Bello El-Rufai, the member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has refuted claims that his father, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, is anti-Christian. Bello pointed out that one of the closest individuals to his father is a Christian from Cross River State named Peter Jones. In a podcast interview with Seun Okinbaloye, Bello highlighted that his father has been unfairly stereotyped, and he shared a video where people made unfounded accusations about him without really knowing him. He emphasized that Nasir El-Rufai does not actively seek to change people’s perceptions of him and is indifferent…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to return seized food items at border communities to their rightful owners, with the condition that the items must be sold in Nigerian markets. This directive was disclosed by the Controller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during a meeting with border communities in Katsina on Saturday. Adeniyi stated that President Tinubu’s decision was not based on legal guidelines but on his “deep sense of generosity” towards Nigeria. He emphasized that the returned food items should not be taken out of the country but should be sold within Nigerian markets. “In doing…
Sydney Gbara, the Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed confidence that the political crises in the state will soon be resolved. Gbara made this assertion while addressing journalists on Saturday in Port Harcourt, emphasizing that the majority of Rivers people were tired of the ongoing political drama. Gbara noted that most reasonable citizens of Rivers State desired peace and wanted Governor Siminialaye Fubara to be allowed to govern effectively and demonstrate his capabilities without distractions. He commended the governor for maintaining composure and focus despite political disagreements. “The governor, even in the midst of…
The Nigeria Police authorities have taken disciplinary action against officers involved in the alleged extortion of 3,000 USD from a resident of Port Harcourt. According to a statement by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Sunday, Inspector Michael Odey has been dismissed, while ASP Doubara Edonyabor and ASP Talent Mungo have been suspended from office. The statement clarified that Inspector Michael Odey had already been dismissed, effective from February 7, 2024, following thorough Orderly Room proceedings and a comprehensive review conducted by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16. The suspension of ASP Doubara Edonyabor…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has dismissed speculations that former Speakers of the State House of Assembly who visited Governor Alex Otti were planning to defect to the Labour Party (LP). Members of the Conference of Former Speakers of Abia State House of Assembly visited Governor Alex Otti on Friday, where they endorsed his performance in office. The former Speakers, including the immediate past Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu, and two other former Speakers of the PDP extraction, pledged their support to Governor Alex Otti and accompanied him to inspect ongoing road projects in Aba. The visit…
The South West chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has advised Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to refrain from squandering taxpayers’ money in combatting opposition figures in the state. Instead, the party urged the governor to concentrate on enhancing the socio-economic welfare of the state. Dr. Babatunde Oke, the South West Secretary of the party, made this statement in a press release issued on Saturday in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state. Oke called on Governor Abiodun to channel his efforts towards initiatives that can lift Ogun State out of years of socio-economic stagnation. The statement expressed…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State recently convened a meeting with traditional rulers across the state to discuss plans for reconstituting the Council of Obas and Chiefs. The gathering took place over the weekend in Ibadan, the state capital, and was attended by traditional rulers from the five geopolitical zones in the state. The Council, which has not been sitting since 2011, has been a matter of concern for the state government. Represented by his Deputy, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, Governor Makinde expressed his administration’s commitment to resolving all issues surrounding the Council and ensuring its functionality. “We have engaged…
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have apprehended suspects linked to various crimes, including the murder of Alhaji Saleh Umar, the Ardo of Kamuru in Dutsen Bako community, Ikulu Chiefdom of Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The suspects abducted and killed Alhaji Umar after collecting N2 million ransom. Maj. Samson Zhakom, the OPSH Media Officer, announced these arrests during a news conference in Jos. He disclosed that the troops also arrested individuals suspected of killing retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Hamza Musa, as well as the killers of some residents of Bokkos Local…
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, stated that only President Bola Tinubu has the authority to reopen the country’s borders. He made this declaration during an interaction with members of the Kongolam border community in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State. Adeniyi responded to calls for the border’s reopening, assuring the community that consultations and engagements were ongoing regarding the matter. “Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter,” he said. He emphasized the Service’s commitment to removing obstacles hindering free trade, aligning with the present administration’s agenda of promoting economic…
The Nigerian Senate has refuted claims circulating on certain media platforms alleging that the 2024 appropriation budget was padded by over N4 trillion. In a statement issued to Senate Correspondents, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, expressed skepticism about the intentions of those spreading such misinformation. He emphasized the transparent process through which the budget had been scrutinized and approved before receiving President Bola Tinubu’s assent. Senator Adaramodu clarified that the budget, which outlines the expected revenue and expenditure, had been publicly available. He underscored that the 10th Senate, under the leadership of…
The House of Representatives member for Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency in Taraba State, Sadiq Abbas Njiddah Tafida, has appealed for the immediate repair of the deteriorating Jalingo–Numan road in the Northeastern part of the country. The call comes amid the escalating hardships faced by commuters plying the route. The trunk A road, which serves as a major linking the region, has been begging for government assistance. Tafida, who was recently elected on the platform of the PDP in a bye-election, emphasized the urgent need for rehabilitation during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency…
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has reiterated his call for local and national politicians to stop politicizing the insecurity crisis in the state. He made the appeal during an assessment tour of the crisis area in Ityulugh district, Gbajir, Ukum Local Government, where armed herders had attacked residents. Governor Alia emphasized the need for politicians to refrain from sponsoring militia groups and urged them to instead support efforts to restore peace in the region. Alia called on those involved in sponsoring violence to step back and take responsibility for their actions. Addressing the situation, Governor Alia questioned the…
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has become embroiled in controversy as the Tumu Community in the Akko local government area of the state sues him for allegedly halting the reconstruction of a central mosque in the state. The suit, which includes the Emir of Pindiga, Ahmed Seyoji-Mohammed, Attorney-General Zubairu Umar, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Abdulkadir Muhammed as defendants, revolves around the abrupt halt of the mosque reconstruction project initiated by Senator Danjuma Goje representing Gombe Central Senatorial District. Residents, represented by Mohammed Yero, Bello Ali-Tumu, and Danjuma Mukhtari, expressed displeasure with the governor’s directives to…
Alhaji Kabiru Dauda, the member representing Gada-East Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, has confirmed the attack and kidnapping of an unspecified number of Tsangaya students at Gidan Bakuso in Gada Local Government Area of the state. Dauda confirmed the incident, stating that he received a call informing him that the students were kidnapped around 1:00 am on Saturday. Similarly, the proprietor of the school, Liman Abubakar, also confirmed the attack, stating that 15 students were unaccounted for so far, adding, “We are still counting.” Abubakar explained that the bandits invaded the town around 1:00 am, shot one…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of needlessly promoting a crisis where none existed. The party also criticized Governor Adeleke for allegedly meddling with the selection of legally installed monarchs in Iree and Igbajo towns. During the twilight of the Adegboyega Oyetola administration, Adegboyega Famodun and Raphael Oluponle were installed as the Owa of Igbajo and Aree of Iree respectively. However, upon assuming office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke suspended the processes that led to the installation of these monarchs via an Executive Order. In January 2024, a review panel…
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has invited residents whose vehicles were stolen by robbers to come forward for identification and possible recovery of their vehicles. This announcement was made by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Josephine Adeh, in a brief statement released on Friday. The invitation comes after the Command recently paraded some notorious car snatchers who were arrested in different parts of the territory, during which about nine stolen vehicles were recovered from the suspects. “The FCT Police Command is calling on members of the public who have reported cases of their vehicles…
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has reiterated the commitment of Nigerian governors to effectively implement a new minimum wage for workers. The governor made this affirmation on his verified Facebook page following his participation in a meeting in Yola, convened by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (North-East Zone) on Friday. “We are collaborating to ensure the smooth implementation of the new minimum wage,” he stated. Governor Mohammed also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support of the state governments and his efforts to enhance the well-being of all Nigerians. The federal government constituted a 37-member Tripartite…
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to introduce censorship on social media platforms in Nigeria to curb the abuse and spread of fake news. He made this call during his decoration as the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council. Governor Bago emphasized the importance of censorship to control the dissemination of fake news and promote objective reportage by conventional journalism practitioners. He echoed sentiments shared by other politicians, including President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who have advocated for regulated social media. In his address,…
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint a woman to lead the nation’s economic revival, citing the need for a globally experienced Nigerian female economist to steer Nigeria away from disaster. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, highlighted the disproportionate impact of the current economic hardship on women. He emphasized the importance of appointing a female economist to address the challenges faced by Nigerian women, such as the lack of accessible healthcare facilities, rising maternal mortality rates, crushing inflation affecting small and medium businesses run by women, and pervasive hunger making…
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has declared March 11 and March 12, 2024, as the tentative start dates for the annual Ramadan fast. This declaration is pending the sighting of the moon after sunset on Sunday, March 10, 2024. In a statement, the Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof. Salisu Shehu, urged the Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the given date, which corresponds to the 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH. The NSCIA called on Muslim faithful who witness the crescent to inform members of the National Moon Sighting Committee. The council, under…