The Nigeria Population Commission (NPC) has recorded a total of 424,302 births in Gombe State between January and November. Out of these births, 187,283 (44.13%) were girls, while 237,019 (55.86%) were boys. Mr. Adedeji Adeniyi, the head of NPC’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Gombe State, disclosed these statistics on Friday in Gombe. He mentioned that the registrations were conducted across more than 100 registration centers in the state, covering children between the ages of 0 and 17 years. Adeniyi further detailed that 76,900 of the registered births were children below the age of one year, with 33,760 being…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, a chieftain of the apex Igbo sociopolitical organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed deep sadness over the passing of the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, describing him as an exceptional in-law who played a significant role in fostering harmonious relationships between Igbos and their Yoruba hosts in the state during his tenure. Akeredolu passed away on Wednesday in Germany after battling leukaemia and prostate cancer. In a statement signed by Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, he conveyed condolences to Akeredolu’s wife, Chief Mrs. Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, and emphasized the late governor’s exceptional qualities in promoting…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the promotion of 5,196 staff members across Nigeria. This disclosure was made in the commission’s daily bulletin issued by Mrs. Adenike Tadese, the Director of Publicity and Voter Education, in Abuja on Thursday. According to Tadese, the promotions resulted from the 2023 promotion examination and evaluation conducted by the commission, emphasizing its dedication to the welfare and professional development of its workforce. Breaking down the figures, Tadese explained that 55 deputy directors on Grade Level 16 were elevated to the rank of Director on Grade Level 17, while 54 assistant directors on…
Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced plans to establish a National Institute of Progressive Studies as part of the party’s new initiatives for 2024. This initiative aims to promote democratic principles within the party and across the nation. Ganduje revealed this during a meeting with State House Correspondents after visiting the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and President Bola Tinubu in Lagos on Thursday. He explained that the institute would play a crucial role in educating both party members and the general public about the essence of democracy, internal party democracy, the importance…
The Nigerian Army, on Thursday, decorated 47 senior officers with the rank of major general, urging them to redouble their efforts in addressing the country’s security challenges. The promotion of the officers was approved by the Army Council on December 21, with 47 brigadiers general elevated to the rank of major general, and 75 colonels promoted to brigadier general. The newly promoted major generals will be decorated at their respective units and formations. Speaking at the decoration ceremony, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, commended the officers for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to national service. He…
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has called for the appointment of a Muslim as the new deputy governor of Ondo State following Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s assumption of office as the substantive governor. In a statement jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, and the Ondo State Coordinator, Alhaji Ali Abdul-Yekeen, the group advised Governor Aiyedatiwa to select a Muslim deputy governor from Ondo North Senatorial District, particularly Owo, the hometown of the late Rotimi Akeredolu. The group emphasized that this move would promote inclusivity, equality, justice, and fairness in governance. Citing past administrations in the state,…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced a three-day state mourning period in honor of the late Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and former Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Governor Makinde’s declaration came on Thursday following the announcement of Akeredolu’s passing on Wednesday. In addition to the mourning period, Governor Makinde ordered that all flags at public offices in Oyo State be flown at half-mast for the duration of the mourning period. This directive was conveyed in a statement issued by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, where he quoted Governor Makinde as saying, “Oyo…
The Consolidated APC Grassroots Movement (CAGraM), a group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the new Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, not to abandon the ongoing projects initiated by his predecessor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu. Following Akeredolu’s recent passing and Aiyedatiwa’s subsequent swearing-in as governor, Ambassador Agbi Stephen Omobamidele, Deputy National Chairman of CAGraM, congratulated Aiyedatiwa and urged him to maintain the developmental initiatives started by Akeredolu. In a statement, Omobamidele expressed his wishes for Aiyedatiwa’s swift recovery from the setbacks caused by his predecessor’s illness, which had kept him away from the state for…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated its stance that the 26 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are no longer members of the state legislature. This assertion was made by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, while speaking to newsmen after Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjourned the lawmakers’ suit until January 24, 2024. Ajibade emphasized that the party stands firm on the constitutional provisions regarding defection, despite any interventions by notable figures like President Bola Tinubu. “The PDP, as a party, upholds…
Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State. In a post shared on Thursday morning, Osinbajo revealed that he has lost a brother and friend of over 40 years. Governor Akeredolu passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, after battling a prolonged illness. “Dolly and I express our sincere condolence to Her Excellency Betty Akeredolu, children, family, friends, associates of HE Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu @rotimiaketi and the government and people of Ondo State on his passing,” the former VP wrote. “I have lost a brother and friend of…
Oluwaroti, the son of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has disclosed that his father passed away peacefully in his sleep in Germany. The news of Akeredolu’s demise emerged on Wednesday following his battle with illness. However, Oluwarotimi Jnr clarified that the former governor died while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in Germany. In a statement he released, Oluwarotimi expressed that the burial arrangements for his father will soon be announced to the public. The statement reads: “He died peacefully and departed in his sleep at a Hospital in Germany, where he was undergoing treatment for protracted prostate…
The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has strongly condemned the recent killing of over 70 people in Gashish and Ropp districts of Barkin Ladi and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State. The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, emphasized the urgent need to halt the ongoing violence in the state. He called upon the military and other security agencies to intensify their efforts in addressing the crisis until peace is restored. In a statement he released, Chinda urged the National Assembly security committees to initiate a thorough investigation into the recurring killings and propose legislative measures to bring an end to…
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former Secretary to the State Government of Edo State, has announced his candidacy for the 2024 governorship race in the state. Ize-Iyamu revealed his decision to run for governor again under the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday. He reiterated his commitment to his previous SIMPLE agenda, focusing on Security, Infrastructure Development, Manpower Development, Public/Private Partnership, Leadership by Example, and Employment Creation. This marks Ize-Iyamu’s third attempt at the Edo governorship office. In 2020, he contested under the APC but was defeated by Governor Godwin Obaseki, who ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party…
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed rumors claiming that its candidate, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, has withdrawn his case from the election petition tribunal challenging the outcome of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously declared Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election after securing the highest votes among other contestants. Reacting to reports suggesting that the SDP had conceded defeat and would no longer challenge the APC victory in court, the Director of New Media, Muri/Sam Campaign Council/SDP, Isaiah Davies Ijele, labeled…
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has expressed deep sadness over the demise of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, at the age of 67. In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, in Asaba, Governor Oborevwori extended his condolences to Akeredolu’s wife, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, family members, the government, and the people of Ondo State. Governor Oborevwori praised the late Governor Akeredolu as an urbane and cerebral leader of great value who was dedicated to the growth and development of Ondo State and Nigeria. He highlighted Akeredolu’s role as the chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and…
Following the passing of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as the substantive Executive Governor of the state. The oath of office was administered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odosola, at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s office in Akure. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by top judges in the state, government officials, and politicians, who gathered to witness the transition of power. Earlier, Aiyedatiwa had arrived at the Governor’s office in Akure for the ceremony, marking the official assumption of his new role. Governor Akeredolu passed away…
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has passed away at the age of 67. Reports indicate that he died in Lagos on Wednesday. According to sources, Governor Akeredolu had been under the care of State House doctors until his demise, as he was unable to be flown abroad for treatment. “Akeredolu is dead; he died in Lagos,” a reliable source informed Vanguard. “They were looking for dialysis machines to be sent to his secret location in Lagos last week.” Governor Akeredolu had returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany. He had recently taken another…
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has officially signed the Enugu State 2024 Budget into law, totaling N521.5 billion. The governor emphasized that this budget would facilitate substantial economic growth, extensive infrastructural development, and improved service delivery within the state. The Enugu State 2024 Appropriation Law allocates N414.3 billion, which represents 79 percent of the budget, to capital expenditure, and N107.2 billion, representing 21 percent, to recurrent expenditure. Governor Mbah highlighted the reliance on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund the budget and urged the executive arm to focus on robust revenue generation and efficient service delivery. During the budget…
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, former spokesperson for the defunct new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), has made bold assertions regarding the political future of Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State. According to Eze, Wike’s aspirations to become the “jagaban” (a colloquial term for a political leader) of Rivers State have come to an end. Eze declared that Wike is no longer relevant in the political landscape of Rivers State and Nigeria at large. He cited Wike’s well-known antecedents and cautioned that anyone choosing to align with him does so at their own risk. In a statement issued on Tuesday,…
In a heartwarming display of camaraderie and respect, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has publicly pledged to continue seeking the counsel and guidance of his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel. The Governor made this declaration during the Special Christmas Day ceremony held at the United Evangelical Church (UEC), Awa Iman in Onna Local Government Area of the state. Governor Eno emphasized that there exists no political discord between him and former Governor Emmanuel, who played a pivotal role in his ascension to power. He expressed gratitude for Emmanuel’s unyielding support and credited him with instilling valuable leadership qualities during his…