President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after attending the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. President Tinubu departed Abuja, Nigeria, on February 14 for the Summit and arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday at about 04:00 pm local time. He was warmly received by top government officials, including his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle. The President’s return comes amidst protests in…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The crisis surrounding Saturday’s primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has escalated, with three candidates now laying claim to the party’s ticket for the governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024. Anamero Sunday Dekeri was declared the winner of the primary election on Saturday night, adding to the confusion as two other candidates had already been declared winners earlier. Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, chairman of the governorship primary committee, had declared Honourable Dennis Idahosa winner with 40,453 votes, while Ugboaja Stanley Uzoamaka, the Returning Officer, declared Senator Monday Okpebholo winner with 12,145 votes. However,…
Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku, has been compelled to close down indefinitely due to repeated attacks on students by hoodlums. The Rector of the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu, announced the closure during the weekend, with students expected to resume academic activities on Monday, February 26. The Students Union Government (SUG) of the school also issued a statement directing all students in the hostels to comply with the management’s directive to proceed on a semi-semester break. Reports from Ogwashi- Uku indicate that most of the hostels, both outside and inside the campus, have been deserted due to fears of further attacks…
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the ongoing African Union summit to discuss the comprehensive strengthening of bilateral ties between their countries. In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, their discussions were described as fruitful, focusing on the need to enhance trade and cooperation in various fields. President Lula da Silva expressed his determination to strengthen bilateral relations, noting that Nigeria and Brazil had once enjoyed a trade volume of more than $10 billion, which has now declined…
The Kwara State Police Command has debunked a trending video that purported to show residents of Ilorin protesting at the Emir’s palace over the current economic challenges in the country. In a statement issued by the spokesperson, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, the Command urged the public to disregard the video and refrain from sharing unverified information or content that could aid the spread of fake news. The statement described the video as “the handiwork of mischief makers and subversive elements with criminal intent to disrupt the peace and harmony we enjoy in the state.” According to the statement, the viral…
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has rejected the call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation over the country’s current economic challenges. In a statement responding to the PDP Governors Forum, Idris stated, “The call is nothing but an attempt at distraction by people who should instead be busy supporting the President’s efforts at bringing economic relief to the Nigerian people.” Idris emphasized that President Tinubu would not resign, pointing out that his administration had provided financial support to all State Governments, regardless of partisan affiliation. He also highlighted the…
Hoodlums Invade Coalition Centre, Assault Journalists and Electoral Officers Political thugs allegedly working for a leading aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State on Saturday invaded the coalition centre, disrupting the exercise. The incident occurred at Lushville Hotels and Suites in GRA, Benin City. According to reports, results from eight local governments had already been announced before the hoodlums, numbering in the hundreds, stormed the venue. Despite the presence of heavily armed security operatives, the thugs assaulted journalists, chased electoral officers, and officials of the party’s State Working Committee out of the venue, leading…
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Rev. David Ajang, has urged the Federal Government to urgently tackle hunger and security challenges facing the nation. The Bishop made this call during a Thanksgiving Mass organized by Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Doma, on Sunday. Bishop Ajang emphasized that addressing insecurity and hunger would not only promote peace but also significantly improve the living standards of Nigerians. He highlighted the critical nature of the current situation, stating that security and hunger are major issues that require immediate attention. He called for action to be…
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, has criticized President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of failing to implement concrete policy steps to contain the crises of currency fluctuation and poverty in Nigeria. In a statement issued on his official handle on Sunday, Atiku claimed that Tinubu’s administration has continued to cause untold pain and distress to the economy due to wrong policies. He stated that the Nigerian economy would begin to find a footing again if the government opens itself to sound counsel and controls internal bleedings caused by corruption and…
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has approved the establishment of a 27-member committee to enforce a ban on hoarding of food items and rent-seeking in the state. This decision comes following the recent outlawing of hoarding of food items and other essential commodities in the state. The committee, chaired by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Alhaji Jabiru Tsauri, will be responsible for ensuring strict compliance with the Food Security Promotion Order in the state. It will also identify individuals engaged in hoarding grains and engage stakeholders in commodity pricing. Members of the committee include the Attorney General/Commissioner for…
In the face of ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth wing has called on President Bola Tinubu to seek guidance from former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan on how to move the country forward. The youth wing emphasized the need for a leader capable of steering Nigeria towards economic recovery, citing what they perceive as Tinubu’s failure in this regard. Usman Okai Austin, the National Coordinator of PDP Youths Frontier, stated in a signed statement that former President Muhammadu Buhari spent eight years in office blaming Jonathan and the PDP. Okai further noted that…
There were tears on Saturday as the remains of Lady Caroline Aguiyi-Ironsi, the daughter of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Thomas Umunnankwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, were laid to rest at Umuana village, Ndume Ibeku in Umuahia North local government area of Abia State. Lady Caroline, who passed away at the age of 68, was renowned in the community for her kindness to the people and advocacy for the ordinary citizens. Speaking at the event, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described the late Lady Caroline Aguiyi-Ironsi as a woman of substance with a heart of gold, pure and natural. Governor Otti,…
The Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, has highlighted the critical role of judges of lower courts, such as magistrates and customary courts, in justice delivery. Ohwovoriole made this statement in Asaba during a courtesy visit by members of the customary court department and magistracy. He emphasized the importance of working together to achieve the objectives of the state government, particularly in enforcing the rule of law. In response to their request for an increase in retirement age to 65 years, Mr. Ohwovoriole explained that such matters are national issues and must follow established procedures and…
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former senatorial candidate of Benue South, Daniel Onjeh, has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider granting autonomy to local government and the judiciary. In a statement issued on Saturday, Onjeh also supported the creation of state police, emphasizing that it would help tackle insecurity in some parts of the country. Onjeh argued that granting autonomy to local governments would enable them to understand and address the unique security challenges within their jurisdictions. Onjeh proposed that local government autonomy should include providing the necessary financial resources and legal frameworks to establish…
House of Representatives member Dennis Idahosa has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, the chairman of the APC Edo Governorship Primary Election Committee, announced this at the end of the election on Saturday in Benin. Uzodinma disclosed that Idahosa scored 40,483 votes to defeat eight other aspirants in the race. The likes of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and Chief Lucky Imasuen had earlier withdrawn from the primary election.
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted its primary election on Saturday to nominate a candidate for the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, news emerged that one of the party’s aspirants, Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, had withdrawn from the race. Dr. Umakhihe’s withdrawal marks the third aspirant to back out of the primary election. Earlier withdrawals include Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Chief Lucky Imasuen, the former deputy governor of the state. In a letter addressed to the Edo State acting chairman of the party, Jarrett Tenebe, Dr. Umakhihe stated that he decided to withdraw from the contest…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians to pray for his mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan, and his family following the death of his elder sister, Madam Obebhatein. Speaking during the burial of Madam Obebhatein in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Jonathan expressed that the death of his sister has traumatised their mother. Madam Obebhatein, who died at the age of 70 on January 11, 2024, was Jonathan’s only surviving sibling from his aged mother. Jonathan remarked, “Death, as they say, is something we all pass through. But the time it comes also matters. Yes, we will…
The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed a surge in car snatching incidents, particularly in the metropolitan areas of Yola North, Yola South, and Girei local government areas. In a statement obtained by the media on Saturday morning, the State Police Command alerted residents to the rising cases of car theft. SP Suleiman Nguroje, the command’s spokesperson, emphasized that the police would conduct vigorous checks in the affected areas, which might lead to slow traffic flow. “The Commissioner of Police appeals to motorists for their understanding as the action is in the interest of their safety and security,” Nguroje stated.…
The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with Tantita Security Services, the military, and other security agencies, has arrested 40 individuals and confiscated two vessels involved in illegal activities at the Ogbogoro Oil Field, Brass Area, and Ekeni Area of Southern-Ijaw, Bayelsa State. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspects were apprehended and are under investigation for their alleged involvement in economic sabotage and oil theft. They will be arraigned in court to face charges related to these crimes. The seized vessels, which were used in the illegal activities, have been confiscated as part of the…
David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has called for an urgent meeting with key cement manufacturers in Nigeria to address the concerning increase in the price of cement. Umahi expressed his concern over the steep rise in the cost of cement, despite substantial patronage from road and housing contractors. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Mabushi, Abuja. Orji Uchenna Orji, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, stated in a release in Abuja that the meeting aims to address the escalating cost of the product. The invited cement manufacturers…