters, Tukur Gusau, the military personnel, including a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers, were killed by youths on Thursday during a peace mission to Okuoma community. General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. In a video posted by Channels Television,…
The safety of schoolchildren in Northern Nigeria has once again come under scrutiny as bandits carry out audacious attacks across the region. Between Wednesday, March 6, and Monday, March 11, approximately 800 Nigerians, mostly schoolchildren, were kidnapped by terrorists in various incidents. According to Amnesty International, Boko Haram terrorists abducted over 400 people, including women and children, in Borno State. The victims, who had left Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Gamboru Ngala council area to search for firewood, were targeted by the extremists. In another incident, over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school…
Adewale Giwa, a popular cleric in Ondo State and Senior Pastor of Awaiting the Second Coming of Christ Ministry, has urged residents of the state not to vote for stingy politicians in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. He warned that electing such individuals could have a detrimental effect on the state’s development. Speaking in Akure, the state capital, Giwa emphasized the need to avoid a repeat of the challenges experienced in the last seven years. He advised aspirants whose aim is to exploit the state to withdraw from the gubernatorial race. Giwa specifically called out one of the contestants whom he…
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has expressed his condolences to the family of the late Alhaji Muhammadu Bababa Ibrahim Hamza, former District Head of Darazo, who passed away last week. Governor Mohammed described the passing of the former district head as a significant loss to Darazo and the Bauchi Emirate Council. The governor, accompanied by top government officials, visited the late district head’s palace in Darazo on Sunday to pay his respects. He praised Alhaji Hamza as a reliable and respected traditional ruler who worked tirelessly for the best interests of his people and the Bauchi Emirate. On behalf…
The Federal Government has responded to the recent controversy regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it entered into with Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited, a United Kingdom (UK) firm, for the construction of the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line. The MoU, signed by the Ministry of Transport on March 13, 2024, has drawn attention and criticism from some Nigerians, particularly on social media, regarding the UK firm’s capacity to deliver the project, given its perceived newness in the rail construction industry. Critics, including former presidential aide Tolu Ogunlesi, highlighted the existing Warri—Itakpe Standard Gauge Rail, suggesting that the route…
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on Nigerians to remain focused and steadfast in prayer for the nation to overcome its current economic challenges. Sanwo-Olu made this plea during the Annual Ramadan Public Lecture, 1445 A.H, held at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, on Saturday. The theme of the lecture was “The Current Economic Situation: Solution from Islamic Perspective.” Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the governor advised leaders to formulate policies that would benefit the nation’s economy. He also urged citizens to exercise patience with the government, emphasizing the need for a positive and supportive…